You've heard about the incredible Northern Lights shows that light up the night skies of northern Minnesota, but have you ever actually seen the Aurora Borealis dance and shimmer in person? As a resident of Minneapolis, you're in luck. Some of the best spots to view the Northern Lights are right in your backyard, just a short drive from the city. While it can be difficult to see the Aurora from within Minneapolis itself due to light pollution, a quick trip outside the city limits will open up the night sky and increase your chances of witnessing one of the greatest natural wonders. In this complete guide, you'll discover when and where the Northern Lights are most likely to be visible near Minneapolis so you can experience the thrill of seeing the Aurora's vibrant colors illuminate the darkness for yourself.
Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.
Designed For Beginners
Designed For Beginners
Update: Hey there, we've added 10 free videos from our Ultimate Northern Lights Online Course to this post. In the videos, we explain the mysteries of the Aurora Borealis in simple terms for beginners. You'll learn things like what the Northern Lights really look like and how long the show lasts. Also covered are common shapes, Aurora forecasting, tips for finding the best viewing spot, and more. We made the videos short and right to the point. Enjoy learning new things about one of nature's most incredible light shows.
The Northern Lights are rarely visible right from Minneapolis due to the strong light pollution, but to increase your chances, head out of the city lights. The Kp index measures geomagnetic activity and forecasts the likelihood of seeing the Aurora Borealis. A Kp of 4 or higher means you've got a good shot at spotting the lights.
Northern Lights Forecast for Minneapolis is issued for up to 27 days ahead, but remember it's a space weather forecast and can change at any time. 3 day Aurora forecast is more reliable and contains detailed forecasts for every 3-hour time slot.
Check the Kp index forecast from the Geophysical Institute and once it's Kp 4 or above, head to one of these top spots within an hour of Minneapolis:
Crow Hassan Park Reserve: A 50-minute drive west to this 5,000 acre park reserve. There are many secluded trails and open fields with panoramic views of the night sky.
Wild River State Park: About an hour northeast, this park follows the St. Croix River and has many scenic overlooks, as well as canoe-in campsites if you want to stay overnight.
Buffalo River State Park: 3 hours and 30 minutes northwest of the city, this park offers wide open views and darker skies. Hike to the top of the bluffs or canoe out onto the river for the best vantage points.
The Northern Lights are often most active around midnight, so plan to arrive at your viewing location by 10 pm. Dress warmly, bring a flashlight with a red light to maintain your night vision, a camera, tripod, and snacks.
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Can you see the Northern Lights in Minneapolis? Technically, yes - the Auroras are visible from Minneapolis when the conditions are right. However, the city lights often overpower the glow of the Auroras, making them difficult to spot. Your best bet is to get away from the city lights.
Head to Open Areas Outside the City
For the best views of the Northern Lights near Minneapolis, head to open areas outside the city. Some top spots include:
Elm Creek Park Reserve: This 4,900-acre park is about 30 minutes west of Minneapolis. It offers open prairies and trails perfect for Northern Lights viewing.
Crow Hassan Park Reserve: Located 50 minutes northwest of Minneapolis, this park spans 5,000 acres with open fields and trails. It's a prime spot for catching a glimpse of the Auroras.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area: 2 hours north of Minneapolis, this recreation area encompasses abandoned mines now filled with crystal-clear lakes. The lack of light pollution makes it ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.
The key is to get as far away as possible from city lights, towns and any other sources of light pollution. Find an open area, like a large field, beach or trail facing away from any nearby towns or cities. Make sure to check the forecast to increase your chances - you'll want to head out when the Kp index is 4 or higher.
Bundle up, bring some hot drinks or snacks, a flashlight with a red light, and your camera. Then all that's left to do is wait for the Aurora Borealis to start dancing across the sky. With the right conditions and location, you'll be gazing up at the Northern Lights in no time.
Living in Minneapolis doesn’t mean you can’t experience the Aurora Borealis - you just have to get out of the city lights. Within a couple hours of the Twin Cities are some prime viewing locations to spot the dancing lights of the Northern Lights.
Voyageurs National Park is one of the best places in Minnesota to see the Auroras. About 4 to 5 hours north of Minneapolis, this park has over 200 miles of undeveloped shoreline and not much light pollution. Head to one of the visitor centers to check the Kp index and find the best viewing spots. Some recommendations are near Rainy Lake or Namakan Lake.
Another top choice is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a pristine wilderness perfect for Aurora viewing. It’s home to over 1 million acres of forests and more than 1,000 lakes. You’ll have to canoe or hike into the interior of the park to get away from any remaining light pollution, but the rewards will be worth it. Pick a lake, set up camp for the night and wait for the show to start.
