Have you ever seen the night sky glow with vibrant colors? The Northern Lights are one of nature’s most spectacular shows, and Yukon is one of the best places in the world to catch this dazzling display. You’re in for a treat - the Yukon Canada Northern Lights are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. This guide will give you all the tips you need to view this natural wonder in person. We’ll tell you the secret of knowing exactly when and where the lights will be dancing across the sky. You’ll learn how to capture stunning photos of the Aurora Borealis to impress all your friends. By the end of this, you’ll be a Yukon Lights expert, ready to experience a jaw-dropping display of greens, pinks and reds lighting up the night. The sky is the limit!
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
The best time to see Northern Lights in Yukon is between 10 pm and 3 am from late August to early April. During these winter months, the nights are long and dark, providing the perfect canvas for the Aurora Borealis to dance across the sky.
The Solar Cycle
The intensity of the Northern Lights depends on the 11-year Solar Cycle. When the Sun is most active, the Northern Lights are more vivid and frequent. According to the Aurora data, the last Solar Cycle peaked in 2014 and the next peak is coming in mid-2025, so the shows have been stunning in recent years and are expected to keep increasing until mid-2025. Check the 3-day and 27-day forecasts to see predictions for Aurora activity and the best nights to view them.
Moonless Nights
For the brightest display, aim for moonless nights between 10 pm and 3 am when the skies are darkest. The New Moon phase is ideal, as even a Crescent Moon can wash out the fainter lights.
Best Locations
Some of the top spots to view the Yukon Lights are Haines Junction, Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Watson Lake. Head to a secluded spot away from city lights for the most spectacular show. Parks Canada campgrounds and territorial campgrounds provide perfect settings, or you can go off-grid for a true wilderness experience.
With the right timing, location, and a little luck, you'll be dazzled by the vibrant, dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis in the Yukon night sky. An unforgettable experience and worth bundling up for!
When it comes to viewing the Northern Lights in Yukon, location is everything. Some of the top spots will give you the best chance of witnessing the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.
Check our article on how to easily find the best place for Northern Lights viewing in 4 easy steps: Where Can I See the Northern Lights
An easy way to find the darkest place ideal for Yukon Aurora viewing is to use the light pollution map: Light Pollution Maps for Aurora Hunters
The Yukon Canada Northern Lights forecast for 3 days and long-term Yukon Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast and Aurora activity in real-time here: Boreal Webcams
Before going out for your first Aurora hunt it's a smart move to 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.
Kluane National Park and Reserve
This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. The park is home to massive ice fields, glaciers and Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan. With sparse population and little light pollution, the night skies here are incredibly dark. Head to the Haines Junction area in the southern part of the park for optimal viewing.
Whitehorse
While there is more light pollution around the Yukon capital, the Northern Lights are still frequently visible from spots just outside of town. Drive about 15-20 minutes up the Alaska Highway to Fox Lake or head to Fish Lake, both of which offer great viewing spots with minimal light pollution. For the best photos, position yourself in front of a lake or river.
Dempster Highway
This epic 730 km highway is one of the best places to spot the Aurora Borealis. As you drive up to the Arctic Circle, light pollution gradually fades away into pitch darkness. Pull over at any point along the road, turn off your headlights and wait for the show to start. The vibrant colors of the Northern Lights will be mirrored in the still waters of the Blackstone River.
With the right location, a little patience and a sense of adventure, you’ll be gazing up at the Yukon’s dazzling emerald skies in no time. Bundle up, bring a thermos of hot cocoa and enjoy Mother Nature’s greatest light show.
Camera Settings
To capture stunning photos of the Northern Lights Yukon, you'll want to have the right camera settings. Use a wide angle lens, like 20mm or shorter, to capture as much of the sky as possible. Set your camera to manual mode so you have full control. Bump up the ISO to at least 800, higher if your camera can handle it while still producing clean images. Open your aperture as wide as possible, around f/2.8 or lower. And set your shutter speed to 15-30 seconds to properly expose the night sky.
Use a sturdy tripod to keep your camera still for the long exposure. You can also use a remote shutter release or your camera's built-in timer to trigger the shutter without touching the camera. This will prevent camera shake and blurry photos. Play around with different settings to achieve different effects. Faster shutter speeds will produce sharper stars while longer speeds create star trails. Slower apertures produce brighter lights and sunbursts.
