tour alaska aurora

TTC family of brands

My Trafalgar

Destinations

Get Inspired

866 513 1995

Alaska Northern Lights

Available Dates

Your itinerary

Dates & prices

7 Day Tour seeing the Alaskan Northern Lights

7 days, 1 country and 4 cities

Accommodation

6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

View day-by-day trip itinerary

Unlock a winter wonderland on this seven-day guided winter Alaska tour. Traverse Denali National Park's tundra and delve into Alaska’s people at cultural centers and museums. With multiple opportunities to see the Northern Lights and get night photography tips from a professional photographer, this is an incredible tour through Alaska's magical winter landscape.

Looking to book in a group of 9 or more?

Deals, savings and exclusive private touring options available plus if you need a different date or itinerary change we can create a custom trip. Contact us for more details

Trip code: 

Low deposit from $200

Deposit protection

Free booking changes

Trip map & itinerary

Day by day itinerary

7 days itinerary trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage visiting 1 country and 4 cities

Download itinerary

Print itinerary

Expand all days

About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Palmer's Musk Ox Farm with a Local Specialist

Discover Fairbanks, Anchorage

Visit Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center, University of Alaska Museum of the North, Murie Science and Learning Center

View the Aurora Borealis (weather dependent)

Scenic Train Ride on the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train 

Scenic Drive along the Scenic Seward Byway

Aurora Borealis Viewing

Discover one of Alaska’s must-sees, the Northern Lights. Due to the combination of location directly beneath the Auroral Oval and unique geography that encourages stable, clear weather, Alaska’s Arctic is one of the best places in the world to view the Aurora Borealis. With everything taken care of, your location offers indoor heating and warm beverages, along with the option to step outside and be enchanted as the lights put on a show. 

Morris Thompson Cultural Center

Explore the Interior and Arctic Alaska, celebrating Alaska residents and how they live at The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Made possible by a cross-organizational, multi-cultural partnership built on the values lived by the late Morris Thompson, a business leader who worked as a bridge between the local and Indigenous cultures. You’ll learn all about the history and seasonal flow of local lifestyles through world-class exhibits. It’s an immersive way to unlock the land, where the natural world changes with the change of the seasons and the life of the land.

Museum of the North

Unlock Alaska Native cultures, natural wonders and the state’s diverse wildlife at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, the only research and teaching museum in Alaska. Explore 2,000 years of Alaska art through the museum's exhibits introducing you to Alaska’s diverse wildlife, people and lands. You can even view original installations about Alaska's dinosaurs and soak in views of the Alaska Range.  

Another chance at Aurora Borealis

Once isn’t enough – get ready for your second opportunity at a different location around Fairbanks to see the Northern Lights. You’ll love the chance to take in this must-see sight in Alaska from another vantage point. With a different location and day, you never know what spectacle may stretch across the sky. 

Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train

Get ready for picture-perfect winter scenery aboard the Aurora Car on your journey south to Denali National Park. While the Aurora Winter Train travels the same stretch of tracks as the summer Denali Star Train, this time of year you’re treated to the pristine snow in the winter wonderland of Alaska’s backcountry. From the comfort of a warm railcar, relax as large picture windows and onboard dining give you the opportunity to enjoy every second of your epic surroundings.  

Murie Science and Learning Center

Visit the Murie Science and Learning Center, which acts as the Denali Visitor’s Center in the wintertime. Discover the science and stewardship in Denali and other Alaskan national parks, watch the National Park Film, “Heartbeats of Denali” and unlock the local secrets of the park from a local ranger. You can even learn about the local trail conditions that are popular for skiers and snowshoers. 

Unlock the secrets of Talkeetna, a small Alaska community which, in the summer without the crowds, is a magical winter wonderland. Get out and explore on your own, learning how Talkeetna is also home to the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction in which 100% of the proceeds go towards their mission of donating to and raising awareness for the community’s women and children in need. 

Travel highlights

Specific transfer information can be found here:

Airport Transfers

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Optional Experiences and free time

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

All transport and transfers shown

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

Find out more

Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

Or search for something else

Help & Info

WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Unedited Reviews

Our Destination Management Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Updates

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Travel Planning

Get Your Free Brochure

Travel Insurance

Booking Conditions

Trip Deposit Level

Recommendations

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of  The Travel Corporation  family of companies.

#SimplyTrafalgar

Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Selected Region

United States

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Africa

Copyright 2024 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Experience True Nature

Wilderness adventure tours beyond imagination, alaska northern lights viewing tours | top 10 fairbanks aurora tours.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS / AURORA BOREALIS

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that illuminate the night sky in many possible color combinations. Many visitors come to Alaska with the desire to see the lights. They are called Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Lights or Aurora Australis in the Southern Hemisphere.

WHY CAN THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BE SEEN SO WELL IN ALASKA ?

The Aurora Borealis can be seen in countries close to the Arctic Circle. The further north, the better the chances of a sighting of these wonders of nature. They are most commonly seen in Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Greenland and Lapland. The southern lights can be seen in Tasmania, Antarctica and Patagonia.

Alaska is definitely the perfect place to see them, as there are spectacular landscapes like the arctic tundra, mountain ranges, natural hot springs or picturesque fjords. Alaska's strength lies in its small population, which means that there is nature everywhere and very few artificial light sources. In addition, the city of Fairbanks is the ideal base to search for the best viewing location. It is essential to get away from the street lights to better see the colorful lights.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ALASKA ?

The best time to see Northern Lights in Alaska during the year is between September to April. They occur all year round, but winter is definitely the best time to see them due to less light pollution. In fact, it doesn't really get dark in Alaska during the summer. Sometimes the sun doesn't even set, which makes sighting the auroras impossible. Nevertheless, the midnight sundown is an equally beautiful phenomenon that can be seen from the end of May to the end of July, most strongly around June 21. In contrast, it is almost always dark in winter, as we only have a few hours of daylight, especially in December and January. The chances of seeing Northern Lights are very high during this time.

Go Alaska Tours | Secured Reservation Request Form

A secure transmission of your personal information is very important for the Alaska Travel Network Group LLC at these days and that's why we have taken steps to ensure that we have the most secure method of transmission on the Internet available. All online reservation request and contact forms are providing a SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology with a 128-bit encryption for transmission of data between your web browser and our web server which provides the highest level of protection from tampering and eavesdropping. 128-bit encryption is considered so secure that cryptographers consider it impossible to crack. There is no safer way for your personal information to be transmitted. In fact, both the Canadian and US Governments use 128-bit encryption for transmission of their sensitive data. The Go Alaska Tours Website (www.goalaskatours.com) uses GeoTrust for its SSL and 128-bit encryption.

Book With Confidence Contact Us Call Our Experts (877) 587-8479

• Alaska: Denali Discovery
• Alaska: Glaciers & Grizzlies

Alaska: Northern Lights

• Argentina: Patagonia & Mendoza
• Costa Rica: Secluded Wildlife Adventure
• Louisiana: Gators & Gumbo Adventure
• Norway: Western Fjords Adventure
• Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking
• Tanzania: Great Migration Safari
• Travel Journal
• Sustainability
• Book With Confidence
• Contact Gondwana Ecotours
• (877) 587-8479
• SEE DATES & PRICES >

Alaska: Northern Lights Adventure

As seen in....

Aurora Watching, Dog Sledding, Reindeer, Hot Springs and More!

Join us for the greatest light show on earth on our Northern Lights Adventure in Alaska!

Get a dose of local culture by day, and by night look for and photograph the Aurora Borealis. Our aurora guide provides the necessary wake up calls when the northern lights appear and helps you capture the perfect photo. Over the past seasons, every guest saw the aurora at least once during the tour. Learn what life's really like in the interior of Alaska over a meal with local homesteaders, a walk with reindeer, and dogsledding with mushers. Try the sport of curling and relax in outdoor hot springs.

