Seeing the Northern Lights is an item on pretty much everybody’s bucket list. However, many people are under the assumption that this incredible phenomenon is something that can only be observed in places like Alaska or Norway. Well, that’s simply not true and Idahoans actually don’t have to travel that far to witness this amazing event. Priest Lake in northern Idaho is a popular vacation spot all year round for its many recreational opportunities, but not many people realize that this place also provides the perfect conditions for spotting the Northern Lights.

Idaho is full of remote areas, free of light pollution, where the unspoiled night sky can truly come to life. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being able to look up at the sky at night filled with twinkling stars and the humble feeling of realization at just how expansive our universe is. It's by far one of the best things about living in Idaho.
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
Many people don't realize that there are many places in Idaho where the Northern Lights can be observed. It's all about the conditions of the sky and weather, but it's certainly possible and is definitely something that every Idahoan should experience at some point.
Scott Foss/Flickr
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, occur when electrically-charged electrons and protons collide with neutral atoms in the upper atmosphere.
Priest Lake, Idaho is located within the northern portion of the Idaho panhandle, just 30 miles south of the border with Canada.
Charles Peterson/Flickr

Related Stories

Idaho Is Home To A Bottomless Lake And You’ll Want To See It For Yourself

Idaho Is Home To A Bottomless Lake And You’ll Want To See It For Yourself

 Kane Lake Is A Magical Place In Idaho That You Thought Only Existed In Your Dreams

Kane Lake Is A Magical Place In Idaho That You Thought Only Existed In Your Dreams

 Paddling To Pillar Falls Is A Magical Idaho Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul

Paddling To Pillar Falls Is A Magical Idaho Adventure That Will Light Up Your Soul
Priest Lake is a vacation destination all year long. People flock from all over to see the lake that has been given the nickname "The Crown Jewel of Idaho." Camping, boating, fishing, hiking, skiing...this place is an outdoor lover's paradise.
Lee Stone/Flickr
The lake is by far the town's biggest draw. At 19 miles long and over 300 feet deep, the vastness of the lake itself is something to be marveled at.
Jeremy Yoder/Flickr
When the conditions are just right, the Northern Lights make their appearance. It's a staggering sight to see. The colorful ribbons of light reflect themselves in the crystal clear waters of the lake, putting on a show that you are bound to remember forever.
Joni Makinen/Flickr
This show of light is something that occurs pretty rarely throughout the year in Idaho but is definitely something that must be experienced with a little planning.

Priest Lake is a popular spot to view the Northern Lights but they are visible from other areas around Idaho, as well. Check out this timelapse of the Aurora Borealis over the Craters of the Moon National Park.

Did you know you could view this incredible phenomenon right here in Idaho? Be sure to check out these 14 Photographs Of Idaho At Night That Are Absolutely Surreal!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

The Best Places In Idaho

William Suphan | December 23, 2022

What are the quietest towns in Idaho?

The quietest towns in Idaho include:

  • Melba. This tiny town is nestled among bucolic farmland and the Snake River and is a beautiful and serene place to be.
  • Carey. This is quiet, small-town charm at its finest. The pace of life is slow here and the surroundings are beautiful.
  • Inkom. This little town is surrounded by forests and mountains and is full of scenic hiking trails.
  • Kooskia. This thickly forested area along the Clearwater River has as much history as it has natural beauty.

Learn more about the quietest towns in Idaho. 

What are the most incredible natural attractions in Idaho?

The most incredible natural attractions in Idaho include:

  • Mesa Falls. These gorgeous waterfalls are split into upper and lower portions and are visited by people from all over the state.
  • Mount Borak. This is the tallest mountain in Idaho and it reaches an elevation of 12.662 feet. It has views that shouldn’t be missed.
  • City of Rocks. This area just north of the Idaho/Utah border is an otherworldly landscape of strange rock formations.
  • Hell’s Canyon. This is the deepest canyon in the nation, even deeper than the Grand Canyon, and is a stunning sight.

Discover more about the most incredible natural attractions in Idaho. 

What are the coolest hidden-gem attractions in Idaho?

The coolest hidden-gem attractions in Idaho include:

  • B-23 Bomber Crash Site. The Payette National Forest hides this WWII plane that crashed here in 1943 due to a snowstorm.
  • World Center for Birds of Prey. This non-profit organization has been tending to endangered raptors since 1984.
  • Dog Berk Park Inn. Located in Cottonwood, this is a 30-foot-tall hotel shaped like a beagle and is named Sweet Willy.
  • The Center of the Universe. There’s a manhole in Wallace, Idaho that proclaims its location as the Center of the Universe. 

Find out more about the coolest hidden-gem attractions in Idaho. 

Related Articles

Explore Idaho