Where to see the northern lights in Canada

You never forget that first time you stand in awe beneath the majesty of the aurora borealis.

This nighttime display of phosphorescent green, yellow and pink lights shimmering like stardust across northern skies has entranced travelers for centuries.

Canada has several of the world’s top places to see these northern lights, so stunning and ethereal that people travel from across the globe for a chance to catch a glimpse of them.

Here’s your guide to the aurora borealis—and the best places to experience this amazing natural wonder across Canada, from a prospector-style tent camp to a cushy viewing capsule.

What does aurora borealis mean?

The name comes from Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, and Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind. Much of Canada’s North lies beneath the Northern Hemisphere’s Auroral Oval, a hot spot for activity.

What causes the aurora borealis? 

The aurora borealis effect happens in the Northern Hemisphere when the Sun’s electrically charged particles, riding on a solar wind, enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases—namely oxygen and nitrogen. You're most likely to catch a spectacular display of the aurora borealis when the Sun is at its most active.

Why is the aurora borealis so special?

The aurora borealis is elusive—an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon with no guarantee of a show—which makes it all the more attractive. That said, in Canada chances are good, especially in the North near the magnetic pole.

The effect makes for fantastical hues, though the northern lights can take all kinds of forms—from arcs and rippling curtains to misty wisps and translucent clouds. Sometimes they are an eerie green, sometimes shimmering purples, pinks and yellows. Green is the most common color, while red aurora is rare. The colors zig, zag and move surprisingly quickly—some say, “dance”—across the inky, night sky.

When can you see the aurora borealis in Canada?

There isn’t really a single “best time” to see the northern lights in Canada. The season stretches from late August through early April, and each part of it offers a different kind of experience. Early fall brings crisp nights, colourful landscapes, and a chance to combine aurora viewing with outdoor activities still free of snow. As winter sets in, longer nights create more hours of darkness, perfect for pairing the aurora with classic cold-weather adventures like snowshoeing or dog sledding.

As for timing, the sweet spot is usually between 10 pm and 3 am—so plan for some late nights under the stars.

Where can you see the aurora borealis in Canada?

It’s possible to glimpse the northern lights across much of the country, but the most reliable viewing happens in Canada’s North. That’s where the aurora is strongest and most frequent, thanks to its position beneath the auroral oval.

Clear skies and minimal light pollution are essential, so the best viewing spots tend to be remote communities far from urban centres. The closer you travel to the magnetic pole, the greater your chances of seeing the lights dance overhead.

Where are the very best places to see the aurora borealis in Canada?

For our list below, we only chose the locations known for the regular appearances of the northern lights that are easy to reach for most travelers.

These places don't require extreme hikes or enduring rough conditions. Our suppliers use the northern light forecast to determine the best nights for outings.

Here are the best places to see the northern lights in Canada.

Yukon

In the northwest of Canada, Yukon boasts several destinations with a high chance of seeing the northern lights. Part of the region lies underneath the auroral oval.

The prime time for seeing the natural spectacle is between late August to early April.,

Note that due to its remote northern location, Yukon experiences the midnight sun during the summer months—and the long hours of sunshine make it impossible to see the lights.

How can you see the aurora borealis in Yukon?

Since the Gold Rush days, the Wild West Yukon has been the spot for fabled adventures. You can dabble in a few of them—dogsledding, fat biking, snowmobiling and ice fishing—while you wait for your glimpse of the beautiful aurora.

Fall - why not take up residence in a prospector-style tent camp in the wilderness near Whitehorse, with Northern Tales, lit only by the stars—and the aurora? The outfitter provides modern creature comforts like barrel stoves and steaming beverages to keep you warm while you wait. 

Late winter and early spring - In winter, Northern Tales hosts a variety of aurora packages and tours with activities such as snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and dog mushing. 

Cozy up in Arctic Range Adventures' AuroraCentre with your choice of a plush, insulated yurt or cozy First Nations-style teepee. Add wildlife viewing, dogsledding and a soak in Eclipse Nordic Hotsprings to round out the fun. 

