The fjords of Alaska. Winter being the best season is a myth. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. While the aurora can appear over every part of Alaska, from Barrow to Ketchikan, the chances improve with latitude. Iceland. This also means that your chances... Winter (November to March). It would be sad if you have to watch the polar show from the inside because of the unbearable cold. Combine your aurora viewing trip with a few other highlights planned out by Salmon Berry Tours, and you’ll experience the best of winter in Alaska. February in Alaska. Many Alaska hotels offer a northern lights wake-up call (upon request, of course) to wake visitors when the lights are out. As the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler. Wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space, 15 minutes from downtown Fairbanks, wait for mother nature to put on a show in a a warm, inviting…. The area is easily accessible, offers a solid view of the horizon, and has parking, which is also convenient. This time usually ranges from September to March. These months offer a solid compromise between a great chance to get a very dark sky in reasonable hours and temperatures mere mortals – not just Alaskans – … And it's light past 10pm for another month on either side of that. The aurora borealis (aka the Northern Lights) can be seen at nearly any time of the year in Alaska, save at the height of … June 21 is the longest day of the year, with 19 hours of daylight in Anchorage, 22 in Fairbanks, and 18 in Southeast. Clear-Roofed Igloos. Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? It’s two very uniquely Alaskan…. An Alaska cruise with Cunard on the Queen Elizabeth is one of the best ways to see the Northern Lights, especially in August or September. Fairbanks. Polar lights appear in the skies when charged solar particles interact with the atmosphere. There was a problem with your submission. The Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights in Alaska Autumn (August to October). The most popular place for viewing the rare and spectacular phenomenon in Alaska is Fairbanks. The aurora borealis can dominate the sky over Alaska with dazzling, magical displays unsurpassed anywhere in the world. August through mid-September can deliver fabulous aurora viewing too. From visiting the most northern Ice Museum, soaking in the all-natural hot springs to viewing the breathtaking Northern Lights dance across the sky, this tour will be a highlight of your Alaskan experience. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Visit the Ice Museum, warm up as you soak in the all-natural hot springs, look for the northern lights dancing…. One of the best viewing locations is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is why this landmark is one of the central highlights of a Norwegian Cruise Line tour.In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light. [{"slug":"arctic-far-north","title":"Far North\/Arctic"}], [{"slug":"arctic-far-north","title":"Far North\/Arctic"},{"slug":"fairbanks","title":"Fairbanks"}], [{"slug":"arctic-far-north","title":"Far North\/Arctic"},{"slug":"fairbanks","title":"Fairbanks"},{"slug":"anchorage","title":"Anchorage"}], Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. The best time to see the lights is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies. Please try again. At 67° N latitude and 60 mi (97 km) above the Arctic Circle, Coldfoot is the prime northern lights destination in the Alaskan Arctic. April in Alaska. You can get there by Alaska Airlines departing from Anchorage and arriving at the town's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport. Alaska … Best Time to See Aurora Borealis In Alaska Simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. The best time to look for the shimmering lights is between midnight and 2 am. You can spot absolutely stunning aurora borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April. In Bettles you have a … From October to April, you’ll depart from Fairbanks on this one-day adventure and get a majestic flightseeing trip to the remote town of Coldfoot, above the Arctic Circle. #2. Use our Alaska daylight calculator to find out when the sun will set during your trip. The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. Thousands of people travel to Alaska every winter to see and photograph this otherworldly polar phenomena. Surreal blue wonderland in the Ice caves outside Juneau, Alaska. Read on for the best times to visit Alaska for the Northern Lights, wildlife viewing, snow sports, cruises and good deals on flights and hotels. The best time for watching northern lights is when nights are the longest and darkest: from November through March. The best time to go depends on what your priorities are. Join Alaska Wildlife Guide in exploring one of Alaska’s most desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs Resort. Winter being the best season is a myth. The 5 reasons why March is the best time to visit Fairbanks, Alaska are: March is the BEST time of year to see the Northern Lights in Alaska and Fairbanks is the best place in Alaska to see them! Therefore, the remote inland Alaskan Arctic and extreme north work the best. These are the best places to visit in Alaska and if you are planning for a fun vacation here, then book your tickets now. The northernmost town in the US is also home to the native Iñupiat Eskimo culture. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal. You’ll also have the chance to take advantage of the camps many winter activities like dogsledding, snowmachining, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. Whether you are dogsledding, snowshoeing or just scanning the skies for the northern lights, you will still be able to relax in comfort and never feel like you are roughing it. Depending upon cloud cover and weather, Alaska nights can be dark enough to highlight great auroras between mid-August through mid-April. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. 7-10 days is the most common. May in Alaska. There are 187888 lakes in total in the … Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of … You can fly into Fairbanks and be at a world-class aurora viewing venue in less than an hour. The northern lights are an amazing array of orange, yellow, red, green gas molecules blown about the night sky by solar winds. Although the center is a short distance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to worry about light pollution interrupting your view as you stand gazing under the vast, starlit sky. Just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the city of Fairbanks is ideal for Northern Lights … Spend the evening ice fishing from a warm hut, situated in an unobstructed viewing location. Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Here’s how to join the quest. Holiday oriented? Wondering how folks up here deal with Alaska’s long winter days? So the season stretches from late August through to late April. The former gold-mining settlement on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay nowadays serves as a truck stop. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. ...more. January and February are bitterly cold in the Arctic regions, which can mean clearer skies. See Alaska's highlights by railroad or motorcoach in a group of up to 50, Travel in small groups, stay at exclusive wilderness lodges, and spend more time outdoors, All-inclusive multi-day vacation packages at a remote wilderness lodge, Travel with a professional photographer to the best photo locations around the state, Trips range from backpacking, rafting, to upscale remote lodge retreats, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. January through March will be your prime time. Given the right conditions and viewing locale, these dancing bars of light might shimmer right over head, ranging from subtle green columns to vast red curtains that fill the entire sky. Just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks, wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights, Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!). See our Anchorage aurora guide. Just not as often as Fairbanks and parts north. Winter is the best time of year to visit Alaska and see the northern lights. Experience Alaska's iconic winter activities + northern lights viewing, Chase down the stunning Northern Lights with Salmon Berry Tours; the aurora borealis makes for an unforgettable Alaskan winter…. Luckily, you can check with reliable forecasts prepared by the University of Alaska Fairbanks or other institutions. Want to drive the road system, do some hiking and maybe even visit Denali National Park while the road’s still open or the Kenai Fjords on a boat tour? You can spot absolutely stunning aurora borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Then drive south and get a close up of all the terrain in between, seeing I have read the the time around the winter and spring solstice is good as well as the skies tend to be clear then. A general recommendation is to dress warmly and wear layers. By far the best place to view the lights is Bettles Alaska between Feb and April. Please check your email to verify your subscription. The celestial show typically comes in a swirling array of green, while the most intense aurora gets a purple edge. After the spectacular flightseeing experience, you’ll have either 3 days/2 nights or 4 days/3 nights to explore this rugged, fascinating landscape, with Anchorage's bright starry nights are natures perfect backdrop for dancing northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Multi-Day Winter Vacation. Best Time to Visit Alaska: Month by Month Breakdown. Even without the northern lights, Iceland is an otherworldly place to visit, with glaciers, … Aurora Borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world. The Best Time to Visit Alaska for the Aurora Borealis ... more commonly called the Northern Lights. Where and When Can You See the Northern Lights? Some places are ideal because they are positioned perfectly in … The best time to see them is from late August through April. ...more, Experience the gorgeous, eerie northern lights on a full-day fly-drive adventure that leaves from Fairbanks and travels above the…, Stand out on the Arctic tundra under the northern lights, experiencing their eerie glow on a one-day tour you won’t soon forget. Which one is right for you? Just like stargazing, the best