What's Included On this Northern Lights Tour:

• Six Nights of Cozy Accommodations Outside Fairbanks & One Night in Fairbanks
• Wake-up Service when the Aurora is Active
• Three Expert guides, Two for Activities and One for Aurora
• Entry into Chena Hot Springs
• A Dog-Sledding experience
• Entry into the Ice Sculpture Museum & the Museum of the North
• Entry into Running Reindeer Ranch
• Curling Lesson from Local Players
• Home-cooked breakfasts every morning at the lodge
• Safe and Comfortable Van or Minibus Transportation in Alaska

If you're looking for departure dates, prices, and the full itinerary, please download the tour brochure using the form on this page.

Alaska Northern Lights Tour Map Click to Enlarge

Download the brochure for tour dates, prices, and the full itinerary.

More alaska tours, alaska: glaciers & grizzlies adventure.

Alaska: Denali Discovery Adventure

Absolutely amazing! This wasn’t a tour, it was an unforgettable experience. Our guides were knowledgeable, patient, and entirely invested in making our week everything we hoped it would be—and more! The sights seen, education gained, and most of all the connections and friendships made combined to create the trip of a lifetime for me and my son. Thank you Gondwana!

KRISTEN ROMAN Gondwana Adventurer

See The Tour Dates & Pricing

Alaska: northern lights photo gallery.

Experience Alaska northern lights trips & tours - small group travel! Our guides ensure your trip to see the northern lights in Fairbanks is enjoyable. Book your northern lights trip in Alaska tour now.

Join The Soul Traveler's Club! See Benefits >

Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures

Find Your perfect trip

When will you come?

What do you want to see?

Coldfoot's far north location places it one of the world's best aurora viewing areas.

Tour Summary

The Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventure departs from Fairbanks by land or air and offers optional aurora viewing, dog sledding, and Brooks Mountain Range excursions from your base camp at Coldfoot, Alaska.

• Learn the fascinating story of Alaska's Arctic from your guide. Travel through mining areas north of Fairbanks. 
• View the remarkable Trans Alaska Pipeline. 
• Travel the famed Dalton Highway. Traverse the mighty Yukon River. 
• Cross the Arctic Circle and receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate.

Coldfoot's far north location places it one of the world's best aurora viewing areas. For more information about the aurora, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Also, you can visit the   University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute website . 

Accommodations: Located halfway between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay, Coldfoot Camp provides an excellent base for travelers in Alaska's Brooks Mountain Range. Although rustic by urban standards, Coldfoot Camp is clean and each room features two twin beds and private bath facilities in each of the rooms, a luxury in the remote wilderness of Alaska's Arctic.

A round trip journey by land and air exploring Alaska's Brooks Mountain Range.

This adventure is for those who are serious about looking for the Aurora. To increase the odds of seeing them one should stay put for multiple nights in a location as close to the source of the lights as possible so that even on a quiet night the ability is there to see them. Quiet doesn't mean they are not occurring, quiet means the band they occur in is narrow and not visible miles away.

Tour Dates and Rates

August 21, 2024 - September 16, 2024

9:45 AM Departure

Days: Daily

Rate: $869 *

* Per person based on double occupancy for a 3 day / 2 night Adventure. Single Supplement $200

September 19, 2024 - October 7, 2024

November 23, 2024 - December 1, 2024

December 21, 2024 - January 5, 2025

January 29, 2025 - February 28, 2025

March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025

Days: Sunday Friday

Rate: $1079 *

* Peak Rate based on double occupancy for a 3 day / 2 night adventure. Single Supplement $200

October 8, 2024 - November 22, 2024

December 2, 2024 - December 20, 2024

January 6, 2025 - January 28, 2025

April 1, 2025 - April 21, 2025

Rate: $929 *

* Standard Rate per person based on double occupancy for a 3 day / 2 night adventure. Single Supplement $200

• Arctic Circle
• Yukon River

TOUR SUMMARY:

• Ground tour in the personalized comfort of our ground tour vehicles. Appreciate the low light on the horizon as it shines on the windswept arctic tundra. Traverse the frozen Yukon River and enjoy the snow-sculpted forest as you make your way across the Arctic Circle.  Arrive in Coldfoot and settle in for your 3 night stay.  

DAY 2 (or more if staying more than 2 nights)

• Select from a variety of optional tours which include an excursion along the Dalton Highway, into the Brooks Mountain Range, as far north as Atigun Pass (weather permitting); a one-hour dog sledding experience with a local musher, and additional aurora viewing in Wiseman (optional tour prices are not included).

DAY 3 - or last day if staying longer!

• Depart Coldfoot by air for Fairbanks. Average time of return to Fairbanks is 4:30 PM, average flight time is 70 minutes. Departure time can vary based on number of guests and flight resources on day of travel. Most common time of departure is 3:00 PM but can range from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Departs 9:45 am by ground tour on DAY 1; Depart Coldfoot by air on your final day (average time of return to Fairbanks is 4:30 pm. Departure time can vary based on number of guests/flight resources on day of travel). Most common departure time from Coldfoot is 2:30 pm but can range from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

MEALS are not included; however, on day 1 we will make a quick stop at a grocery store for you to get food for lunch and all other meals at the Coldfoot Camp Trucker's Cafe ( Menu as of 3/23/23 ).

LUGGAGE : For your small plane flight, you are allowed to bring up to 20 pounds per person.  Your luggage should be in a carry-on size and soft-sided bag, like a backpack, duffle, or tote bag.  Nothing on wheels.  We will weigh all of your bags (overnight and day bags) at the time of check in.

All per person based on double occupancy. 

Single Supplement add $100 per night.

3 Day / 2  Night - Departs FRIDAY and SUNDAY = $929/ PEAK = $1079

4 Day / 3 Night - Departs TUESDAY = $1029/ PEAK = $1179

5 Day / 4  Night - Departs FRIDAY = $1129/ PEAK = $1279

6 Day / 5 Night - Departs TUESDAY and SUNDAY = $1229 / PEAK = $1379

PEAK DATES:

September 19 - October 7, 2024

November 23 -  December 1, 2024

December 21 - January 5, 2025

January 29 - March 31, 2025

For an Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventure Tour Program click HERE .

OPTIONAL TOURS - available for purchase

We recommend you pre-book any activity you know you want to do.  Coldfoot will do their best to accommodate on site reservations; however, not always will you be able to make reservations once in Coldfoot due to space or guide availability.

Arctic Mountain Safari: Enjoy an afternoon exploring the Brooks Mountain Range on a guided ground tour north from Coldfoot on the Dalton Highway as far north as Atigun Pass (weather permitting).  Departs Coldfoot at 10:00 am and returns at 6:00 pm. Meals not included. Box lunch can be purchased at Coldfoot Camp. 

• $129/ person 

Arctic Snowshoe Outing : Enjoy a guided snowshoe outing on a trail near Clara Creek. The excursion lasts about 2 hours with about 1 hour of snowshoeing (between 1 - 2 miles) Hot drinks included. Departure times vary. 

• $39 / person

Arctic Village Aurora:  Enjoy an evening tour to historic Wiseman for a unique cabin visit and an  opportunity to enjoy the solitude of the Brooks Mountain Range as you scan the northern sky for Northern Lights. Cabin visit includes complimentary hot beverages. Departs Coldfoot at 10:00 pm and returns at 2:00 am.

• $89 / person 

Dog Sled Adventure:   Enjoy an afternoon with real Alaskan sled dogs.   Learn what it takes to have a dog team in Alaska.  Enjoy a ride, and, if you wish, drive a team of your own.  Times will vary and will be arranged by the guide in Coldfoot to fit within your schedule - experience takes approximately 1 hour. 

• $189 / person ( Only available December 15 - March 31  - booked only once at Coldfoot Camp.) 

For information on how to make a reservation, click on the link to our planning  page. 

Recommendations : For any of our adventures into Alaska's Arctic we recommend planning to arrive in Fairbanks the night prior to joining us and stay in Fairbanks the night returning with us.   If you are delayed arriving into Fairbanks and miss your tour departure that equals a non-refundable cancellation.  We will do our best to see if there is an alternate available for you; however, there is no guarantee of an equal replacement nor is the tour refundable if missed.

