Where Can You See The Northern Lights In The Pnw?
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display that occurs in the sky predominantly in high-latitude regions like Alaska, Canada, Iceland, and Scandinavia. This phenomenon is caused when particles emitted from the sun get trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field and collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper atmosphere. These collisions produce the shimmering curtains of green, pink, purple, and blue light that have captivated people for centuries.
In recent years, increased solar activity has made it possible to occasionally view the northern lights further south, including in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Parts of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho now offer opportune vantage points to catch the aurora borealis in action when conditions are right. For many living in or visiting the PNW, witnessing the dazzling northern lights firsthand can be a breathtaking, unforgettable experience.
This guide covers everything you need to know to successfully see the northern lights in the Pacific Northwest, including the best locations, optimal viewing times, photography tips, and more. With the right information and a little luck, you may soon fulfill your dream of seeing this incredible natural wonder dancing across the PNW sky.
What Are the Northern Lights?
Scientifically known as aurora borealis, the northern lights are caused by collisions between gaseous particles from the sun and atoms in Earth’s upper atmosphere. These collisions emit photons that we see as colorful, dancing lights in the sky. The lights are only visible at high latitudes, such as northern parts of the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia, and Iceland.
The colors of the aurora depend on which atoms the incoming particles collide with. Oxygen emits green and red light, while nitrogen glows blue and purple. The most common color is the greenish glow from oxygen atoms at about 60 miles up in the atmosphere. These oxygen atoms become “excited” by solar particles and give off photons as they relax into lower energy states.
Auroras occur when solar winds—streams of charged particles from the sun—are funneled along Earth’s magnetic field lines into our upper atmosphere. More intense displays happen when solar flares and coronal mass ejections on the sun emit clouds of plasma that interact with our planet’s magnetic field. The phenomenon is called aurora borealis in the north and aurora australis in the southern hemisphere.
Best Times to See the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. The best times to see the northern lights are during solar maximums, which happen about every 11 years when the sun has the most sunspots and solar flares. The next solar maximum is expected to occur in 2024-2025, making those prime years for northern lights viewing.
The fall and winter months typically offer the best opportunities to see the northern lights. This is because the nights are longer and darker, which improves the visibility of the auroras. Ideal viewing normally occurs between 10 PM and 2 AM when the sky is at its darkest (Source).
In addition to timing, weather conditions also play an important role. Clear, dark skies without clouds or light pollution are best. The auroras are often more intense during geomagnetic storms, which can be tracked online through space weather forecasts.
While the northern lights occur year-round, planning your viewing during a solar maximum in the fall or winter months, preferably on a clear night with active geomagnetic conditions, will increase your chances of seeing a breathtaking display of the northern lights.
Top Spots in Washington
Some of the best places to see the northern lights in Washington state are located in the northern Cascades region. North Cascades National Park offers excellent dark skies and spectacular mountain scenery for aurora viewing. Look for pull-offs along the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) on a clear night with an aurora forecast.
On the Olympic Peninsula, head to the beaches or high ridges of Olympic National Park. Shi Shi Beach, Rialto Beach, and Hurricane Ridge are remote spots far from city lights. Check the tide tables, as the lights are harder to see at high tide.
For easy road access from Seattle, try Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park. The large parking lot and open views from the visitor center give you plenty of room to set up a camera or just take in the view.
Closer to Puget Sound, spots like Deception Pass, Larrabee State Park, and the San Juan Islands offer shoreline views and dark skies not far from Seattle, Everett, and Bellingham. Bundle up and watch for auroras dancing above the Salish Sea.
Top Spots in Oregon
Oregon offers some excellent vantage points for catching the northern lights due to its lack of light pollution and high latitude. The best places in Oregon to see the aurora borealis include:
Crater Lake National Park is considered one of the premier spots in Oregon to view the northern lights. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is known for its incredibly dark night skies, making it ideal for stargazing and seeing the aurora. The northern lights can be visible here on clear nights from late fall through early spring. According to rove.me, Crater Lake offers “jaw-dropping views” when the aurora is active.
Mount Hood is another top spot in Oregon to potentially see the northern lights. With elevations over 11,000 feet, Mount Hood offers high vantage points above light pollution and frequently clear skies during winter. For optimal aurora viewing, head to the northeast side of the mountain away from the lights of the ski resorts. Some key spots include Lost Lake and Trillium Lake.
The Oregon Coast also provides opportunities to see the northern lights, especially when solar activity is high. Places like Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park, and Cape Meares offer unobstructed views northward over the Pacific Ocean. For best results, find a spot with an unobstructed northern horizon. According to KOIN 6 News, viewing chances increase the farther north you go up the coast.
