Your Ultimate Guide to Chasing the Northern Lights in North Dakota

There’s nothing quite like standing beneath the vast North Dakota sky. As night falls the sky transforms into a celestial masterpiece, with thousands of stars piercing the darkness and the Milky Way stretching overhead like a river of light. Then you turn your attention to the northern sky as colorful ribbons light up and ripple across the horizon. The air is still, the prairie stretches endlessly around you, and for a moment, it feels like the entire universe is holding its breath.

While places like Iceland and Alaska often steal the spotlight, North Dakota offers a surprisingly magical and uncrowded front-row seat to one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena—the Northern Lights.

Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list moment, a local, or a photographer, this guide will teach you how to forecast, photograph, and witness the aurora borealis right here in North Dakota.

What Causes the Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, happen when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions create beautiful light displays that ripple across the sky in shades of green, pink, purple, and even red. Most of the time, this natural light show occurs near the magnetic poles—making northern places like North Dakota a prime viewing spot during strong solar activity.

What Causes the Colors in the Aurora?

The stunning colors of the Northern Lights come from charged particles from the sun colliding with different gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Each gas emits a unique color when excited:

• Green is the most common and occurs when particles interact with oxygen about 60 to 150 miles above Earth.
• Red is rarer and comes from high-altitude oxygen interactions, usually above 200 miles.
• Purple, pink, and blue are created when particles hit nitrogen, often seen along the lower edges of the aurora.

The mix of altitude, gas type, and energy level all work together to create the mesmerizing colors that ripple across the night sky.

Why North Dakota is Perfect for Aurora Viewing

When most people think of the Northern Lights, they picture places like Alaska or somewhere near the Arctic Circle—but North Dakota is one of the best-kept secrets for aurora viewing in the lower 48. Here’s why:

• Low Light Pollution: Much of North Dakota is rural, with wide-open landscapes and minimal artificial lighting. That means darker skies and a better chance of seeing the aurora clearly—especially in the western and northern parts of the state.

Spots without color on the map are where the sky is considered the darkest with the least amount of light pollution. All of my northern lights photos are from spots with the blue/purple color, so you don’t need it to be completely light pollution free.

• Flat Terrain: The state’s vast prairies and open horizons give you unobstructed views of the sky, which is ideal for spotting even faint aurora activity.
• Fewer Crowds: Unlike more popular aurora destinations, you won’t be fighting for space or dealing with heavy traffic. It’s just you, the stars, and the sky—pure peace and solitude.
• Consistent Weather Windows: While winters can be harsh, North Dakota often experiences crisp, clear nights, making it easier to catch a show when the conditions are right.
• Increased Solar Activity: With the solar maximum approaching, aurora displays are becoming more frequent and stronger—even reaching farther south than usual. North Dakota is perfectly positioned to benefit from these spikes.

Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights

Peak Seasons to See the Aurora in North Dakota

The best times to catch the Northern Lights in North Dakota are from September to April, when nights are longest and skies are darkest. The equinox months—September and March—are especially active, thanks to the way Earth’s tilt affects solar wind interactions. While the lights can appear during summer, the short nights and lingering twilight make them much harder to see. For the best chances, aim for clear, moonless nights during fall, winter, or early spring.

Winter Viewing Tips

Winter in North Dakota offers some of the clearest and darkest skies of the year—perfect conditions for aurora hunting. But it also means braving some serious cold. Here are a few tips to help you stay warm and make the most of your experience:

• Dress in layers: Start with a thermal base layer, add insulation (like fleece or down), and top it off with a windproof outer shell.
• Don’t forget your extremities: Warm hats, gloves, wool socks, and insulated boots are essential—hand and toe warmers are a game-changer.
• Bring a blanket or sleeping bag: Great for extra warmth while you wait, especially if you’re sitting in one spot for a while.
• Use a red flashlight: Red light helps you see in the dark without ruining your night vision.
• Pack hot drinks and snacks: A thermos of coffee, tea, or cocoa makes the wait more enjoyable (and keeps you warm!).
• Check road and weather conditions: Rural roads can be icy or drifted over—let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Best Places in North Dakota to See the Northern Lights

