Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska – Best Time and Places

Traveling to see the Northern Lights in Alaska will give you an excellent opportunity of experiencing this incredible natural phenomenon personally.

The Alaska aurora borealis season lasts for more than half of the year and staying in Alaska for at minimum three nights during aurora season will up your chances of seeing an aurora display to over ninety percent – those are some great odds!

Every time I photograph the Northern Lights in Alaska, I’m always struck by just how often I’m able to see aurora displays. Alaska’s distant communities facilitate straightforward Northern Lights viewing, while the scenic landscapes offer perfect places for capturing stunning photographs.

Recognizing the best time and place to witness Northern Lights in Alaska will render your aurora searching that much simpler, so continue analyzing to offer yourself the best possibility of seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska.

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• Optimal time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska
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Best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska

The optimum time of the year to view the Northern Lights in Alaska is from late August to late April, especially in Fairbanks. These months constitute the official Fairbanks, Alaska aurora season, when the night sky is dark enough for visible aurora displays. Between mid-April and mid-August, the night skies are just too bright for visitors to see the aurora well.

Deciding when to visit within the Alaska Northern Lights period will rely on if seeing an aurora display is your top aim. If so, November to January is the optimal time to visit Alaska to view the Northern Lights; the days are brief and the nights are long, augmenting the odds of observing an aurora display.

If you want sufficient time for sightseeing as well as aurora searching, the months of August through October and February through April are ideal times of the year to visit Alaska. The longer daylight hours will mean that you can accomplish more during the day, while the nights continue dark enough to present a fair prospect for an aurora sighting, offering the best of both scenarios.

Regarding the best time of day to view the Northern Lights in Alaska, during the winter one can typically see displays of the aurora between 9 PM and 3 AM, of course only if lucky and the sky is clear of clouds.

What month is best to see Northern Lights in Alaska?

Essentially, these are the prime months to view the Northern Lights in Alaska:

• August, September, and October – These months will be some of the warmest for seeing the aurora, so if you don’t want to deal with the cold, this is the best time of year to come. The days are longer at this time of year than during the winter, so you’ll be able to do and see more during the daytime.

• November, December, and January – The nights are very long and dark at this time of year, which creates the perfect scenario for aurora viewing as long as the skies are clear. However, the temperatures can be quite chill, so bring lots of layers and warm clothing.

• February, March, and April – The days begin to lengthen again, so you’ll have time to sightsee during the day and aurora chase at night. The nights are still relatively long and very dark, so you’ll still have a very high chance of viewing an aurora display .

Best places to see the Northern Lights in Alaska

There exist numerous places in Alaska where one can view the Northern Lights, but without question the prime location to see the Northern Lights in Alaska is Fairbanks.

Fairbanks has frequently been highlighted as one of the prime locales globally to observe the Northern Lights. It’s positioned within the “Aurora Oval,” an area where aurora activity tends to concentrate. Of course, anywhere in Alaska that’s distant north or close to the Arctic Circle also presents chances to witness an aurora show. Even the major cities like Anchorage and Juneau can still offer opportunities to see a display.

In brief, here are some of the prime locales for observing the Northern Lights in Alaska:

1. Fairbanks – If you stay in Fairbanks for at least 3 nights during aurora season, there’s an over 90% chance that you’ll see the Northern Lights.
2. Nome – Former gold rush town with minimal light pollution, allowing easy northern lights sights near town.
3. See the Northern Lights in a distinctive setting near the highest mountain summit in North America: by Denali National Park.
4. Anchorage – City with relatively low-light air pollution that’s ideal for aurora hunters who want urban comforts.
5. Juneau – The premier location to take a cruise to view the Northern Lights in Alaska.
6. A notable area for witnessing the reflection of the Northern Lights upon the waters of Chena Lake is this low light pollution recreation location situated near Fairbanks, Alaska.
7. Coldfoot – A peaceful, remote location to view the Northern Lights in Alaska.
8. Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay – Experience an aurora display amidst the tundra terrain with views of the Arctic Ocean.

