Northern lights in Keweenaw Peninsula tonight

A 320-metre summit ridge above Lake Superior, 1 mile from Copper Harbor. The Brockway Mountain Drive follows the crest - pull off anywhere along the ridge for panoramic views. The north face looks directly out over Lake Superior with no light sources between the overlook and the Canadian shore. One of the best aurora viewpoints in the continental USA - the elevation is sufficient to clear the tree line and the dark lake horizon stretches from east to west below. The road is typically open May through November.

A historic copper-era fort on a narrow strip between Lake Superior and Lake Fanny Hooe, 1 mile east of Copper Harbor. The north shore of the fort peninsula faces open Lake Superior. The sandy beach gives a flat horizon and the absence of any settlement to the north means the sky is genuinely dark. A well-maintained state park with camping - a convenient base for multi-night aurora watches.

On the north shore of the Keweenaw Bay near Hancock, 30 miles south-west of the tip. The park beach faces north-west across the bay with very low light pollution. A popular aurora watch location for visitors staying in Houghton or Hancock rather than driving the full length of the peninsula to Copper Harbor.

The small village at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula has a population of around 100. Street lighting is minimal and the harbour faces north over Lake Superior. The boat launch at the end of Gratiot Street gives a direct lake-horizon view to the north. For sheer convenience - no walk required, car park by the water, toilet facilities nearby - this is the starting point most aurora observers use before choosing a final position.