Mountain biking pros Boréale Explorers lead guided snow biking-aurora packages, as well as snowmobiling or dogsledding-aurora combos out of their stylish eco-lodge near Whitehorse.

Other unique northern lights tours include:

• EPIC North Aurora Tour, with a beautiful viewing cabin just 20 minutes from Whitehorse. Their Aurora chalet is the only one in the region with a liquor license.
• Wild Adventure Yukon, now offering viewing tours from private domes. Each dome experience includes a charcuterie board and can be paired with a snowshoeing or dogsledding night tour.
• Northern Lights Resort & Spa, featuring glass chalets where guests can watch the aurora from the comfort of their beds. They also charter an Aurora 360 flight with Air North a few times a year—an exclusive experience where 32 lucky visitors can view the northern lights from the sky, with a 100% success rate so far.

Manitoba

Northern Manitoba is in the sub-Arctic Circle, bordering Hudson Bay. Up here, you'll find Churchill, considered one of the top places in the world to see the aurora borealis.

The winter months of January, February and March offer the best experience, though you have the chance to see the northern lights most of the year.
 

Discover the northern lights in Yukon 

Why is Churchill a top spot? 

Its longer nights and colder conditions mean the northern lights often appear brighter and remain in the sky longer.

How can you see the aurora borealis in Manitoba? 

The thing that makes a visit to Churchill even more special is that you can combine aurora experiences with bucket list wildlife viewing—think belugas, polar bears, Arctic foxes and more. Plus, there are unique opportunities to take in the lights, such as a special diner car located in a tundra buggy. Via Winnipeg is the best route, pausing at the Manitoba Museum to learn more about the aurora borealis and how best to photograph them. 

Late winter - Aurora high season in Churchill is February and March because of the extreme cold, which can drop to 40 below zero. Go with experienced operator Frontiers North, heading out around midnight into the deep dark of an arctic winter in a heated tundra buggy kitted out with a bar. Pack extra batteries, which can fizzle in the plunging temperatures, and rent clothing from the Polar Inn & Suites. Snap pics of the mesmerizing display or better yet just take it in so you don't miss a thing. 

Fall - September to November is the second-best time to catch the aurora. Combine trophy fishing until mid-September with an aurora show from the comfy deck at Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge, a two-hour flight from Winnipeg.
 

Discover the northern lights in Manitoba

Northwest Territories

The very best place to see aurora borealis in Canada—if not the world—is the Northwest Territories, where the northern lights are generally visible for 240 nights every year. 

Its capital, Yellowknife, is located approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. This northern city experiences high levels of geomagnetic activity, which can make for spectacular northern lights. 

The optimal timeframe is either fall or winter (though summer is pretty good, too). During the winter, Yellowknife's remoteness and lack of light pollution makes for perfect aurora viewing.

How can you see the aurora borealis in the Northwest Territories? 

Winter - The northern lights are especially dramatic in winter, contrasted against the frozen, white wonderland of the Northwest Territories. The most convenient way to take in the show is in cozy comfort at Aurora Village, a teepee village just outside Yellowknife. Specially designed for aurora observation, the place is equipped with spacious wood-stove heated teepees, fur-lined sofas, and warmed viewing capsules that recline.
 

Discover the northern lights in NWT

Other places you might see the northern lights

The northern lights are most often associated with Canada’s North, but every so often, they make surprise appearances further south. Catching them in these places is rare — but all the more magical for it:

• Nunavut – In the long, dark winters, the open tundra sometimes shimmers with aurora, especially in remote communities and wilderness lodges.
• Ontario – On crisp autumn nights, places like Manitoulin Island or Pukaskwa National Park occasionally see the skies come alive.
• Alberta – When conditions are right, the Rockies provide a spectacular backdrop for the aurora, reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Newfoundland and Labrador – Remote spots such as Labrador’s backcountry or Torngat Mountains National Park sometimes offer fleeting glimpses of the lights.