Those that do live there know that its a great spot for viewing the northern lights in the winter but youll need to be willing to make the journey to get there! The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are an atmospheric phenomenon, and very hard to predict. George, the places we recommend are already linked in this post. Unfortunately for those like me who delight in seeing the aurora borealis, it's simply not true. Located in the far east of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador is both part of the Canadian mainland (Labrador) and a massive island in the North Atlantic (Newfoundland). After some research I was able to confirmthat even though auroras are more frequent in the North, the show couldcertainly be seenas far South as I was, at my latitude just above St. Johns. Is the Labrador retriever from Newfoundland? Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (Saskatchewan), 25. Tromso, Norway. Anywhere you can pull off the road with a good northerly view will be your best bet to try and see the northern lights. 1-800-689-9025 | www.env.gov.ca/bcparks, Spring/Summer (May - August) You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre during your trip to Happy Valley - Goose Bay. The best time to visit is from mid-June to early September when temperatures usually range from 11C to 21 C. 1. Welcome to St. John's, Newfoundland (39) A private, first time tour to all the scenic beauty and history. It was a sacred moment for me that I will forever recall. Do they close up the town or switch off the lights on Sept 5th ? Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earths atmosphere and releasing photons, its a process that happens constantly. Get that photoyou've been dreaming of by visiting thesespots. Tuktoyaktuk is one of the Inuvialuit communities in the far northern mainland part of Northwest Territories and is connected to mainland Canada by road though you may want to fly into the small regional airport to save time. As though it never happened. Aurora Borealis the northern lights in Lake Louise, Alberta. A short drive from Gros Morne National Park is Cow Head. Often overlooked for its more picturesque and popular neighbor (Jasper National Park, detailed below), Elk Island is one of two Dark Sky Preserves in Alberta. Change). What month is best to see the northern lights in Canada? Before you book a ticket, its important to understand when you can visit and actually see the aurora borealis in Canada. Located inland, Mount Carleton Provincial Park is another dark sky preserve that takes advantage of the open space in New Brunswick. Thank you ? A little closer to home is Ferryland. Travel from Port aux Basques to St. Johns. While a more northern location will be of some help in seeing them, there is never any guarantee. I also have a few tour and aurora photography tips too. Bruce Peninsula National Park is open year-round for activities ranging from hiking and camping to skiing and snowshoeing. Hope for clear skies and a huge solar storm to get the best view. Battle Harbour is a fantastic location for the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. Thanks for your comment, Brenda. Growing daily. Leaving for cruise to New England an Canada oct 5 will it be possible to see northern lights. Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Situated on the coast and unencumbered by contemporary afflictions like wi-fi or roads, make sure to bring your telescope and your childlike wonder to see the whole sky the way it is intended to be seen. Kejimkujik National Park (Nova Scotia), 17. To see the Northern lights, the sky needs to be dark and clear of any clouds. How much does it cost to go to Newfoundland? Fort McMurray isnt officially a dark sky location, but youll find great dark skies here nonetheless! While there are many things to do in Jasper, one of the best activities is catching incredible dark skies, which is perfect for viewing the northern lights! Battle Harbour is a fantastic location for the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. Mar 7 - Mar 8. "Battle Harbour is a fantastic location for the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. Share this to help others enjoy the night sky! The northern lights, also called the aurora borealis, are an atmospheric phenomenon. The time of night when the light appears varies depending on your region, but usually between 10 pm and 2 am is a good bet. The City of St. John's Visitor Information Center at 348 Water Street is open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May through early October and weekdays the rest of the year. I check the noaa forecast almost every night in the winter and when they are predicted, I always look. Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 9:00am - 6:00pm What are the best places to see the Northern Lights? Becausevisiting the Northis quiteexpensive, I decided I was going to put some effort into seeing the Northern Lights right here in Newfoundland, the place I know best. You can see for miles during the day, and experience a whole galaxy at night. This project is funded by the City of Fort St. John and produced by Tourism Fort St. John. (Dan Arsenault/CBC) Last week, a man took matters into his own hands by trying, but failing, to reposition the lights. Whitehorse is one of the main viewing destinations for the northern lights in Canada. September would be the season when you'd have the best chance. This means waterways for canoeing, kayaking, or fishing; hiking trails of every difficulty and distance; and camping opportunities where the night sky reveals its wonders. It is not really a town, although it used to be! Where can I see the Northern Lights in January 2021? This route takes you through famous historical sites such as Western Brook Pond and Viking settlement site L'Anse aux Meadows. Depending on the season you visit, you may need to drive up north into the Northwest Territories to reach an entrance to Wood Buffalo National Park or fly in. McDonald Park Dark Sky Preserve (British Columbia), 6. While Mont Mgantic is a good option in southern Qubec, die-hard aurora hunters will make the journey north far north to Kuujuaq to guarantee success. 5 Reasons to Explore Terra Nova National Park, Travel the WORLD Right Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, Where you can see the 'soul' of the Earth, Amazing Grace: A Journey Through the Torngat Mountains, Learning to Fish for Cod in Battle Harbour, Hikers guide to Gros Morne National Park, Great auks, puffins and other reasons to love Fogo, How to Get Your Photo Taken at the Iconic Western, Backpacking the Trails of Gros Morne National Park, 10 Best Hiking Trails in Gros Morne National Park, The Best Time of the Year to Visit Gros Morne, Discover wild and windswept Fogo Island, beyond the, In the stars: Terra Nova National Park named Canada's, A Road Trip through Newfoundland and Labrador, 5 Reasons Newfoundlands Gros Morne National Park, Fogo Island: Newfound beauty in Newfoundland, Fact and fiction collide at flat Earth museum on, The Answer to 'Why Hike?' How much does it cost to see the Northern Lights in Canada? A post shared by Nicolas Lachance (@nic_lachance) on Dec 2, 2017 at 8:39am PST. The weather is usually great in August. There have been previous threads here on TA about the Northern Lights in NL. $146. At over 3.85millionsquare miles, Canada is not the kind of place you can see in a weekend. On the northern tip of Bruce Peninsula where it sticks out between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, Bruce Peninsula National Park is an outdoor-lovers wonderland. One clear night in the early nineties I was putting my son to bed in Corner Brook and noticed strange lighting in the sky. More times than not it is snowing and there is cloud cover. What is the best month to visit Newfoundland? In fact, Yellowknife locals love the aurora borealis so much that they have tiny lighthouses which alert residents and visitors when theres a likely showing of the northern lights that night. A clear, winter night is the best time to watch the sky for this awesome show but come anytime as we see the lights year-round! Chiropractics, Physiotherapy, & Massage Therapy. Manitoba is best known for polar bears, the Hudson Bay, and the northern lights in winter. We live on the surface of a planet that is hurtling through space at an amazing speed, all the while rotating on its axis once every 24 hours. Battle Harbour is about as far away from the everyday as you can get. FOGO ISLAND INN, CANADA Although the 60th parallel is the traditional frontline for the best Northern Lights displays, Fogos subarctic landscape and far-flung location renders it something of an anomaly. Muncho Lake Provincial Park (British Columbia), 8. This massive area encompasses huge swaths of tundra and arctic landscapes, and as youd expect, is virtually free of all light pollution. Aurora Borealis the northern lights in Lake Louise, Alberta. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. Why cant it be the destination and the journey? Because this is only a small community there isn't any huge lights to take away from the beauty before you. While its possible to view the northern lights from the city of Thunder Bay itself, there are many places nearby where you can catch even better aurora spectacles. The aurora borealis can spring upon communities at seemingly random times. And looking for holiday information and ideas, as well as accommodation, shopping, bargains and weather then Newfoundland newspapers are the place to start. In most Canadian provinces and territories, the capital city is not a good place to try and see the northern lights due to city lights and urban development. Here, where the continents of Africa and North America collided and exposed the richly colour ocean floor, the otherworldliness of the landscape is a perfect match for the spectacular stars and galaxies above. However, their last night is Sep 4 for this season.". Take in the same view of the Milky Way as the Norse settlers more than a thousand years ago - which to a star feels like seconds. According to him, spots like Fairbanks in Alaska, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Churchill in Canada, and Iceland and northern Norway are all safe bets. Unlike other provinces or territories where