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Out of all the North American hotspots for watching solar activity, perhaps the finest for the Northern Lights is Alaska. The state is vast, with dramatic panoramas and expansive dark skies that showcase the Northern Lights during aurora season—officially August 21 to April 21.
While one area in particular does take top honors for spectacular viewing, it’s possible to witness auroras from nearly anywhere in Alaska when the sky is clear. Here’s the scoop on where to go this season to see the Northern Lights throughout Alaska’s five distinct regions.
This article was originally published in August 2021. It has been updated with new information.
Where to see the Northern Lights in Alaska’s interior
Fairbanks, the Interior region’s largest city, is one of the best places in the world to witness the phenomenon thanks to the area’s low levels of precipitation and position underneath the Auroral Oval—an atmospheric boundary around the Earth’s magnetic polar cap where auroral activity is visible.
“We’re far from maddening crowds and we have minimal light pollution,” says Jerry Evans, a spokesperson for Explore Fairbanks. “Instead of seeing an aurora in the distance, we often see the aurora directly overhead, filling the entire sky.”
So reliably clear are the skies of Fairbanks that visitors who stay in the city at least three nights during the aurora season have a more than 90 percent chance of seeing the Northern Lights, Evans says. To make it even easier for travelers to catch a glimpse of glowing skies, Explore Fairbanks maintains a real-time aurora tracker based on weather, daylight, and auroral activity over Fairbanks and surrounding locales. New for 2022, the organization has also released a comprehensive aurora map and guide. The map—available digitally or in print—highlights locations for optimal aurora viewing and includes scientific details about the phenomenon, as well as tips on photographing the Northern Lights.
Most Fairbanks hotels offer aurora wake-up calls, but if you’re looking to enhance your Northern Lights viewing experience, consider sleeping in an igloo at Borealis Basecamp. Spacious and upscale, these fiberglass igloos feature a ceiling made of windows. For something warmer, there’s Chena Hot Springs Resort, located an hour from Fairbanks, where visitors can watch the Northern Lights while immersed in a natural hot spring.
How to watch: “Just walk out your front door!” says Evans. Or, combine your aurora with another Alaskan experience, such as snowmobiling or ice fishing with Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service or AK River Tours. Canine enthusiasts may enjoy the thrill of spotting auroras from a mushing sled led by the dogs of Last Frontier Mushing Co-Op.
How to get there: Fly into Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), or book an ultra-scenic, 12-hour journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks aboard Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train.
In Alaska’s Far North
The Alaskan Arctic is remote, but it’s worth a trek to experience the sprawling tundras, striking seascapes, and Brooks Range mountains. The most accessible city here is Nome. A coastal town located alongside the Bering Sea, Nome offers a rich history—quite literally, as a former Gold Rush town—and incredible scenery. Or, journey to the northernmost town in the United States and stay in Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow). Located above the Arctic Circle, visiting Utqiagvik is an opportunity to learn about the culture of the indigenous Iñupiaq, who make up a majority of Utqiagvik and operate the Iñupiaq Heritage Center in the town.
As you might have guessed, this remote area won’t offer the dining and entertainment options of larger cities, but the Far North is a must for aurora-chasers seeking a special adventure. Like the Interior, Alaska’s Arctic offers incredible opportunities for spotting the Northern Lights simply by going outside after dark. The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks monitors and forecasts aurora activity, and their map over Alaska clearly shows the Auroral Oval sweeping across Utqiagvik.
How to watch: Ask for an aurora wake-up call at your accommodations, or arrange a customized tour. 1st Alaska Tours leads aurora-viewing experiences around the Far North—there’s even an option for an epic 14-hour van tour covering 400 miles. For something less time-intensive, Northern Alaska Tour Company can help you chase the Northern Lights either by land or air.
How to get there: Drive from Fairbanks via the 414-mile Dalton Highway, or fly into Fairbanks and take a connecting flight on to Nome or Utqiagvik.
In Southcentral Alaska
This region is home to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and an excellent base for travelers hoping to see the Northern Lights. “It’s best to move away from streetlights and bright signs, but it’s possible to see the Northern Lights right here in town,” says Kathy Dunn, a spokesperson at Visit Anchorage. “It’s very common to see a group of people stopped on a local street, all of them looking at the sky.” If you prefer to escape the city, Alyeska Resort is 45 minutes outside of Anchorage and ideal for keeping an eye out for auroras while exploring the Southcentral wilderness. Guests can also take advantage of the resort's newly opened Nordic Spa, which offers indoor and outdoor hydrotherapy pools, saunas, and exfoliation with Alaskan sea salt.
How to watch: Spot the lights on your own, or go all-in with the comforts of an exclusive tour led by an expert from Greatland Adventures. To up your Instagram game, Alaska Photo Treks will teach you how to capture auroras like a pro.
How to get there: Fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
In Alaska’s Southwest
Comprising the Aleutian Islands and the ports of King Salmon and Dillingham, Southwest Alaska borders the choppy Bering Sea. This region isn’t a go-to for aurora chasers, but it’s amazing for viewing wildlife. Kodiak Island is unbeatable for bear sightings, and since August and September are two of the best months for bear spotting, your stay can overlap with the aurora season. Despite the town’s name, Unalaska is very Alaskan indeed. Consider the Unalaska/Dutch Harbor area if you’re interested in fishing, birding, or hiking.
How to watch: Your best bet is to be outside during the late evening hours on a clear night.
How to get there: Fly into Anchorage and connect by air to Kodiak Island or Unalaska. Alternatively, you can travel via car (and a ferry) along the Alaska Marine Highway from Homer—a quick 45-minute flight from Anchorage—but you’ll need to allow about nine hours to Kodiak, or approximately three days to reach Unalaska.
In Alaska’s Southeast
It might be hard to imagine glaciers, rainforest, and majestic fjords existing in the same landscape, but that’s exactly what covers much of Alaska’s breathtaking Southeast region—along with an average of 230 days of annual precipitation. “While we can see the aurora, being a rainforest we tend to have a lot of cloud coverage preventing us from seeing much of anything at night,” says Kara Tetley, a spokesperson for Travel Juneau. But there’s still a chance of spotting those dancing lights if you’re visiting Alaska’s capital for glacier touring or whale-watching in late summer and early fall. For lodging, stay in the heart of Juneau at Silverbow Inn and enjoy views of the night sky from a rooftop hot tub, or consider setting up camp along the shores of Mendenhall Lake in Tongass National Forest, just 13 miles away from downtown.
How to watch: If skies are clear enough for Northern Lights viewing, Tetley recommends a visit to Savikko Park (Sandy Beach) to frame your photos with the historic pumphouse and a mountainous backdrop. But, for a chance to see auroras shining above the Mendenhall Glacier, make your way to the North Douglas boat ramp.
How to get there: Fly into Juneau International Airport (JNU).
Combine Regions for the Northern Lights and More
If your primary objective is to view the Northern Lights, you can travel straight to Fairbanks and likely achieve your goal within a few days. But this remarkable state is worth a deeper dive—if you’re making the journey anyway, why not maximize your time here and enjoy more than one of Alaska’s diverse regions?
Anchorage International Airport is well-served by most major airlines, so it’s a natural starting point for an Alaskan adventure. From there, connect easily to Fairbanks to enjoy the Interior region and its auroral splendors. If time and budget allows, add a Far North tour before continuing on to Juneau to experience everything from the Arctic to the Alaskan rainforest.
