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The Best Northern Lights Tours in Fairbanks, Alaska: My Top Picks for an Unforgettable Experience

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Few places are as captivating as Fairbanks, Alaska, when it comes to witnessing the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon in which charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating a mesmerizing display of colorful lights dancing across clear skies.

Shades of green, pink, purple, and sometimes even red illuminate the sky in a breathtaking performance that feels almost surreal.

Fairbanks is among the world’s best places to view the northern lights during the Aurora Season, which runs from August 21 to April 21.

The city’s location is ideal because it is directly under the Auroral Oval, a ring-shaped band that hovers in the atmosphere above the Arctic Circle, where aurora activity is concentrated.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Fairbanks as part of a post-fam trip following TBEX, a travel conference for content creators like myself.

TBEX brings together bloggers, writers, videographers, and social media influencers from around the world to share insights, make connections, and explore new destinations and I am the TBEX Conference Director for North America.

While there, I experienced some of the best Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks, from guided tours to the Borealis Base Camp to visiting the Arctic Circle to see the lights.

There are plenty of vantage points perfect for viewing the Northern Lights, or you can book a professional tour guide and spend the night in a heated “aurorium” cabin, yurt, or lodge to view the Northern Lights in warmth and comfort—trust me, it gets cold AF!

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You can also look for them on an overnight dog sled adventure, snowmobile tour, snow cat tour, or flight above the Arctic Circle.

Staying for at least 3 nights is optimal, as you will be actively looking for the aurora during the late night hours, and your chances of seeing it are more than 90%.

The intensity varies from night to night; you might have mild auroral activity one night, and the sky is dancing the next.

The best displays usually appear very late into the morning. So, if you are anything like me and need your rest, please make sure you view them in a place where you can go to your room if you get tired.

One night, I was exhausted, and it was 2 am, and we were almost 2 hours away from the hotel. I was pissed and sleepy, so please make sure you take this into account when planning your visit to Fairbanks that you will be up till the early morning hours.

Once you are out, it’s too late to say I’m tired and ready to go..

With that being said, In this guide, I’ll share my top recommendations for the best time to book the Northern Lights tours in Fairbanks and the best chance to see the Aurora Lights.

👉Don’t have time to read the whole article? This is the best Auroara Lights Tour.
👉This is the best Arctic Circle Tour 
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Best place to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

1. Aurora Borealis Lodge

Located 21 miles north of Fairbanks, the Aurora Borealis Lodge is ideally situated for 360-degree viewing and photography.

From late August through early April, they offer nightly aurora tours w/ roundtrip transfers from Fairbanks.

The Aurora Borealis Lodge is just outside Fairbanks and offers an ideal vantage point for viewing the aurora. You can enjoy the Northern Lights without worrying about light pollution with large windows and an outdoor deck.

The lodge was warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax with hot cocoa. However, it is not what I consider luxury but more “rustic.”

2. Aurora Pointe

Aurora Pointe is another fantastic location for viewing the Northern Lights. It’s only a short drive from Fairbanks and offers a comfortable indoor space with large windows for viewing and outdoor decks for an unobstructed look at the sky.

The guides were extremely knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about the aurora while we waited.

This is a great spot for anyone who wants more information about the science behind the aurora while enjoying the show.

However, again, it is rustic, so don’t think you will be lounging on plush sofas while you wait for the lights but they will provide hot drinks while you wait.

3. Photography Tour

I highly recommend a photography tour for anyone interested in capturing landscape photography of the Northern Lights. An experienced aurora photographer will provide tips and help you get some amazing shots.

They will take you to a remote location with perfect viewing conditions and offer expert camera settings, composition, and timing guidance.

This tour is a must if you want to leave with beautiful photos of the aurora to show off to friends and family, but luckily for me, I was traveling with a group of photographers.

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Northern lights in Fairbanks.

4. Dog Sledding Under the Northern Lights

This combination of a Northern Lights tour and Dog Sledding is a great family experience.

Your Aurora Dinner Dog Sled Tour begins right at your Fairbanks hotel, so you don’t need to plan how to get there, and you will save additional taxi costs.

They offer free guest pickup from 8:30 pm to 9 pm.

Upon arrival at the kennel, the huskies will be ready and waiting for you to bundle up and climb into the sled.

Most of the night ride is in open areas, so if the Aurora starts early, you will have a thrilling view of the sky from the sled dogs..

Back at the yurt, a home-cooked dinner will be served while you wait for the Northern Lights to put on a show.

Once the Aurora is out, you can enjoy it inside the yurt or the outdoor viewing area. remember, most of the accommodation is not luxury and only comes with basic needs, so dress accordingly.

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5. Borealis Basecamp: Dinner and Aurora Viewing

If you want a taste of luxury while watching the Northern Lights, Borealis Basecamp is probably your only option.

Borealis Basecamp has ten rooms and an off-the-grid design that requires everything to be shipped in (and out), so the rates are understandably expensive.

It is by far one of the best aurora-viewing lodges in Fairbanks.