NOTE:   Guest safety always takes precedence over convenience.  The return on the final day is by small plane.  Small plane flying in Alaska's Arctic can be delayed or even cancelled on occasion due to weather.   If the weather requires us to alter the return method of travel from air to ground it will be done as an equal exchange of travel.

Alaska's Arctic -- premier destination to look for the Aurora -- Coldfoot is located directly under the Aurora Oval, where the aurora originate in the northern hemisphere.

Scene from Coldfoot Camp

Winter In Alaska's Arctic Dalton Highway South Of The Eyukon River

Denali Winter Drive Adventure

A One Day Guided Round Trip Journey By Land To North America's Tallest Mountain

• Χ Arctic Circle
• Χ Arctic Ocean
• Χ Polar Bear
• Χ Undiscovered Arctic
• Χ Yukon River

Denali WINTER Summit Flight (from Fairbanks)

Thrill at the excitement of witnessing firsthand Denali, North America's tallest mountain, by air from a unique perspective - eye level!

907-750-5550

Aurora In Alaska

Looking for Aurora? You are in the right place! 100% Aurora Guarantee on our Incredible Aurora Viewing Adventures.

Unforgettable Experiences 

We know exactly why you are coming to 

Alaska and what you want! We are here to make your trip unforgettable  

Experiences

Peak Experiences

If it's been on your list to see the Northern Lights, this is the way to do it! The hosts transport you in a very comfortable, warm van. They know exactly where to go to see the Lights at their best and take time for lots of pictures/viewing. The other highlights of the tour are the Ice Museum and a soak in the Chena Hot Springs (all at -20 degrees!). It was a once in a lifetime experience.

Anchorage Northern Lights Tour

Book This Adventure

Embark on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph the aurora borealis in and around the greater Anchorage area. We pride ourselves on offering intimate, small-group trip experiences.

This Anchorage aurora tour will leave you in awe – and planning your next trip back to magical Alaska.

The  phenomenon of aurora borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on Earth. Join us on our Anchorage Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph these spectacular swirling lights in and around the greater Anchorage area.

Our team uses innovative technology to forecast aurora viewing conditions. Each night’s tour location is chosen to maximize your chances to view the lights, with tour locations chosen based on weather forecasts, aurora strength, and driving distance from Anchorage. Our team of experts will get you to the most strategic location possible to witness the northern lights.

This tour is designed for anyone with an interest in viewing the aurora borealis.  Our tours include web-quality aurora portraits and basic photography instruction.

Greatland Adventures is proud to utilize a fleet of comfortable tour vehicles as traveling base camps. Tours generally depart between 8-11 p.m. and return between 3-6 a.m., depending on the season and forecast conditions. You will receive a forecast call from our aurora team between 3-5 p.m. on the day of your booked tour. This call will let you know what time pick up will be that night, estimated driving distance, and our expected return time. We will also discuss anticipated cloud cover, and any other potential challenges we might face that evening. If conditions are unfavorable and a tour is not recommended that night, we will work with you at that time to rebook to another night, based on availability.

Choose your preferred date via our online booking platform. We will ask for your arrival and departure date/time, and any potential additional nights you have available to join a tour, during the booking process. We gather this information from all of our guests so we may help to maximize your chances of seeing aurora while visiting Alaska! Our minimum age to join this tour is 13.

Season: August 21st through April 14th

Want to make this Anchorage, Alaska Northern Lights Tour a private experience for you and your close friends and family? Explore our Private Northern Lights Tour option.

In an effort to reduce our footprint, we are no longer providing single-use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle! Fresh Alaska water will be available to all guests throughout your tour.

Book This Adventure  

Book direct. Best price guarantee!*

Trip Highlights

• SMALL GROUPS!
• Experience the star-filled beauty of Alaska winter nights away from city lights.
• Create lasting memories with portraits and photos.
• Personalized forecast service. Know before you go!

What's Included

• Services of a professional Alaska aurora guide
• Aurora forecasting service
• Web-quality photographs and portraits
• Transportation in a clean and comfortable tour vehicle
• Snacks and hot drinks
• Hotel pick up and drop off in Anchorage
• $325 per person from Feb 15 – March 30, August 21 – September 30, and December 15 – January 4
• $295 per person for the rest of the season

Multi-night Aurora Chasing

Maximize your aurora-viewing experience by booking multiple nights with us! Here’s how it works:

• Book your preferred night of the Northern Lights Tour
• When you receive a confirmation email, look for the discount code and link for booking additional nights
• For additional nights, book with a 20% discount
• Or, add your name to the standby list for a 50% discount if space becomes open (all standby seats will be offered after 5 p.m. on the available day)

NOTE : These discount offers are only available after booking your first fully-paid aurora tour with Greatland Adventures

Departure Time

• Departure Time: 8-11 p.m.
• Duration: 8 Hours

Gratuities for Guides (Recommend $20 per person)

Please Note:

• Private Tours may be available upon request for such scenarios as children under 13, early morning flights, marriage proposals, guests with mobility issues, or other unique circumstances.
• We require a 2-guest minimum to operate a tour.
• Tour pick up and drop off is available at Anchorage hotel locations only and NOT available for private residences (ie Airbnb or VRBO) or Alyeska Resort . For guests staying at other locations, we can drop off at the nearest hotel to your accommodation.

Best Viewing Conditions

The aurora can be visible anytime we have adequate darkness; from late August through mid-April.  The main obstacles to finding auroras are cloud cover and light pollution. We will drive for up to three hours beyond Anchorage to find clear, dark skies.

Understanding the Moon’s phases and chasing aurora

A common question among interested aurora viewers relates to the Moon and its many phases each month. Lunar cycles may affect one’s ability to view the northern lights, but not necessarily in a negative way. Greatland Adventures aurora guides are experts at positioning guests in the optimum location for the best chance of viewing the lights, and the Moon can provide a stunning backdrop for shadows and wintery nighttime photography!

Below is a breakdown of the Moon’s lunar phases, what they mean, and how they may affect your aurora viewing experience:

New Moon – The new moon phase lasts for 10 days when the Moon is positioned directly between Earth and the Sun. Illumination of the Moon is less than 20% during this time and as such there is minimal light cast on Earth’s landscapes, making aurora and stargazing excellent when forecasts are positive for clear skies and solar storms. However, landscape photography and videography are generally more difficult during this phase due to the diminished lighting of the moon.

Mid-Moon – A mid-moon phase is the period of the moon cycle when the Moon’s illumination is between 20-80%. During this 10-day phase, the moon has minimal effect on aurora viewing or stargazing.

Full Moon – A full moon happens over 10 days when the Moon’s illumination is 80-100%. During this phase, the Moon lights up a night landscape and mild auroral activity will be difficult to see. However, when auroral displays are strong, a full moon phase allows our eyes to more easily perceive the true colors of the aurora, especially the greens and pinks. Additionally, landscape photography and videography are enhanced during this phase due to the extra ambient light from the Moon.

Vacations to Alaska don’t always fall on the calendar’s “perfect” time for spotting aurora, but rest assured that our local guides take into account the lunar phases and will make every effort to find the best viewing locations to maximize your aurora adventure.

Northern Lights Tour FAQs

• What is a forecast call and how does it work?

The forecast call is typically made between 3 and 5 p.m. on the day of the tour. Please read this page for a full detail on our forecast call.

•  What will you tell us during the forecast call?

Here are three possible scenarios for guests during the “forecast call” from the Greatland Adventures office:

The tour is confirmed : This means a 90% or greater probability of success exists. When conditions look favorable, we confirm a tour and give guests their pick up time during the forecast call. At that time we can also answer any questions and let you know the general plan for the night. Historically, on nights we confirm a tour we have a 90% success rate.

The tour is canceled : A tour is canceled if there is less than a 10% probability of success. On nights with extreme cloud cover or severe weather, we will cancel the tour and issue a weather cancellation for a full refund. (Note these nights are rare.)

