Aurora Borealis in Alaska : Are Northern lights Tours in Fairbanks Worth It?

Are you visiting to see the aurora borealis in Alaska and wondering if you should book a northern lights tours Alaska?

Witnessing the aurora borealis in Alaska is one of those magical, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that feels almost unreal — like nature’s own light show painting the sky in waves of green, pink, and purple.

Seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska has always been one of those “pinch-me” travel dreams. When my husband and I finally planned our winter trip to Alaska, chasing the Northern Lights was our number one goal. We’d seen countless photos online, but trust me — nothing compares to seeing them in person!

But here’s the big question most travelers ask before booking “Is a Northern Lights tour in Alaska really worth it?” The short answer? Absolutely.

And let me tell you — watching the sky light up in shades of green and purple is truly magical. But getting to that moment isn’t always as simple as it looks on Instagram. Between unpredictable weather, freezing temperatures, and knowing where to go, it takes some planning (and a little luck!).

That’s exactly why many travelers choose to join Northern Lights tours in Alaska, especially in Fairbanks — one of the best places in the world to spot the aurora. But if you’re wondering whether it’s worth booking a tour or just going on your own, this blog will help you decide. Especially if you’re visiting for the first time or want to maximize your chances of seeing the Lights.

In this guide, I’ll share everything we learned from our trip — from understanding what causes the aurora, when to visit, and how to read the aurora forecast, to what to expect on a Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks, Alaska’s top aurora destination. I’ll also include some personal insights from our experience chasing the Lights on a freezing winter night (spoiler: it was unforgettable!).

So, if you’re dreaming of witnessing the aurora borealis dance across the Alaskan sky, keep reading — this guide will help you plan your perfect Northern Lights tour in Alaska.

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Before you bundle up and head out to see the aurora borealis in Alaska, it’s worth understanding what actually causes this breathtaking phenomenon.

In simple terms, the Northern Lights are created when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions release energy that lights up the sky in glowing shades of green, pink, purple, and sometimes even red.

It sounds pretty scientific, but standing beneath the dancing lights feels anything but technical — it’s pure magic.

The intensity and color of the aurora depend on a few factors, like how active the sun is and how clear the skies are. That’s why some nights in Alaska you might see faint green waves, while on others, the sky explodes in bright ribbons that move and swirl right above your head.

The best part? Alaska’s northern location gives you front-row seats to this natural wonder. The farther north you go — especially places like Fairbanks, the villages of Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory, or to Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik — the stronger and more frequent the displays tend to be.

So next time you’re gazing up at the Northern Lights in Alaska, just know you’re watching space weather in action — a cosmic show millions of miles in the making!

How to know when the Northern Lights will appear

If you’re planning to see the aurora borealis in Alaska, one of the most important things to learn is how to read the aurora forecast. It’s kind of like checking the weather before heading out — except this “weather” happens in space!

Before our trip, I honestly thought the Northern Lights just appeared when they felt like it. But after talking to our tour guide in Fairbanks, I learned there’s actually a science to predicting them.

The aurora forecast tells you two main things:

• The KP Index — This measures the strength of the geomagnetic activity caused by the sun. The higher the number (on a scale from 0 to 9), the stronger the Northern Lights are likely to be. In Fairbanks, even a KP 2 or 3 can give you a good show!
• Cloud cover — No matter how strong the aurora is, if the sky is cloudy, you won’t see much. That’s why many Northern Lights tours in Alaska include guides who track cloud movement and drive to clear-sky locations for better visibility.

You can check forecasts on websites like the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks or apps like My Aurora Forecast.

But honestly? Reading the forecast can get confusing — which is exactly why booking a Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks is such a good idea. The local guides are experts at interpreting the data and know exactly where to go for the best chance of spotting the Lights.

During our trip, the forecast didn’t look too promising one night, but our guide knew a spot an hour north with clear skies, and that’s where we finally saw the aurora dancing across the horizon.

Sometimes, the forecast gives you hope but experience gets you the magic.

What Things to Keep in Mind Before Booking a Northern Lights Tours Alaska?

Before booking your Northern Lights tour in Alaska, there are a few important things to consider to make sure you have the best experience possible.

When I planned our trip to Fairbanks hoping to see northern lights, I spent hours researching tours and reading reviews and it truly paid off.

There are different kinds of Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks, Alaska — from small group van tours and private tours to lodge stays or even snowmobile and dog-sled aurora experiences. Think about your comfort level and how adventurous you want your night to be!

Most tours run between 9 PM and 3 AM — prime time for aurora activity. Some operators stay out longer if the forecast looks promising, so it’s worth checking how flexible they are with timing.

Even the best aurora forecast in Alaska can be spoiled by cloudy skies. The good news? Most northern lights tour operators closely monitor weather conditions and will often reschedule or take you to a different location if visibility is low.

My tip — book a refundable tour! This gives you the flexibility to reschedule or get a refund if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

If capturing the Lights is high on your list, choose a tour that includes a guide who can help with camera settings or even take professional photos for you.

What to Expect Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks, Alaska

If you’re visiting Alaska during winter, chances are Fairbanks will be your base for Northern Lights tours — and for good reason! It’s one of the most reliable places in the world to witness the aurora borealis thanks to its location right under the “Auroral Oval.”

So, what’s it really like to go on a Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks? Here’s what you can expect:

Be prepared for a late night! Most tours pick you up around 9 or 10 PM, depending on the forecast. Dress warmly and bring snacks & water— you’ll likely be out until the early hours of the morning.

Your guide will check the aurora forecast and weather updates, then drive you out of Fairbanks to find clear skies. Sometimes it’s a 30-minute drive; other nights, it could be over an hour. These remote locations are away from light pollution, giving you the best chance to see the aurora in full color.

Patience is key! Some nights the Northern Lights in Alaska appear right away; other nights you may wait for hours. But when the first green streaks start glowing across the horizon — trust me — it’s all worth it.

Depending on your northern lights tour in Fairbanks, you might spend the evening waiting inside a cozy lodge, a heated van, or even around a crackling campfire. On our tour, we had a small cabin where we could sip hot cocoa and warm up between photo breaks — an absolute lifesaver in -15°F weather!

We also tried a tour that used a heated van, which wasn’t quite as comfortable as the cabin setup. But sometimes, those remote locations offer the best aurora borealis views in Alaska, even if the amenities are limited.

Many guides are skilled photographers who help set up your camera or take photos of you under the Lights. Ours even had tripods for everyone and shared tips for getting that perfect long-exposure shot.

When the Lights finally start dancing — swirling, flickering, and changing colors — it’s pure magic. Everyone goes silent, just taking in the moment. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left Alaska.

By the time you get back to your hotel around 2 or 3 AM, you’ll be cold, tired, and completely in awe of what you just witnessed.

My Experience Chasing the Northern Lights

After weeks of research, my husband and I decided to visit Fairbanks, Alaska in March around the New Moon — one of the best times for clear, dark skies and a higher chance of seeing the aurora borealis in Alaska.

We chose Fairbanks because it’s one of the most reliable places in the world to witness the Northern Lights, and to make the most of our short trip, we opted for northern lights tours in Fairbanks Alaska rather than chasing them on our own.

If you have more time, you could venture further north to remote villages like Coldfoot in the Yukon Territory, or even Prudhoe Bay and Utqiaġvik, where your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska are even higher.

Since we only had five days in Fairbanks, we wanted to rely on experts who knew the best viewing spots and could read the aurora forecast accurately. Driving long distances on icy, snow-covered roads at night was not something we wanted to risk — especially since a snowstorm hit while we were there!

With a guided northern lights tour in Fairbanks Alaska, everything was taken care of, from transportation to cozy warm cabins, allowing us to fully relax and soak in the magic of the aurora borealis in Alaska.

To maximize our chances, we set aside three nights just for aurora hunting… and it paid off! We were lucky enough to see the sky dance three nights in a row — an experience I’ll never forget.

Since it was my first time seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska, I booked three different tours to make each night unique:

Night 1 – Arctic Circle Tour + Northern Lights: This was a full-day adventure that ended with watching the Lights shimmer over the Arctic wilderness with hot cup of cocoa.

Night 2 – Chena Hot Springs + Aurora Tour: Along with the relaxing hot springs, we joined the Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights tour, and it was such a unique experience! The tour takes you on the Aurora Snow Coach up to the top of Charlie Dome, where the views are completely unobstructed. At the summit, there are two cozy Mongolian-style yurts to keep you warm while you wait for the aurora. Inside, they serve hot drinks and snacks, which felt amazing after the chilly ride up.

Night 3 – Northern Lights Photography Tour: Our guide helped us capture stunning photos and taught us camera settings to photograph the aurora.

Each night felt completely different, yet equally magical. Sometimes the Lights danced softly across the sky; other times, they burst into bright green ribbons swirling above us. No two shows were ever the same.

If witnessing the aurora borealis in Alaska is on your bucket list, I can confidently say: book a few nights, stay flexible, and let the experts handle the rest.

Photography Tips for the Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights in person is a moment you’ll never forget, but photographing them lets you relive that magic over and over. That said, capturing the aurora isn’t as simple as snapping a quick photo — it takes a bit of prep and the right gear.

Speaking from experience, it’s best to know your camera settings before stepping into the cold Alaskan night. Trying to figure things out on the spot can be frustrating — and freezing!

If you’re serious about capturing the Lights, a DSLR or mirrorless camera works best because it allows for manual settings and long exposures. I used my Sony 6700 with 17-70 mm lens f/2.8 (back then), and it worked beautifully!

