Into the North: A Yellowknife Aurora and Indigenous Adventure That Stays With You
Written by Anne-Marie Marais
A trip to Yellowknife for the aurora quickly turns into something much bigger. Between wild northern landscapes, local cultural experiences, and nights spent watching the sky come alive, this journey goes beyond bucket-list travel. Discover why the North — and the people who call it home — leave such a lasting impression.
In this article:
Into the North: A Yellowknife Aurora and Indigenous Adventure That Stays With You
Finding the Right Tour
Aurora Hunting
Summer & Fall Aurora Season
Capturing the Aurora
More Than Just the Aurora
Where to Eat in Yellowknife
Into the North: A Yellowknife Aurora and Indigenous Adventure That Stays With You
Seeing the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, is on the bucket list of many people. Those who seek to marvel under a sky filled with awe-inspiring ribbons of light travel far and wide to find them. But the best place to see them is easier to find than you might think — you just have to travel north.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is the best place I have found to see them. After traveling to Finland north of the Arctic Circle, Whitehorse in the Yukon, and Alaska, it was on my first trip to Yellowknife that I saw the big show.
Because Yellowknife is located directly under the Auroral Oval, it sees the Northern Lights around 240–250 nights a year. Thanks to the flat landscape and low light pollution, conditions are ideal to catch a glimpse — and most likely the full show.
The Auroral Oval is the ring-shaped region around Earth’s magnetic poles where the aurora frequently occurs. Some nights, you can see that oval in full glory. It’s incredible.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Yellowknife three separate times to experience the aurora. That’s the thing about the Northern Lights — once you see them, you want more and more. They’re never the same, so each experience feels completely unique.
Finding the Right Tour
While planning my first trip to Yellowknife a few years ago, I came across a 100% Indigenous-owned local tour company: North Star Adventures. Whenever I travel — especially in Canada — I like to include opportunities to learn more about local Indigenous culture. It’s also important to me, as it should be for all, to support local businesses.
That first trip was in late February/early March, as that was the time of year I thought you had to go to see the aurora. I’ve since learned more about the best times to visit — but more on that later.
North Star Adventures offers excellent multi-night packages that include hotel stays at places like The Explorer Hotel, some local meals, and possibly some day tours including: a city tour, Indigenous storytelling, a stop on the ice road (depending on the season), along with multiple nights of aurora hunting. Aurora hunting is the best way to search for the Northern Lights — and you need great guides, like Joe Buffalo Child (or Joe the Aurora Hunter) and his team. And in the winter there’s no need to pack bulky winter gear either; jackets, boots, and snow pants can all be rented as part of your package or their own.
Aurora Hunting
When you head out Aurora hunting, your guide loads everyone into a comfortable van and drives in search of clear skies. With deep knowledge of weather patterns and the night sky, Joe and his team know exactly where to go to find the aurora. They are determined to give guests the best show possible. It can take time, but they truly do their best.
Of course, the weather and solar activity don’t always cooperate, which is why it’s best to book at least three nights of aurora hunting. That said, I’ve been lucky enough to see the lights in varying intensities on every trip almost every night.
After my first tour, I was hooked. I needed to experience Yellowknife and the aurora at different times of year. One thing I learned from Joe the Aurora Hunter is that “the warmer the weather, the better the aurora.” That surprised me — I had always heard winter was best, as many of us have. And while I’ve seen amazing lights in February and March, early September was magnificent too.
Summer & Fall Aurora Season
From mid-August to early October, the experience feels different. What I loved most about my early September trip was being able to sit for hours at a viewing spot, watching the lights and stars without battling the cold chill of winter. I’d still be happy to sit outside in February — I love winter — but the milder weather made it even more enjoyable.
The warmer season also allows for stunning reflective photography of the aurora on lakes. Capturing those reflections was a goal of mine for that trip.
Capturing the Aurora
As a lover of nature photography, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to capture the beauty of the aurora and the northern landscapes. Everything I photograph is taken on my iPhone — and that works just fine for me. There’s no doubt that more dramatic images can be captured with professional camera equipment, and if you have that, I definitely recommend bringing it.
But for me, what I can create with a few exposure adjustments on my phone is more than enough to preserve the magic of the moment. Capturing the right shot is special — it gives you something tangible to hold onto and share later. Still, the aurora isn’t just about photos.
It’s about being present. Standing under that vast northern sky, letting the light dance above you and simply taking it in. That experience stays with you in a way no image ever fully can — the kind of memory that settles deep and remains part of you long after the trip ends.
More Than Just the Aurora
Yellowknife isn’t only about the Northern Lights, as there is so much local Indigenous culture to experience — dogsledding, driving the ice road over Great Slave Lake (in winter), and learning about the culture, land, and people through Indigenous Storytelling, nature tours, buffalo viewing, and cultural craft workshops.
And when I’m in a cold climate, a true cold plunge and sauna experience also tops my list. I was happy to find Arctic Duchess Adventures on Great Slave Lake. With either bright blue skies and sunshine overhead or the stars and the aurora, jumping into the icy lake and warming up in the sauna overlooking the frozen landscape was unforgettable.
Where to Eat in Yellowknife
No trip is complete without great food, and Yellowknife delivers.
Bullock’s Bistro – A local favourite. Small, popular, and delicious — make a reservation.
NWT Brewing Company / Woodyard Brewhouse & Eatery – Great food and a wide selection of beers and cocktails.
Birchwood – My favourite for breakfast or lunch. Excellent brunch, sandwiches, baked goods, coffee, and one of the best London Fog I’ve ever had.
From Scratch Bakeshop & Boba – My near-daily stop. Incredible Asian baked treats, amazing drinks, and the loveliest owners.
Take a look at your bucket list and make space for the Northern Lights or get ready to check it off if it is already there. Plan that trip to Yellowknife and experience everything Canada’s North has to offer. From my experience, Yellowknife fills your soul with light, culture, and moments that stay with you long after you return home.
