
We New Yorkers have been quite blessed as of late as Mother Nature has brought the stunning spectacle of the Northern Lights right to New York City’s very own skies–and more than once, might we add! If you missed it, first and foremost we want to say sorry, and you can view some stunning photos and videos here. Secondly, we want to let you in on some fabulous news–there’s a U.S. national park that sees the northern lights as often as 200 nights per year!
Sure, you’ll have to hop on a flight to get there (or take a very long road trip) but those that have been lucky enough to see the northern lights know they’re certainly worth the trek!
The upper Midwest is known for many things: sprawling farmlands, the origination of rock and roll and Motown, and Voyageurs National Park. The National Park Service writes that, established in 1975, Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota, right near the Canadian border. Voyageurs National Park is also known as America’s “Northern Lights Hotspot,” and as many as 200 aurora episodes are visible each year.
The reason for this heightened auroral activity has to do with the area’s proximity to Earth’s poles. National Geographic writes:
Earth’s magnetic field is weaker above and around the poles, across a stretch known as the auroral oval. Along the curved edges, charged particles released from the sun’s solar flares enter Earth’s atmosphere and collide with oxygen and nitrogen, sparking a breathtaking view. Even though the magic happens far to the north, on some occasions the auroral oval can be seen as far south as Cleveland and Chicago.
And when the northern lights are visible from Voyageurs National Park, it’s quite the spectacle as the lights reflect off of the park’s 30 lakes–at that point, it’s almost like you’re seeing the lights twice! Even more, while watching for the aurora, you can also see the Milky Way, satellites, shooting stars, and more as you gaze at the dark skies of Voyageurs.
As for where exactly in the park to go, you’ll want to find a clear spot free of branches and a wide view of the horizon (view the Voyageurs National Park map here). The National Park Service recommends heading to the following areas:
- Ash River Visitor Center grounds
- Meadwood Road Day Use Area
- Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper parking lot
Of course, the conditions have to be just right to have a chance at witnessing the phenomenal spectacle. Jim Thomas, who’s a leading Midwest northern lights expert and editor of aurora-hunting website Soft Serve News, recommends waiting for a clear night as clouds can obscure the auroras. Darkness is also key, so you’ll want to avoid full moon nights. Dark Site Finder helps you find ideal spots, and this site helps you find dark sky spots internationally.
More than anything, though, you’ll want to keep an eye on the night’s Kp-index, which measures geomagnetic activity, aka aurora strength. The scale ranges from zero to nine–zero being weak and nine being a full-on geomagnetic storm. Pair that with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ovation Map and you’ll have no problem determining if the storm will be visible in your area!
And if all factors line up, the auroras can actually dance above most states nestled along the northern U.S. border. National Geographic writes that some of the best spots include Acadia National Park in Maine, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Mount Washington Valley in New Hampshire.