The capital of Canada’s Northwest Territories, one of the world’s best places to view the Aurora Borealis.
Why Visit Yellowknife
Yellowknife sits beneath the Auroral Oval, a band of the atmosphere where Northern Lights activity is most concentrated, giving it aurora visibility on a majority of clear nights through its long winter season. Beyond the lights, the city offers a genuine subarctic frontier character on the shores of Great Slave Lake, one of the deepest lakes in North America.
Top Experiences
- Aurora Borealis viewing: Guided tours to heated viewing areas outside the city, with some of the highest aurora visibility rates in the world.
- Great Slave Lake: One of the deepest lakes in North America, used for boat tours in summer and ice fishing in winter.
- Old Town Yellowknife: The original waterfront settlement with colorful houseboats and historic mining era buildings.
- Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre: A museum covering Indigenous Dene culture and the region’s mining history, free to visit.
Book these experiences and more through guided tours from Yellowknife.
Practical Tips
- Aurora season runs roughly late August through April, with the darkest nights in midwinter.
- Dress for extreme cold, winter temperatures regularly drop below negative thirty Celsius.
- Multi night stays improve your odds of a clear sky aurora viewing.
FAQ
Is Yellowknife one of the best places to see the Northern Lights?
Yes, it sits beneath the Auroral Oval and has some of the highest aurora visibility rates of any city in the world.
When is Aurora season in Yellowknife?
Roughly late August through April, with the longest, darkest nights in December and January.
What else is there to do in Yellowknife?
Great Slave Lake boat tours, Old Town’s houseboat community, and exhibits on Dene culture at the Heritage Centre.
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