7 Stunning U.S. Locations to Catch the Northern Lights This Season

The weather's getting cooler, and the nights are getting longer, which means northern lights season is upon us. It's not that the aurora borealis doesn't occur throughout the year—it does (remember May of 2024?); it's just that, with more hours of night skies, we have a better chance of witnessing the beautiful dance of colors during the winter months.

In the United States, the best place to get a front row seat to this dazzling phenomenon is in the northern latitudes. I've picked out some of the best spots for you to consider if you plan to chase the aurora this season.

1. Fairbanks, Alaska

When it comes to aurora viewing in the United States, Alaska is unparalleled. For the best shot at enjoying the most spectacular northern lights in the Last Frontier, you've got to go to Fairbanks. This Interior Alaska city of around 32,000 sits directly beneath the auroral oval, which means when the northern lights fire up, you've got a front row seat.

You could also head out to places like Denali National Park, but remember: It's winter in Alaska, and if you're not from the state, you'll want to stay close to the city. Fear not, however. There's plenty of aurora-watching infrastructure to be found in Fairbanks, from tours and lectures to accommodations that specialize in northern lights experiences.

2. Voyageurs National Park - Minnesota

In the Lower 48, northern Minnesota offers the best aurora viewing. Between the dark skies above the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the vast expanse of Lake Superior's North Shore, and the northernmost spot in the contiguous U.S., you'll find plenty of opportunities to see the northern lights in the North Star State. No place, however, offers the same combination of northern latitudes, dark skies, and winter infrastructure as Voyageurs National Park.

Situated along the Canadian border between International Falls and the BWCAW, Voyageurs is a certified Dark Sky Park that you can reach without a dogsled, ice road, or international border crossing. The park offers astronomy and night sky programs throughout the year, which makes it a great place to learn while you marvel.

3. Glacier National Park - Montana

Although Glacier National Park in Montana is not entirely accessible in the winter months, there are plenty of spots in the park's front country and in nearby areas where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the northern lights. One of the coolest aspects of aurora gazing here is the dramatic terrain that complements the vibrant skies—it's definitely a plus for astrophotography. Shafts of aurora dancing above the Crown of the Continent are truly a spectacle to behold.

4. Acadia National Park - Maine

Many places in Maine offer excellent aurora viewing opportunities, like the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. For ease of access and the chance to see the northern lights undulating over ocean waves, however, none is quite like Acadia National Park. Even in winter, Acadia is a magical place to visit, and the colorful ballet of the aurora borealis is just the icing on the cake.

5. Copper Harbor, Michigan

Copper Harbor, Michigan, is a delightfully laid-back village at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula and the northernmost community in the Great Lakes State. The only thing between Copper Harbor and the aurora borealis is a vast expanse of Lake Superior, making it a perfect spot for northern lights chasers to park themselves with a thermos of coffee and a hot pasty and wait for the show to begin.

6. Fidalgo Island, Washington

Washington is another wonderful place to see the northern lights when you can get an unobstructed view of the northern horizon (mountains tend to get in the way) with minimal light pollution (looking at you, Seattle-Tacoma). The San Juan Islands are ideal, but if you're looking for the next best thing—one that doesn't require a ferry ride—Fidalgo Island is it. Just slip away from the lights of Anacortes and find a perfect patch for appreciating the aurora.

Deception Pass State Park at the south end of the island (as well as the north end of Whidbey Island) is often a good place to set up when a solar storm erupts.

7. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore - Wisconsin

Another remote spot in the northern latitudes of the contiguous U.S. that offers uninterrupted, northward-looking views of the night sky is Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Wisconsin's sublime Bayfield Peninsula. You're most likely not going out to any of the islands in the winter, but you'll find plenty of dark skies and uninterrupted views over Lake Superior, which sets a perfect stage for the aurora's show.

If you're a lover of the aurora borealis or someone who has longed to see it but never had the chance, any of these places offers you a decent shot of witnessing the elusive northern lights in the United States—Fairbanks, of course, being the safest bet. Auroras are infrequent, but we're still near the peak of the solar cycle—the solar maximum—so the chances of seeing the northern lights are about as good as they'll be for a decade or so. You'll definitely want to keep your eye on NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center site, which offers aurora forecasts. Even if you don't see the northern lights, a few days in any of these spots is definitely time well spent.

Before you set out, try using Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner to plan your aurora adventures.