Ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered what those dancing lights were in the distance? If you're lucky enough to live in or visit Calgary, there's a good chance you've spotted the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. The colorful lights often appear on the northern horizon, illuminating the sky with vibrant greens, reds, and pinks. The best chances to catch this spectacular celestial show are between late July and mid-May. To see the Aurora, you'll want a clear, dark night and a Kp index of at least 3 or 4. The higher the Kp, the more active the Aurora. In this guide, you'll discover the optimal times and locations to spot the Northern Lights around Calgary so you can experience this natural wonder for yourself.
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Designed For Beginners
If you want to maximize your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis in Calgary, the best time of year is between late July and mid-May. During these months, the nights offer enough darkness, perfect for potential light shows.
The Aurora is active all year round, but you'll have the best luck spotting it when the skies are clear and the Kp index is higher. The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity that leads to visible Aurora. For a glimpse of the lights hovering over the northern horizon, you'll want a Kp of at least 3. But for a dazzling display, aim for a Kp of 4 or higher.
Check the Kp index forecasts regularly in the days leading up to when you want to see the lights. When there’s a chance the Kp could climb to 4 or above, get ready to head out around 10 pm and stay until 3 am for your best shot at a breathtaking show. Dress warmly, bring a thermos of hot chocolate, and get to a location far from city lights.
The Aurora can be elusive, so don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't successful. With the right conditions and persistence, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular celestial performance you'll never forget. Seeing the Northern Lights is a stunning experience that makes the chilly late nights well worth it.
When it comes to viewing the Northern Lights in Calgary, location and knowing when to head out is everything.
Check our article on how to easily find the best place for Calgary Northern Lights viewing in 4 easy steps: Where Can I See the Northern Lights
An easy way to find the darkest place ideal for Aurora viewing is to use the light pollution map: Light Pollution Maps for Aurora Hunters
The Northern Lights Calgary forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found in Lumyros Aurora App
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
Before going out on your hunt for Aurora Borealis in Calgary take Northern Lights Online Course where you will learn all you need to know to successfully hunt for the Northern Lights. This course is designed for beginners so you don't need to worry about not knowing much yet.
To see the Northern Lights dancing in the sky above Calgary, you need to understand the Kp index. The Kp index measures disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field, which can lead to visible Aurora. The higher the Kp number, the farther south Aurora may be visible.
Kp 3 gives you a chance, Kp 4 offers more
For a chance at spotting Aurora on the low northern horizon in Calgary, aim for a Kp of 3 or greater. The higher the better! A Kp of 4-6 means the Lights will be most likely visible on the higher horizon, while 7 or higher could produce a spectacular show with bright colors and rapid movements.
All-in-one tool for Aurora hunting. Try the new experience.
The Kp index is measured on a scale of 0-9. It's updated every 3 hours based on data from magnetic observatories around the world. Check the estimated Kp index for your area to determine the likelihood of visibility before heading out Aurora hunting. Some of the best resources for monitoring the Kp index and Aurora Calgary forecasts include:
Space Weather Prediction Center: Issues 3-day Aurora forecasts and updates the estimated Kp index every 30 minutes.
Geophysical Institute Aurora Forecast: Predicts the intensity and location of Calgary Aurora activity based on solar wind conditions.
With the right Kp conditions and a little luck, you'll be gazing in wonder at the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. The vibrant colors and flickering lights make braving the cold, dark nights worth it. Now get outside and catch the show!
The great location is one of the most important requirements for every Aurora hunter. So Where to see Northern Lights in Calgary? Let's find out.
Nose Hill Park
One of the best spots to view the Northern Light in Calgary is Nose Hill Park, just north of the city. This massive park spans over 11 square kilometres, with minimal light pollution - perfect for Aurora viewing. Find a secluded spot in the park away from the city lights and look north. On a clear night, you’ll have panoramic views of the sky and a higher chance of catching the Auroras dancing over the night sky.
For the best views, head to the northern part of the park near the Edgemont and Highland Park communities. There are a few parking lots in the area, including one on 14th Street NW that provides easy access to open fields ideal for skywatching. Bundle up, bring a thermos of hot cocoa, and enjoy the show. On an active night, the lights may appear for just a few minutes at a time, so be patient and keep your eyes on the northern sky.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
Just a 40-minute drive west of Calgary, Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is another prime spot for Aurora viewing. This park protects a scenic river valley and wetland habitat, with minimal light pollution from nearby towns. Find an open area and look north - on clear nights, the park’s location provides panoramic views of the night sky for the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights.