Once you arrive, you’ll spot the hotel’s ten stand-alone igloos. Because they’re usually booked, Borealis Basecamp is working to add five more in the future.

The igloos have transparent ceilings, so you can watch the aurora from the comfort of your bed.

Our group also enjoyed dinner there, a perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring. The menu changes depending on what’s fresh that day, and it includes a mix of appetizers and entrées, including fresh fish, a rack of lamb, and even some vegetarian options.

The hotel explains on its website, “Guests at Borealis Basecamp dine in a craftsman-built yurt with plenty of space to look out upon nearby Wickersham Dome and the White Mountains.

Linger with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, savor each meal, and enjoy a sense of home away from home. The yurt is a ‘home base’ for guests, providing a 24-hour space to visit, play board games, or read a good book.”

Boreallis basecamp in fairbanks | pictures of the pods, northern lights and steak from the restuarant

6. Chena Hot Springs Resort

Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a different kind of Northern Lights experience. Here, you can relax in natural hot springs while watching the aurora dance overhead.

It’s an incredibly soothing way to take in the show, and the contrast between the warm water and the cool night air adds to the experience.

The resort also features an aurora ice museum, which is very cool, and has an igloo and bar inside. We had apple martini in glasses made of ice, making it an excellent choice for those looking to combine relaxation with some wintertime fun.

Again, while the hot springs are nice, the hotel is very outdated, and I would personally not stay there.

Chena Hot springs in alaska

7. Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company

I have a love/hate relationship with this tour because while flying across the Arctic Circle was a bucket list experience, the 12-plus hour drive back on a bumpy road with no wifi was horrible.

The Arctic Circle Aurora Fly/Drive Adventure offers a unique view of the Northern Lights. This tour combines a flight over the Alaskan wilderness with an uneventful drive back to Fairbanks, but not before stopping at the Yukon River Camp.

As I stated earlier, do not expect plush accommodations because you will be sorely disappointed

The tour also included the Dalton Highway, also known as the Haul Road, and the mighty Yukon River; we also visited Coldfoot, Tundra, and of course, got a picture in front of the Arctic Circle sign because did we really visit if there is no proof?

Not only did I get to cross the Arctic Circle, but I also enjoyed some amazing views of the aurora along the way. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the region’s history, geology, and of course, the aurora itself.

This tour is a bit longer, but it’s well worth the time if you want a more immersive experience.

aurora circle

Quick Details

  • Duration: 14 hours
  • Food & Drink: Snacks & Bottled Water
  • Lunch: Available for purchase at Yukon River Camp
  •  Tour Departure: 7:00am-7:30am
  •  Tour Return: 7:00 pm-4:00 am

 Inclusions:

  • Pick up/drop off from hotels within the city limits of Fairbanks or the North Pole
  • Personalized Arctic Circle Certificate
  • Snacks & bottled water

8. Aurora Flight Tour

My final tour was an Aurora flight tour, where I took to the skies for a completely different perspective on the Northern Lights.

The aurora seemed even more magical from the air as the lights stretched endlessly across the sky. The plane’s large windows offered perfect views, and the tour was designed to minimize light interference, making it easy to enjoy the display.

This tour is a bit of a splurge, but it is a fantastic way to see the Aurora from a unique vantage point. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska, is between late August and early April. The nights are longer and darker during this period, providing optimal conditions for aurora viewing.

Key viewing months:

  • End of August to March: Aurora activity is generally highest. The skies are usually clear during these months, and the extended darkness enhances visibility.
  • Peak viewing times: The hours between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. are considered the best for spotting the aurora. You might even see them on particularly active nights as early as 8 p.m. or as late as 4 a.m.

Final Thoughts

Fairbanks offers so many incredible ways to experience one of the most amazing natural wonders. Whether you prefer to watch from the comfort of a lodge while sledding through the snow or even from the air, there’s something for everyone.

It’s important to remember that no tour operator can guarantee sightings of the Northern Lights. Aurora activity is unpredictable; it may appear night after night or remain elusive for weeks.

Whether the Northern Lights grace your visit, the journey to the Arctic Circle from Fairbanks is an extraordinary adventure and an exceptional tour.

These are the best Fairbanks Aurora tours that I can recommend.

While there are plenty of tours to see the spectacular northern lights, these are the ones I can personally vouch for.

Be prepared for long nights in Alaska, but the Northern Lights trip is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. I don’t recommend the self-drive tours because of Alaska’s expansive landscape, and the last thing you want to do is get lost.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is essential for any trip, regardless of the destination, as it provides a safety net for unexpected events such as flight cancellations, lost baggage, or sudden medical emergencies.

However, it becomes especially crucial when venturing into remote, extreme environments like the Arctic Circle. In these isolated areas, access to medical facilities can be limited, and weather conditions can change rapidly, potentially disrupting your plans.

The right travel insurance not only covers unforeseen expenses but also provides peace of mind, knowing that you have support in case something goes wrong. Don’t let the unexpected ruin your adventure so book your travel insurance today.

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Thanks for checking out my list of the best Northern Lights Fairbank tours. 

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Best Places to see the Northern lights

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