The Ultimate Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in Northern Minnesota
There’s something magical about witnessing the Northern Lights—an ethereal light show that paints the sky with vibrant colors, dancing over the quiet wilderness. Northern Minnesota is one of the best places in the U.S. to witness this breathtaking phenomenon, with its vast, open landscapes and clear, dark skies. At Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting (NLRO), nestled on the shores of Lake Kabetogama, you’re perfectly positioned for a front-row seat to nature’s dazzling show. In this article, we’ll guide you through why Northern Minnesota is an ideal spot for aurora viewing and the best places to see the aurora borealis near Lake Kabetogama.
Top 3 Places Near Lake Kabetogama to See the Northern Lights
Voyageurs National Park
As one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing and aurora viewing, Voyageurs National Park is ideal for catching the Northern Lights. Its vast wilderness provides panoramic views and minimal light pollution, making it a prime destination for those looking to fully immerse themselves in nature while waiting for the aurora to appear. At NLRO, you’re just steps away from this stunning park.
Kabetogama Lake Overlook
One of the best spots at NLRO is the Kabetogama Lake Overlook from our dock. Our Voyageurs Overlook is within easy walking distance of all our cabins for a front row seat to see and photograph the aurora. This private vantage point offers a wide, open view of the northern sky over the lake, giving you a prime perspective of the auroras dancing across the horizon. This is one of our favorite spots for spontaneous aurora viewing, and it’s close enough to your cabin to enjoy at any time.
Guests at Northern Lights Resort also have access to personalized text messages or calls when the aurora begins to show.
Woodenfrog Campground Day Use Area
Located on the shores of Lake Kabetogama, Woodenfrog Campground is another top location for a peaceful night of aurora chasing. With its quiet and remote setting, the lakeside campground offers public access and excellent opportunities to view the Northern Lights without distraction, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.
If you’re planning to visit but aren’t camping, the best place to park is at the Public Boat Launch. From there, a short walk leads you to a scenic point by the sandy beach, where you’ll find benches and plenty of open space to gaze at the stars and wait for the aurora to dance across the sky.
Why Northern Lights Resort is Ideal for Viewing the Northern Lights
Unmatched Location in Voyageurs National Park
Our resort is situated within Voyageurs National Park, renowned for its sprawling, untouched wilderness and minimal light pollution. Named an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) in 2020, the park offers some of the clearest and darkest night skies in the country. The combination of dark skies and wide-open horizons over Lake Kabetogama provides perfect conditions for Northern Lights viewing.
High Latitude for Optimal Viewing
Northern Lights Resort is one of the northernmost resorts in Minnesota, giving us an advantage when it comes to seeing the auroras. Being closer to the magnetic pole increases the chances of experiencing this ethereal light display. In fact, experts from Voyageurs National Park estimate that Northern Minnesota, including our location, sees aurora activity up to 200 times per year. And with enhanced solar activity predicted for 2024, the odds of catching the lights are even better!
Certified Dark Skies for Night Sky Viewing
As part of the International Dark Sky Park, our skies are among the darkest in the lower 48 states. With no artificial light pollution from nearby cities, your view of the Northern Lights will be unobstructed and breathtaking. Whether you’re looking north across the lake or simply enjoying the vastness of the sky, our location ensures a front-row seat to the aurora show.
Other Notable Northern Lights Viewing Locations in Northern Minnesota
If you’re looking to explore more of Northern Minnesota’s aurora viewing spots, consider visiting these stunning locations:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)
Known for its remote wilderness and dark skies, BWCAW is another excellent place to see the Northern Lights. Similar to Northern Lights Resort, its distance from major cities ensures minimal light pollution, offering an unobstructed view of the stars and the aurora borealis.
Gunflint Trail
The Gunflint Trail features elevated, remote areas that are perfect for aurora viewing. If you’re seeking wide-open spaces and panoramic views, the trail offers a beautiful setting to catch the Northern Lights in all their glory.
Lake of the Woods
This northernmost region of Minnesota is another prime spot for Northern Lights viewing. The open horizon over the water provides excellent visibility of the auroras, especially on clear nights.
Tips for Maximizing Your Northern Lights Experience
The aurora can appear any day or month of the year. Increase your chances with the early sunsets and long, star-filled nights of fall, winter, and spring. Although these seasons are more popular for northern lights trips, no one season has higher aurora activity.
Check the Aurora Forecast
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, use reliable sources like the Real Time Forecast and Three Day Forecast during your trip.
Other apps like My Aurora Forecast or check the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center’s aurora forecast.
We also recommend that you follow the amazing Upper Midwest Aurora Chasers group, for solid predictions and near real time tips, to help ensure you don’t miss the northern lights while in the northern part of the USA. This passionate aurora online community has both science experts and photographers out in the field alerting when the lights are out with the community actively sharing information during active Aurora Storm events.
The Northern Lights at NLRO are often visible with a Kp Index of 4 or higher. Our ideal location on the south shore of Lake Kabetogama offers great views facing north to increase your visibility and chance to see the aurora in person.
Bundle Up and Get Comfortable
Since the best viewing times are typically during fall, winter, and early spring, be sure to dress warmly. Layer up, bring blankets, and maybe a hot drink to stay cozy while you wait. We promise the experience is worth it!
Be Patient and Enjoy the Stars
Is the aurora worth the wait? Always! Patience is key when aurora hunting. While waiting for the lights, you can enjoy the incredible stargazing opportunities our deep, dark skies offer. The Milky Way, shooting stars, meteor showers, and constellations are all part of the magic you’ll experience at NLRO.
Conclusion
Planning a trip to see the Aurora?
Come visit Northern Lights Resort in the heart of Voyageurs National Park where you can experience the night sky at its finest. To learn more about the night sky and ranger led night sky adventures within the park, visit: