Cole took the kids backpacking at Afton State Park this weekend and they camped under the Northern Lights! An unusually strong solar storm lit up the night sky, treating many in the Midwest United States and around the world to a Northern Lights show. Cole and the boys had a memorable experience watching the Northern Lights from their campsite! Meanwhile, I was watching the aurora borealis in the St. Croix Valley from the sunroof of my car.
Thank you Cole for taking the boys on this epic backpacking adventure and capturing these photos and video!
Things to Know:
*Afton State Park offers hiking, backpacking, camping, and horseback riding opportunities with scenic overlooks of the St. Croix River.
*Paid parking permits required. Camping fees apply.
*The campground is a 1 mile hike from the parking lot and located on a bluff overlooking the St. Croix River.
*To see the Northern Lights, check the Kp index, solar wind, and cloud coverage forecast frequently. We use a free app called My Aurora Forecast.
*Find a location away from city lights such as a state park, quiet lake, or dirt road in the countryside.
*Bundle up and be patient! Especially during the summer months, the onset of the Northern Lights may be subtle.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Related Blog Posts:
*Aurora Borealis: Photographing the Northern Lights in Minnesota
*Northern Lights in the St. Croix Valley, Minnesota
*Hiking Minnesota: Fall Colors on the Superior Hiking Trail
*Cathedral Spires Trail, South Dakota
*More adventure related blog posts
*More Minnesota related blog posts
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Our onboard snack bar serves beer, wine, lemonade, soda, coffee, candy, chips, and sandwiches. Pre-order a River Rock Meal to add to your trip or grab a pizza or sandwich at our River Rock Patio before boarding the boat.
We do not allow outside food to be brought onboard, but if you have a personal water bottle you want to bring, that is okay.
Shop Photography Prints:
We use a FREE app that tracks the northern lights and has a map, forecasts, and sends notifications right to our phone.
