And it's light past 10pm for another month on either side of that. With over 6 million ac (nearly 2.5 million ha) of wild nature, there are plenty of stunning views in the national park. The Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights in Alaska Autumn (August to October). 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. Finland. 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. July is a choice time to visit Alaska, with wildlife fully active, all trails accessible, long days and Alaska’s warmest average temperatures. 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. Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of … Explore this fascinating town and look for the mysterious lights overhead. Here’s how to join the quest. 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. This time usually ranges from September to March. 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. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Use our Alaska daylight calculator to find out when the sun will set during your trip. In February, it’s just as cold and just as dark as in January, ... March in Alaska. Travel on a set itinerary with lodging and tours booked in advance. Just not as often as Fairbanks and parts north. Winter is the best time of year to visit Alaska and see the northern lights. Polar lights appear in the skies when charged solar particles interact with the atmosphere. #2. What Does an Aurora Vacation Look Like? Northern Lights in: midwinter. See the Northern Lights from these elegant, clear-roofed igloos, just outside Fairbanks — they’re the only ones in North America. 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. This translates into a busy time for The Great Land, with a swell of visitors. The area is easily accessible, offers a solid view of the horizon, and has parking, which is also convenient. 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. 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. Best Time to Visit Alaska: Month by Month Breakdown. Winter being the best season is a myth. But don’t count out southern Alaska! 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. Overwhelmed by choices? Southeast Alaska locales also experience auroras, but the frequency falls off as you go further south. 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. 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. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Which one is right for you? Then drive south and get a close up of all the terrain in between, seeing The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks, wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space. Many Alaska hotels offer a northern lights wake-up call (upon request, of course) to wake visitors when the lights are out. When is the best time to see the northern lights? The camp operates year-round and offers other services, including a cafe, tour options, fuel, and minor tire repairs. Seeing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable wintertime experience. In Bettles you have a … The main auroral band usually crosses the state in an arc north of the Alaska Range. So while you wait, you’ll be trying your hand at another activity that’s unique to the Alaskan winter: ice fishing! Spanning under the "Auroral Oval," Alaskan Arctic belongs to the world's top locations to observe polar lights. ...more. But from early May through September, days are considerably longer than at lower latitudes. 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. Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night. The best time for watching northern lights is when nights are the longest and darkest: from November through March. March is my favorite month in Alaska for viewing the lights. ...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. The northern lights occur all four seasons of the year, although they are harder to see under the Midnight Sun. The lights are most clearly visible when there is little to no external light, so cold, dark winters are perfect. Try weeks during November and December. June in Alaska. I have read the the time around the winter and spring solstice is good as well as the skies tend to be clear then. 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. The chances strengthen when going up the latitude. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Alaska … There are 187888 lakes in total in the … Best Time to See Aurora Borealis In Alaska Simply put, the best time to see the aurora borealis is during cold months. Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service Aurora Ice Fishing. the dark of the moon or new moon) and the skies are clear with no clouds. Salmon Berry Tours Northern Lights Excursions. These are the best places to visit in Alaska and if you are planning for a fun vacation here, then book your tickets now. 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…. Are you interested in winter sports—dog mushing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling? This is best done from the end of August to the middle of April, when a … February in Alaska. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. At 67° N latitude and 60 mi (97 km) above the Arctic Circle, Coldfoot is the prime northern lights destination in the Alaskan Arctic. 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. Spend the evening ice fishing from a warm hut, situated in an unobstructed viewing location. 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. 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. Experts agree that the best months for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska are during fall – October and November – and very early spring – March. You can spot absolutely stunning aurora borealis displays in September or October, as well as March or April. Surreal blue wonderland in the Ice caves outside Juneau, Alaska. Clear-Roofed Igloos. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. 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. To maximize your chances of seeing celestial lights in all their beauty, go to the extreme north. [{"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. 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. 