Guest discretion : If we believe the possibility of aurora-viewing success is between 10-90%, we will openly and honestly discuss the conditions with each guest and help them make the decision to join or cancel for a full weather cancellation refund.

• What if we don’t see northern lights during the tour?

If the tour is unsuccessful at producing photographic evidence of the northern lights, a guest will be given a complimentary tour for any night up to 1 year from their departure date (subject to availability).

• Should I do my own forecasting before receiving your call?

You can do your own forecasting out of your interest but we don’t recommend you making the decision based on it. We often hear from guests who try their own northern lights forecasting, and end up canceling their planned tour for fear of the aurora not showing up or losing the deposit. Please know that our first priority is serving you, our guests; in fact, one of our core values is “honest and fair in all our interactions”. We are professionals at forecasting aurora viewing conditions, and do our best to put every guest in the best possible location at the best possible time. If conditions look even a little bit less than favorable, everyone has a chance to opt-out.

Best Price Guarantee

*Book direct with confidence. We guarantee you will receive the best price when booking directly on our website or we will refund the difference + $10!  Must show proof of a lower price found elsewhere for the same product and the same departure. Offer valid for tours operated by Greatland Adventures only. Offer not valid for 3rd party products.

#greatlandadventures

• Bev As a solo traveler I usually veer towards group tours and make my decisions based on ratings. Greatland Adventures definitely lived up to their high ratings and awesome reviews. I have booked several tours with them. From the beginning it was a pleasurable experience with Steve and Rochelle who have excellent communication with their clients and ensure you are fully accommodated for your tour. I did the northern lights tour with Mike who is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and he captured some excellent photos of me! I completed the glacier tour with Bill who is also very knowledgeable and ensured we had a great experience at the glacier by getting us there before others arrived and allowing us to safe explore all the accessible crevasses. I absolutely recommend this tour company they are amazing!
• Jane I want to sincerely applaud the members of Greatland Adventures! They made me and my friend's trip to Anchorage one of the most amazing experiences ever in our lives... We were all well educated about the lights before we got there and even had a chance to have a pitstop at a gas station to use the toilet and grab a coffee. We even saw the lights that night TWICE! Thank you, Steve! The memories we made will last a lifetime and we are so happy we chose Greatland Adventures. I am telling any and everyone that plans to visit Anchorage to book through them. No question!

Related Trips

Winter Dog Sledding Tours

Matanuska Glacier Tour - Winter

Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour

Protect Your Trip »

How to see the northern lights in alaska in 2024.

If seeing the northern lights in Alaska is on your bucket list, this is the year to do it.

How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Chris McLennan | Courtesy of State of Alaska

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says solar activity is intensifying and will peak (at a higher level than previously thought) in 2024. This means travelers will have more opportunities to see the northern lights around the world .

If you're considering a trip to Alaska to witness this atmospheric phenomenon, read on to discover the best months to visit as well as a variety of viewing options.

The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska

Where to see the northern lights in alaska, northern lights alaska cruises.

• Alaska northern lights tours

Courtesy of Travel Alaska

According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is typically from Aug. 21 to April 21 , also known as the Aurora Season. While the aurora can appear at any time of night, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. are the prime viewing hours.

The winter solstice – which is the shortest day of the year, typically falling between Dec. 20 and 23 – is a particularly good time to be in Alaska for the northern lights. This day affords less daylight and more time to spot the aurora. In parts of Alaska, the amount of daylight during the winter solstice can range from around six hours in Anchorage to less than four further north in Fairbanks. Up in remote Utqiagvik (formerly called Barrow), about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, there are roughly 67 days of darkness from Nov. 18 to Jan. 23, resulting in even more opportunities to spot the northern lights.

Of course, 2024 is expected to be a little different. Scientists say solar activity will reach its peak from January to October, expanding the typical time frame for spotting the aurora. Ahead of and during your visit, experts recommend utilizing these forecasting resources:

• Aurora Tracker: Whether you're a beginner or an experienced aurora chaser, you'll appreciate Explore Fairbanks' real-time Aurora Tracker . This online reference shows up-to-the-minute information on the temperature, weather and likelihood of catching the northern lights in Fairbanks. Much of the data comes from one of the world's foremost aurora research centers, the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska–Fairbanks . To further assist in your search, you can also download the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app on your smartphone.
• Aurora Forecast: For other parts of the state, the Geophysical Institute website's Aurora Forecast has daily forecasts of geomagnetic activity up to three days in advance and taken at three-hour intervals. There's also a summation on the webpage of whether the aurora will be active – or not – and where you'll find the best visibility in Alaska.

Courtesy of Aurora Villa

Below are the top destinations to consider when deciding where to see the northern lights in Alaska.

Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, sits at 65 degrees north latitude, making it an excellent choice for aurora hunters, especially first-timers. It's easily accessible and offers plenty of accommodations , restaurants and other unique attractions . You can also be outside of Fairbanks within minutes to find excellent northern lights viewing locales.

Your chances of seeing the aurora display are excellent as the city sits where the activity of the polar lights is concentrated – under the ring-shaped zone known as the auroral oval. Local experts say that on clear evenings when the sky is very dark, you should be able to witness the skies light up on an average of four out of five nights in Fairbanks.

Where to stay:

• Aurora Villa : Located on the outskirts of Fairbanks, Aurora Villa offers luxurious guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing the northern lights in a cozy private space. The modern wooden cabin sits on 10 acres surrounded by forested hills, yet it's close enough to the city (less than 15 miles northeast) to explore all that Fairbanks has to offer.
• Pike's Waterfront Lodge : Located along the Chena River in Fairbanks, just minutes from Fairbanks International Airport, this property offers 180 rooms and 28 cabins for aurora-hunting adventurers. As a guest of the lodge, you can request that the front desk alert you when the northern lights appear – no matter the time of day or night. Pike's Waterfront Lodge also offers amenities to keep guests warm while viewing the light show outdoors.

Talkeetna sits about 115 miles north of Anchorage in south-central Alaska, at the base of Denali, the tallest mountain peak in North America. With its old clapboard buildings, log cabins and roadhouse dating back to 1917, this historic town offers a lot of outdoor fun beyond chasing the aurora. Main Street is filled with galleries, shops, restaurants and a brewery. The quirky village, once a former mining town, was the inspiration for the imaginary borough of Cicely in the TV show "Northern Exposure."

If you visit in December, check out the festivities at the monthlong Winterfest. This event features a parade of lights, a tree lighting ceremony and the Taste of Talkeetna food festival, plus entertaining events like the Bachelor Auction and the Wilderness Woman Competition.

When it's time to look up in the sky for the lights, local aurora hunters recommend heading out of town to Christiansen Lake or past the airport on Beaver Road. If you prefer to stay close by, look north into the sky toward Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park.

• Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge : Book a Mountain View room for views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The cozy lodge offers multiple dining venues, including the award-winning Foraker Restaurant.
• Talkeetna Lakeside Cabins : These cabins provide peace and quiet on a private lake just 12 miles from Talkeetna.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is another spectacular place to view the northern lights in Alaska – not to mention one of the top tourist attractions in the U.S. The National Park Service says almost everywhere within the park is free from city light pollution, so if the conditions are right (meaning that's it's clear and dark enough), you should be able to see the aurora borealis, especially when looking toward the northern horizon.

However, when wintertime rolls around – from September or October through April – it's more difficult to access parts of the park, even though it's open year-round. Keep in mind, too, that the lodges closest to the park are typically closed from mid-September to mid-May.

Where to stay: Located less than 15 miles from the Denali National Park entrance, the Aurora Denali Lodge offers year-round accommodations equipped with queen-sized beds, smart TVs and private bathrooms. Rates at the lodge include a continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking and complimentary hot drinks. What's more, the property says visitors can expect plenty of wildlife sightings, such as bears, moose, lynxes, owls and snowshoe hares, just outside your door.

Coldfoot Camp

Coldfoot Camp is situated above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range, near the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The remote wilderness destination is ideal for aurora viewing since it sits directly under the auroral oval. It's also the perfect locale for backcountry snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and dog mushing.

