The Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Alberta

Friendly travel warning: There’s a rainbow of lights that dance in Alberta’s night skies, producing feelings of wonder and joy. They are known as the northern lights.

Scientists call them Aurora Borealis, and Alberta is one of the world’s top places to see them.

Alberta is a dark sky paradise 

Alberta’s dark skies and wide-open spaces make the province an excellent spot to chase the northern lights, especially from September to March.

If you’re willing to skip a few hours of sleep, the reward is basking in the glow of the lava lamp-like bands of light in shades of green, yellow, pink and mauve.

Alberta has five designated Dark Sky Preserves. When you head out, use these Aurora chasing tips from the pros. Want something extra special? Hook up with a tour group, get cozy in a see-through viewing dome, or head to a dark sky festival.

Northern Alberta 

Wood Buffalo National Park 

Get your front-row star-gazing seat at Wood Buffalo National Park, the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve. This UNESCO World Heritage site in northeastern Alberta is larger than Switzerland. It’s also Canada’s largest national park. 

• Andrew Lake Lodge and Camps, a remote lodge in Wood Buffalo puts on night sky photography workshops in late August and September.  
• Combine your northern lights experience with Indigenous culture. Check out the Aurora Borealis Indigenous Village, 120 km (75 mi) northwest of Fort McMurray. It’s one of the only places in Canada where you can sleep in a tipi and marvel at the dancing night sky.  
• Head out on this four-day winter adventure driving itinerary including dog sledding, learning about Indigenous culture and hopefully catching the northern lights.  

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park 

Hit the road from Edmonton to Lac La Biche, about 220 km (140 miles) northeast. Nearby Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is Alberta’s only provincial park on an island. It is also a designated Northern Lights hot spot.  

• Rent a cozy cabin in Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park.  
• Go ice fishing and Aurora Borealis watching with Lakeland Exhibitions. 
• Learn about Indigenous culture at Métis Crossing, about 124 km (77 miles) south of Sir Winston Provincial Park. Add a little luxury to your experience by booking one of the sky-watching domes.

Canadian Rockies 

Jasper National Park 

Enjoy nature with a charming full-service town in Jasper, right in Jasper National Park. The town is 365 km (226 mi) from Edmonton and 414 km (257 mi) from Calgary.  

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival happens every October over 10 days. Watch the northern lights, take a yoga class under the stars, hop on the Jasper SkyTram to a mountaintop by night, or take telescope tours with experienced star guides. Make the most of your time at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival with these insider tips.  

The Jasper Planetarium also offers a guided tour and an outdoor night sky watch with some of the most powerful telescopes in the Rockies.

Beaver Hills 

Just a 43-km (27-mi) drive east of Edmonton lies Beaver Hills, one of two UNESCO biospheres in Alberta. It includes parts of Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. Hang out under the night sky nestled in a sleeping bag or warm blanket and be wowed by the celestial show.  

Southern Alberta 

Glamp and star gaze  

Elevated Escapes takes your night sky tour to a new level with rustic-meets-luxury accommodations in dome-style tents in Bragg Creek, about 45 km (28 mi) west of Calgary. Castle Glamping Resorts, 240 km (150 mi) south of Calgary at Beaver Mines Lake, has RV camping, cabins, domes or tents. Nearby Castle Provincial Park is heavenly by night.  

Take a nocturnal hike minutes from Calgary 

The Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area is on a beautiful stretch of rolling prairie 36 km (22 mi) southwest of Calgary. It’s been designated a Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Nocturnal Preserve. Take a guided walk under the dazzling night sky while being serenaded by coyotes or owls. Occasionally, the conservation area brings in astronomy experts to speak on the marvels of the constellations and more.  

Waterton Lakes National Park

This mountains-meets-prairie landscape is stunning any time of year, but the canvas of the night sky amps up the experience. Waterton and adjacent Glacier National Park in the U.S. are recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as an International Dark Sky Park.  

Local outfitters Dark Sky Guides offer guided and educational nighttime tours, giving guests the chance to use quality telescopes, binoculars and other stargazing equipment. 

Cypress Hills

Alberta’s first ever designated Dark Sky Preserve is in an interprovincial park spanning southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. Its location high in the rolling prairies makes it easier to see the brush strokes of green, gold, mauve and pink lights of the aurora.   

Stay in a cozy cabin at Cypress Hills in the midst of the peaceful park – and be sure to stay up for the light show.

Alberta observatories

Surround yourself with working astronomers at these Alberta observatories. Be sure to check for times and reservations.  

• The University of Alberta Observatory on the campus in Edmonton is open free to the public on Thursdays. It’s more than just a cool place to view the night sky through massive telescopes; researchers and staff are also on hand to answer your night sky questions.  
• Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is 43 km (27 mi) southwest of Calgary. It’s run by the physics and astronomy departments of the University of Calgary. The observatory is noted for the discovery of two comets by researchers here, using Canadian telescopes.  
• An amateur astronomer runs Eagle Butte Observatory using pro gear. Call ahead and arrange a personal viewing party or take part in special events like Cocktails and Constellations. It is located 26 km (16 mi) south of Medicine Hat.