Its situated underneath the aurora oval, so viewing is. Of course there are some draw backs to this location such as light pollution, ice fog at times, and traffic. Fairbanks is arguably the most popular destination for visitors who want to see the Northern Lights. This is a common make-out and watch the sunset location for locals and a great place to easily view Aurora at night. Hagelbarger Viewpoint - This location is the easiest of them all to get to, it’s roughly 5 min from town. Just a short 15 minute drive from town, the landscape overlooks the frozen Tanana River and bluffs making an excellent backdrop to capture the lights. If you don’t want to travel far this is a great convenient and safe location to drive to before catching your flight out of Fairbanks. This location is also the last place you will have any cell service when traveling North to Deadhorse, the village that is only a few miles away from Prudhoe Bay, site of North America's largest oil discovery.Ĭhena Pump Boat Launch - Quick and easy, it’s located close to town. Along the way there are many pull offs to stop and view. This is a 58 mile drive or 1.5 hour drive to a large pull out on the side of the Elliot Highway (the haul road). This area has zero light pollution, making for some of the best Aurora photography. Wickersham Dome- This is quite the drive especially in the winter, but the skies are incredible. The Borealis pretty much dominates the sky where ever you are out when they are out. Along the way out there are multiple pull offs you can stop to view the lights. This location falls into second place with just a 45 minute drive on regularly maintained roads, offering north facing views with very low light pollution and vibrant views of the stars and Aurora. If the Aurora is out, this location will not disappoint.Ĭleary Summit - A very nice pull out on the side of the road. ![]() It is just a short 30 minute drive from town on a road that is regularly maintained. With an altitude of 2,890 feet, Murphy Dome is one of the highest peaks in the Fairbanks area, offering 360 degree views. For more on how to dress for winter pursuits, watch this video.Murphy Dome - This is one of the best locations close to town. Rely on synthetic, wool, and fleece materials, especially in the winter. We recommend you dress warmly for this tour, so you may view Alaska’s Northern Lights from the outdoors. You will be transferred 30-45 minutes from your hotel to a prime Northern Lights viewing spot away from the city’s lights. Layers, layers, layers and dress warmly! You will likely be out in the elements for extended periods of time. Enjoy an evening looking for the Northern Lights in one of the best aurora viewing locations near Fairbanks, AK. An intense aurora can get a purple or magenta edge. The aurora takes on different shapes such as curtains, bands, rays and coronas. Visitors will most typically witness a swirling array of green, teal, and white. What colors will I typically see on my visit? Join us on our Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour to view and photograph the Northern. See below for accessible spots around Fairbanks. The Aurora Borealis is one of the most amazing natural wonders on earth. You can view them from a heated “aurorium” cabin or lodge, see them on a dog sled adventure, on a snow cat tour, via a trip part way up the Dalton Highway or even on a flight above the Arctic Circle. Or perhaps you want to go fishing while you wait and go on an evening ice-fishing adventure on a local lake! All of these are great options, or if you are a do-it-yourself adventurer, you can drive to a nearby vantage point and wait for them to appear. Fluorescent northern lights seen from Fairbanks Alaska. ![]() ![]() There are so many different ways, but a great way is to take a northern lights tour with a guide. Dancing northern lights are a highlight of any Alaskan adventure. The northern lights are so prolific in the Fairbanks region and the Arctic that visitors who stay a minimum of three nights and are actively out during the late evening hours increase their chance of seeing the aurora to more than 90 percent! How can I see the aurora? Am I going to see the aurora if I visit Fairbanks? Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above year-round, but we can only see it during the Aurora Season when we have dark enough skies. When is the best time to see the northern lights?įairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. All combined these variables make the Fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing. View the wonder of the northern lights in Fairbanks with this short video!Īurora Viewing FAQs Why is Fairbanks such a great place to view the northern lights?įairbanks’ location is ideal for northern lights viewing because it is under the “Auroral Oval,” a ring-shaped zone over the far north where aurora activity is concentrated. Additionally, Fairbanks’ low precipitation and distance from coastal areas contribute to consistently clear nights.
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