Where to See the Northern Lights in Canada

Here are the northern lights in Canada, chosen for Canadian travellers. Canada is one of the best countries in the world for northern lights.

Northern lights in Canada

1. Yellowknife

Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, with aurora visible on many clear nights from late August to April. Read our Yellowknife travel guide.

• Best time: late August to September and December to March
• Getting there: About 2 hours by air from Edmonton or Calgary
• Don’t miss: Aurora viewing, Old Town and Great Slave Lake
• Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night

2. Churchill

Churchill, on Hudson Bay, is the polar bear capital of the world in autumn and a beluga whale and northern lights hotspot. Read our Churchill travel guide.

• Best time: July–August for belugas; October–November for polar bears; February–March for aurora
• Getting there: No road access; fly or take the train from Winnipeg
• Don’t miss: Polar bear tours, Beluga whales and Northern lights
• Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night

3. Whitehorse and the Yukon

Whitehorse is the Yukon’s capital, gateway to the Klondike, wild rivers and northern lights. Read our Whitehorse and the Yukon travel guide.

• Best time: June to August; December to March for aurora
• Getting there: About 2.5 hours by air from Vancouver
• Don’t miss: Miles Canyon, Takhini Hot Springs and SS Klondike
• Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night

4. Jasper

Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, wilder and quieter than Banff, with Maligne Lake, abundant wildlife and a Dark Sky Preserve. A 2024 wildfire damaged part of the townsite and surrounding forest, and the community has been rebuilding. Read our Jasper travel guide.

• Best time: June to September
• Getting there: About 4 hours from Edmonton; 3.5–4 hours from Banff
• Don’t miss: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, Maligne Canyon and Jasper SkyTram
• Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night

5. Northern Saskatchewan

Dark, accessible skies.

6. Nunavut

Remote Arctic.

7. Northern Manitoba

Lodges near Churchill.

Aurora tips

Visit from late August to April, check forecasts, and dress for extreme cold. See our winter packing list.

How to see the northern lights

The aurora is caused by charged particles from the Sun colliding with gases in the upper atmosphere. To see it you need three things: darkness, clear skies and geomagnetic activity. Travel in the dark months (late August to April), stay at least three nights to improve your odds, and check an aurora forecast (the Kp index and cloud cover). The best displays often happen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Photographing the aurora

Use a tripod, a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider), manual focus set to infinity, ISO 1600–3200 and exposures of 5–15 seconds. Modern phones with night mode can capture surprisingly good images. Keep spare batteries warm in an inside pocket.

How to choose

Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.

How we chose

We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.

Planning tips for your trip

• ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
• Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
• Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
• Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
• Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.

What a trip costs

Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:

Travel style	Per person per day	Covers
Budget	C$150–C$220	motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive
Mid-range	C$300–C$480	good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours
Luxury	C$700–C$1,400	resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences

Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.

Responsible travel tips

Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.

Safety basics

Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best choice on this list?

It depends on your travel style, but Yellowknife is a standout for most travellers.

When should I go?

Winter, from December to March.

How many days do I need?

Plan at least two to three days per destination.

Are these good for families?

Most are; check each guide for family tips.

How much should I budget?

Mid-range travellers typically spend C$300–C$480 per person per day.

Plan the rest of your trip

• Yellowknife Travel Guide: Northern Lights and Winter Adventures
• Churchill Travel Guide: Polar Bears, Belugas and Northern Lights
• Yukon Travel Guide: Yukon Adventures and the Klondike
• Jasper Travel Guide: Wildlife, Lakes and Dark Skies
• How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips

Keep exploring

• Best Places to See Fall Colours in Canada
• Best Ski Resorts in Canada
• Best Beaches in Canada
• Most Beautiful Lakes in Canada