Frame your shot to include interesting foreground elements like trees, mountains or buildings. The Aurora often appears dancing and swirling in the sky, so compose your shot to allow for movement. You never know how the lights may twist and turn! Once you've captured some shots, review them on your camera's LCD screen. Make any necessary adjustments to your settings or composition and keep shooting.
With the right gear and know-how, you'll be capturing stunning photos of the Yukon Northern Lights in no time. Reviewing a few tutorials online or in photography books about night and long exposure photography may also help you better understand how to get great shots of the Aurora Borealis. And with practice, you'll get more comfortable with the techniques and camera settings needed to produce photos you'll cherish for years to come.
To understand the Northern Lights forecasts issued by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, you need to know the difference between their 3-day and 27-day forecasts.
The 3-day forecast provides a near real-time prediction of expected Auroral Activity over the next 72 hours based on current solar wind conditions and measurements from satellites monitoring the Sun. It will give you an idea of the likelihood of seeing a display of the Aurora Borealis in the coming days and the best locations for viewing. The forecast is updated every 30 minutes to provide the latest information on solar storm activity and how it may impact the Northern Lights.
The 27-day forecast takes a longer-term look at the possibilities for Auroral activity based on the solar rotation and solar wind patterns. The Sun rotates approximately every 27 days, so this forecast looks ahead at the next full solar rotation to determine if there are any solar storms or coronal mass ejections that could enhance the Northern Lights during that period. Since the Sun’s activity constantly changes, the accuracy of the 27-day forecast decreases over time. It should only be used as a general guide for the potential of stronger Auroral activity and visibility further in advance.
To make the most of these forecasts, check both regularly. Use the 3-day forecast to plan any Aurora viewing excursions on short notice when activity is expected to be higher. Reference the 27-day forecast to get a sense of any periods where the Northern Lights may be more active and vibrant in the coming weeks so you can schedule time to get out and see the show! With some advance planning and keeping an eye on the skies, you'll increase your chances of witnessing one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth.
Everyone who visits the Yukon dreams of seeing the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. Here are the answers to the top 5 questions about witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Yukon?
Yukon Northern Lights Best Time: Aurora Borealis is often visible on clear nights between 10 pm and 3 am from August to April. The best months are typically September to March, when the nights are longest and darkest. Check the 3- and 27-day Aurora forecasts to determine the likelihood of activity and get ready for a late night!
Where are the top places to see the Northern Lights in Yukon?
Head away from city lights to the Yukon’s remote wilderness. Some of the best spots are:
Kluane National Park - Massive park with stunning mountain vistas.
Tombstone Territorial Park - Rugged park in the Ogilvie Mountains, great for camping under the lights.
Dempster Highway - Epic 730 km highway with little light pollution. Stop anywhere along the way!
How do I take a photo of the Northern Lights?
Use a DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens, set to a long exposure (15-30 seconds) and high ISO (1600-3200). Mount your camera on a tripod, focus on infinity and shoot in manual mode. Experiment with different settings to capture the colors and movement.
How can I understand the 3- and 27- day Aurora forecasts?
The 3-day forecast predicts the likelihood of visible Northern Lights in the next 3 nights. The 27-day forecast shows the long-term Aurora activity outlook. Higher numbers, especially 7 and above, indicate a greater chance of an amazing show! But the lights are unpredictable, so there’s always a chance of a surprise display.
What causes the Northern Lights and what do they look like?
The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth's magnetic field. They often appear as colorful, dancing lights in the sky, ranging from pale green to pink, and sometimes red and violet. The lights seem to flow and swirl, and at their most active can fill the entire sky with color.
Seeing the Yukon Northern Lights is a magical experience. I hope this helps you plan your adventure and answers your questions about catching the show! Let me know if you have any other questions.
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.
You’ve made it this far, so now you’re equipped with everything you need to view one of the greatest natural wonders. Head north to the Yukon, find your perfect spot away from the city lights, check the latest Aurora forecasts, and get ready for a jaw-dropping show. Bundle up, bring a thermos of hot cocoa, your camera, a sense of adventure, and patience. When those glowing green lights start dancing across the night sky, all the planning and effort will be well worth it. The Northern Lights are ephemeral but unforgettable. Chase them and you’ll be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Yukon and its celestial spectacle await you.
Learn more about Aurora in Online Northern Lights Course (Recommended for Beginners)