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Northern lights round 2 – best places to view the show within 45 minutes of Denver 

By November 12, 2025 | updated 2 months ago

Northern Lights in Falcon on Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of reader submission by Carmen Del Toro)

If you missed out on the spectacular light show on Tuesday, here’s your opportunity to see them Wednesday with the best views

A rare occurrence — although the spectacular light show has been sporadically appearing in Colorado in recent years — metro Denver residents don’t want to miss a chance to see this kaleidoscope of colors paint the sky.  

A severe geomagnetic storm was announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center on Tuesday for three solar flares, aka Coronal Mass Ejections. 

Here’s a few places within 45 minutes of Denver that will give you optimal viewing for the starlit symphony:  

  • Mt Falcon – In the mountains just above Morrison, Mount Falcon is a quick escape from the city without a long drive. With the trailhead located away from main roads and highways, Mt. Falcon offers a dark, mountainous background with the peaks of mountains poking out from the foreground.  
  • Red Rocks – With easy and plentiful parking, Red Rocks is a perfect spot to watch and photograph the aurora borealis. Since the amphitheater has bleachers built in, there is seating for guests to enjoy the natural light show. Don’t forget to pack a blanket so you can stay warm and cozy while you enjoy the show. 
  • Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge – Located between Broomfield and Boulder along a winding, narrow road, Rocky Flats is a quiet place to enjoy the northern lights. With plenty of pull off parking along Interlocken loop or 120th Avenue, viewers can glimpse the light show set against the backdrop of the Flatirons. Or take a hike through the refuge to Lindsay Ranch Barn for unique photos of the lights set against the backdrop of an old abandoned barn.  
  • Chatfield Lake State Park – If you’re looking to capture reflections of aurora borealis on the water, Chatfield is a perfect place near Denver. With the park closing at 10 p.m. there will only be a few hours of optimal viewing at this location, but there is plenty of parking and places to take photos in seclusion.  
  • Barr Lake State Park – A secluded spot located northeast of Denver, with ample parking and plenty of trails nearby to capture the northern lights, Barr Lake Sate Park offers a dark and quiet place to view the spectacular light show.  
Emily Bejarano

Reporter

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