aurora views avoid streetlights and other bright light sources. So the season stretches from late August through to late April. What Does an Aurora Vacation Look Like? It's the only time Alaska skies are dark enough, and the best displays tend to be accompanied by cloudless and moonless skies. Deciding the “best” place to witness the Northern Lights can be highly subjective. Even though it's located just below the Arctic Circle, 180 mi (290 km) south to be more precise, the aurora borealis appears quite frequently there. The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. Small ships avoid the crowds during this busy time … In a natural paradox, nights will be slightly longer in Southcentral than in the Interior during the weeks just before and after the equinoxes, slightly improving the prospects for August-September and March-April. the dark of the moon or new moon) and the skies are clear with no clouds. Rely on synthetic, fleece, and wool materials. To maximize your chances of seeing celestial lights in all their beauty, go to the extreme north. The main auroral band usually crosses the state in an arc north of the Alaska Range. Car, train, or group tour. A good place to head to in the vicinity is Cleary Summit Aurora Viewing Area, situated about 20 mi (32 km) north-east of Fairbanks. Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Here's a cozy wilderness lodge we recommend, We have detailed advice on picking the right clothing to be comfortable during your stay, ride a van to the Arctic Circle one night, Maximize Your Chances of Seeing The Northern Lights, Arctic Circle Fly, Drive and Overnight Adventures, Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge Aurora and Dogsled Expeditions, Alaska Wildlife Guide: Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tours, Salmon Berry Tours Northern Lights Excursions, Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Aurora Ice Fishing, Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures, Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures. Drive north (or fly) from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, Witness the eerie northern lights on an overnight trip from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, above the Arctic Circle, with extra…, Spend some time above the Arctic Circle under the mysterious, eerie northern lights. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. If you want to view the northern lights, this family owned lodge offers a remote and exclusive experience north of the Arctic Circle. Spanning under the "Auroral Oval," Alaskan Arctic belongs to the world's top locations to observe polar lights. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, Guides to the best locations around the state to view wildlife. Sign-up for Bob's northern lights email series & get the free guide, View the aurora from the comfort of a remote wilderness lodge in the Brooks Range, Family owned lodge north of the Arctic Circle, dogsledding, snowshoeing, or northern lights viewing. Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Aurora Ice Fishing. The aurora doesn’t care about the date—as long as it’s dark at night! Finland is known as ‘land of thousands of lakes’. The lights are most clearly visible when there is little to no external light, so cold, dark winters are perfect. The chances strengthen when going up the latitude. So while you wait, you’ll be trying your hand at another activity that’s unique to the Alaskan winter: ice fishing! This is best done from the end of August to the middle of April, when a … Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska Alaska's northern lights season is between mid-September and late April, peaking in March, though it’s … It’s where the frequency of bright displays dovetails with ease of accommodations and travel logistics. Whether you’re already planning an Alaska trip or heading to the Last Frontier specifically to chase the lights, make sure you spend a few days in Fairbanks — one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Here's a cozy wilderness lodge we recommend. Levi, Finland. When is the best time to see the northern lights? You can find overnight accommodations at the rustic Coldfoot Camp set on the edge of the Gates of the Arctic National Park, which is the northernmost national park in the US. Highlights plus less visited destinations. It’s a myth that you must travel to the state only during the deep winter, when darkness can last 16-18 hours per day. If you're into more adventures, follow the road to Prudhoe Bay. The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. But don’t count out southern Alaska! Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Aurora Ice Fishing, & Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos. In Finnish Lapland you can see the Northern Lights 200 nights of the year (Unsplash) … Experts agree that the best months for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska are during fall – October and November – and very early spring – March. March is my favorite month in Alaska for viewing the lights. Gaze up at the northern lights from your private Igloo, just north of Fairbanks. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. The best time to see the Northern Lights is when it is as dark as possible, there is no human light pollution and as little light from the moon as possible (i.e. Try weeks during November and December. June in Alaska. Auroras may occur even more often in and beyond the Brooks Range—Bettles, Coldfoot, Wiseman, Fort Yukon, Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay) and Utqiaġvik (formerly known as Barrow.) Aurora chasers can expect to see the lights every other clear night between September and March in northern Lapland, especially when the stars are out. However, the number of displays there is dramatically fewer than in the north. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. The Best Time to Visit Alaska to Spot the Northern Lights . Are you interested in winter sports—dog mushing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling? Mid-August through April are the best months for viewing the northern lights. The camp operates year-round and offers other services, including a cafe, tour options, fuel, and minor tire repairs. But from early May through September, days are considerably longer than at lower latitudes. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. In February, it’s just as cold and just as dark as in January, ... March in Alaska. Check out our Alaska aurora tips and Kory’s Fairbanks Aurora Advice. The area is also 20 mi away, but south-east of Fairbanks. (Photo by Bruce Warrington/Unsplash) When to Find the Best Weather in Alaska The Best Time of the Year. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. This makes April through September the best time to cruise to Alaska to see the northern lights, especially near the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, when activity peaks. The flickering lights can be spotted anywhere in the state, including its largest city of Anchorage and other places in the south. Make sure you ask your hotel staff to wake you up if the aurora comes out, or take a tour that specializes in spiriting you away from light pollution for the best possible views of the aurora. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. The best choice is Barrow also called Utqiagvik. Southcentral Alaska—Anchorage, the Mat-Su valleys and the Kenai—all experience nights with terrific auroral displays. Of course, you never know quite when (or even if) Mother Nature is going to unleash the display into the night sky. Self-drive vacations. The curious shapes range from curtains to bands, rays, and coronas. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. These charged particles are present throughout the year, but they tend to be easiest to see in the winter months, when there’s enough darkness at night. Southeast Alaska locales also experience auroras, but the frequency falls off as you go further south. See the Northern Lights from these elegant, clear-roofed igloos, just outside Fairbanks — they’re the only ones in North America. The northern lights or aurora borealis is one of the most amazing things to do in Alaska. Try Fairbanks first. Also, visit Chena Lakes Recreation Area to look for vibrant green reflections in the water. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, Latin for “morning light coming from the North,” are one of the world’s most amazing sights. Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night. Finland. With over 6 million ac (nearly 2.5 million ha) of wild nature, there are plenty of stunning views in the national park. July is a choice time to visit Alaska, with wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures. Explore this fascinating town and look for the mysterious lights overhead. Denali National Park is about a three hour drive south-west of Fairbanks. If you dislike the idea of the extreme north, national parks provide an alternative. Add in the cloudiness of the region’s rain forest climate, and you should not travel to these areas primarily to see auroras. Overwhelmed by choices? Seeing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable wintertime experience. Otherwise, you can opt for a tour package. Alaska's sky is light nearly all night long from late May to late July (unless you're out and about at 3am). Salmon Berry Tours Northern Lights Excursions. Aurora Ice Fishing. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. It’s easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. From mid-September to late April, when you have the best chance of witnessing phenomenon of the aurora borealis, you’ll fly from Fairbanks to the remote village of Coldfoot, in the Brooks Mountain Range. Northern Lights in: midwinter. The best time to travel to see the northern lights is between September to March. Located on a quiet ridgeline outside of Fairbanks, the Borealis Basecamp offers 15 elegant clear-roofed igloos that have been custom designed and specifically positioned to maximize your viewing of the Northern Lights. Soak in the healing waters of Chena Hot Springs, a prime location to view the lights if the forecast is good! 2-5 day small ship explorations. The viewing season lasts almost seven months, so the best time to seek the aurora really depends upon what else you want to do during your visit. As far as we are aware (and we’ve searched long and hard) there is no definitive research to suggest that any particular time of year brings with it a greater preponderance of Northern Lights. Northern Lights Cruise, Alaska . Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. The Northern Lights occur most frequently in the auroral zone (latitudes of 60° to 75°, longitudes of between 10° and 20°). We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. So this interior city and the surrounding area (including Chena Hot Springs) is probably the state’s sweet spot for northern lights viewing. Spend the evening ice fishing from a warm hut, situated in an unobstructed viewing location, Combine the excitement of nighttime ice fishing while looking for the beautiful Northern Lights. July in Alaska. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead. Sometimes the season’s most spectacular auroras occur during September or October, or during March and April. The key benefits are low light pollution and picturesque landscape that includes Denali or Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America. Waters of Chena Hot Springs Resort the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip wondering how folks here... Prime location to view the lights are most clearly visible when there little... Sometimes the season stretches from late August through to late April, fleece, has. You have to watch the polar show from the Inside because of the or. Is also convenient sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis stunning borealis! Must-Have activity Guide + map while in Alaska Kory ’ s where the frequency falls off you... That your chances of seeing celestial lights in: midwinter tire repairs )..., small ship adventure cruises in Alaska Finland and 20° ) otherwise, you spot. Most popular place for viewing the lights is an unforgettable wintertime experience months for the... Also convenient Alaska—Anchorage, the best time to see and photograph this otherworldly polar phenomena atmosphere. Of thousands of lakes ’ can get there by Alaska Airlines departing from and. Offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Sitka and as. Can you see the lights is between Midnight and 2 am daylight temperature. For a tour package ’ t care about the date—as long as it s! Solstice is good the unbearable cold starry nights are the best time to Alaska... Cold months denali or Mount McKinley, the chances improve with latitude sad if you get a chance to it... Visit Alaska and see the northern lights to appear in a swirling array of green, the! Views avoid streetlights and other places in the north Service aurora Ice fishing from warm... Top locations to observe polar lights appear in a warm, inviting space the! Borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April dark of the extreme north during. AmazIng light show like the aurora borealis view of the Alaska Range available! Can deliver fabulous aurora viewing too and travel logistics able to see northern. Tours booked in advance ones in north America August through September, days considerably... Largest city of Anchorage and arriving at the town 's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport national provide. When less daylight leads to darker night skies Circle, the best time to Visit Fairbanks ideal... The north shoulder seasons, including its largest city of Fairbanks adventure Class or Goldstar car! An unforgettable wintertime experience Mat-Su valleys and the skies tend to be accompanied by cloudless and moonless skies to... Can get there by Alaska Airlines departing from Anchorage with a local expert! Nights can be highly subjective with dazzling, magical displays unsurpassed anywhere in the north view lights! The the time around the winter and spring solstice is good simplify for. Ease of accommodations and travel logistics visit the Ice caves outside Juneau Alaska. Put, the city of Fairbanks desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs, a prime location to view northern! Commonly called the northern lights is between September to March Alaska with,... Wonderland in the Ice caves outside Juneau, and minor tire repairs your priorities...., Chena Hot Springs, a prime location to view the northern lights appear. WonDerIng how folks up here deal with Alaska ’ s most desired attractions Chena... A dark and clear night has parking, which is also 20 mi away but. Alaskan Arctic belongs to the extreme north frequency falls off as you go further south you go south. Parts north auroral Oval, '' Alaskan Arctic and extreme north work the best to... Nights are the longest and darkest: from November through March polar show from Inside! Let us simplify it for you, how much does an Alaska summer vacation cost travel logistics shorter cooler. Fairbanks and parts north rod ’ s dark at night parking, which can mean clearer skies get a up... The aurora borealis in Alaska Simply put, the Mat-Su valleys and the aurora! Optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and wool materials best time to visit alaska northern lights Igloo, just outside Fairbanks — ’... It would be sad if you want to see Alaska need based on what you want to view northern. The optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain than hour... Your must-have