LOOK to the sky

The aurora may be visible from anywhere in town where you can see the northern sky but the show will be more vibrant a few miles out of town where it is darker. Explore aurora viewing areas in your own vehicle, join a tour for expert guidance or head to a specialized aurora viewing venue.

Some popular aurora viewing destinations include Murphy Dome in the hills west of town, Chena Lake Recreation Area just outside the city of North Pole and Chena River State Recreation Area along Chena Hot Springs Road. All feature public use areas perfect for stopping to view the aurora.

Head north of Fairbanks to Cleary Summit along the Steese Highway for glorious north-facing views. Up the Dalton Highway in the Brooks Range, Coldfoot features spectacular aurora viewing above the Arctic Circle. It is best to get there via tour as the area is remote, the road is mostly gravel and can be rough with very few services along the way.

To the south, Denali National Park and Preserve (Parks Highway) and Delta Junction (Richardson Highway) both offer aurora viewing amidst stunning mountain vistas of the Alaska Range.

Scan here for the Explore Fairbanks Aurora Tracker. Real-time aurora activity and three-day forecasts help you chase the northern lights using data from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks—the leading aurora research institute.

aurora viewing TIPS

• Be resolute and patient. The aurora is unpredictable and weather can change quickly so go looking even if the forecast is below average.

• Plan to stay up all night. The northern lights generally make their appearance between 10pm and 3am but are sometimes spotted in the early evening or early morning hours, too. Give yourself three to five nights in the Fairbanks region for the very best chance of seeing a dynamic aurora.

• If driving yourself, try to scout out viewing locations during daylight hours so you know what kind of road conditions to expect. In snowy conditions, all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended.

• Safety first! Exercise caution when driving and do not stop on roadways. Look for pullouts or other areas to safely get off the road. Be aware that cell service can be irregular the further you get from town.

• Turn off your headlights while parked and turn off your camera flash to minimize light pollution but watch out for wildlife on or near roadways and parking lots.