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…. Levi, Finland. By far the best place to view the lights is Bettles Alaska between Feb and April. In Finnish Lapland you can see the Northern Lights 200 nights of the year (Unsplash) … 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. Rely on synthetic, fleece, and wool materials. Iceland. If you dislike the idea of the extreme north, national parks provide an alternative. Fairbanks. Try Fairbanks first. Alaska's sky is light nearly all night long from late May to late July (unless you're out and about at 3am). 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!). The celestial show typically comes in a swirling array of green, while the most intense aurora gets a purple edge. The Best Time to Visit Alaska to Spot the Northern Lights . Gaze up at the northern lights from your private Igloo, just north of Fairbanks. Mid-August through April are the best months for viewing the northern lights. Also, visit Chena Lakes Recreation Area to look for vibrant green reflections in the water. This also means that your chances... Winter (November to March). It's the only time Alaska skies are dark enough, and the best displays tend to be accompanied by cloudless and moonless skies. Winter being the best season is a myth. Denali National Park is about a three hour drive south-west of Fairbanks. The best time to look for the shimmering lights is between midnight and 2 am. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Southcentral Alaska—Anchorage, the Mat-Su valleys and the Kenai—all experience nights with terrific auroral displays. You can fly into Fairbanks and be at a world-class aurora viewing venue in less than an hour. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? The northern lights or aurora borealis is one of the most amazing things to do in Alaska. 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 – … Just 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the city of Fairbanks is ideal for Northern Lights … 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. Otherwise, you can opt for a tour package. Join Alaska Wildlife Guide in exploring one of Alaska’s most desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs Resort. Finland is known as ‘land of thousands of lakes’. Add in the cloudiness of the region’s rain forest climate, and you should not travel to these areas primarily to see auroras. Please try again. As the summer winds down, days become shorter and cooler. January through March will be your prime time. Just like stargazing, the best aurora views avoid streetlights and other bright light sources. July in Alaska. Braving the cold is nothing if you get a chance to see the lights dancing and waving overhead. However, the number of displays there is dramatically fewer than in the north. Aurora Borealis can only be seen from a few places in the world. The Best Time of the Year. Car, train, or group tour. 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. The northernmost town in the US is also home to the native Iñupiat Eskimo culture. 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. The Northern Lights occur most frequently in the auroral zone (latitudes of 60° to 75°, longitudes of between 10° and 20°). 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. Free personal GPS–driven travel guide to Alaska. May in Alaska. June 21 is the longest day of the year, with 19 hours of daylight in Anchorage, 22 in Fairbanks, and 18 in Southeast. Northern Lights Cruise, Alaska . Northern lights dance across the sky all year round, but we are able to see it only on a dark and clear night. 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. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Wondering how folks up here deal with Alaska’s long winter days? Alaska Railroad: Adventure Class or Goldstar Dome Car Service? The aurora borealis (aka the Northern Lights) can be seen at nearly any time of the year in Alaska, save at the height of … 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. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal. 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. It’s easy when the inky night sky comes alive with an amazing light show like the aurora borealis. While the aurora can appear over every part of Alaska, from Barrow to Ketchikan, the chances improve with latitude. The fjords of Alaska. (Photo by Bruce Warrington/Unsplash) When to Find the Best Weather in Alaska The Alaska Railroad is your transportation method. There was a problem with your submission. The area is also 20 mi away, but south-east of Fairbanks. Multi-Day Winter Vacation. Soak in the healing waters of Chena Hot Springs, a prime location to view the lights if the forecast is good! April in Alaska. Of course, you never know quite when (or even if) Mother Nature is going to unleash the display into the night sky. Areas near the magnetic north pole see the most brilliant displays, which become more intense as the temperature drops. Where and When Can You See the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, Latin for “morning light coming from the North,” are one of the world’s most amazing sights. The best time to go depends on what your priorities are. 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. 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. 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? Deciding the “best” place to witness the Northern Lights can be highly subjective. 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. Stops include Seward (Kenai Fjords), Girdwood, Whittier & Spencer Glacier, Stops include Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park & Fairbanks. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. So the season stretches from late August through to late April. The northern lights are an amazing array of orange, yellow, red, green gas molecules blown about the night sky by solar winds. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. The aurora doesn’t care about the date—as long as it’s dark at night! Even without the northern lights, Iceland is an otherworldly place to visit, with glaciers, … The best time to travel to see the northern lights is between September to March. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. The most popular place for viewing the rare and spectacular phenomenon in Alaska is Fairbanks. 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