How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Curious about catching Alaska's mesmerizing Northern Lights? Discover when and where to see this natural wonder for making your aurora dreams come true!

The northern lights or the dawn of the north is a must-see spectacle for every nature lover! The northern lights are a natural phenomenon that lights up the night sky forming swirling rivers of greenish-blue light. As per NASA, it is reported that in upcoming years there will be a sudden increase in solar activity leading to more occurrences of this marvelous phenomenon. Alaska a charming state in the USA, is known to be the ideal location to witness this incredible display! Fairbanks Alaska is the perfect vantage point for the sightings of Northern lights and offers many tours and cruises for travelers to make the most of their trip.  In this blog, we'll explore a full guide about the Northern Lights in Alaska offering useful tips and revealing little-known chances to see this incredible sight.

Alaska's long, dark evenings from late August to mid-April are the ideal times to observe the northern lights. (The midnight sun in Alaska prevents you from seeing them in the summertime.) From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., when the nighttime sky is at its deepest and the auroras most active, make sure to search for these magnificent, rainbow lights for an exceptional experience.

When choosing where to observe the northern lights in Alaska, the following are the best places to go.

Fairbanks, also referred to as the "Golden Heart of Alaska," is a great place for novice and experienced aurora seekers alike. The city, which is situated at 65 degrees north latitude, has a range of lodging options, dining options, and activities in addition to great chances of seeing the northern lights. You may discover excellent locations for aurora viewing outside the city in a matter of minutes. Fairbanks provides a great opportunity to witness the aurora since it is situated beneath the auroral oval, which is the area with the highest concentration of polar light emission. According to local specialists, the northern lights are frequently observed four nights out of five on clear, dark evenings.

Talkeetna is truly the best place in Alaska to see northern lights! At the foot of Denali, 115 miles north of Anchorage, Talkeetna was originally a mining center. This historic hamlet served as an inspiration for the fictional settlement of Cicely in Northern Exposure and features quaint clapboard buildings, log homes, and a roadhouse from 1917. There are galleries, stores, eateries, and a brewery on Main Street offering a great experience. Winterfest, a month-long festival that includes a procession of illuminations, tree lighting, and activities like the Wilderness Woman Competition and Bachelor Auction, is a must-see if you're coming in December. Visit Beaver Road or Christiansen Lake for aurora watching, or gaze toward Denali from Riverfront Park.

Coldfoot Camp is situated in the Brooks Mountain Range, above the Arctic Circle, close to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Because it is situated right beneath the auroral oval, this isolated wilderness location is ideal for aurora watching. Coldfoot is a great place for outdoor activities since it provides chances for backcountry snowshoeing, animal viewing, and dog mushing in addition to the northern lights.

Consider taking a cruise tour, which combines land and sea travel, provided by organizations such as Holland America for a memorable aurora-watching experience. Their excursions include magnificent train rides on the McKinley Explorer, where you may see Alaska's wilderness, and stay overnight at the Denali Lodge. The opportunity to see Alaska's "big five"—grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and wolves—is another perk of the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali. Because solar activity varies, there is no assurance that you will see the northern lights, even though these cruises provide excellent chances for aurora sightings. Book a trip during the start or finish of the season, usually from late April to early October, to increase the probability of seeing one. Peak aurora activity occurs around the autumn equinox in late September. Thus it can be said that the best time to cruise Alaska for northern lights is mostly from late august to mid-September

Joining a tour group is a great way to see the aurora borealis since it gives you greater accessibility to many of the state's more isolated locations and also includes other activities. These tours are conducted by knowledgeable guides:

In Alaska, dog sledding is a well-liked winter sport that may be done both during the day and at night. Make reservations for Arctic Dog's Aurora Overnight Tour for a genuinely exceptional experience beneath the northern lights. Specialties of this two-day, one-night adventure include sleeping in a warmed tent under an aurora-filled sky and mushing your own sled team. The tour begins from Fairbanks and is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion for aurora fans; the tour also includes cold-weather clothing, a photography class, and delectable meals inspired by Alaska.

You will be driven in a heated SUV during your northern lights adventure for four hours after being picked up from the Fairbanks hotel (or received at the Hyatt Place Fairbanks). Recent visitors have given the trip excellent marks, emphasizing the operators' commitment to giving guests the greatest possible view of the northern lights. During the tour, photographs of the visitors and the night sky are taken by guides and shared with the group afterward as a souvenir.

Alaska Wildlife Guide offers a 10-hour adventure that includes hotel pickup, a knowledgeable tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, and entrance to the hot springs. Chena Hot Springs is a great choice for anybody looking for a day excursion that combines resort conveniences with the opportunity to witness the northern lights. Recent visitors have given the tour guides high marks for their knowledge and dedication to providing an unforgettable experience.

In conclusion for a better experience, witness the aurora from land and sea in a way that will never be forgotten with an Alaska cruise Northern Lights excursion, or you can also consider an Alaska train tour Northern Lights for a more unique experience, where picturesque train trips offer the ideal setting for taking in this natural beauty. Both choices guarantee amazing experiences.