Here’s what worked for me:

• Camera choice: A DSLR or mirrorless camera is ideal. I used my Sony 6700 (APSC) or I would recommend Sony A7iv (mirrorless camera) , which gave me full control over exposure and settings — essential for aurora photography.
• Lens: Wide-angle lens: Use a wide-angle lens to capture as much of the sky as possible. This way, you can include not just the aurora but also the landscape like trees, mountains, or other foreground elements for a more dynamic shot.
• Manual Camera Settings : Shutter speed: Set your shutter between 5–20 seconds, depending on how bright and active the aurora is. Longer exposures bring out the color and movement of the Lights beautifully. Aperture: Use a low f-stop (f/2.8 or lower) to let in maximum light and ISO: Start around 800–1600 and adjust based on brightness. Play around with your settings — every night and location can be slightly different.
• Tripod is essential: Because of these long exposures, your camera must be stable — otherwise, your photos will come out blurry. A sturdy tripod is a must!

Even if you don’t have a professional camera, you can still capture the Northern Lights in Alaska with your smartphone! I recommend using a tripod to keep your phone steady and a remote or timer to snap the photo without shaking it. If you’re recording video, try timelapse mode — it’s an amazing way to capture the aurora dancing across the sky.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to capture breathtaking photos of the aurora borealis in Alaska, creating memories that last far longer than the few minutes the Lights dance across the sky. And a little tip from me: dress in layers — you’ll be standing still in the cold while your camera works its magic!

If you’re not very camera-savvy but still want those stunning photos with the Northern Lights dancing behind you, I highly recommend booking a photography tour. The guides are pros at capturing beautiful shots, and if you’re celebrating something special — like a proposal or anniversary — let your tour operator know in advance. They’ll often help you plan the perfect moment under the glowing aurora borealis.

What to Pack for the night?

Chasing the Northern Lights in Alaska means braving long, chilly nights outdoors. You could be standing outside for hours, so packing the right gear is essential to stay warm and enjoy the experience. I quickly learned that being properly prepared makes all the difference — and trust me, it’s easy to overpack or forget something! I personally made sure to overdress, because I really hate being cold, and I didn’t want to spend the whole night miserable.

Here’s a practical packing list based on our experience:

Clothing & Layers

• Thermal base layers – tops and bottoms to keep your core warm.
• Insulated jacket – a down jacket or parka is best for extreme cold.
• Waterproof snow pants – especially if you’ll be standing in the snow for long periods.
• Warm hat, scarf, and gloves – I actually wore two pairs of gloves at night!
• Wool socks and insulated boots – your feet will thank you.

Gear & Essentials

• Camera & tripod – if you want to photograph the aurora borealis in Alaska.
• Headlamp or flashlight – navigating snowy areas in the dark is much easier.
• Hot drinks and snacks – some tours provide these, but having your own is always a bonus.
• Hand and foot warmers – little packets that make a big difference in sub-zero temperatures.

Extras

• Backpack – to carry extra layers, camera, and snacks.
• Phone and power bank – nights can be long, and you’ll want to capture memories.

For a more detailed guide, check out my full post on what to wear in Alaska for winter — it covers everything from head to toe so you can stay warm while enjoying your Northern Lights tour in Alaska.

FAQs for Northern light tours

After chasing the Northern Lights in Alaska, I know firsthand how many questions first-time visitors have. Here are some common ones I often get, plus a few final tips from our experience:

1. Do I really need a tour to see the Northern Lights?

Not necessarily — you can chase the aurora on your own. But if you have limited time, want expert guidance, and don’t want to risk driving on icy roads at night, a Northern Lights tour in Fairbanks, Alaska greatly increases your chances of success.

2. How many nights should I plan for aurora viewing?

If possible, I recommend at least 3 nights. The aurora is unpredictable, so multiple nights give you a better chance of seeing the Lights in all their glory.

3. Can I photograph the Northern Lights with my phone?

Some smartphones work if you have a night mode, but a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a tripod will give the best results. Even better, join a photography-focused aurora tour.

4. How cold does it get during Northern Lights tours?

Temperatures can drop below -20°F (-29°C) in Fairbanks during peak season. Dress in layers, bring insulated boots, gloves, hats, and hand/foot warmers. Check out my full guide on what to wear in Alaska for winter for more details.

5. Is it worth visiting Fairbanks for the Northern Lights?

Absolutely! Fairbanks is located directly under the Auroral Oval, one of the best places on Earth for viewing the aurora borealis in Alaska. With proper planning, multiple nights, and potentially a guided tour, your chances of seeing the Lights are excellent.

Final Thoughts

Chasing the Northern Lights in Alaska is a magical, unforgettable experience. From standing under the swirling colors to sipping hot cocoa in a warm cabin while waiting for the aurora to appear, every moment is memorable.

Booking Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks, Alaska made our trip seamless and stress-free — we didn’t have to worry about icy roads, navigation, or finding the perfect spot. Instead, we could focus on enjoying the moment, snapping photos, and soaking in the beauty of the Arctic sky.

If you’re planning your first trip to see the aurora borealis in Alaska, remember:

• Go during peak season (September–April, ideally around the new moon).
• Either book multiple nights tours to increase your chances or combine with a cabin in a remote area.
• Dress warmly and pack smart.
• Consider a guided tour — it’s worth it!

Trust me — once you see the Northern Lights dancing across the Alaskan sky, you’ll understand why it’s on every traveler’s bucket list. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave, and one you’ll want to relive again and again.

Check out all of my Alaska blog posts below! ❄️