Vilas County in the heart of northern Wisconsin is already home to some amazing natural wonders—including 1,300 lakes, thousands of acres of old-growth forests, and the headwaters of the Wisconsin River, just to name a few—but if you time it right, you might see one of the most stunning sights the Northwoods has to offer: the Northern Lights.
So, when’s the best time to see them? And where? We’ve got answers.
A few basics about the Northern Lights to start:
- Also known as the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights occur when charged particles are ejected from the sun and collide with Earth’s atmosphere.
- They’re hard to predict, so it makes sense to find a website that tracks them like the NOAA or Soft Serve News or apps like Aurora Alerts or Aurora Pro
When can I see the Northern Lights in Vilas County?
The Northern Lights are usually best viewed in fall, winter, and spring (when nights are longer) but they can be seen any time of year.
Where can I see the Northern Lights in Vilas County?
Anywhere there’s an unobstructed view of the sky—which means lots of places in Vilas County. Whether you’re staying at a lakeside resort or cabin (if you’re on the south side of the lake looking north, you’ll have a better shot to see the aurora) or exploring one of Vilas County’s natural wonders like the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest or the Chequamegon National Forest, there are lots of wide-open areas to take in the night sky.
Tips for seeing the Northern Lights
- Pick a clear night without the threat of snow or rain.
- Avoid cities or other areas with light pollution.
- Find somewhere that has an unobstructed view to the north—the Northern Lights usually aren’t directly overhead in Wisconsin.
- Be patient—auroras can last for as little as 15 minutes or for several hours.
