Fairbanks' renowned aurora viewing lures people from all over the world during Aurora Season. But why is Fairbanks, Alaska popular for viewing the northern lights and when should you visit? How do you look for the aurora and will you stay warm doing so?
Keep reading to have these frequently asked questions answered and get other useful information about this magnificent natural phenomena. View the real-time Aurora Tracker. It's no surprise that with Fairbanks' location, it is frequently referred to as the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska, the United States and in many cases, across the globe. There are many different ways you can hunt for the aurora.
You can also see them on a dog sled adventure or while you are ice fishing, on a snow cat tour, via a trip part way up the Dalton Highway or even on a flight above the Arctic Circle. Once you've spotted the aurora borealis, stop by the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center for your personalized Aurora Certificate. All combined these variables make the Fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing. 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.
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! There are so many different ways, but a great way is to take a northern lights tour with a guide. 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.
See below for accessible spots around Fairbanks. Visitors will most typically witness a swirling array of green, teal, and white. An intense aurora can get a purple or magenta edge. The aurora takes on different shapes such as curtains, bands, rays and coronas. Layers, layers, layers and dress warmly! You will likely be out in the elements for extended periods of time.
Rely on synthetic, wool, and fleece materials, especially in the winter. For more on how to dress for winter pursuits, watch this video. I saw the northern lights for the first time in Fairbanks and literally teared up—huge green and violet curtains pulsating and swirling across the sky.
I couldn't believe how vibrant and fast they were. In Fairbanks itself, residents see the northern lights on about eight of every 10 nights. Fairbanks is the best place in the U. Fairbanks lies directly beneath a band of aurora activity, meaning from August to May, the town regularly experiences a celestial display of green, yellow, and purple.
Industry Professionals. Language EN. Events Events Calendar. Alaska Native Events. Think of it as a quest. You are trying to witness one of the grandest spectacles in nature. The aurora can be elusive and must be pursued. With a huge payoff. Most tours focus on the hours between 10pm and 3am. Many tour operators will provide large parkas and bunny boots to keep you warm, as well as warm beverages and light snacks. You might spend the afternoon enjoying an exhilarating winter experience like dog sledding or snowmobiling.
Tours from Anchorage. Learn how to photograph the northern lights. Non-photographers are welcome to enjoy the show and have their photo taken. Fairbanks is about miles south of the Arctic Circle and enjoys sporadic northern lights, though it's best to forget the more southerly destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays.
The further north you travel in Alaska, the more likely you are to see the northern lights. The old gold rush boomtown of Fairbanks is the undisputed capital of the northern lights hunt in Alaska. It's not the very best place for aurora viewing — it's just below the Arctic Circle — but auroras do occur frequently here.
Its popularity among northern lights seekers has a lot to do with its accessibility. There are frequent flights and plenty of options for accommodations. Good places to head to in the vicinity include Cleary Summit, about 17 miles from Fairbanks, which is easy to get to, has good parking, and has a solid view of the horizon.
Chena Lakes Recreation Area is a popular place to go to look for reflections in water you can park your car near the jetty. Nearby is Chena Hot Springs Resort , where you can watch the show from an outdoor hot tub. By day, try your hand at either cross-country skiing or ice fishing through pre-drilled ice holes.
That's largely because it's home to the rustic Coldfoot Camp in the Brooks Mountain Range on the edge of the Gates of the Arctic National Park , the northernmost national park in the U. Many aurora adventure tours take guests here and to Wiseman just 11 miles north for the high chances of a northern lights show. Another option nearby is the fly-in luxury Iniakuk Wilderness Lodge. Coldfoot is miles north of Fairbanks, and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle.
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