Honestly, there really isn’t a bad place in North Dakota to see the northern lights. Unless of course you’re in a city with a fair bit of light pollution. Some of my best photos have been taken from the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Or at the end of my driveway when I lived rural.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Few places capture the magic of the Northern Lights like Theodore Roosevelt National Park. With its rugged badlands, wide-open skies, and minimal light pollution, the park offers a breathtaking backdrop for aurora viewing. On the right night, the sky will come alive with shimmering waves of green and purple dancing above the landscape—a truly unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to witness it. And still on my list of places to capture the aurora.

Lake Metigoshe State Park

Nestled in the scenic Turtle Mountains along the U.S.–Canadian border, Lake Metigoshe State Park offers an exceptional setting for witnessing the Northern Lights. The park’s minimal light pollution and expansive skies provide ideal conditions for aurora viewing. Visitors have reported vibrant displays of green and purple hues dancing over the lake, creating unforgettable nighttime experiences. Whether you’re camping under the stars or enjoying a late-night hike, the park’s tranquil environment enhances the magic of the aurora borealis.​

How to Track Aurora Activity

Want to know when the Northern Lights might make an appearance? Keeping an eye on aurora activity is key, and luckily, there are some great tools to help.

My Aurora Forecast & Alerts (app)

One of the most popular is the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app (available for both iOS and Android). It offers real-time forecasts, KP index tracking (which measures geomagnetic activity), and even alerts when conditions are favorable for your location. You can also view cloud cover maps and set notifications so you never miss a potential display.

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) is one of the most trusted sources for real-time space weather data. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the SWPC monitors the sun’s activity and provides forecasts for geomagnetic storms—those powerful solar events that trigger the aurora borealis here on Earth.

Through their website, you can access detailed data on the KP index, solar wind speed, Bz values, and aurora forecasts. They also publish alerts, watches, and warnings that can help aurora chasers know when conditions are right.

Their Aurora Dashboard shows where the lights might be visible based on current conditions, making it a great tool for planning your night under the stars.

Space Weather Live

SpaceWeatherLive is a go-to resource for real-time space weather data, especially popular among aurora chasers. The site (and companion mobile app) offers detailed updates on solar activity, including: live KP index values, Bz readings, solar wind speed & density, aurora oval maps, and short- and long-term aurora forecasts

It also includes easy-to-read charts, historical storm data, and alerts for solar flares and geomagnetic storms. SpaceWeatherLive makes tracking aurora potential more accessible and understandable whether you’re a beginner or experienced sky watcher.

Solar Cycle and KP Index

The Northern Lights are caused by solar activity—specifically, charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s atmosphere. This activity follows an 11-year solar cycle, which includes periods of high and low solar energy. We’re currently approaching a solar maximum (peak will be around July 2025), which means more frequent and intense aurora displays!

To track when the Northern Lights might be visible, aurora chasers use something called the KP Index. It’s a scale from 0 to 9 that measures geomagnetic activity. The higher the number, the more likely you are to see the aurora—and the farther south it might be visible. In North Dakota, you’ll typically want to watch for a KP Index of 5 or higher for a good chance at catching the show. Though your camera can capture the aurora on the horizon with a KP Index as low as 3.

Along with the KP Index, another important factor is the Bz, which refers to the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field. When the Bz is negative (pointing south), it allows more solar particles to interact with Earth’s magnetic field—making it more likely for the Northern Lights to appear. Even with a decent KP Index, if the Bz isn’t cooperating, the aurora might stay hidden. So when you’re tracking conditions, watch for a negative Bz (ideally -5 or lower) for the best chances of catching the lights.