Where to stay: The Inn at Coldfoot Camp offers rustic accommodations located in trailers that once housed Alaskan pipeline workers. The rooms include two twin beds and a private bathroom and shower. Guests can dine at the on-site Trucker's Cafe, which offers breakfast and dinner buffets in the summer months and all-day a la carte dining in the winter. When you're ready for a cold one at the end of the day, check out the Frozen Foot Saloon and order an Alaska-brewed beer.

If you prefer camping and have your own gear , you can camp free of charge on the property during the summer months. Coldfoot Camp also hosts a selection of year-round Arctic adventures and excursions, including a trip to the nearby village of Wiseman for aurora viewing.

This remote wilderness retreat has just 13 full-time residents. Wiseman is located in Alaska's Brooks Range, about 15 miles north of Coldfoot Camp, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 270 miles from Fairbanks. The community sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights. You can expect to see the spectacle in the sky in Wiseman about 250 nights a year, especially between late August and mid-April.

• Arctic Hive : Arctic Hive has the distinction of being the northernmost yoga studio in the U.S. A common fiberglass lodge allows guests to gather for cooking and meals, and meditation, educational gatherings and other activities are hosted in a geodesic dome. Arctic Hive also offers retreats that include northern lights viewing opportunities in February and March.
• Arctic Getaway : This bed-and-breakfast sits between the middle fork of the Koyukuk River and Wiseman Creek, offering three cabins. While here, you can learn what it's like to homestead in Alaska above the Arctic Circle and enjoy outdoor activities like dog sled rides across the vast wilderness, cross-country skiing , pack rafting and flightseeing by bush plane.
• Boreal Lodging : Reachable by vehicle, Boreal Lodging has several rental options, ranging from lodge rooms to larger cabins with living areas and kitchens.

Located in western Alaska overlooking the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea, Nome is the ending point for the more than 1,000-mile, 51-year-old Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in March. Once the most populated city in Alaska, Nome had almost 20,000 residents and an average of 1,000 new people arriving daily during the height of the gold rush in 1899. Nome is a little quieter now, with a population of less than 4,000 residents.

Where to stay: Some of the best spots for viewing the aurora are at the end of town, where the 52-room Aurora Inn & Suites is located. The hotel conveniently offers car rentals on-site.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Situated on the banks of the Arctic Ocean, Utqiagvik is the northernmost city in the U.S. The town, formerly known as Barrow, changed its name in 2016 back to Utqiagvik, its traditional Inupiaq name. Utqiagvik is only accessible by plane: Alaska Airlines and other regional carriers offer service from both Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Where to stay: For accommodations, make reservations at a hotel named for its location – the Top of the World Hotel . The property's comfortable rooms offer views of the Arctic Ocean, and the on-site restaurant, Niggivikput (meaning "our place to eat"), serves traditional local dishes like reindeer soup. While you may be there for aurora hunting, don't miss the excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities: You may see polar bears, caribou, foxes, bearded seals, whales, walruses, migratory birds and the great snowy owl on the tundra.

Borealis Basecamp

One of the best glamping destinations in the U.S. , Borealis Basecamp is a remote 100-acre property that sits within a boreal forest 25 miles north of Fairbanks. The property features 20 individual igloos, resembling those you'd find at Arctic research stations and on polar expeditions, as well as five glass cubes. All accommodations allow guests to gaze up at the aurora and the starry night sky while snuggled up in bed. You'll also enjoy many amenities you'd find in a hotel, including full bathrooms with toiletries and a selection of coffee, hot cocoa and tea.

Choose from a variety of packages that include accommodations and activities like dog-sledding, UTV tours, helicopter sightseeing experiences and more.

Getty Images

One of the best times to cruise to Alaska is during the aurora season. Aurora season sailings to Alaska are available with the following cruise lines this year.

If you're interested in excursions for aurora viewing, look for a line that offers cruisetours, such as Holland America. These tours offer the best of both worlds, giving you time on land and at sea to view the dancing night sky. Holland America's cruisetours range from overnight stays just 2 miles from Denali National Park at the McKinley Chalet Resort to a domed luxury train ride through Alaska's backcountry on the McKinley Explorer. On a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali, look for Alaska's "Big Five": grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves. Just keep in mind that none of the above cruise lines can guarantee you'll see the northern lights during your journey.

The best northern lights tours in Alaska

Jody Overstreet | Courtesy of State of Alaska

If you want to experience the aurora borealis by joining a tour group, you'll find a variety of options led by expert guides and granting you easier access to many of the state's remote destinations, often with other activities included. (Just be aware that, on any tour or excursion, there's no way to guarantee that the aurora will be visible.) These are some of the best northern lights tours in Alaska:

Arctic Dog Adventure Co.: Aurora Overnight Tour

Dog-sledding is one of the top winter activities in Alaska, and you can choose to do it by day or night. If you want to experience an Alaska dog-sledding adventure while chasing the aurora, book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Arctic Dog's Aurora Overnight Tour. Highlights of this two-day, one-night excursion – which starts in Fairbanks – are dog mushing your own sled team and glamping in a heated tent under an aurora-filled sky. Other features of the tour include cold weather gear, a photography lesson and Alaska-inspired meals.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour

Located around 20 miles northwest of the city, Murphy Dome is regarded as one of the best places to watch the northern lights in Fairbanks at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. This location, once home to Murphy Dome Air Force Station with as many as 250 personnel stationed at the base, now houses a long-range radar station that detects military air threats from overseas.

Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April – you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water – in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

This full-day (14-hour) excursion, also offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide, begins in Fairbanks and crosses the Arctic Circle into Alaska's vast and remote wilderness. The tour includes a drive along the more than 800-mile Trans-Alaskan Pipeline and a half-mile walk along the loop at Finger Mountain with views overlooking the Kanuti Flats (depending on the season). Your guide will also stop along the riverbank after crossing the Yukon River Bridge.

During the tour, you'll learn about the history of the pipeline and hear narratives around the other included stops. A snack and warm beverage are included; then, if conditions are just right, you'll have the chance to see the brilliant light show dance across the dark, clear skies before you arrive back in Fairbanks at dawn.

Alaska Journey Tours: Northern Lights (Aurora) Chasing Tour

Get picked up at your Fairbanks hotel (or meet at the Hyatt Place Fairbanks) for this three-hour northern lights tour in a heated SUV. Guides take photos of tourgoers as well as their own photos of the night sky, which are later shared with the group. Recent travelers praise this tour, and appreciate that the guides are always determined to give them the best northern lights viewing experience.

Alaska Tours: Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Hosted by Alaska Tours, the Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure is available January to March and August to December. This excursion includes two, three or four nights at this wilderness lodge about 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. During the winter days, enjoy outdoor Arctic sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing or stay warm indoors chatting with other guests at the Aurora Lodge. In the evenings, you can bundle up and head outside at one of the best places in Alaska to see the spectacle in the sky.

Prices include round-trip airfare between Fairbanks and Bettles, accommodations at the lodge, meals, a village tour and complimentary use of the Arctic gear (in season).

Alaska Photo Treks: Anchorage Aurora Quest

Alaska Photo Treks offers one of the best ways to see the northern lights in Anchorage – and you'll even learn how best to photograph the aurora, which can be a challenge to capture digitally or on film. This experience, the Anchorage Aurora Quest, is available nightly (when conditions are right), typically from mid-August to mid-April. The approximately six-hour guided tour with a professional photographer explains the science behind the northern lights and provides photo tips for budding aurora photographers in a small-group format. Tourgoers are picked up from their hotel by the guide at about 10 p.m. and return around 4 a.m., though that time can vary based on the aurora forecast.

On the Alaska Photo Treks website, you'll find a list of recommended camera equipment to bring. If you're using a smartphone, the tour group suggests downloading an aurora app and bringing a tripod. The company also advises that you'll be outdoors for about two hours, so you need to dress appropriately for the weather. For the best aurora viewing, the guides usually travel between one to three locations within a 70-mile radius of Anchorage. If you're in town for an extended stay, Alaska Photo Treks also offers a four-day pass for even more nocturnal viewing of the auroral activity.

