Northern Lights: 20 Dark Sky Spots in the US for the Best Views

Although no significant geomagnetic activity is forecast this week, a series of strong solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun in recent weeks have put North America on high alert for the aurora.

If there is a repeat of the May 10 G5 geomagnetic storm – the strongest since 2003 – what is your plan? Urban light pollution can easily dull the effect of the northern lights, so it’s best to travel somewhere with dark skies.

The best plan is to go somewhere about 40 miles away from a city that appears dark on a light pollution map. Another way is to reserve a campsite at an International Dark Sky Park. Let’s get this straight though – while it’s possible for the aurora to be visible across the US, the northern US states are much more likely to see it.

Here are 20 dark-sky locations — most of them in the northern and northeastern US — where the aurora will be visible if there’s a major geomagnetic storm and the sky is clear of clouds. Just keep a close eye on space weather forecasts and the all-important “line of sight” location.

1. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
2. Redwood National and State Parks, California
3. Craters of the Moon National Monument Dark Sky International Park, Idaho
4. AMC Maine Woods, Maine
5. Acadia National Park, Maine
6. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Dark Sky Sanctuary, Maine
7. Isle Royale National Park and Preserve, Michigan
8. Dr. TK Lawless County Park, Michigan
9. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, Michigan
10. Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan
11. Voyageurs National Park Dark Sky Park, Minnesota
12. Glacier National Park, Dark Sky Park, Montana
13. Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, New York
14. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
15. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
16. Oregon Outback International Sky Sanctuary, Oregon
17. Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
18. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
19. North Cascades National Park, Washington
20. Newport State Park Dark Sky Park, Wisconsin

Aurora explained

Aurora borealis are red, green and blue lights that are visible in the night sky. They are caused by the solar wind in space—charged particles from the sun—accelerating down the field lines of Earth’s magnetic field. Green lights are caused by charged particles colliding with oxygen molecules, while other colors are caused by nitrogen molecules.

Auroras occur in the Earth’s ionosphere hundreds of miles above the surface.

The stronger the display, the more likely they will be visible further south. This is why they are occasionally seen around the US-Canada border and, even less often, are seen across the US.

“Solar Maximum” in entry

The reason the aurora appears suddenly at night has to do with the solar cycle. This lasts about 11 years and sees the sun’s magnetic activity wax and wane. May has been the most active month in the sun for decades, with 171 sunspots recorded. Sunspots are magnetic disturbances on the sun’s surface that can be as large as Earth and from which solar flares and, later, coronal mass ejections originate. It is those CMEs that cause the solar wind, which in turn causes the aurora if directed by Earth.

Take my books Stargazing in 2024, A stargazing program for beginnersAND When is the next eclipse?

I wish you clear skies and open eyes.