How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
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.
Continue reading to learn more about:
Northern Lights as seen from Fairbanks, 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.
Northern Lights from Talkeetna, Alaska
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.
When Can You 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.
Colorful glow of northern lights over Alaska
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, Alaska
Northern Lights seen near Chena Hot Springs
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, Alaska
View of Downtown Anchorage, Alaska in winter
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.
Denali, Alaska
View of Denali in winter
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.
Utgiagvik, Alaska
Spring season in Utgiagvik, Alaska
For those feeling a little more adventurous, you can’t beat a mid-winter trip to Utgiagvik. Utgiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) is the northernmost town in the United States and one of the northernmost towns in the world. The population is around 4,000, and it is only accessible by plane. Utgiagvik experiences about 66 days of Polar Night in winter when the sun does not rise. The town’s extreme northern location and the total darkness make it an ideal candidate for a northern lights viewing area.
Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska
Aurora Borealis 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 Hotels in Alaska
Aurora Borealis seen near Coldfoot, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Ruth Glacier - Denali, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, 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 northern lights tour in Alaska, please contact us or visit the Design Your Trip page.
For more information about the northern lights in Alaska, read our Best Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska.
