Northern lights tours in Fairbanks, Alaska offer world-class aurora borealis viewing from September through March. Fairbanks sits directly beneath the aurora oval at 64° North latitude, providing optimal conditions for viewing the northern lights with minimal light pollution & frequent clear skies. Alaska Wildlife Guide offers guided aurora tours throughout the Fairbanks region. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon & sightings cannot be guaranteed, but our guides plan tour routes to include dark-sky viewing locations to maximize your chances of witnessing the dancing aurora borealis.
Why Fairbanks is the Best Place for Northern Lights Tours
Fairbanks, Alaska ranks among the world’s top northern lights viewing destinations. Here’s why travelers choose Fairbanks for their aurora borealis tours:
Location Under the Aurora Oval: Fairbanks sits at 64° North latitude, directly under the aurora oval where geomagnetic activity produces the most frequent and vivid northern lights displays. This positioning makes Fairbanks aurora tours consistently successful.
Clear Skies: Interior Alaska’s continental climate provides more cloud-free nights than coastal regions. Fairbanks averages 250+ clear nights annually, giving northern lights tours optimal viewing conditions.
Minimal Light Pollution: Fairbanks provides easy access to dark-sky viewing locations within 30 minutes of the city. Our aurora tours travel to remote locations where city lights don’t interfere with northern lights visibility.
Extended Viewing Season: Northern lights are visible in Fairbanks approximately 240 nights per year from late August through April.
Accessibility: Fairbanks International Airport provides direct access for aurora hunters worldwide. Unlike remote Arctic destinations, Fairbanks offers comfortable hotels, restaurants, and amenities while still delivering exceptional aurora borealis viewing.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The northern lights, also called aurora borealis, are natural light displays caused by interactions between solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere. When electrically charged particles from the sun collide with oxygen and nitrogen gases, they produce dancing curtains of light across the night sky.
Aurora borealis displays appear in various colors depending on atmospheric conditions:
- Green: Most common, caused by oxygen at lower altitudes (60-150 miles)
- Pink/Red: Oxygen at higher altitudes (150+ miles)
- Blue/Purple: Nitrogen particles
- Yellow: Mix of red and green light
In Fairbanks, northern lights displays range from faint green glows on the horizon to spectacular multi-colored curtains covering the entire sky. Strong geomagnetic storms produce the most vivid displays, with aurora activity measured on the Kp index scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme).
The best northern lights viewing occurs during dark, clear nights between 10:00 PM and 2:00 AM when geomagnetic activity typically peaks. Our Fairbanks aurora tours are timed to maximize viewing during these optimal hours.
Best Time for Northern Lights Tours in Fairbanks
Aurora Season: Late August through April
Northern lights are visible in Fairbanks whenever skies are dark and clear. Here’s what to expect each month:
September – October: Aurora season begins as darkness returns after summer’s midnight sun. Comfortable temperatures (20-40°F) make outdoor viewing more pleasant. Fall equinox (late September) often produces strong geomagnetic storms.
November – January: Peak northern lights season with 18-20 hours of darkness daily. You experience more frigid Alaskan temperatures (-10°F to -40°F) but maximum viewing windows. The holiday season is popular for Fairbanks aurora tours.
February – March: Excellent aurora viewing continues with slightly warming temperatures. March equinox brings another period of increased geomagnetic activity. Many consider this the best balance of darkness, weather, and aurora activity.
April: Final month of northern lights viewing before summer daylight returns. Temperatures are moderate (10-30°F) and crowds decrease.
May – August: No aurora viewing possible due to 24-hour daylight. Northern lights still occur but are invisible against the bright sky.
Best Viewing Hours: 10:00 PM – 2:00 AM when geomagnetic activity typically peaks.
Northern Lights Tours Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between your aurora tours? Each Fairbanks aurora tour offers a different experience: Chena Hot Springs combines hot springs + aurora, Arctic Circle adds bucket-list adventure, Aurora Lodge prioritizes comfort, and Murphy Dome focuses on photography. All tours include northern lights viewing opportunities, though sightings cannot be guaranteed as this is a natural phenomenon.
What should I wear on a northern lights tour? Dress for extreme cold: insulated winter jacket, thermal base layers, warm hat covering ears, insulated gloves/mittens, winter boots, and hand/toe warmers. Temperatures during Fairbanks aurora tours range from 20°F to -40°F depending on month. We recommend layering so you can adjust.
Can I photograph the northern lights? Yes! Bring a camera with manual settings if possible. Smartphones with night mode can capture bright aurora displays. Tripods are helpful but not required. Cold temperatures drain batteries quickly, so packing an extra charger is recommended.
What if northern lights don’t appear? Aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. However, our tours provide value beyond aurora viewing: Chena Hot Springs offers hot springs and Ice Museum, Arctic Circle provides wilderness adventure and a certificate of achievement, Aurora Lodge delivers warm comfort. We do not offer refunds for low aurora activity as this is nature-dependent.
Do you cancel tours for weather? Tours operate in most weather conditions. Heavy snow, dangerous road conditions, or extreme cold may result in cancellation with full refund or reschedule offered. Cloudy skies alone do not cancel tours – clouds can clear, and aurora can appear through breaks. We also offer a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Which tour is best for photography? Murphy Dome offers the best dedicated aurora photography experience with 360-degree views and focused viewing time. However, all tours provide photography opportunities. Serious photographers often book multiple nights to maximize chances of capturing strong displays.
How far in advance should I book? Fairbanks northern lights tours fill quickly during peak season (December-March). We recommend booking at least 2-4 weeks in advance for best availability. Last-minute bookings are possible but tour selection may be limited.
Can children go on northern lights tours? Yes, but consider the late hours (most tours return after midnight) and cold temperatures. The Aurora Viewing Lodge tour is most family-friendly due to indoor facilities and shorter duration. We do not allow children under 10 on the Arctic Circle tour due to 14-hour length.