Northern Lights Viewing in Alaska - All You Need to Know
The northern lights are a beautiful phenomenon that graces the skies in the north. These colorful lights dazzle overhead in the Arctic during the darkest nights of the year. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, can be observed throughout Alaska but are most commonly seen north of Fairbanks. Northern lights can usually be seen between September and April in Alaska.
What Causes the Northern Lights?
By scientific definition, the northern lights are caused by the collision of electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the Earth’s atmosphere. When the solar winds pass through the magnetic field, they collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. The Earth’s atmosphere is like a large gas covering made up of particles that create the air we breathe and protect us from the sun’s radiation. As the protons and electrons from the solar wind meet the particles from the Earth’s atmosphere, they release energy that creates the northern lights.
The most commonly seen colors of northern lights are pale greens and pinks, but they have also been observed in shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The color variation is due to the type of gas particles colliding. Green, the most commonly observed color, is caused by oxygen molecules about 60 miles above the earth, while the rare red lights are caused by high-altitude oxygen that is around 200 miles. The aurora we observe from the ground is usually 50 to 400 miles above the earth's surface.
Northern lights can be observed in the northern and southern hemispheres in an oval shape surrounding each magnetic pole. In the north, the lights are called Aurora borealis, and in the south, they are called Aurora australis. The oval shape that the lights occur in is known as the Auroral Zone or the Aural Oval and is approximately 60-70 degrees north or south of the equators near the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska?
There are only so many lucky visitors who have the opportunity to see the northern lights on their trip to Alaska. This is mainly because many travelers visit Alaska during the summer when the northern lights are not visible due to the limited darkness and bright nights. Many travelers who choose to see Alaska in the autumn, winter, and early spring have a much higher chance of catching a glimpse.
The time of the year when you will have the greatest chance of viewing the northern lights in Alaska is between September and April. The nights are completely dark during these months, which is needed for viewing.
The best time of day to view the northern lights in Alaska is usually between 9 pm and 2 am. Many northern lights tours will pick up clients around 8 pm, drive out to the viewing area, and return home around 3 or 4 in the morning.
Where to See the Northern Lights in Alaska?
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is strategically located just beneath the Auroral Oval at about 65 degrees north. Fairbanks is the third largest city in Alaska, with a population of around 30,000. Because of this, you will experience some light pollution in the city and need to drive out of town to have a good view. Around Fairbanks, there are many good locations for viewing the lights, including Chena Lake Recreation Area, Murphy Dome, and Olnes Pond Campground.
In the winter, you need to be cautious of winter driving conditions and extreme cold temperatures (the lowest recorded temperature in Fairbanks is -66F!!). Be sure to pack warm clothes, hot drinks, and plenty of snacks. You can also pair your northern lights trip to Fairbanks with a visit to Chena Hot Springs, where you can often view the lights while soaking in warm geothermal waters.
If all this planning seems overwhelming, or you are concerned about winter conditions in Alaska, we highly recommend joining one of the many northern lights tours based out of Fairbanks. Scroll down to find some of our northern lights tour recommendations.
Anchorage
Though Anchorage is located further south, you can still see the lights from Alaska’s largest city. When viewing from Anchorage, the northern lights are often observed lower on the horizon than in other locations further north. Anchorage has a lot of light pollution, so you will need to drive outside of the city (or up into the mountains) for about 15 minutes to have a decent view.
Some locations we recommend for viewing the northern lights around Anchorage include Glen Alps Trailhead, Arctic Valley, and Point Woronzof. Like in Fairbanks, the temperatures can be frigid during the winter nights, so be sure to plan and take warm clothes and drinks.
There are also several great northern lights tours based in Anchorage that will take you 1-2 hours outside of the city, where you are away from light pollution and can have a good view. They often provide extra warm jackets, hot drinks, and even a midnight snack spread! One local company that organizes northern lights tours in Anchorage is Greatland Adventures.
Talkeetna
Talkeetna, a small historic town located approximately a 2-hour drive north of Anchorage, is a great spot for viewing the northern lights in the winter. The town also offers unobstructed views of Denali and the high peaks of the Alaska Range. Due to its remote location, Talkeetna experiences minimal light pollution, making it an ideal place for observing the northern lights. The land around Talkeetna is also densely forested, so for the best viewing experience, try finding higher ground or visiting a spot by the lake or along the river to enjoy a bigger view of the sky.
