5 spectacular ways to see the northern lights in Canada

If you’ve been clamoring to see the ethereal northern lights, consider heading to Canada, where they ribbon through the sky 300 days a year in certain regions. Northern Canada in particular offers the best chance to see aurora borealis because much of the region lies beneath the auroral oval, the area around Earth’s magnetic poles that are a hot spot for activity.

Auroras occur when the sun’s electrically charged particles enter the atmosphere on a solar wind, colliding with gases and producing tiny flashes that fill the sky with neon light. The best time to spot them in Canada is from December to March, when there are more hours of darkness and cold, clear nights, or between August and October, when the midnight sun begins to dim but the weather allows for outdoor activities, like hiking and paddling.

For a richer experience, travelers can pair northern lights viewing with cultural and adventure activities in many destinations. Here are five unique ways to catch one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena.

Dene Indigenous aurora “hunting”—Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories sit above Canada’s three western provinces and is home to the region’s Indigenous Dene peoples. In Yellowknife, North Star Adventures offers a safari-style aurora “hunting” experience with cultural immersion. Travelers ride in an SUV, making multiple stops as tour founder Joe Bailey reads the sky in pursuit of the lights.

“The reason I called it ‘aurora hunting’ is because of the Dene cultural connection to my grandfather, who would take me hunting for caribou, moose, and buffalo,” he says. “I wanted to incorporate that traditional activity into the name of the tour.”

“In the Denesuline language, we call the lights ya’ke ngas, which means ‘the sky is stirring,’” Bailey continues. “We believe the lights are the spirits of our ancestors and loved ones telling us everything is OK.”

For more Indigenous insights, cozy up in an aurora-viewing dome with North of 60 Adventures or inside a tipi warmed by a wood-burning fire at Aurora Village. Both Dene-owned operators also offer dogsled outings, where you can explore snow-cloaked forest trails and frozen lakes.

(These Indigenous women are reshaping Canada’s tourism industry.)

Outdoor adventure plus northern lights—Yukon

With its sweeping landscapes and dramatic mountain vistas (Mount Logan is the highest peak in Canada), the Yukon is an outdoor lover’s dream. Come fall, when skies darken earlier and the aspen forest turns golden, the territory beckons northern lights seekers too.

Local operators take advantage of the brief window between summer and first snowfall to combine outdoor activities like paddling with aurora watching. With Up North Adventures, travelers canoe or kayak the storied Yukon River from the capital city of Whitehorse to the confluence of the Takhini River. Along the way, they learn about the local ecology and spot wildlife like bald eagles, bears, moose, and beavers. As night falls, guests head out to Fish Lake to await the lights while roasting s‘mores around a campfire.

Yukon Guided Adventures takes visitors hiking or rafting through the wilderness. After fueling up at one of Whitehorse’s microbreweries, groups reconvene for a night of aurora viewing and lore over a cup of hot chocolate. For a self-guided adventure, rent a pop-top jeep from Overland Yukon and head into Kluane National Park, which is threaded with endless hiking trails and backcountry camping spots where you can linger under the lights.

(Here’s why 2024 may bring the best auroras in 20 years.) 

Aurora science and astrotourism—Jasper, Alberta

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Alberta’s Jasper National Park is home to the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, making it one of the best—and most convenient—places to catch northern lights throughout the year. Hop on the Jasper SkyTram’s Star Session to get a mile closer to the heavenly action, or head to the Jasper Planetarium to dive into the science and mythology of the celestial illuminations.

An especially great time to visit is during the annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival in October. Over three weekends, aurora chasers from around the world geek out over nature’s light show. Astronomers explain how to interpret space weather data to determine optimal viewing times, while astrophotographers host workshops sharing their best tips. In between the festivities, you can try out new photography skills at top stargazing spots and share your experiences with fellow fans at the many social events.

(Dark sky tourism is on the rise in the U.S.)

Wildlife watching under northern lights—Churchill, Manitoba

Home to wolves, arctic foxes, moose, snowy owls, and beluga whales, Churchill, Manitoba, is well known for its subarctic wildlife. It also sees an average of 300 nights of aurora activity every year, making it one of the best spots to catch the shimmering lights illuminating critters below.

Frontiers North’s Northern Lights Photo Tour includes a journey through the dark boreal forest to a yurt. A photo specialist helps guests capture the lights—and possibly local wildlife—in action. The adventure includes a tour of the historic town and dogsledding with a Métis guide, plus a “Tundra Buggy” ride across the frozen Churchill River to a restaurant with skylights and panoramic windows for optimal aurora viewing. With Churchill Wild, you’ll search for elusive cloud wolves and polar bears, and then catch the lights at night with a photo expert. With over a week in the wild, there’s a good chance you’ll spot the lights.

(These are the 10 best U.S. national parks to see wildlife.)

Inuit aurora immersion—Nunavik, Quebec

Bordering the territory of Nunavut to the north, Nunavik is Quebec’s northernmost region and one of four areas in Canada home to the country’s Inuit people. Based in Kuujjuaq on Ungava Bay, a northern lights tour with Inuit Adventures combines aurora viewing with an immersion in Inuit culture and local history.

By day, travelers canoe or snowmobile to Vieux Fort-Chimo, a 19th-century fur trading post; hear elders recount stories of a nomadic way of life; and listen to traditional throat singing, or katadjak—all led by an Inuit guide. Under inky skies, the guide offers Inuit insights into the meaning of the aurora.

Beginning in summer 2024, Inuit-owned Ungava Polar Eco-Tours will give travelers the chance to spot the northern lights from Nunavik’s remote, uninhabited Gyrfalcon Islands in Ungava Bay. On a week-long adventure, you’ll hike, bike, and boat, while looking for arctic wildlife (polar bears, musk ox, caribou) and learning about Inuit culture. Then, come nightfall, the aurora takes center stage. “You’ll see the lights almost every night at camp when the skies are clear,” says founder Jonathan Grenier.