Where are the best overlooked places to see the Northern Lights in the US?

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and New York's Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory are among the most overlooked spots.

Can you see the Northern Lights year-round in the lower 48 states?

Yes, unlike Arctic locations, the lower 48 states, particularly the Midwest, offer dark enough summer nights for year-round aurora visibility.

What US national parks are good for seeing the aurora borealis?

While Glacier National Park is popular, lesser-known spots like Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument and Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument offer excellent aurora viewing.

Home / Lifestyle / Hidden US Gems for Aurora Viewing

Hidden US Gems for Aurora Viewing

13 Dec

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Summary

Idaho Panhandle National Forests had only 32 TikTok mentions.
Maine's Katahdin Woods offers stunning aurora views.
Lower 48 states offer year-round aurora visibility.

Spectacular aurora borealis displays are visible in the United States, with many under-the-radar locations offering unique viewing experiences. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests, with a mere 32 TikTok mentions as of August 2025, stands out as a major hidden gem for astronomy enthusiasts seeking an undisturbed celestial show. Central Idaho's designation as the country's first Dark Sky Reserve further highlights the state's commitment to dark skies.

Maine also presents compelling, less-crowded alternatives to popular spots. Beyond Acadia National Park, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument provides stunning aurora views. The remote Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, close to the Canadian border, offers pristine dark skies free from light pollution, ideal for aurora observation.

A significant advantage of viewing the aurora in the contiguous United States is year-round visibility. While summer nights in Arctic regions are too bright, the Midwest's summer evenings remain dark enough to enjoy the aurora. Destinations like the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory in New York offer accessible, rarely discussed alternatives to crowded viewing sites.