Alaska Tours: Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Chena Hot Springs Resort is known for its therapeutic waters and aurora-viewing opportunities. If you prefer to head out with a guide rather than on your own, book the Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour with Alaska Tours. This package includes a four- to five-hour Aurora Expedition tour, four nights of accommodations, and access to resort amenities including cross-country skiing and snow machine tours.

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs

Day trips are also an option for those who'd like to enjoy the resort amenities and a chance at seeing the northern lights from Chena Hot Springs. This tour offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide includes admission to the hot springs and Aurora Ice Museum as well as pickup from local hotels. Recent travelers say the tour guides are top-notch.

John Hall's Alaska: Alaska's Winter Wonders

For an extended land tour to chase the aurora – and experience Alaska's magical winter wonderland – book this bucket list eight-day adventure with John Hall's Alaska. The company's Alaska's Winter Wonders tour is offered in February and March; it features up to seven nights of northern lights viewing, as well as adventure-filled days with skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. You'll also take an awe-inspiring flightseeing bush plane ride over Denali National Park, which includes a fly-by of the Foraker, Silverthorne, Hunter and Moose's Tooth peaks before landing on the Great Gorge of Ruth Glacier – the deepest in the world.

If that's not enough adventure, test your skills at dog mushing and curling or take an aerial tram ride. Travelers can also check out the local breweries or just sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views. Additional highlights include spending two evenings under the dancing night sky in one of the domed igloos at Borealis Basecamp, as well as aurora borealis photography lessons.

All-inclusive pricing covers accommodations, meals, luxury land and small plane transportation, fully guided service, gratuities, and baggage handling – plus a black subzero jacket to keep you warm during your Alaska adventure.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times on land trips and by ship for year-round outdoor adventure and to chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She writes about the travel and culinary industries for a variety of major publications.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Packable Jackets
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Alaska Vacations , Vacation Ideas

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best beach chairs.

Sharael Kolberg May 16, 2024

The 16 Best Chicago Tours for 2024

John Rodwan May 16, 2024

Best Chicago Boat Tours

Holly Johnson and Marisa Méndez May 16, 2024

15 Best Nashville Tours

Lyn Mettler May 16, 2024

Alaska Cruise Packing List

Gwen Pratesi May 14, 2024

Beach Packing List

Holly Johnson May 14, 2024

12 Cheap Fourth of July Getaways

May 14, 2024

The Best Baseball Stadium Trips

Rachael Hood May 13, 2024

Icon of the Seas

Skye Sherman May 10, 2024

The Best New York City Tours

John Rodwan and Ann Henson May 9, 2024

IT'S YOUR ADVENTURE.

Let us be your guide, exploring arctic / interior alaska, fairbanks  |  north pole, the adventure begins, northern lights viewing, arctic circle tour, all alaskan sightseeing & wildlife, chena hot springs, dog sledding, cabins / log homes.

• Fairbanks Tourism
• Fairbanks Hotels
• Fairbanks Bed and Breakfast
• Fairbanks Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Fairbanks
• Fairbanks Restaurants
• Things to Do in Fairbanks
• Fairbanks Travel Forum
• Fairbanks Photos
• Fairbanks Map
• All Fairbanks Hotels
• Fairbanks Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Fairbanks
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Solo Aurora trip, end of 2024 - Fairbanks Forum

• United States    
• Alaska (AK)    
• Fairbanks    

Solo Aurora trip, end of 2024

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Alaska forums
• Fairbanks forum

Hi! I posted a long winded question last week and didn’t get any input, so I’m hoping that this shorter version will draw some input. I've developed a draft plan to try to see the Aurora, and am wondering if you can please provide input:

- 12/20 (or maybe 21)-12/24 Fairbanks. buy snowshoes & clothing. Black Spruce Dog Sledding trail ride. Maybe visit ice museum

- 12/24-12/31, AirBNB north of Fairbanks. Go snowshoeing, watch for lights

- 12/31-1/4 Chena Hot Springs. hot springs, lights, snowmobile tour

- 1/4-1/5 , Fairbanks hotel, donate / ship / sell winter stuff and head home

I'll be traveling alone. Thanks in advance!

12 replies to this topic

I'm sorry no one replied to your other post: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60826-i1068-k14750075-Year_end_2024_solo_traveler_aurora_adventure-Fairbanks_Alaska.html#120651449

And actually, long-winded is better--it gives us more information! Often we have to pry that out of posters, lol.

Sincere condolences about spouse.

I'm a bit leery about your plans to stay a week in an Airbnb north of Fairbanks, with nothing to to but snowshoeing and sitting up nights looking for aurora. But up to you.

Have you ever driven on icy/snowy roads before? Be aware the temps can be challenging too: could be as low as -40, hopefully not but you have to be prepared for it. And of course any wind will make it worse.

Be sure to read up on what to watch for re frostbite....that can sneak up on you and do a lot of damage if you're not staying alert for it. Especially if you're out of town snowshoeing all by yourself. I'm not trying to scare you, just a heads-up. Some info to get you started: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/frostbite/symptoms-causes/syc-20372656

Re plugging in the car : most rentals should include an extension cord plus ice scraper/snow brush, but do ask about that, and check that they are in the car when you get it. Those are necessities. Ask the rental agent to show you where the plug-in is, and be sure to ask your Airbnb which outlet to use.

Re spending 4 days at Chena Hot Springs ...have you read the reviews for the past few years? Not somewhere I'd spend even one night, but up to you. Be aware it's in a valley so if aurora show up, they might be hard to see without dishing out that $80 per tour Chena is happy to sell you. My suggestion would be to do Chena as a day trip to enjoy the hot springs and stay in Fairbanks. Maybe see if Hampton Inn or Candlewood Suites has availability during your time frame--they're at the north end of town, so less light pollution. I believe both offer aurora wake-up calls but don't rely on that--if the aurora is of short duration, by the time you get called and get outside, you might have missed it. Wherever you stay, do insist on a north-facing room so you can just look out the window (of course, if aurora do appear, hurry outside to a pre-determined viewing area).

Also staying in Fairbanks you can get around by taxi if you find the driving to be too challenging.

Other places you might enjoy include Museum of the North, Morris Thompson Visitor Center, maybe drive or bus out to Santa Claus House in nearby North Pole (lots of interesting ornaments, might see Santa and/or his reindeer, lol). Or take a tour that includes that.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60826-d2042144-Reviews-1st_Alaska_Tours-Fairbanks_Alaska.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60826-Activities-oa0-Fairbanks_Alaska.html

https://www.explorefairbanks.com/things-to-do/activities-attractions-and-tours/

Maybe checkout Rod's for dog sledding and/or snow machining, he gets great reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60826-d9866592-Reviews-Rod_s_Alaskan_Guide_Service-Fairbanks_Alaska.html

As for gear: there are a couple of places you can rent it, though since you're staying so long it might be better to buy it. But doesn't hurt to compare pricing: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60826-Activities-c61-t186-Fairbanks_Alaska.html

Good luck with your aurora viewing!

This is so helpful - thank you!

I checked both Hampton Inn and Candlewood Suites, and they do have availability. I’m leaning towards Candlewood Suites even though I don’t have their points because of the kitchen and shared laundry facilities. It’s also a bit cheaper. I’m going to call them and ask about how to get a north-facing room.

I’ll definitely check out the attraction list you provided. I just went to Rod’s website, and I might even try ice fishing. Never been interested in that, but the reviews make it sound fun.

I just googled snowshoe trails in Fairbanks and looked for the easy ones. It looks like there’s a few:

- Tanana Lakes

- University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Skijoring Trail

- Farther out – Isberg Recreation Area or O’Connor View / Ridge

Thanks again!

#1 provided great information, and has much more experience than myself.

First, condolences on your loss. I lost my spouse a few years ago and know how tough the aftermath can be. Kudos for keeping your wanderlust alive.

