Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration

Explore everything you need to know about Churchill’s northern lights: learn how the aurora forms, best viewing times, remote heated viewing sites, expert guides and insider tips to maximize your chance of seeing the aurora borealis in comfort and safety.

Churchill is one of the best places on the planet to see the northern lights, sitting directly beneath the aurora oval on frozen Hudson Bay, where clear nights deliver some of the world’s most dazzling displays.

The best time to see the northern lights is January–March, when clear, dark nights and peak auroral activity create magical displays of the aurora borealis across Churchill's winter skies.

Find out what the winter weather conditions are typically like in Winnipeg and farther north in Churchill during northern lights season.

Private heated vantage points in remote dark-sky locations, far from town lights, provide unparalleled comfort and exclusivity—offering travelers premium northern lights viewing experiences.

Take a virtual tour of our four aurora viewing locations near Churchill, Manitoba—the Aurora Pod®, Aurora Cabin, Aurora Domes, and a local dog musher's yard with a campfire-illuminated tepee.

Additional Arctic activities in Churchill include dogsledding, snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, museum visits and Indigenous cultural programs—daytime adventures that enhance exclusive northern lights viewing.

Whether you're an experienced photographer or just getting started, you'll want to read these essential photo tips from our Natural Photographer blog before your northern lights adventure.

Check out our comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for winter on the tundra.

Through operating environmentally sensitive adventures for hundreds of visitors each year, we contribute financially to local communities while using travel as a means to spearhead conservation efforts.

Take our northern lights quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with your family and friends to see who knows the most about the aurora borealis!

—By Expedition Leader Katrina Rosen
This winter will be an incredible time to bear witness to the aurora borealis as we reach the peak of Solar Cycle 25. I’m excitedly anticipating guiding in the best place on Earth to see this aerial phenomenon!

—By Megan Koelemay
Equip yourself with the right gear and an imaginative spirit, and you’ll have a delightful experience photographing the northern lights!

—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Edward Savage
I have several key preparations in my Northern Lights Photography Kit that make my life easier and the rush of photographing the aurora borealis a lot of fun...

—By Lavanya Sunkara
In addition to searching for Arctic wildlife on the tundra, we take time to learn about and experience Indigenous culture on all of our Nat Hab Churchill tours...

—By Edward Savage
As a year-round Expedition Leader with Natural Habitat Adventures, part of my annual circuit of trips has me leading groups on the most extraordinary of winter adventures...

—By Nat Hab Expedition Leader Katrina Rosen
Georgina is a Cree elder and spent her childhood in the flats of Churchill, Manitoba. When Georgina was young, the lights would swirl above her family’s teepee, and her parents told her not to clap or whistle at them...

—By WWF
When you witness the lights streaking across the sky, reaching a height of up to 620 miles, it’s easy to understand how so many cultures came to develop mystical stories about them...