Fairbanks is arguably the most popular destination for visitors who want to see the Northern Lights.
Peak viewing season is in the dead of winter, when the weather is the coldest and when it is the darkest. There are opportunities to see the northern lights at the tail end of the summer season in early September, but if this experience is a priority for you, hold out for winter and bundle up. Either way, you don't miss out on the opportunity to experience this rare and mystical event.
If you are not quite sure where to begin, there are great tours that will increase your chances of seeing the northern lights by putting bringing you to prime locations for aurora activity. Sightings are never guaranteed, but you can do yourself a favor by taking a multi-day trip in case one night has higher aurora activity than another.
Not sure what to wear?
Here's our packing list. Or, rent your aurora viewing gear from Alaska Outdoor Gear Outfitter & Rentals.
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Aurora Pointe
Mid-August to mid-April
Just a short drive from Fairbanks, wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Although the center is a short distance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to worry about light pollution interrupting your view as you stand gazing under the vast, starlit sky.
Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures
May 21 - Sept 18
Fly or take a guided van tour from Fairbanks to the remote village of Coldfoot, a remote town located in the Brooks Mountain Range that’s perfectly situated under the "auroral oval," where you’ll find the best displays of northern lights.
Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures
Fly from Fairbanks to the remote village of Coldfoot for a 3 day / 2 night or 4 day / 3 night trip to view the northern lights beyond the Arctic Circle. Optional daytime excursions include dog sledding and a trip to the famous Attigun Pass. You’ll return to Fairbanks via the Dalton Highway.
Alaska Wildlife Guide: Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tours
Take a guided van tour from Fairbanks to the beautiful Chena Hot Springs Resort. Tour the Ice Museum, soak in the hot springs, and look for the northern lights. The drive back to Fairbanks provides another opportunity to view the lights.
Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Aurora Ice Fishing
November – March
Combine the excitement of nighttime ice fishing with the thrill of looking for the Northern Lights. Your shelter is the “hard” cabin with heat, carpeted floors, a woodstove and electricity. The cabin has its own perch on the lake, which means an unobstructed view of the colorful show in the sky.
