Northern Lights in Minnesota

While we can’t predict what nights the auroras will be out in any given month, we can predict which nights are more likely to be extra dark. 

What do we mean by “extra dark”? 

We mean a new moon. During the new moon phase, the sky is extra dark, increasing the number of stars seen, and a less powerful solar storm is more likely to be seen. 

Our new moons of the 2024 summer season will be at these times:

• May 26
• June 25
• July 24
• August 23
• September 21
• October 21

Attempts to catch a glimpse of the fabled aurora borealis during a new moon are often much more successful than during any other moon phase. 

Remember, the couple days before and after a new moon are usually nearly as dark as the new moon.

Besides timing a new moon, you also need a little luck to view the northern lights successfully. And since we believe luck is an opportunity colliding with preparation, let’s talk about preparation. 

There are two things you can prepare for to increase your chance at seeing the sky dance during a solar storm. 

First is to avoid clouds. If you don’t have clear skies you won’t see anything no matter how powerful the solar storm is. 

Second is to make your attempt during a time when the sun is down for an extended period. We rarely see the northern lights in peak summer because we have such long daylight hours around the summer solstice(almost 19 hours). May, June, and July are not optimal for planning a trip to see the northern lights. 

As for clouds, November through March are your cloudiest months, and this leaves April, August, September, and October as the best months to view the aurora borealis. For people who want to stay with us at Birch Forest Lodge, we recommend coming in August or September for the best odds.

The recipe to successfully being able to see the northern lights is simple. Go north for better odds. Stay somewhere that has really dark skies at night. And make sure you have a north-facing view. Seriously, don’t overthink this. You don’t have to go to Iceland, Norway, or Alaska to see the aurora borealis.

Northern Minnesota is a common place for people to see the northern lights. 

As for dark skies, with no large city around us, Pelican Lake is very dark at night. We regularly enjoy beautiful star-filled nights, and when active, the auroras dance in the sky at Pelican Lake.

 Since Birch Forest Lodge is located on the southern shore of Pelican Lake, we are fortunate to face north! While you may see the northern lights from your cabin, the best spot is on the main dock.

What if you don’t know what to look for? 

No worries. Adam is kinda crazy about a couple of things. Namely: fishing and the northern lights. He is similar to the “local crazy” person in northern Minnesota regarding the northern lights. 

Not only does he write blogs and such on this website, he has also been published on the statewide resort association blog and has numerous photos being used on various resort websites around the state. 

Adam is usually down at the docks with guests after dark if the northern lights come out. He offers a weekly photography workshop during the second half of August and throughout September to help people see the northern lights and “capture” it on their camera. 

Adam also tracks solar storms, and when he thinks there are good odds for a show, he turns off the street lights on the property and invites interested parties to meet him on the dock at a specific time.

There is no cost for these workshops. All you have to do is let Adam or Kasey know you are interested, and they will invite you to join!

The recipe to successfully being able to see the northern lights is simple. Go north for better odds. Stay somewhere that has really dark skies at night. And make sure you have a north-facing view. Seriously, don’t overthink this. You don’t have to go to Iceland, Norway, or Alaska to see the aurora borealis.

If you don’t care about anything else, but want to almost guarantee seeing the northern lights in 2025, when should you come to northern Minnesota? 

We will be very dark from August 18-29. In late August the moon will be up during daylight and we will have very little light after sunset. Again from September 18-28 the moon will be visible during the day but dark at night. We are talking very dark during that time in September.

Then, on top of all that, during the equinoxes (September 21 and March 21) the planet tilts the other direction changing or “ripping” the magnetic field above the poles. This further increases the chances of northern lights happening. This gives us a very unique, almost two-week window this year to maximize our chance of seeing the sky dance with or without a solar storm!

This September is likely to be especially good for seeing the northern lights because the new moon is coinciding with the equinox. So we will have the earth tilting on its axis, a new moon and a strong solar cycle. It is like the perfect storm!

Stay updated on the latest Northern Lights news.

• How to Photograph Northern Lights
• This Is the Year for Northern Lights
• The Full Aurora Borealis Experience

Ready to arrange your trip to Northern Minnesota to see the fabled Aurora Borealis? Birch Forest Lodge is your Northern Lights resort.

Then book your stay at Birch Forest Lodge for August or September! These are ideal months to see the Northern Lights in Minnesota while enjoying all the other exciting activities.

We have a variety of indoor and outdoor activities at our beautiful resort, from fishing and beach-side campfires to board games in the lodge. Our resort is fully open in September, with a range of comfortable Minnesota lakeside cabins for you and yours to enjoy.

For more information on Birch Forest Lodge and when to visit for your Northern Lights adventure, contact us today. We look forward to meeting you!