Aurora is visible from Arkansas only during rare, extreme storms. In central Arkansas the geomagnetic latitude is about 44°, so the northern lights usually need a Kp index of about 9.0 or higher to appear low on the northern horizon; the north of the state (around Mammoth Spring State Park) needs about Kp 8.5.
Kp needed (center)
Kp 9.0
geomag. lat 44°
Kp needed (north)
Kp 8.5
Mammoth Spring State Park
Kp needed (south)
Kp 9.0
Overflow National Wildlife Refuge
Kp needed in Arkansas cities
| City | Geomagnetic lat. | Kp needed | City sky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | 43.3° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Fort Smith | 43.8° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Fayetteville | 44.5° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Springdale | 44.7° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Jonesboro | 44.5° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| North Little Rock | 43.4° | Kp 9.0 | 8 |
| Conway | 43.7° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Rogers | 44.8° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Pine Bluff | 42.8° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Bentonville | 44.8° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Hot Springs | 43.1° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Benton | 43.1° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Sherwood | 43.4° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Texarkana | 41.9° | Kp 9.0 | 7 |
| Russellville | 43.8° | Kp 9.0 | 6 |
Approximate Kp for aurora low on the northern horizon (camera-visible). Higher Kp lets it climb higher and show color to the eye.
Dark, northern photo locations in Arkansas
| Location | Type | County | Est. Bortle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo National River | Dark Sky Place | Searcy County | 2 |
| Mammoth Spring State Park | State Park | Fulton County | 2 |
| Bull Shoals-White River State Park | State Park | Baxter County | 2 |
| Powhatan Historic State Park | State Park | Lawrence County | 3 |
| Lake Charles State Park | State Park | Lawrence County | 2 |
| Lake Fort Smith State Park | State Park | Crawford County | 3 |
| Davidsonville Historic State Park | State Park | Randolph County | 3 |
| White Rock Creek Overlook | Scenic Viewpoint | Franklin County | 3 |
| Devil's Den State Park | State Park | Washington County | 3 |
| Lake Poinsett State Park | State Park | Poinsett County | 3 |
| Crowley's Ridge State Park | State Park | Greene County | 3 |
| Racket Ridge | Ghost Town | Van Buren County | 2 |
How to photograph the northern lights
- Watch the live Kp forecast above and NOAA's 30-minute aurora forecast; storms often peak between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- Find an unobstructed view to the north — a lake, open field or ridge — away from town lights.
- Start at ISO 1600–3200, f/2.8 or faster, 5–15 seconds; shorter exposures keep fast-moving curtains sharp.
- Your camera sees aurora as green or red long before your eyes do — take test shots whenever Kp is near the threshold.
- Moonlight lights the foreground but washes out faint aurora; strong storms are still worth shooting under a bright moon.
FAQ
Can you see the northern lights in Arkansas?
Yes, only during rare, extreme storms. Central Arkansas usually needs about Kp 9.0; the north about Kp 8.5.
What Kp index do I need?
Roughly Kp 9.0+ for central Arkansas. Kp is a 0–9 scale of geomagnetic activity; each step moves the aurora's southern edge a few degrees of latitude.
Where is the best place to see the aurora in Arkansas?
Dark sites with a clear northern view, such as Buffalo National River, Mammoth Spring State Park, Bull Shoals-White River State Park.