1. Fairbanks

There is no superior place to witness theNorthern Lights in Alaska than Fairbanks, which is well known as one of the top spots on the planet to catch an aurora show. Planning to stay during Alaska`s aurora season for no less than 3 evenings of Northern Lights excursions in Fairbanks– your chances of seeing the aurora will increase to over 90%!

Fairbanks not merely benefits from low light pollution, but plus from low precipitation, so the skies are typically highly clear. Clear skies and low light pollution are major elements for Northern Lights viewing; add in Fairbanks’ location under the “Aurora Oval,” a ring-shaped zone around Earth’s magnetic polar cap where aurora exercise tends to be centralized and highly visible, and you’ve received yourself the perfect recipe for experiencing theNorthern Lights in Fairbanks.

Also, there are many lodging options in Fairbanks known as ” Northern Lights hotels” that makes finding cozy accommodation easy. Two favorites are the ” Alaska Grizzly Lodge” and ” Pike’s Waterfront Lodge“, which features an Aurora Conservatory allowing guests to observe the dancing aurora overhead. If seeking an expert to search for the Northern Lights with, I suggest this ” Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Tour“.

2. Nome

Nome combines the fascinating history of a former gold-rush town with a remote, coastal location to create a unique setting to see an aurora in Alaska. This town is located in the far north of Alaska by the Bering Sea, so the scenery is beautiful yet rugged.

Since Nome is so far north, the town has low isolation and light pollution, allowing easy visibility of the Alaska Northern Lights near the town. If you travel only a mile outside Nome, you should be able to see a vivid green aurora presentation.

Nome is also the end point of the well-known Iditarod Sled Dog Race, so if you visit in March, you’ll get the opportunity to see many competing huskies and their handlers. While you’re in Nome, lodge at the cozy Golden Sands Stables and Lodging.

3. Denali National Park

At Denali National Park, you can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing an aurora in Alaska above the tallest mountain peak in North America, Mt. Denali.

Besides being a beautiful location for Northern Lights Alaska photos, Denali National Park’s relatively untouched wilderness means no light pollution and the perfect celestial conditions for visible aurora displays. When you’re not aurora chasing, you can hike, bike, fish, and camp within the park.

Thankfully, getting to Denali National Park is not overly troublesome; it`s only a 3-hour road trip from Fairbanks and is found amid Anchorage and Fairbanks. If you want to stay nearby, Grande Denali Lodge is a quality choice. This lodging offers panoramic views of Denali Canyon and rustically fashioned rooms.

Otherwise, the nearby mining town of Healy provides numerous lodging choices. One of my top selections is Denali Tri-Valley Cabins, featuring cozy wooden cabins with private decks. Another great option is Denali Lakeview Inn, providing magnificent lake and mountain views along with a private beach.

This guided tour of Denali National Park and Preserve from Healy, where a scenic Northern Lights expedition is included, is the top way to explore the location while possessing a good probability of observing an aurora show in a splendid natural setting.

4. Anchorage

Although Anchorage has the largest population in Alaska, it experiences significantly less light contamination than most other significant cities worldwide, so there is a prospect of catching glimpses of the spectacular Northern Lights in Alaska within city limits.

Still, if you want to give yourself a reasonable chance of seeing an aurora in Alaska, you should head outside of Anchorage to view the Northern Lights, although you won’t need to drive far to see a display well. Anchorage is also an ideal option if you need a conveniently located base for your aurora chasing or want the comforts and services that come with staying in a city.

Indeed, there aren’t too many places in Alaska where folks can shop, dine, visit museums, go wildlife spotting, and watch the bore tide. I highly recommend staying at Alyeska Resort, which is situated in the Chugach Mountains and offers magnificent mountain and glacial views. If developing your aurora photography abilities is desired, thissmall-group outing can assist in capturing amazing aurora pictures.

5. Juneau

Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, is the least probable spot on my list to view the Northern Lights in Alaska, since it’s situated rather far south, but it’s still not unheard of to be able to see an aurora display from here.

However, for a nearly guaranteed chance of seeing an Alaska aurora display, going farther north is preferable, since seeing visible Northern Lights is far more probable in the northern regions of Alaska. One advantage to Juneau, though, is many excursions from Alaska aimed at observing the Northern Lights begin or stop there, so it can be a good base location for other adventures.