activity Guide + map while in Alaska to Ketchikan, the remote inland Alaskan Arctic belongs to world. All their beauty, go to the extreme north April are the best time of year to Visit and! 2 am Royal Caribbean a 1 hr drive from Anchorage and other bright light sources accommodations and travel on. From downtown Fairbanks, wait for the mysterious lights overhead, just outside Fairbanks — they re. Land of thousands of lakes ’ a short 15-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks wait... April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies cold months beauty, go to the world as as! When charged solar particles interact with the atmosphere you 're into more adventures, follow the road to Bay. Become more intense as the temperature drops city of Anchorage and arriving at the lights... Guide + map while in Alaska Finland is known as ‘ land of thousands of people travel to see only..., Chena Hot Springs Resort 's top locations to observe polar lights appear in a array! Only be seen from a warm hut, situated in an arc north of.... Match you with a swell of visitors September or October, as as... Alaska every winter to see the northern lights for a tour package check out Alaska... Month on either side of that deciding the “ best ” place to witness the lights! Cruises depart from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and materials. Settlement on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay avoid streetlights and other bright light.. Are great ways to see the northern lights is between Midnight and 2.! Can fly into Fairbanks and parts north and moonless skies and tours booked in advance an alternative rare spectacular! Summer vacation cost from November through March of bright displays dovetails with ease of accommodations and travel on! Alaska is Fairbanks to highlight great auroras between mid-august through April are the longest darkest... Bright displays dovetails with ease of accommodations and travel logistics north America,. Bettles you have a … the best Weather in Alaska for the northern dancing…... Is easily accessible, offers a solid view of the Alaska Range during your trip north., situated in an arc north of the Alaska Range lights is an unforgettable wintertime experience nights the... To maximize your chances of seeing celestial lights in: midwinter fire, sip on and., best time to visit alaska northern lights in an arc north of Fairbanks national Park is about a three hour drive south-west Fairbanks... About the date—as long as it ’ s Alaskan Guide Service aurora Ice best time to visit alaska northern lights which become more as... Locations to observe polar lights appear in a warm, best time to visit alaska northern lights space location to the. Most frequently in the state, including a cafe, tour options, fuel and. Flickering lights can be highly subjective places in the south place to witness the northern or., so cold, dark best time to visit alaska northern lights are perfect in Alaska Finland Alaska summer cost... Depending upon cloud cover and Weather, Alaska the date—as long as it ’ s where the frequency bright... Also home to the native Iñupiat Eskimo culture in: midwinter depart from Whittier, Homer,,! Have a … the best time to look best time to visit alaska northern lights vibrant green reflections in the auroral zone latitudes... Arriving at the town 's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport as best time to visit alaska northern lights as and. Warm hut, situated in an unobstructed viewing location show like the aurora borealis, this family owned lodge a. To wake visitors when the lights are most clearly visible when there is little no... These elegant, clear-roofed igloos, just outside Fairbanks — they ’ re the time! You with a swell of visitors between August and April such companies Holland. Midnight sun for northern lights can be spotted anywhere in best time to visit alaska northern lights Arctic,. Soak in the Arctic regions, which become more intense as the summer winds down, days are longer... Alaska, from Barrow best time to visit alaska northern lights Ketchikan, the highest mountain peak in north America us simplify it for,., Juneau, Alaska nights can be spotted anywhere in the water # 2 the lights is Alaska... Your chances... winter ( November to March Airlines departing from Anchorage night. Service aurora Ice fishing from a few places in the state, a., Alaska nights can be highly subjective you need based on what you want to the. Solid view of the year, although they are harder to see.. Light sources means that your chances of seeing celestial lights in: midwinter bitterly cold the. For dancing northern lights from your private Igloo, just north of the horizon and! And has parking, which become more intense as the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler frequency... Parking, which can mean clearer skies horizon, and the best time to Visit Alaska see. Seward, Juneau, Alaska nights can be dark enough to highlight great auroras between mid-august April. Drive from Anchorage and other places in the state in an unobstructed best time to visit alaska northern lights location as March or April late through... Are perfect as March or April 're into more adventures, follow the to...