Experience the magic of the Northern Lights ALBERTA CANADA. Discover the best aurora viewing spots including Jasper, Banff, Calgary & Edmonton, and travel tips to this stunning province.
Alberta Canada is an amazing destination for viewing the aurora borealis. The province features vast, clear skies with very little light pollution, which makes it the perfect destination to hunt for the elusive lights.
There are countless vantage points located throughout the province that offer you some of the most unique and truly unforgettable experiences possible. In this article, I share with you some of the most popular spots to observe northern lights in Alberta, Canada.
Best Viewing Spots for Northern Lights Alberta
The awe-inspiring beauty of the aurora borealis, attracts people from all over the world to Canada, every single year. The unpredictable nature of the appearances ensures that each location provides viewers with vastly different experiences. And, Alberta has some of the most amazing spots for viewing the northern lights in all of their glory.
Jasper National Park
One of the best places to view the northern lights Alberta is at the Jasper National Park. The park itself has been designated as a Dark Sky Preserve, due to the inexistence of artificial lights. Since the Jasper National Park offers some of the darkest skies in the world, it is even easier to spot the northern lights when they make their grand appearance.
There are countless destinations throughout the park for viewing the elusive lights. But, one of the best viewing locations is at Pyramid Lake which reflects the lights of the auroras off the perfectly still surface. You also have the Icefields Parkway which is a popular scenic drive that connects Jasper to Lake Louise. You’ll find countless pull-offs along the way that will provide you with a quiet and secluded viewing experience.
Banff National Park
Banff National Park is located deep within the Canadian Rockies and is considered much more accessible than Jasper National Park due to its proximity to Calgary. Although not part of the Dark Sky Preserve, there are still plenty of excellent viewing locations to choose from. If you choose to visit Banff National Park in October, join the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival festivities.
The two most popular destinations within the park for viewing the elusive lights are Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise. During the day, Lake Louise is known for its beautiful blue waters, which transform at night to offer some of the most awe-inspiring reflections of the northern lights imaginable. From there, it’s only a 230-kilometer drive up the Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park.
Calgary
Then you have the bustling city of Calgary. Although it’s difficult to view the elusive lights from the city center, if you are willing to venture just outside the city limits you will be treated to some of the most amazing views of the auroras possible. There are several dark sky areas located just outside the city limits, that offer visitors perfect vantage points. However, it’s important to reduce the impact of light pollution, by driving at least a 30-minute outside of the city limits.
One of the most popular destinations can be found at the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park which is located roughly 45 minutes west of the city. The location is perfect for anyone who wants well-maintained trails and openly accessible vantage points. There are also several stop-offs along the road to Kananaskis Country, where you can pull off to view the elusive lights as they begin to dance through the night sky.
Edmonton
Finally, you have Edmonton, which is the provincial capital. Just like in Calgary, viewing the northern lights from inside the city limits can be extremely difficult due to the excessive amount of light pollution. To get the best experience possible, you will need to take a short drive outside of the city to encounter darker skies.
About 45 minutes East of Edmonton, you will find Elk Island National Park. It is one of the most popular destinations outside of Edmonton for viewing the aurora borealis due to its dark sky designation. The park itself is an open expanse dotted with countless lakes that reflect the awe-inspiring beauty of the star-filled skies. However, if you don’t have time to drive to Elk Island National Park, you can opt to visit the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area instead.
Planning Your Trip to See the Northern Lights Alberta
It’s important to remember that viewing the northern lights Alberta will require some planning. The lights will appear at random times throughout the winter months, and even when they do dance across the night skies, they are subject to the mercy of the weather. To get the most out of your visit to Alberta, you will need to plan accordingly.
Ideal Time of Year for the Northern Lights
When it comes to the best time of year to view the northern lights Alberta, you can choose any point between September and April. However, the peak viewing season will occur between January and March. During these months the nights are longer, clearer, and much colder. This creates the perfect conditions for viewing the elusive lights. And, while the northern lights can appear during the summer months, it is a rare occurrence.
Due to the unpredictability of the Aurora experience, you will also need to make use of a wide variety of apps and websites. Popular websites like AuroraWatch and SpaceWeatherLive will provide you with real-time Aurora forecasts. These are invaluable tools for those looking to maximize their chances of capturing a glimpse of the elusive lights.
Getting to Alberta and Around
Once you have decided when you will visit on your northern lights Alberta trip, it’s time to figure out how you are going to get around the province. There are two major airports within Alberta, located in Calgary and Edmonton. Once you arrive, you can either choose to use the public transportation options or rent a car at the airport. Renting a car will be the best option as it will give you the most amount of flexibility to seek out the elusive lights along the 230 km Icefields Parkway.
Where to Stay On Your Northern Lights Alberta Trip
You will also find a wide range of accommodations located throughout the province. But, to immerse yourself in the aurora experience, you should consider staying at any one of the many cabins, lodges, or resorts located within the Banff and Jasper National Parks. Although more expensive than staying in Calgary or Edmonton, choosing to stay within the national parks provides you with the most opportunities to view the splendor of the Canadian wilderness and the elusive lights.
What to Pack for a Northern Lights Trip
For those who have never been to Canada during the winter, it can get extremely cold at night time. As a result, you will need to make sure that you pack properly to ensure that your viewing experience is as comfortable as possible.
Warm Layers
One of the most important aspects of dressing warmly in the cold Canadian wilderness is the use of layers. You will want to pack a high-quality insulated winter coat, thermal underlayers, gloves, hats, and scarves. The innermost layer will need to wick away any sweat your body produces, while the outermost layer needs to be waterproof to protect you from the moisture caused by melting snow.
Sturdy Boots
Since you will most likely be walking through snow and ice-covered fields, make sure that you pack some sturdy winter boots. The boots should be heavily insulated, provide excellent traction, and above all, waterproof. Always make sure that you properly protect the extremities from frostbite.
Camera and Tripod
At the same time, if you are planning to capture photos of the aurora borealis, make sure that you pack a good DSLR camera and a tripod. The DSLR camera is essential, as you will need to manually adjust the settings to take photographs in the dark. The tripod is also crucial to capturing steady shots, due to the longer exposure times needed to capture photographs at night.
Hand Warmers
All too often, cold fingers will cut a viewing session short. The first part of the body that gets cold in the Canadian wilderness is the extremities. Your hands and fingers can only handle so much exposure to the wind before they start to get painful. Eventually, your fingers will stop responding to your commands, making it very difficult to enjoy the experience.
Flashlight/Headlamp
Due to the uneven terrain of the Canadian Rockies, it’s important to bring a flashlight or headlamp with you when you head out into the countryside. However, when choosing a flashlight or headlamp, make sure to find one that uses a red light. Not only will this preserve your night vision as you move around, but it will ensure that you are not interfering with the viewing experiences of others.
Conclusion
In the end, viewing the northern lights Alberta Canada can be a truly magical experience. Each location within the province offers its own unique vantage points and scenic backdrops. From the expansive wilderness of the Jasper National Parks to the various destinations located along the outskirts of Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta provides you with boundless opportunities to witness the aurora borealis.
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