Closer to Minneapolis, about 2-3 hours north, is Duluth and Two Harbors. These small towns on the shores of Lake Superior offer darker skies than the city. Head to a beach or lighthouse like Split Rock Lighthouse for panoramic views of the lake and sky. The glittering Auroras will reflect off the water, creating a magical scene. You may even spot the Northern Lights “dancing” overhead, rapidly changing shape and color.
While it may require some effort to escape the city lights, viewing the Northern Lights can be a profoundly moving experience. Make the trip out to one of these prime locations, bring warm clothes, snacks, patience - and your camera. The dazzling display of colors shimmering and swirling across the night sky will create lifelong memories.
To capture the Northern Lights on camera, you’ll need the right equipment and techniques. Here are some tips to help you photograph this natural phenomenon:
Use a DSLR camera
A basic point-and-shoot won’t cut it for Aurora photography. You’ll need a DSLR camera that allows you to manually adjust the settings. A wide-angle lens, between 14 to 35 mm, works well for capturing the broad, sweeping lights.
Set your camera to manual mode
In manual mode, you can adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to get the best shot. Start with a high ISO, around 800 to 6400, to capture the lights. Use a wide aperture, around f/2.8 to f/4, to let in more light. For shutter speed, start with 15 to 30 seconds. You may need to adjust up or down from there. Using the bulb mode allows for shutter speeds longer than 30 seconds.
Use a tripod
Long exposure shots require a tripod to keep the camera steady. Any movement will result in a blurry photo. Place your camera on the tripod and use the self-timer to take the photo to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter button.
Frame your shot
Frame your shot so you have some foreground interest, like trees, in addition to the colorful lights in the sky. Having landscape features in your photos helps provide context for the scale and position of the Aurora.
Consider using noise reduction
High ISO settings can result in “noise” or graininess in your photos. Using your camera’s noise reduction features helps minimize the grainy effect. You can also reduce noise in post-processing using photo editing software like Lightroom.
Be patient
Photographing the Aurora requires patience. It can take time for the lights to intensify and pick up speed. Find a comfortable spot, set up your equipment, and wait for the show to start. The lights may start slowly and build up over time. Staying out for a few hours, especially on active nights, will increase your chances of getting stunning photos of the Northern Lights.
Many people wonder if it’s even possible to see the Northern Lights near Minneapolis. The good news is yes, the Aurora Borealis are often visible in Minnesota, including areas near the Twin Cities. However, to increase your chances, it’s best to get away from city lights. Here are some frequently asked questions and tips for spotting the Northern Lights in Minneapolis.
When can I see the Northern Lights in Minneapolis?
The Northern Lights are more active and vivid during the equinoxes in March and September, as well as the solstices in June and December. The Northern Lights in Minnesota can be seen all year round. The best time to view them is between 10 pm and 3 am when the sky is darkest. For the strongest solar activity and brightest Auroras, watch the Kp index forecast. A Kp index of 4 or higher means a decent probability of spotting the Northern Lights within 100 miles of Minneapolis.
Where should I go to see the Northern Lights near Minneapolis?
Head north of the city, away from light pollution for the best views. Some top spots within 3-4 hours of Minneapolis include:
Itasca State Park: A natural, scenic less than 4-hour drive north with camping options.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Paddle out to the middle of a lake in this wilderness area 4 hours north for panoramic views.
Gooseberry Falls State Park: A popular but stunning state park on Lake Superior only 3 hours north. Stay overnight for the best chance of spotting the Lights.
Will I be able to see the Northern Lights colors and movement?
When solar activity is high and the Kp index reaches 6 or 7, there is a good possibility of seeing the characteristic dancing lights and colors like vibrant greens, pinks and reds in the Minneapolis area. The colors and movement will be more vivid the further north you travel from the city. With a Kp 8 or 9, the Northern Lights may be visible directly overhead for a spectacular show.
Do the Northern Lights make any sound?
To your surprise, they do! You can hear the Northern Lights. When the world around you is blanketed in silence, the Auroras are intensely active, and the atmosphere is just right, you may detect a faint crackling sound. Some describe it as similar to high-voltage power lines buzzing and popping. The sounds are thought to be caused by disturbances in the magnetosphere, the same thing that produces the visual spectacle.
On the other hand, don't expect to hear them as you need a near-perfect environment and way too many conditions have to be aligned and in your favour. In summary, it's possible to hear Aurora Borealis (according to several studies) but it's very rare.
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 there you have it, everything you need to know to experience the wonder of the Northern Lights near Minneapolis. Grab your coat, pack a thermos of hot cocoa, invite a few friends and head out under the night sky. Find a spot away from the city lights, check the Kp index and Aurora forecasts, and be patient. When those colorful lights start dancing across the sky, you'll be glad you made the effort. The dazzling spectacle of the Aurora Borealis is a sight you'll never forget. Mother Nature puts on quite the show if you're willing to bundle up and venture out. Here's to chasing more adventures and making lifelong memories under the starry Minnesota sky.
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