🌌✨ Where to See Northern Lights in the US? ULTIMATE GUIDE to Chasing Aurora Borealis 🇺🇸

A friendly reminder that these aren't just pretty lights. They're evidence of our planet's magnetic field protecting us from solar radiation. It's also a cosmic dance that's been occurring for billions of years.

This ultimate guide shows you where to see Northern Lights across the United States. Yes, from the wilderness of Alaska to accessible locations in the lower 48 states—and explain why this year and next are your best chance to experience this celestial phenomenon.

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The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds reaching 45 million miles per hour.

Our planet's magnetic field acts as a protective shield, redirecting these solar particles toward the polar regions.

When these energized particles slam into atmospheric gases approximately 60 to 200 miles above Earth's surface, they create the luminous displays we know as auroras.

Where to see Northern Lights in the US?

Monatana

Glacier National Park has emerged as one of the premier locations. The park offers 13 camping areas. However, only the St. Mary Campground allows RVs and is accessible year-round.

Montana's geographic location at the northern tip of the lower 48 states allows it to be within the southern reach of the auroral oval, especially during periods of heightened solar activity.

North Dakota: Dark Skies

North Dakota might not be the first place that comes to mind when people ask where to see Northern Lights, but the state's northern latitude and exceptionally dark skies make it an emerging hotspot.

A plus: North Dakota's flat terrain allows you to see the auroras dancing across the sky rather than peeking over mountain ridges.

Pembina Gorge, Sully Creek State Park, and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park are three of the state's best viewing spots. The Sheyenne National Grassland offers a rustic camping area with vast, unobstructed northern horizons.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in the Badlands, offers close-up views that complement the Northern Lights. The park has two campgrounds: Cottonwood in the South Unit (open year-round) and Juniper in the North Unit (open seasonally). Both accommodate RVs and offer dark, open skies, ideal for aurora viewing.

SPANISH SECTION:

Matera, Italia: una guía por la ciudad Paleolítica

Un paseo por Matera, Italia, nos lleva a una ciudad naciente en la Edad de Piedra. Hoy, tres millones de años después, podemos visitar esta ciudad antigua ubicada entre las montañas de Basílicata.

Aquí es donde los lugareños construyeron sus primeros hogares en el año 7.500 a.C.: los Sassi. Cuevas excavadas entre las montañas que se asentaron con herramientas rudimentarias y piedra astillada para después convertirse en los símbolos de la ciudad.

Maine: Eastern Promise for Aurora Seekers

The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument holds the distinction of being an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, placing it among the darkest locations east of the Mississippi River. The monument doesn't currently offer established campgrounds, but primitive camping is allowed in designated areas with proper permits.

For more accessible options, Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal offers established campsites just 30 minutes from Portland, making it ideal for those who want to chase auroras without venturing deep into the wilderness. The park's elevation provides clear northern horizons with minimal light pollution.

Washington: Pacific Northwest Gateway

North Cascades National Park serves as the Pacific Northwest's premier aurora viewing destination. The park's northern location and minimal light pollution make it suitable for aurora watching during strong geomagnetic storms.

Newhalem Creek Campground and Goodell Creek Campground both accommodate RVs and provide access to optimal viewing areas. The park's mountainous terrain means you'll want to scout locations with clear northern horizons during daylight hours.