You’ve probably heard that 2024 is going to be a peak time to experience northern lights—the best year in a decade, actually. If you’re thinking about planning a dark sky vacation, this Northern Michigan destination is prime for aurora viewing.
This is a MyNorth.com exclusive. Want more? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
Keweenaw Peninsula is a Dark Sky Haven
The Keweenaw, including Isle Royale, is Michigan’s northernmost point, and the closer you are to the North Pole, the closer you are to the northern lights. Houghton and Keweenaw counties are also low in light pollution. Copper Harbor is far from city lights, and winter’s shorter days with less sunlight give more opportunities to view the aurora than other destinations. Plus, hundreds of miles of unobstructed Lake Superior shoreline facing north give you a plethora of clear access points. This makes the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the best spot for aurora viewing in Michigan.
Check out five awesome aurora viewing spots below:
5 Places to See Northern Lights on the Keweenaw Peninsula
Our friends at Visit Keweenaw suggest aurora hunters hunker down here:
1. McLain State Park & Calumet Waterworks: These two parks 15 minutes from Houghton have long beachfronts on the north shore. There is parking here to accommodate stargazers.
2. Fitzgerald’s Restaurant & Hotel: The beachfront behind The Fitz in Eagle River makes for excellent northern lights viewing.
3. Great Sand Bay & Esrey Park: These two parks near Eagle Harbor offer great lines of sight to the northern skyline.
Read Next: Chasing the Northern Lights in Michigan.
4. Brockway Mountain Drive: Snowmobile in winter or take your car in summer to the peak of Brockway Mountain to witness the aurora borealis. This high peak in Keweenaw County offers apex views.
5. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park: Discover 550 acres of dedicated stargazing grounds in Copper Harbor. Headquartered at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, you can follow maps around the park to explore some of the darkest skies in the Midwest. The Keweenaw Dark Sky Park also hosts the annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival each April, offering two days of events and workshops. The 2024 event will be held April 11–13.
Read Next: Copper Country is Calling: Find Your Perfect Keweenaw Peninsula Getaway.
