Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Seeing The Northern Lights Closer To Home

You may have heard about travelers seeing the Northern Lights on their trip of a lifetime.

But guess what? You don’t necessarily have to travel far to experience this phenomenon.

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, is a natural light display based on solar activity, which becomes more visible the farther north you get.

You’re even more likely to catch a glimpse of them in the winter when the nights are longer.

One of the best places in North America to experience this is in Churchill, Manitoba, which sits directly under the Auroral Oval. A company called Frontiers North operates heated buggies that take visitors to view the lights from the middle of the tundra.

Even closer to home, there have been sightings in northern U.S. states. In Michigan, the aurora borealis is sometimes visible on the Keweenwa Peninsula.

Check out the northernmost town on the peninsula, Copper Harbor. Here, you can drive up to the top of Brockway Mountain, one of the best spots to see the lights when there is no moon.

And then there’s Minnesota. The Lake of the Woods is what separates the U.S. from Canada, and is a great viewing area. Head to Scenic Byway along State Highway 11 for clear views.

Of course, there are never any guarantees, but trust me, if you can catch the northern lights, it’s something you won’t soon forget.

For more ways to enjoy America’s outdoor treasures, visit our National Parks section.

And get more of our Daily Travel Tips here.