Alaska Northern Lights Viewing | How to See & Where to Go (2024)

FAQs

Alaska Northern Lights Viewing | How to See & Where to Go? ›

Where to Go to See the Aurora Borealis in Alaska? Fairbanks and points north are the sweet spots to see the northern lights. This is because the main auroral band, the ring of geomagnetic particles around the Arctic Circle where the Northern Lights are most visible, crosses the state in an arc above the Alaska Range.

The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between mid-August and mid-April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.

Reserve 3-5 nights for northern lights viewing so you have the best chances of getting the right conditions: clear skies and aurora activity. Be prepared to stay up late! The prime viewing hours for northern lights viewing are from 10:00pm – 2:00am.

To get an Auroral Forecast from the Geophysical Institute at the UAF click here. Chena Hot Springs Resort is world renowned for being one of the best places on Earth to see the northern lights.

Aurora Alerts is an app designed to monitor real-time auroral activity and push alert to let you know if there may be aurora borealis (northern lights) visible tonight. Whenever you are home or away, Aurora Alerts will notify you if the possibility of seeing the northern lights exists.

Fairbanks and points north are the sweet spots to see the northern lights. This is because the main auroral band, the ring of geomagnetic particles around the Arctic Circle where the Northern Lights are most visible, crosses the state in an arc above the Alaska Range.

If you're planning your Alaska vacation to coincide with Aurora Season, you may be wondering how often you can see the Northern Lights in Alaska. During the height of Aurora Season, this magical display of dancing lights can be seen an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough!

Sights you'll have to see to believe. Including (and especially), a little natural wonder you may know as the northern lights. A cruise to Alaska is a stellar (pun intended) way to see the northern lights and experience everything this glacial getaway has to offer.

The Northern Lights tend to be very active for 2-3 nights, then low for 4-5 nights, in ongoing cycles. So, the longer your stay the bigger your chances.

Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaska city experiences them around 45% of the time (compared to about 25% for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold.

Is Anchorage or Fairbanks better for northern lights? ›

Many people consider Fairbanks the single best place for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska. Located directly beneath the oval of the Northern Lights, the northerly location of Fairbanks means that aurora borealis hunters don't have to venture too far away from the city in order to spot the lights.

Travel to Murphy Dome (20 miles west-north-west of Fairbanks, was once an Air Force Station, today still in use as a Long Distance Radar Station) Murphy Dome climbs to 2930 feet (880 meters) above sea level. Witness the breathtaking Northern Lights dance across the sky (360-degree view) (not guaranteed)

Check the weather forecast as you'll need clear skies, the aurora forecast as you'll need the Northern Lights activity to be strong and position yourself facing north. So long as you are away from sources of light pollution, you'll be able to have an uninterrupted view once they show up.

Forecasting Northern Lights Sightings

Scientists use satellites to measure the speed and density of the solar wind, and when the conditions are right, they can predict when the Northern Lights will occur.

Alaska's northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark.

The best time to visit Alaska is during the summer months. While our summer season is short, it is the driest, warmest time to visit. Starting mid May and ending mid September you are sure to see the best the State of Alaska has to offer...

You are more likely to see the northern lights in winter, between the months of October and April. This is because the night sky is darker in winter and there are fewer daylight hours. You need darkness to be able to spot the colours of the aurora borealis, as they are harder to see in daylight.