The Most Overlooked Places in the U.S. to See the Northern Lights, According to a New Study

"IcelandAir analyzed TikTok data and travel guides to determine which Northern Lights hotspots in the U.S. have stayed the most under the radar. After compiling a list of the best places to see Northern Lights in the country, the airline's researchers examined how often hashtags related to each location were used on TikTok. The comparisons revealed which destinations are the most overlooked by astronomy lovers."

"With only 32 mentions on TikTok as of August 2025, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest is the most hidden gem of them all. Although central Idaho became the country's first Dark Sky Reserve recognized by the International Dark Sky Association in 2017, the state's northern region also offers some spectacular displays. Even Idaho's Craters of the Moon National Monument Dark Sky Park, which has some of the darkest skies in the national park system, made the list of obscure destinations for observing the colorful phenomenon."

IcelandAir analyzed TikTok data and travel guides to identify U.S. Northern Lights hotspots that remain underreported. The analysis found Midwestern states appear most frequently among the least-mentioned locations, with Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin comprising half of the top 10. Idaho Panhandle National Forest had only 32 TikTok mentions as of August 2025, making it the most hidden gem. Central Idaho became the country's first Dark Sky Reserve in 2017. Craters of the Moon National Monument Dark Sky Park also appears as an obscure viewing spot. Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters and parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and Oregon offer surprising aurora opportunities.

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