Top Spots in Idaho
Idaho offers excellent opportunities for viewing the northern lights across the northern parts of the state. Some of the top spots include:
Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle is a prime location, especially from the west-facing shoreline. The lack of light pollution and wide open views make it possible to see the aurora on many clear nights during solar activity peaks. Look towards the northern sky after sunset. Some specific viewing points include Lionhead Trail and Cavanaugh Bay (visitidaho.org).
Stanley is a popular mountain town that provides a great base for night sky viewing. Head just out of town away from light pollution and find a spot with open views to see the lights dancing overhead. Some nearby recreation areas like Redfish Lake are also excellent (visitidaho.org).
The Sun Valley and Ketchum area offers world-class stargazing conditions, making it a top spot in the U.S. to see the aurora. Look north from anywhere around town on a clear night. Bald Mountain and lakes like Pettit and Alturas provide stunning views. The Nature Conservancy’s Silver Creek Preserve is also a prime viewing location (visitidaho.org).
Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights
One of the most important tips for seeing the northern lights is to get away from light pollution and find a dark sky location. According to the Space Weather Prediction Center, “Auroras are very dim compared to city lights. To increase chances of seeing the Northern Lights, a location with clear skies, free of cloud cover or light pollution is preferred.” (https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/tips-viewing-aurora)
It’s also essential to check aurora forecasts regularly in the days and hours leading up to your viewing. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center provides aurora forecasts at https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ to help determine the best times for northern lights viewing.
Once you’re at your dark sky viewing location, allow around 30 minutes for your eyes to become adjusted to the dark. This will help you spot fainter or more distant northern lights displays. Bring warm clothes and be prepared to be outside for extended periods of time. Viewing the northern lights requires patience as displays can appear suddenly and then disappear just as quickly.
Photographing the Northern Lights
Capturing epic photographs of the northern lights requires some special camera settings and equipment. First and foremost, you’ll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera that allows you to manually adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. A wide angle lens between 14-24mm is ideal to capture the expansiveness of the aurora.
Since you’ll be shooting in low light conditions, you’ll need to use high ISO settings, usually between 1600-6400 ISO. This will make the camera sensor more sensitive to light. Set your aperture to the widest setting possible, around f/2.8 or lower. For shutter speed, start with 5 seconds and increase up to 20-25 seconds for optimal exposure. Using a tripod is essential to prevent blurry shots.
Experiment with different exposure times to determine the right balance of foreground and sky brightness. The optimal camera settings vary depending on cloud cover, strength of the aurora, moon phase, and other conditions. Check your shots and adjust as needed. With practice and persistence, you’ll capture spellbinding photographs of the celestial spectacle.
For equipment, a sturdy tripod and remote shutter release allows you to trigger the camera without touching it, preventing shake. You may also want to bring extra camera batteries as long exposures in the cold drains them quickly. Finally, dress extremely warmly for a comfortable and successful northern lights photo session.
Northern Lights Tour Options
There are several tour companies that offer guided northern lights tours and vacations in the Pacific Northwest for those who want a hassle-free option to see the aurora borealis. Here are some of the top tour providers in the region:
Knightly Tours (https://knightlytours.com/tour/northern-lights/) provides all-inclusive, small group tours focused on northern lights viewing in Alaska and Canada. Their packages include transportation, lodging, meals, and expert guides to find the best viewing spots.
Vacations by Rail (https://www.vacationsbyrail.com/vacation-type/northern-lights-tours/) offers rail-based northern lights tours to destinations like Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Their trips combine train travel with northern lights hunting led by knowledgeable aurora guides.
Other companies like Northern Lights Tours (https://northernlightstours.com/), Churchill Northern Studies Centre (https://churchill.ca), and Nathab (https://nathab.com/) provide a range of group and private tour options focused on northern lights experiences throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
Guided tours allow you to leave the trip planning to experts and maximize your chances of seeing the aurora under ideal conditions. Just be sure to book well in advance as these tours are popular.
Concluding Thoughts on Viewing the Northern Lights
The northern lights are truly a magical natural phenomenon that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. With the right weather conditions, timing, location and preparation, you can greatly increase your chances of catching the aurora borealis in the Pacific Northwest.
The key is finding dark sky locations away from light pollution, checking the forecast for solar activity and geomagnetic storms, and heading out during peak viewing hours between 10pm and 2am. Ideally you’ll want clear skies and be positioned facing north.
For the best experience, bundle up, find a comfortable place to sit or lay down, let your eyes adjust, and simply take in the wonder of the dancing, colorful lights overhead. Be sure to avoid looking at any light sources to keep your night vision intact.
With persistence and planning, witnessing the northern lights can create lifelong memories. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see them on your first try – that just makes it all the more magical when you finally glimpse the glowing green lights shimmering in the night sky.