Now that said, and of course this is completely eligible for immediate sentencing to the circular file, but it strikes me that a longish stay in late December in Fairbanks is... well, asking for it. Even if the chances of seeing the aurora are 50% (and there's no way to know) that still means that most days will be spent in darkness and deep cold - way below zero when doing even minor activities outside can be really uncomfortable and even risky. It might be five above or it might be thirty below. The skies might be clear, or cloudy, or there might be ice fog that makes even short trips outdoors pretty nasty.

Now, it's your money and your time, but just as a thought experiment, what if you looked at doing your aurora search someplace else?

Like I say, maybe of no interest, but maybe worth a little googling.

Well, anywhere that far out of town would be the "best" location due to lack of city light pollution. Chena doesn’t have “dibs” on aurora, lol. Aurora are caused by conditions on the Sun, and whether or not there is cloud cover where you are so you can see them, and there is nothing anyone here on earth can do about either of those factors. Again up to you, but when any lodging has 529 Terrific/Good reviews but 201 Terrible/Poor Reviews, I wouldn't go near it: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g12176291-d2186131-Reviews-Chena_Hot_Springs_Resort-Chena_Hot_Springs_Alaska.html

Anywhere in Fairbanks isn't going to be as good as anywhere a few miles outside of Fairbanks due to city light pollution. For sure you will have better "seeing" several miles outside of town, as long as your view isn’t obstructed by tall buildings, trees, or hills. That said, a good display can be seen anywhere, it's just the lesser displays that might not be seen in town. So you have to figure out what works best for *you*. The Airbnb might be a good option, that’s entirely up to you to decide. Just be willing to park the car if the roads get bad, and call a taxi/Uber. Safety first.

Note that Rod's offers dog sledding and ice fishing during darkness so people can have a chance to enjoy aurora too--IF they show during those hours. No way of knowing that in advance, so don’t let that influence you too much. BTW, at that time of year you will have just a few hours of daylight, so try to do any driving then when it’s easier to see the conditions on the road. You can find sunrise/sunset here: https://www.sunrisesunset.com/USA/Alaska/

Too many tours give the impression that aurora are a "given"--even the aurora-only tours—so keep that in mind. If there are no aurora, or if they occur before or after a tour’s hours, there is absolutely nothing any guide can do about it.

Another idea is to take an aurora tour. If of interest, I would suggest this one one, the first or second night you’re there: https://www.fairbanksauroratours.com/tours.html Especially since you’ll be there much longer than most folks, you can take advantage of their guarantee on that page that “ if you miss out you can hop on another tour as our stand by guest at no cost within 30 days of your original tour”. Now, they might not run tours every night, and it’s possible those tours will be booked up so won’t have room for you, but at least the company has made what I consider a fair effort. Other tours just shrug and say “too bad” if you don’t see aurora during their tours—you’re paying for the guide’s time and that is that.

Also be aware that displays sometimes appear whitish, and of course everyone thinks about the brilliant greens or even reds, so are disappointed. Cameras are much more effective at detecting colors than the human eye is. But they’re still seeing aurora, and maybe should focus on watching them dance. Sometimes they’re slow, other times they ripple like a flag in high wind. Of course if you get both—bright color plus good dancing—that’s the best!

There are several aurora Facebook groups in Alaska that might be helpful with notifications. Don't ask me which is best--maybe someone else knows.

And do consider the option suggested by Gardyloo.

But whatever you decide, I have fingers crossed that you’ll get a few good viewings of aurora and have some wonderful memories to take home with you!

@ibgardyloo, thank you for sharing your commonality with the loss of a spouse. It’s helpful to hear from people who have been living with it longer. The Iceland idea is intriguing - I’ve just ordered a travel guide for delivery tomorrow, so I can browse this weekend. I’ve been to Fairbanks, but never to Iceland - it might be time for something new…

@Maple_Marshmallows, I really appreciate your additional ideas and well-wishes. If I do end up in Fairbanks, I’ll take a close look at https://www.fairbanksauroratours.com/tours.html I agree - it’s nice that they give you the option to join a later tour if the initial one is a bust.

Do you know of any dark sky sites in Southern California? There’s some CME activity predicted for tonight – 5/10-5/11/2024 (one of the CMEs just arrived at Earth) that may be strong enough for you to get some pictures. Here’s a link that describes some of the camera settings that could be used:

https://auroranotify.com/learn/

Update: G4 storm in progress over northern Europe. If interested, maybe give Griffith Observatory a call for their opinion on the chances of getting any aurora pictures in your area.

You could drive out to the High Desert at/ near Death Valley for dark skies

• Fairbanks Alaska better in Nov or Feb for NL and Caster GL yesterday
• Borealis Basecamp yesterday
• Fairbanks October car and accomodation May 14, 2024
• Fairbanks for NL in September…does it matter where we stay? May 13, 2024
• Solo Aurora trip, end of 2024 May 11, 2024
• December in Fairbanks May 01, 2024
• year end 2024, solo traveler, aurora & adventure May 01, 2024
• Night Tours Question Apr 23, 2024
• Rental car vs relying on taxis or ubers Apr 20, 2024
• Best Month for NL and Other Activities Apr 02, 2024
• Seeing Northern Lights with a KP of 2 in Fairbanks? Apr 01, 2024
• Fairbanks Aurora viewing mid-September Mar 31, 2024
• Why is June 22nd such a popular hotel night in Fairbanks? Mar 28, 2024
• April 11th Northern Lights Mar 27, 2024
• Aurora Lights Mar 2012 Fairbanks Trip 109 replies
• Best spot for aurora view in Cleary Summit area?? 4 replies
• Northern Lights tours 7 replies
• Viewing the Northern Lights in and around Fairbanks 50 replies
• Jacuzzi Room in Fairbanks 5 replies
• Northern Lights Vacation 20 replies
• Drive to Artic Circle 11 replies
• January in Alaska 20 replies
• What is the farthest North you can drive on paved roads? 8 replies
• Transport from Fairbanks train station to Fairbanks airport 2 replies

Fairbanks Hotels and Places to Stay

• Why go to Fairbanks in March?
• Viewing the aurora borealis (aka northern lights) in Fairbanks?
• How about driving to the Arctic Circle (Coldfoot/Prudhoe Bay)?

• Alaska Insight
• Watch KAKM Live
• Indie Alaska
• Ways to Watch
• There is Hope
• AK Passport
• In My Family
• KSKA Schedule
• Hometown, Alaska
• Listen to KSKA Live
• All Radio Programs
• Outdoor Explorer
• Addressing Alaskans
• State of Art
• Alaska Economic Report
• Hear me now
• Military Voices
• One Small Step
• Alaska Morning News
• Talk of Alaska
• Alaska News Nightly
• Traveling Music
• Black History in the Last Frontier
• Latest News
• Environment
• Mental Health
• Rural Health
• Alaska Legislature
• Washington, D.C.
• Public Safety
• ANCSA, 50th Anniversary
• Midnight Oil
• Daily Digest
• AKPM Community Education Engagement
• Race Matters
• Ready to Learn
• Library Explorers
• Molly of Denali
• Learning Media
• Parent Resources
• Watch PBS KIDS
• Workforce Development
• Ways to Give
• Benefits of Membership
• Together We Are Stronger
• AKPM Merchandise
• E-Newsletters
• Organization
• Public Documents
• Public Meetings
• Accessibility Commitment
• Donor Portal

Aurora activity set to spike this weekend with possible Alaska display

An active aurora borealis is forecast this weekend due to intense solar flares in recent days. University of Alaska Fairbanks physics professor Mark Conde said the sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year activity cycle.

“And that means that there are many sunspots on the sun, and many sort of active unstable sunspots,” Conde said. “And right now there’s a very large what’s called sunspot group, so it’s not just a single sunspot, but a whole bunch of sunspots in a group. And in the last few days, that group of sunspots has released at least five big eruptions of material from the surface of the sun.”

Conde said that energy began hitting Earth’s atmosphere around midday Friday, raising the potential for intense aurora activity, including usual colors.