Some recommended spots for viewing the northern lights in Talkeetna include the banks of the Susitna River, Talkeetna Lakes Park, the Christensen Lake area, and the viewpoint of Denali off the Talkeetna Spur Road before descending into town.
Talkeetna's unique setting makes it a great location for photographing the northern lights. With the right camera settings, you can capture beautiful images of the aurora borealis, with Denali, high mountain peaks, and even the Milky Way.
Additionally, if you're in Talkeetna, consider joining an Aurora Borealis photography workshop with Aurora Dora to improve your northern lights photography skills.
If you visit Talkeetna in the winter, you can enjoy activities in addition to viewing the northern lights. These include Denali flightseeing, dog sledding, and riding the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train.
Denali National Park Area
Though this area tends to shut down during winter, you will still find several hotels open in Denali. This area is a great destination for northern lights viewing as you are far away from the brightness of city lights. You may even have a chance for a beautiful view over the summit of Denali! During the winter, you can access Denali by car or the Aurora Winter Train on the Alaska Railroad.
Mat-Su Valley & Glenn Highway
If you're seeking an area away from Anchorage's bright city lights but don't want to travel too far, we suggest exploring the area around the Mat-Su Valley or the Glenn Highway, which are located approximately one hour north of Anchorage. While there is still some light pollution in this area, it's relatively easy to access more remote areas, providing a better chance of darker skies.
Some excellent spots for viewing the northern lights in the Mat-Su Valley include the Knik River Valley, Hatcher Pass, and the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway.
Hatcher Pass, situated about 30 minutes from the town of Palmer, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Even though the road is closed in the winter, it's still possible to drive partway up the pass toward the Independence Mine State Historical Park. On a clear night, the expansive views of the sky make Hatcher Pass an exceptional area for observing the northern lights.
The Knik River Valley, located about 20 minutes south of Palmer, is another great spot to witness the northern lights. We recommend visiting the Eklutna Trailrace area near the beginning of the valley.
Palmer Hay Flats is another notable location where you can climb a wildlife viewing tower near Reflection Lake for an open view of the sky.
When traveling along the Glenn Highway, we highly recommend visiting Sheep Mountain Lodge, a picturesque lodge nestled along the Chugach Mountains. This remote lodge offers the perfect setting for viewing the northern lights from the comfort of your cabin's porch. During the winter, guests can also enjoy miles of groomed Nordic ski trails!
Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska
Greatland Adventures is a locally owned and operated company based in Downtown Anchorage. They offer northern lights viewing tours in autumn, winter, and spring. They leave Anchorage between 9 and 11 pm and return between 3 and 5 am. The tour includes knowledgeable local guides, transportation, a warm shelter, snacks, and hot drinks. This a great tour for photographers and for those hoping to catch a glimpse of this incredible sight.
If you want to maximize your chance of seeing the northern lights and have the opportunity to explore Alaska as well, we recommend booking a six-night, five-day northern lights trip with Salmonberry Tours. The northern lights tours run from November to March, beginning in Anchorage and ending in Fairbanks. Aside from northern lights viewing every night, you will also have the chance to participate in activities, including dog sledding, train riding, hot spring soaking, and the option to add on a flight tour above the Arctic Circle.
Alaska Wildlife Guide is a company based out of Fairbanks. They offer various northern lights tours, including northern lights viewing and a trip into the Arctic Circle, northern lights viewing and hot spring soaks, and even northern lights viewing and ice fishing! These tours begin and end in Fairbanks and run from September to April.
Fairbanks Aurora Tours is based in Fairbanks. They offer nightly tours, which include a departure around 9-10 pm and a return between 3 and 4. On these tours, you will learn about the northern lights and the history of Fairbanks and Alaska. They also offer northern lights photography workshops to learn how to better capture the event on film.
Best Northern Lights Accommodation in Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
Glacier View, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Ruth Glacier - Denali, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Talkeetna, Alaska
Best Website for Northern Lights Forecasts in Alaska
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecast is the go-to source for northern lights viewing in Alaska. The website includes a map, everyday forecasting, and even a live camera of the sky during the darker months.
Are you ready for your Northern Lights trip to Alaska? We hope so! If you have any other questions about planning your tour, please contact us or visit the Design Your Trip page.