6. Chena Lake

Wanting to observe an aurora display in the wilderness of central Alaska without traveling far from Fairbanks? Chena Lake Recreation Area is the place to see Northern Lights in Alaska for you.

This nearly 2,500-hectare park situated only 27 kilometers from Fairbanks provides ample parking for visitors. As there is virtually no light contamination here, one will easily observe any displays of the aurora borealis. A popular approach to view the Northern Lights at Chena Lake involves watching them from the lakeshore and appreciating their reflections in the lake. The lake reflections also yield beautiful Northern Lights Alaska photos.

When touring the stunning natural scenery is not your top priority, other possibilities include angling, hiking, camping under the night sky, relaxing picnics, cross-country skiing during winter, or observing the abundant indigenous wildlife such as ospreys, beavers, and moose. My preferred lodging option in the area is the festive Hotel North Pole, which offers aurora alerts to guests so the spectacular displays are not missed.

If you’re seeking a unique Northern Lights tour in Chena Lake, this Aurora Viewing and Ice Fishing Experience guarantees to be something extraordinary.

7. Coldfoot

Like Fairbanks, Coldfoot is placed directly under the “Aurora Oval” at the 67^th parallel north, so it’s in an ideal area for Northern Lights Alaska viewings. Coldfoot is much more distant than Fairbanks, however, so it experiences almost no light pollution, another helpful attribute for seeing an aurora in Alaska.

This former gold mining outpost, which is now a truck stop, can be somewhat difficult to access, but it is possible to drive there yourself. If you do, you can remain at Coldfoot Camp, the main accommodation for the region.

Otherwise, many Alaska Northern Lights tours bring visitors here, so you can save yourself the bother and anxiety of driving to this remote area by booking a tour.

8. Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay

For those eager to visit the tundra and Arctic Ocean, Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay offers a truly unique setting to witness the Northern Lights in Alaska, unlike any other location.

As with many places I’ve included on this list, Deadhorse is situated in the far northern region of Alaska, which presents ideal conditions for viewing the aurora borealis, but also signifies chilly winter temperatures. This remote town additionally marks the endpoint of the Dalton Highway, a largely gravel path that can prove quite difficult to traverse.

If the journey is possible for you, though, you will have the opportunity to visit Alaska`s tundra and view many types of wildlife, like caribou. You may also join a tour to see Deadhorse`s oil fields, which employ most of the local residents, and take in the Arctic Ocean .

Best Northern Lights tours in Alaska

You won’t face difficulties locating Northern Lights excursions in Alaska. Aurora chasing is a popular reason for visitors to visit the region, so there are plenty of tours and activities that focus on viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska, regularly in a comfortable or fascinating setting.

As I discussed above, Fairbanks is a hotspot for viewing the northern lights in Alaska, so several tours depart from or stop there. Numerous tours involve trips to explore the Arctic Circle and Denali National Park, while others provide meals, hot drinks, yurts, or dogsledding. I suggest any of the thrilling Northern Lights Alaska tours noted below:

• Tour of the Northern Lights and Arctic Circle from Fairbanks
• Northern Lights Tour with Dog Mushing and Meal from Fairbanks
• An excursion taking in the Natural Phenomenon of the Auroras accompanied by a Meal at a Rural Structure from Fairbanks
• Northern Lights Full Day Trip from Fairbanks into Yukon
• Denali Aurora Tour from Healy
• Northern Lights Photography Excursion from Anchorage
• An adventure at Chena Lake combining viewing the Northern Lights with ice fishing

The excursions I`ve provided so far are full-day trips. However, you may find it simpler to book an Northern Lights vacation package including lodging, activities and sightseeing organized as one. In that scenario, this tour package represents the best option: the 6-day itinerary incorporates dogsledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, plus naturally aurora viewing.

Lastly, if you want to take excellent photos of the Northern Lights, you’ll need to apply the proper gear and settings. My guide to photographing the Northern Lights will provide insight into the step-by-step process I use to ensure my Northern Lights Alaska photos really stand out.