“You can get this sort of blood red glow across the sky and its rather rare, but quite spectacular when you see it,” he said.

Conde cautioned there’s no guarantee the aurora will be visible over Alaska, and not just because of limited darkness and potential cloud cover.

“Disappointment might be that if conditions become extremely active, the aurora tends to move south,” he said. “Instead of being over Alaska, it can move down to Seattle, or Oregon, or perhaps even down over Texas, if it’s really active.”

Conde said he expects the auroral activity to run from Friday through Monday morning.

Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks

Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Wildfire risks in anchorage | alaska insight, researchers and city officials work to inform hillside communities of wildfire risks, peltola defies party with votes on border enforcement and arms for israel.

Can't wait for the next aurora borealis to dance across the sky? You're in luck.

The recent aurora borealis left viewers across North America awestruck – and laden with photos and videos – over the May 11 weekend and had everyone asking: When can I see the Northern Lights again?

Impatient skywatchers in the U.S. may not have to wait long.

The recent eye-catching spectacle, caused by strong geomagnetic storms from sunspots on the sun, may continue to reappear more often over the next few years thanks to the "solar maximum," which will occur next year, USA TODAY reported.

Activity will increase as we approach the next peak of solar activity, which will be in July 2025 , NASA says.

How solar max will affect the Earth's magnetic field

Every 11 years, the sun goes through a "solar cycle." A cycle is the increase and decrease in the number of sunspots observed on the sun. With the number of sunspots, there's an increase in solar flares and plasma energy and other types of space weather. Large eruptions on the sun send bursts of energy and material toward Earth.

According to predictions made by NASA scientists, the solar maximum, or the next peak in solar activity, will occur in July 2025. As a result, the northern lights will start to get stronger and more frequent as the solar maximum approaches.

Current solar cycle beginning

Scientists monitor the development of the solar cycle and sunspots. These dark spots on the sun are signs of solar activity and frequently serve as the starting point for the massive explosions that can shoot light, energy and solar material into space. These explosions include solar flares and coronal mass ejections.

"This material and radiation is what interacts with the Earth resulting in aurora," said Shannon Schmoll, the director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.

Earth's magnetic field is a protective shield

Earth's magnetic field creates an invisible barrier that shields us from the solar winds. The magnetic field of Earth occasionally becomes disrupted by stronger solar winds. Stunning auroras are created when the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field.

What causes the northern lights?

As the sun releases solar flares, it carries plasma particles toward the Earth.

Atoms in air molecules in Earth's magnetic field are stimulated when charged electrons from the sun collide with them. As the molecules settle, they emit light. Green and red light are emitted by oxygen. The color of nitrogen is blue and purple.

The University of Alaska and  NOAA  tracks auroras using the  Kp-index , a global auroral activity indicator which has a scale from 0 to 9. It measures the fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, tied to specific geographic locations.

During very large auroral events, the display can be seen throughout the U.S. and Europe, but these events are rare. During an extreme event in 1958, the aurora was visible from Mexico City, the University of Alaska reported.

CONTRIBUTING Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program

Solar storm — not HAARP — creates intense auroral display

Becky Lindsey 907-474-6472 May 13, 2024

Night skies over the weekend erupted with vivid colors and awed people all around the globe as the solar wind from a severe geomagnetic storm produced by our sun entered Earth’s upper atmosphere and created auroral displays. The sun's activity was closely monitored and the storm's effects reported multiple times over the weekend by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center . NOAA predicted such a storm and has been preparing scientists for the event.

The spectacular aurora sparked questions about possible connections to recent experiments by the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP. While HAARP did operate a scientific campaign May 8-10, it had no connection to the solar storm, according to Jessica Matthews, HAARP director. The campaign supported research proposals from the University of Alaska Fairbanks to study mechanisms for the detection of orbiting space debris.

“We have been responding to many inquiries from the media and the public,” Matthews said. “The HAARP scientific experiments were in no way linked to the solar storm or high auroral activity seen around the globe.” 

The May HAARP campaign was scheduled about a month and a half before the geomagnetic storm. The timing was purely coincidental; geomagnetic storms are unpredictable, with lead times before a solar event is detected from Earth measured in minutes, not months.

The sun constantly sheds solar material into space – both in a steady flow known as the “solar wind,” and in shorter, more energetic bursts from solar eruptions. The impacts of these magnetic storms can range from mild to extreme, but in a world increasingly dependent on technology, their effects are growing ever more disruptive. Researchers are exploring ways to increase the amount of warning before a solar storm reaches Earth.

More information about this weekend's solar storm and HAARP activity is available here . An extensive FAQ document about HAARP is available here . Find more information on space debris and the May 8-10 HAARP campaign here . You can learn more about space weather and its effects at www.swpc.noaa.gov/ .

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS:  D on Hampton, [email protected] ; Jessica Matthews, [email protected]  

This article originally released on the UAF news and information website at: https://www.uaf.edu/news/solar-storm-not-haarp-creates-intense-auroral-display.php and on the Geophysical Institute news page at: https://www.gi.alaska.edu/news/solar-storm-not-haarp-creates-intense-auroral-display

Tonight’s Updated Northern Lights Forecast: Here’s Where You Could See Aurora Borealis

T he Northern Lights could be visible one more time on Monday night in Alaska, Canada and the northern U.S. as the huge geomagnetic storm bombarding Earth with solar flares is expected to calm down later this week.

The Northern Lights are the result of solar winds interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field—and forecasters are predicting more major solar emissions on Monday, potentially making the Lights visible once again.

The Lights were visible in many parts of the continental U.S. from Friday through Sunday thanks to a “historic” geomagnetic storm, which has bombarded the Earth with solar emissions.

Alaska and Canada still have a high chance to see the Northern Lights as the storm begins to wind down, according to NOAA’s aurora forecast.

Monday night’s aurora is expected to have a Kp of at least 4—meaning the lights will move further from the poles and appear brighter to viewers, according to NOAA .

The storm is expected to wind down after Monday night as the Sun rotates, but the Northern Lights could still be visible for some people in Canada and Alaska on Tuesday.

On Monday afternoon, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center extended the geomagnetic storm warning through at least 5 p.m. on Monday, with a K-index as high as 5 expected—meaning the Lights could still appear as far south as Michigan and Maine, according to the agency.

Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible?

It is notoriously difficult for astronomers to predict exactly where the Northern Lights will be visible on a given night, but NOAA’s current estimation shows they could be viewable as far south as the northern continental U.S., including parts of Maine, Minnesota and Washington. If you want to try viewing the Northern Lights, the agency says you should travel as close to the poles as possible, avoid city lights and other light pollution, monitor weather forecasts for prime viewing conditions and position yourself on a vantage point like a hilltop. The Lights are most active in the hours around midnight, typically from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Surprising Fact

The current geomagnetic storm bombarding Earth is likely being caused by NOAA Region 3664, a “magnetically complex” sunspot about 15 times larger than Earth. The sunspot has been erupting solar flares towards Earth for days, according to NOAA . The agency has recorded multiple X-class flares in the past week—the largest and most powerful solar emissions, according to NASA . The flares recorded recently have all exceeded X1, with one flare on Sunday measuring as powerful as X5.8. The largest X-class flare ever measured occurred in 2003, during another geomagnetic storm. The flare was so massive it overloaded sensors after they recorded X17, and astronomers at NASA now believe the flare was as large as X45. NOAA is continuing to track solar emissions through Monday, recording several M-class x-ray bursts approaching the severity of the X-class flares over the weekend. The current geomagnetic storm is expected to dissipate on Tuesday after Region 3664 rotates away from Earth.

Key Background

The Northern Lights were visible again for millions of people on Sunday night, according to NOAA. The agency issued two alerts on Sunday night for G3 level storms, or “strong” geomagnetic storms that may cause problems for satellites and high-frequency radio communication. These storms also produce visible auroras, and Sunday night’s Northern Lights, which had a K-index intensity of Kp 7, were potentially visible as far south as Pennsylvania and Oregon, according to NOAA.

Further Reading