23 Breathtaking Places to Catch the Northern Lights on a Budget

Destination 20: Dempster Highway, Canada

If you're an adventurer at heart, the Dempster Highway offers one of the most epic and budget-friendly Northern Lights road trips in the world. Stretching 740 km (460 miles) from Dawson City, Yukon, to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, this remote Arctic highway cuts straight through the auroral oval, meaning you’ll have nonstop access to some of the brightest, most frequent aurora displays on Earth. The best part? Camping is free along most of the route, allowing you to witness the Northern Lights from your tent with zero light pollution in sight. Instead of spending money on expensive hotels or guided tours, you can drive, camp, and experience the wilderness on your own terms. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Arctic wildlife, including musk oxen, caribou, Arctic foxes, and even grizzly bears.