you might be able to see the aurora any night the sky is clear, be sure to check the forecast before trying to see the northern lights from Prince Edward Island. Also any recommendations for b&b's would be highly appreciated:). Some may say they are surprised you can catch the northern lights this close to home but it's not impossible! How long does it take to go around Newfoundland? Read on to learn everything you need to know to try and spot the northern lights on your trip to Canada. At the southwestern tip of Newfoundland sits the Codroy Valley, with sandy beaches and vast rolling hills. All Rights Reserved. Here in Canada, we're lucky enough to have some of the best views in the world. From the west coast of Newfoundland, to the east coast, throughout Labrador and the Torngat mountains. I hitched and camped across Canada a number of times. or contactus@newfoundlandlabrador.com. The most amazing of the five sightings were those I saw in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, west of Winnepeg along the Trans Canada, and Saskatchewan. Aurora Borealis the northern lights in Lake Louise, Alberta. Clear skies! There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night. St. John's is the most easterly city in North America and is located at the beginning of the Trans-Canada Highway. 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Newfoundland and Labrador. Cartwright, Labrador, is just about at the edge of the zone of white nights, where it never gets completely dark at night. Learn how your comment data is processed. The next peak period is 2013. The most often times to see the Aurora is from September to Octoberand from March to April. A post shared by Tom Cochrane (@tomcochrane) on Oct 24, 2016 at 4:37pm PDT. If you plan to go to Labrador, be very aware of the road situation: long stretches of unpaved highway past Red Bay. This indigenous community is the largest and northernmost in the province. Northern lights are predominately a northern thing. Where in England can you see the Northern Lights? I, like many people, always thought I had to be far up Northto see them, the Northern Lights name certainly implies it. If you haven't been to northern Labrador then you're missing out big time. These particles cause atoms in our own atmosphere to react, getting excited and releasing energy and light. Did you know? As you can see, this September evening, and tonight is typical, Bell Island and the Avalon region of Newfoundland have about as much chance of seeing an aurora as does Chicago: Zero. Expedia and the Airplane Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST# 2029030-50. A post shared by Newfoundland Labrador Tourism (@newfoundlandlabrador) on Mar 9, 2017 at 11:31am PST. LAnse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Can you see the Milky Way in Newfoundland? Can you see the northern lights from St Johns Newfoundland? It ends in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. A post shared by Dave Brosha (@davebrosha) on Aug 14, 2017 at 9:59am PDT. 4,688 . Northern Lights Local Trails Trails Beyond the City Hiking Trails in NEBC Mountain Bike Trails ATV & Snowmobile Trails, Clubs & Rentals City Parks Bird Watching Boating, Fishing & Hunting "Aurora borealis" in the north and "Aurora australis" in the south or known to many as - The Northern Lights - are one more of nature's amazing attributes! During breeding season, St. Mary's hosts about 24,000 Northern gannet, 20,000 common murre, 20,000 black-legged kittiwake, 2,000 thick-billed murre, and less rarely sighted birds such as 100 . Or Pegasus, Andromeda, Canis Major or Minor, or even Sagittarius. 2) Even southern Labrador is not especially far north in aurora terms. Where can you experience all of these things? Remember to keep an eye on the space weather websites, and travel as far north as you can when an outburst is predicted . I have lived in Gros Morne for seven years now and have never seen the northern lights. Those areas show up more on the forecasts and it is easy to get away from the towns lights although I am not sure the lights will really be bothersome. https://www.northernlightscentre.ca/northernlights.html. As you can imagine it helps to be as far north as possible: Middle Cove is better than St. John's, Twillingate is better than Bonavista, and L'Anse aux Meadows beats all other places on the island. Box 28, Station C, Happy Valley - Goose Bay, NL, A0P1C0. 3 Royal Street, P.O. I just re-read your post and saw the Lab City question. (This may be at 2 am, so be prepared to wake up in the middle of the night if the aurora beckon!). Enjoy a round of golf in Happy Valley - Goose Bay at Amaruk Golf Club. Prices and availability subject to change. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the worlds best places to see the Northern Lights. FOGO ISLAND INN, CANADA Although the 60th parallel is the traditional frontline for the best Northern Lights displays, Fogos subarctic landscape and far-flung location renders it something of an anomaly. The Northern Lights are actually active all year round. Youll need to check the forecast once youre on the ship. There are two main reasons: 1) The first two weeks of July are high summer. Made famous for being home to many of Canadas polar bears, the Arctic area of Churchill, Manitoba is a popular destination for winter wildlife expeditions. The far and almost entirely uninhabited north of Canada is predominantly comprised of the Northwest Territories. Whytravel to see the spectacular northern lightswhen you can enjoy them in Newfoundland and Labrador? While a more northern location will be of some help in seeing them, there is never any guarantee. Sort of, yes. Heres a quick breakdown of the different seasons in Canada and your chances of seeing the northern during each. Research has shown that the auroral activity is cyclic, and peaks about every 11 years. In fact, McDonald Park is a favorite spot for the Fraser Valley Astronomers society. At the top of the Northern Peninsula sits the home of the first European settlers in North America the Vikings. A private natural park established in 1991 on Manitoulin Island, Gordons Park is a surprising dark sky destination but its also a delightful option if you want to try and see the northern lights in Canada without trekking north to the Arctic. Grab that scarf and hat plus those gloves, hand warmers, wool socks, and proper boots! Whats the best website for predictions of actual activity for a specific area/and by dates? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Of course why not take in the view while you're doing it? Canadian Geographic states, solar activity flares, sunspots, solar winds and other forms of radiation is governed by the changes in the suns magnetic field. Another of Ontarios Dark Sky Preserves, Torrance Barrens is named for its location and geologic features: youll find large open sky views and barren rocks upon which to set up your camera for a good astrophotography session. All three are far removed from any population centres, offer varying amenity levels, and will give you a true night sky free from the light pollution that hampers stargazing in the city. Season is pretty short in Labrador. Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Canada? Talk about the best weekend getaway ever. Northern Labrador is one of the best places to see the northern lights, and you can explore it at Torngat Mountains National Park. While a more northern location will be of some help in seeing them, there is never any guarantee. And thanks for using some of my photos (Jasper, the star party scene, and New Mexico) in the book. You may also ask the crew if they can help let you know if the aurora are expected to be visible. But if you do have your heart set on visiting PEI for its daytime experiences as well as those at night, heres where to go. You could look at staying in Mary's Harbour or St. Louis - many of the people there have cabins on the uninhabited islands. Its known for its colourful houses and colourful personalities. One of the best places in Canada to see the northern lights is Churchill, Manitoba. However, their last night is Sep 4 for this season. Can you see the northern lights in Fogo Island? These are just a few of the top places to stargaze around Newfoundland and Labrador, but there are many more. Torngat Mountains. There are still some amazing dark sky destinations where you can see the aurora borealis under the right conditions. Even my teenage son thought oh wow! Whether youre planning a trip to see polar bears in Manitoba or city-hopping through the southeastern cities like Montreal and Toronto, Canada is a wonderland for cultural and outdoors experiences. The harvest moon was shining brightly fromthe south so I hardly needed a flashlight to find my way on the trail. per night. These water-drop shaped treehouses sit on stilts, sleep 2 adults and 2 kids, and have a clear glass roof, so you can sleep in comfort with an unimpeded view of the galaxy. Do the Northern Lights happen every night? Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earths atmosphere and releasing photons, its a process that happens constantly. Here is a link to a virtual section by section information page of Quebec highway 389 between Baie Comeau and Labrador City. The building itself retains its original structure, the oldest in the province. Sit back, relax, star gaze and be in awe of the aurora borealis above you. The perfect landscape for that photo you've been dreaming about. Located in northern British Columbia (closer to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory than Vancouver down south), Muncho Lake Provincial Park is a good stop-off if youre doing a big road trip through this part of the country. Iqaluit is a small community of fewer than 10,000 people and offers primarily rustic accommodations and tours, but at 63N latitude, its well placed to see the northern lights and dark enough that theyll be easy to spot if theyre visible. Based in the heart of the aurora zone in the Norwegian Arctic, the city is widely regarded as one of the worlds best places to see the Northern Lights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your trip begins in Prince Edward Island, Canada. After a long day hiking Gros Morne mountain it's time to relax. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/NorthAmerica, And yes, the trip is solely for the purpose of seeing the northern lights and we're only going for a weekend so we'll have to be extremely lucky to actually see them but we'll take our chances:). If you visit during the wrong time of year, you wont even be able to see them at all! Ferryland. Extensive resource of Newfoundland & Labrador newspapers for information on local issues, politics, events, celebrations, people and business in Newfoundland, Canada. Explore these seldom, Torngat mountains: Let the spirit move you, 15 Reasons You Should Visit The Torngat Mountains, Unplug From It All In Beautiful Battle Harbour, The 8 Best Places To See The Northern Lights In Canada, A Far-flung Destination off the Coast of Labrador, If Can content is your thing, then you must head, Western Newfoundland: A Lighthouse Picnic & Hiking, A Hike to the Summit of Gros Morne Mountain in Newfoundland, Natural beauty, rich culture in Newfoundlands Gros, Go Here: Gros Morne National Park In Winter, Find The 4 Architecturally Stunning Artist Studios, Fogo Island Inn offers taste of life as an islander. White nights = no aurora. No one stays the winter and I do not know of anyone renting out their cottages. Stunning Scotland Undeniably the best place to view the Northern Lights in the UK, Scotland boasts the perfect conditions to catch one of the greatest shows on earth. Yellowknife, NWT, Canada Located on the Ingraham Trail near Yellowknife, in Canadas Northwest Territories it is the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights, better known as Aurora Borealis. (LogOut/ The next peak period is 2013. The prairies far from the city lights in the 1970s were amazing for otiching tent along the road, star gazing, and occassionally the Northern Lights. However, three conditions must be met: When the Aurora Forecast shows the green light extending over Newfoundland it means there's a chance you can see something. Alberta is one of the best provinces in Canada for seeing the northern lights because vast stretches of land are protected as national parks. You know you want to see the northern lights but do you understand what they are? I am heading back there for two weeks the end of September and early October for that very purpose! With endless open country and shoreline, and a population density of just 1.4 people per square kilometre, we have some of the best seats in the house. Where is the best country to see the Northern Lights? Read on! Kouchibouguac National Park (New Brunswick), 9. is in the Journey, A Guide to Newfoundland: A Rugged, Remote Foodie, Exploring Terra Nova National Park by Land & Sea, So youll never scale Everest. The ancient architecture and windy streets truly make it stand out from the rest of Canada. However, a recent video of a flight over this province has blown up on the platform. This means that once you get out of the major cities like Qubec City and Montreal, youve got tons of space to try and see the northern lights. Is St Johns Newfoundland a safe place to live? That's right, enjoy the breathtaking sights of the aurora borealis up close and personal. Notice that southern Labrador has about as much chance of seeing an aurora tonight as southern Ontario does, and then only if it's dark. It would be great to know which of these are relatively accessible from major international airport. When the Aurora Forecastshows the green light extending over Newfoundland it means theres a chance you can see something. Our guests praise the breakfast and the . Season is pretty short in Labrador. Planning on driving? But because they are only typically visible in the aurora zone between 65 and 72 North, they are not visible from April through August when the aurora zone experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight. Looking for some suggestions and tips on viewing the northern lights in NF. Its isolated from any major cities and far enough north (almost 59N) that there are much better chances of seeing the northern lights here than further south in British Columbia. While there are cool things to do here at any time of the year, the best time to visit Newfoundland is from early-July to mid-August, when it feels like the province is full of colour and the people most lively. Tourism Fort St. John. Many places around Gros Morne National Park on Newfoundland work. If you plan to go to Labrador, be very aware of the road situation: long stretches of unpaved highway past Red Bay. Kejimkijik National Park and Historic Site is one of Canada's Dark Sky Preserves - the only one in Nova Scotia - so you can expect dark skies and a good chance to see the northern lights when they are active. However, there are also some luxury Northern Lights tour packages, which include more activities, for $500 a day. Astronomical twilight lasts for another few hours still. Narcity Media Inc. 12 Best Places To See The Northern Lights In Newfoundland And Labrador. What month is best to see the Northern Lights in Canada? (LogOut/ After days of hiking, wildlife viewing, or gazing at dinosaur bones, you can camp in the park and enjoy the northern lights overhead if the skies are clear.