Alaska Bucket List Guide; See the Northern Lights
There are few experiences in life as awe-inspiring as watching the northern lights dance across the sky- and there is no better place to witness this natural wonder than Alaska. With its wide-open landscapes, dark winter skies, and prime aurora-viewing locations, Alaska offers one of the most magical front-row seats to the show. In this Alaska bucket list guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to chase the aurora borealis- from the best times to go and where to watch, to tips for maximizing your chances of seeing this bucket list spectacle.
Things to Know
Best Time to Visit
The best time for witnessing the northern lights is during the winter months, from late September through early April. This is when the nights are longest and the skies are darkest- ideal conditions for aurora viewing. The heart of the winter, especially between December and March, tends to offer the most reliable activity, along with the added bonus of the snowy landscapes that make the experience even more magical.
Weather
The Alaskan wilderness in the winter certainly is beautiful but with that beauty comes a level of cold that can be intense. This guide is based in interior Alaska in the Fairbanks area as it is located directly under the “Auroral Oval”, where northern lights activity is concentrated. . Average winter temps range from -20F to 0F. You will want to plan and pack accordingly. The payoff for visiting during this time will be unforgettable: clear, crisp winter nights often reveal vibrant displays of green, purple, and pink lights rippling across the sky.
I suggest staying 4-5 nights. If you stay in Fairbanks for a minimum of 3 nights and are actively out seeking every night, you have a 90% chance of catching the show. The more time you give yourself, the more you can plan around weather which could bring in some clouds. Clear skies are a must for this adventure.
What to pack for Alaska
Where to stay in Fairbanks
Hampton Inn
Hotel in Fairbanks with free breakfast and airport shuttle service
Hyatt Place
Hotel in Fairbanks with free breakfast and airport shuttle service
Springhill Suites
Riverfront hotel with free breakfast and airport shuttle service
You will need a rental car for this trip. I strongly advise a 4×4 as your nightly excursions will take you well outside of town to escape the light pollution.
You will need a few tools to assist in your aurora hunt. First, download My Aurora Forecast & Alerts on your phone. This app offers information such as the likelihood of visibility, details about solar winds, and a list of best locations to view from “right now”. Forecasts for the next hour and several hours will help you to plan your evenings.
Next, check the Aurora Tracker on the Explore Fairbanks website. This combines the same data from the app that comes from the Geophysical Institute along with weather in six locations, the amount of darkness, and 3 days of predictions.
Between these 2 tools, you will have a pretty good idea of your chances for seeing the northern lights and where to go.
Viewing Locations
When to Hunt
The optimal window for viewing is between 10pm and 3am. For the best chances of seeing the magical lights, you should pull an all-nighter. If this isn’t your cup of tea (it was not mine!), then you should use the tracking app and website to get a good idea of future activity.
For example, around dinner time I would check the app and see what the chances of activity looked like. Then we formulated a plan of attack. This allowed us to go to bed and rest for a few hours, set an alarm for around midnight and then hit the road for our chase. We stayed out for a few hours, then returned back to the hotel to catch a few more hours of sleep before waking up and doing day time activities.
Other options include guided tours that can take much of the guesswork out of the evening for you. Take a look at these great tours.
Ice Fishing
This unique Alaskan adventure combines the serenity of winter with the thrill of catching fish beneath the frozen surface. Our guided fish was set up in a cozy cabin with the fishing holes pre-drilled waiting for us to reel in Arctic char, rainbow trout, or silver salmon. The guide prepared reindeer sausage and cooked our fish for us on the iron stove.
What made this a truly special night was fishing under the glow of the northern lights. It was a peaceful, almost surreal experience that blended outdoor adventure with the raw beauty of Alaska’s winter wilderness.
Although this is a bucket list item, this trip is far more than just checking an item off the list- it’s stepping into a world where nature puts on a show like no other. Whether you’re an adventurer, a photographer, or simply someone in search of magic, witnessing the aurora borealis is a soul-stirring experience. Bundle up, head north, and let the lights lead the way- you won’t regret it.
Have you visited Alaska to see the Northern Lights? What was your favorite experience?
For more awesome winter escapes, check out this post about Banff!
