Where to see the northern lights in Canada
Chase the aurora borealis in Canada with our full guide, from prime viewing destinations to the top places to stay
With its vast and pristine northern wildernesses and blissfully minimal light pollution, Canada is one of the world’s top destinations for witnessing the aurora borealis. This celestial light show, caused by energetic solar particles dramatically colliding with atmospheric gases, appears most frequently in the crisp winter months from September to March, when nights are incredibly long and impossibly dark.
While the northern lights are notoriously unpredictable, Canada’s strategic positioning directly under the “aurora oval” – a ring-shaped zone with intensely vibrant auroral activity – makes it one of the most reliable places on Earth to view this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
From gloriously remote wilderness lodges to conveniently accessible national parks, Canada offers wonderfully diverse viewing experiences for travellers too. Plan your trip with our full guide.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Situated directly beneath the aurora oval, Yellowknife has earned a reputation as the “Aurora Capital of North America”. This remote northern city experiences clear skies around 240 nights per year and boasts a 90% chance of aurora sightings if you stay three consecutive nights in winter.
Where to go: Aurora Village, located 25 minutes from downtown Yellowknife, features heated traditional teepees where you can warm up between viewings. For a more immersive experience, book with North Star Adventures, an Indigenous-owned operator offering culturally informed aurora tours.
Where to stay: The Explorer Hotel offers “aurora wake-up calls” when the lights appear, while B. Dene Adventures provides heated teepees and cabins within the First Nations Dene community, so aurora viewers can immerse themselves in Indigenous culture as they search the skies.
Natalie’s insider tip: Visit between mid-January and early April when temperatures become more moderate, but darkness remains plentiful.
Read next: 9 of the best places to visit in Canada
Churchill, Manitoba
Renowned around the world for its resident polar bears, Churchill also offers exceptional northern lights viewing with more than 300 active nights per year. Its location near Hudson Bay also provides unique opportunities to see the aurora reflected over water during autumn months.
Where to go: The Churchill Northern Studies Centre runs multi-day learning vacations focused on the science behind the aurora in a sustainable facility with a heated viewing dome.
Where to stay: Lazy Bear Lodge has charmingly rustic timber accommodations, along with guided tundra excursions combining wildlife and aurora viewing. For budget options, the locally owned Tundra Inn provides comfortable rooms and a popular pub for warming up.
Natalie’s insider tip: February and March typically offer the best balance of moderate temperatures and clear skies, though September and October allow for unique bear-and-aurora combination tours.
Read next: Tracking polar bears and pioneers in Churchill, Canada
Whitehorse, Yukon
If you want a comfortable base with modern amenities, alongside excellent aurora potential, set your sights on the Yukon capital. The majestic mountainous landscape creates a dramatic foreground for photography too.
Where to go: Northern Tales Travel Services operates viewing tours to purpose-built outposts outside the city’s (minimal) light pollution, complete with wall tents, hot drinks and expert guides.
Where to stay: The enchanting Northern Lights Resort and Spa features glass-fronted aurora-viewing chalets with private decks and relaxing post-viewing spa treatments. Inn on the Lake also promises cosy lakeside viewing opportunities just 35 minutes from downtown.
Natalie’s insider tip: February and March allow for optimal viewing conditions alongside the historical Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival, which includes activities from log tossing to dog sledding.
Read next: 9 of the top festivals in Canada
Jasper National Park, Alberta
Some of Canada’s top national parks put on an awe-inspiring light show when conditions are just right. Among them is Jasper, the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, just a few hours’ drive from Edmonton.
Where to go: Both sparkling Pyramid Lake and the famed Medicine Lake promise unobstructed views with mountain reflections. The Jasper Planetarium also provides “Telescope Experience” tours that combine stargazing with aurora watching.
Where to stay: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge offers luxury accommodations with aurora viewing spots on its expansive grounds, while you can self cater at Bear Hill Lodge, with its cosy log cabins.
Natalie’s insider tip: Visit during Jasper’s Dark Sky Festival (late October-November) for specialised astronomy programming and photographer workshops.
Muncho Lake, British Columbia
This lesser-known jewel along the Alaska Highway reveals breathtaking aurora viewing spots amid the Northern Rocky Mountains, with minimal crowds compared to other destinations.
Where to go: The breathtaking shoreline of Muncho Lake itself provides optimal viewing with aurora reflections on the mineral-rich turquoise waters.
Where to stay: Northern Rockies Lodge is home to lakeside cabins and has its own floatplane service for accessing even more remote viewing locations. The lodge also offers a “Northern Lights Alert” wake-up service.
Natalie’s insider tip: Combine your visit with a road trip along the Alaska Highway between September and April. Don’t forget proper winter driving equipment, such as tyre chains and a shovel.
Torngat Mountains National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada’s most easterly northern lights viewing destination combines 9,700km of unspoilt, truly remote wilderness with Inuit cultural heritage.
Where to go: The Base Camp and Research Station provides the only accommodation in this remote park, with guided excursions to the most optimal viewing locations.
Where to stay: Torngat Mountains Base Camp only operates from July to August, making this one of the few places to potentially see summer auroras during periods of captivating and intense solar activity.
Natalie’s insider tip: This destination requires advance planning and is only accessible by charter aircraft or boat. Guests need to book through the Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station for all-inclusive packages.
Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario
While southern Canada sees fewer auroras, this dark sky preserve between Sault Ste Marie and Wawa offers the best chances in Ontario for viewing northern lights.
Where to go: Agawa Bay and Old Woman Bay provide open views over Lake Superior, creating striking reflections when the northern lights appear.
Where to stay: Nearby Wawa offers several motels and lodges, including Rock Island Lodge, which specialises in outdoor adventure tourism. Meanwhile, Naturally Superior Adventures offers all-inclusive aurora kayaking and photography packages.
Natalie’s insider tip: Download an aurora forecast app and be prepared to drive to viewing locations on short notice during periods of high activity.
Read next: Here’s why you should visit Canada in 2025