Tips for Successful Aurora Hunting

Patience is Key

When it comes to chasing the Northern Lights, patience truly is part of the adventure. The aurora doesn’t run on a schedule, and even when conditions look promising, it can take hours for the lights to appear. This is where “aurora midnight” comes in—a term used by aurora watchers to describe the time when activity often peaks. In North Dakota, this usually falls between 10:30 PM and 1:00 AM, with the sweet spot often around 11 PM.

It’s not uncommon to sit under a quiet sky for hours before the show begins—but when it does, it’s completely worth the wait. Settle into the stillness because the longer you wait, the better your chances. After all, the aurora doesn’t rush—and neither should you.

Don’t Pack Up Too Soon

One of the most important lessons in aurora chasing? Just because the lights fade doesn’t mean the show is over. The aurora often comes in waves, with bursts of activity followed by quiet lulls. You might see a dazzling display, only for the sky to go still for 20 minutes—or even longer—before suddenly “popping off” again with even more intensity.

It can be tempting to call it a night after the first flicker fades, but some of the most spectacular moments happen when you wait it out. Stay alert, keep your camera ready, and give it time—the aurora loves to surprise.

Photography Tips for Capturing the Lights

Ideal Camera Settings

Capturing the magic of the aurora takes a little bit know-how and knowing how to use your camera on manual mode. With the right settings for a starting point, even beginners can take stunning shots.

Here’s what I normally start at.

• Camera Mode: Manual (M)
• Lens: Wide-angle (14mm–24mm) with a low aperture (f/2.8 or lower) – If you don’t have a wide angle lens, use what you have.
• Aperture: f/2.8 (or the lowest your lens allows)
• ISO: 1600–3200 (adjust based on how bright the aurora is)
• Shutter Speed: 5 to 15 seconds
  • Shorter for fast-moving auroras; longer for faint or slow displays
• Focus: Manual—set to infinity (pro tip: focus on a distant light or bright star using live view)
• White Balance: Around 4700-4900K (or use auto and adjust in editing, this is what I do)

Also, use a tripod to keep your camera steady and a remote shutter or timer to avoid camera shake. Take test shots, adjust as needed, and don’t be afraid to experiment—conditions can change quickly, and part of the fun is learning what works best.

Bring Extra Batteries

I’m a terrible photographer. I probably shouldn’t be admitting that publicly when I just started a photography business, but I don’t mean in my images – those are stellar. I mean I’m terrible in the sense I forget to turn my camera off all the time. There is a reason I have a minimum of four freshly charged batteries on me when I shoot anything.

Even if you aren’t a terrible photographer like me, there is nothing worse than a battery draining on you (because you took that many photos) when the aurora display is just ramping up for the evening. So make sure you have plenty of batteries.

Local Astronomy Experiences to Add to Your Trip

Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora

Held annually over Labor Day weekend at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival is an event for stargazers and families alike.

This three-day celebration features evening stargazing sessions with telescopes provided by local astronomers, allowing attendees to observe planets, nebulae, and galaxies up close. Daytime activities include workshops, solar observations, and educational presentations by experts in the field. The festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky in one of North Dakota’s most scenic settings.

VCSU Planetarium

Valley City State University, Valley City

Valley City State University is home to North Dakota’s sole planetarium. Featuring a Spitz 512 star projector beneath a 24-foot domed ceiling, it offers an immersive experience for up to 50 guests in reclining seats. The planetarium hosts a variety of educational programs and public shows throughout the year, making it a valuable resource for both students and the community to explore the wonders of the night sky

Should You Chase the Aurora in North Dakota

Absolutely! Chasing the aurora in North Dakota is one of my favorite night time activities!

Ready to Chase the Northern Lights

North Dakota’s wide-open skies and dark, quiet landscapes make it the perfect place to experience the magic. So grab your camera and download your tracking apps—the Northern Lights are calling.

Don’t forget, sometimes the most unforgettable moments happen when you’re simply looking up.