The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, for a small entrance fee - perfect for late-night skywatching excursions. There are over 10 kilometres of trails to explore, but for the best views find an open meadow or field and look north. Bundle up, bring a flashlight (for walking the trails after dark), snacks, and camp chairs or blankets to get comfortable while you watch the sky. With the park's location away from city lights, an active Aurora night here could provide an amazing display.
Bragg Creek Provincial Park
Just a 40-minute drive west of Calgary, Bragg Creek Provincial Park is a certified Dark Sky Preserve, making it the perfect escape from city lights to view the Northern Lights. The park spans over 16 square kilometres in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with minimal light pollution for optimal stargazing and Aurora viewing.
Find an open meadow or field within the park and look north for the best chance of spotting the Auroras dancing across the sky. The further into the park you go, the less ambient light there will be for the best views of the night sky. On an active night, the lights may flicker and move across the sky - be ready to witness a spectacular show. Bundle up, bring snacks, a flashlight, and camp chairs to get cozy while skywatching in this Rocky Mountain paradise.
If the Northern Lights are active and the sky is clear, some of the best spots close to Calgary to potentially see the Aurora Borealis are just a short drive away.
Elk Island National Park
About 3 hours north of Calgary, Elk Island National Park is a certified Dark Sky Preserve, meaning there is little light pollution to interfere with stargazing. With over 195 campsites, it’s easy to find a secluded place to set up for the night. Head to the Astotin Lake Recreation Area or the beach on Lake Ministik for optimal views.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes east of Calgary near Brooks, Dinosaur Provincial Park is another International Dark Sky Park. The badlands landscape provides a striking foreground for any Aurora you may spot dancing overhead. There are over 200 campsites, or for more comfort, stay at the Desert Inn Motel located within the park.
Waiparous Creek
Only a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive west of Calgary, Waiparous Creek area offers a rugged campground along a creek in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The campground sits at a higher elevation, away from the city lights, giving you a chance of catching the Northern Lights even on a night when activity is more moderate. There are 55 unserviced campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other options within 2 hours of Calgary include the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, and Castle Provincial Park. The further you can get from the ambient glow of the city, the better your odds of an unobstructed view of Calgary Aurora Borealis putting on a show. Bundle up, bring a thermos of hot cocoa, and enjoy the spectacle of the Northern Lights!
You probably have a few questions about seeing the Northern Lights in Calgary. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones:
What’s the best time of year to see the Aurora Borealis?
The Northern Lights are often visible from late July through mid-May in Calgary. The autumn and winter months tend to be the best time for viewing since the nights are longer. The equinoxes in March and September are also prime times.
How likely am I to see the Northern Lights on any given night?
There is no way to predict with certainty if the Northern Lights will be visible on any particular night. However, you can monitor the Kp index, which measures geomagnetic activity. A Kp of 3 or higher indicates chance of spotting the Calgary Aurora. The higher the Kp, the better your odds. Some of the best displays happen when the Kp is 7 or 8.
Where are the best places to see the Northern Lights near Calgary?
Head out of the city lights to darker locations like Bragg Creek, Priddis, or Water Valley. For the best views, find an open area with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. Some recommended spots are Tsuu T’ina Rodeo Grounds, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, and Bearspaw Reservoir.
Can you see the Northern Lights right in Calgary?
Yes, the Northern Lights are often visible within Calgary, especially in the northern suburbs. However, light pollution from the city can make them harder to spot and duller in color. Your best bet is to find a location as far from streetlights and city glow as possible, like Nose Hill Park, Confederation Park, or Edworthy Park.
Are the Northern Lights always green?
No, the Aurora can display a variety of colors. The most common are greens and reds, but you may also see pinks, purples, blues, and yellows. The specific color depends on which gasses in the upper atmosphere are being excited by the charged particles. Oxygen produces the green and red shades, while nitrogen is responsible for the blues and purples.
The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.
Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.
So now you have all the essential information you need to go Aurora hunting in Calgary. You know the optimal time of year to venture out, the key locations to scout, and what Kp index numbers to keep an eye on to increase your chances. Bundle up, grab your camera, find a dark secluded spot away from the city lights, and wait for the magical lights to dance across the night sky. Who knows, you may get lucky and catch a glimpse of the rare red and purple hues in the Aurora. If at first you don't succeed, try again another night - experiencing the wonder of the Northern Lights in person is worth the effort. Happy hunting and enjoy this natural phenomenon in your own backyard!
The best online courses for beginners