How to See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks (Best Tips + Viewing Spots)

Viewing the Northern Lights is  an activity that's at the top of most people's lists when you're visiting Fairbanks. During the Winter, Spring and Fall months, you can often see the greens and reds and purples of the Aurora dancing overhead. If you want to see the Northern Lights in Fairbanks then you usually need a few things to happen. You need it to be dark, have a clear sky, and be lucky enough to have a strong enough solar storm.

​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state.
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If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.

How to See the Northern Lights (Best Tips)

Like I mentioned above, in order to see the Northern Lights you'll need a few things to happen. The first is that it needs to be dark. You'll want to get out of the city, and face away from any light pollution. The darker it is, the better. The second is you want a clear sky, free of clouds. Most weather apps now have a cloud radar section, so you can use this to judge which areas will either have clear skies or large gaps in cloud coverage. Unfortunately if it's cloudy, the clouds will block any Aurora you have. Last, you'll need a strong solar storm, which is essentially what causes the Northern Lights to appear as particles cross into our atmosphere. What's interesting is that the Northern Lights appear much stronger on camera than with your naked eye, so I'll often check on my phone camera for any green bits to see if the aurora is "starting." I also have another guide on camera settings and tips to photograph the Northern Lights that can be helpful as well!

​My Favorite Fairbanks Tours : 
-> Dog Sledding + Mushing in the North Pole
-> Arctic Circle Winter Adventure
-> Aurora Chasing + Northern Lights Photography

Northern Lights Spots in Fairbanks

1. Murphy Dome, 45 Minutes
Located almost 30 miles from town, this is one of the most popular spots for Northern Lights chasers to go. The road can get a bit sketchy in the Winter, so I recommend having a confident driver behind the wheel who's used to driving on ice. If you've never been out this way, I recommend driving up when it's still a little bright out so you can know what to expect and see the layout of the area a bit more clearly. It can be very dark at night and hard to see where the parking area is, but once you're parked you'll want to turn off all car lights (including headlights) so you don't annoy everyone else around you.

2. Ester Dome, 25 Minutes
As the closest and easiest "good" viewing spot from town, Ester Dome can also get pretty busy if the Northern Lights are expected. Like the other Domes and Summits around Fairbanks, you'll want to be confident driving this road in the Winter, but the reward is pretty great and offers 360 degree views of the night sky.

3. Chena Lake Recreation Area, 30 Minutes
​Located closer to North Pole than Fairbanks, this is another great area to go Northern Lights viewing. Because the Recreation Area is so large and flat, you can find lots of open space to view the sky even though you're not elevated like at the domes. The drive is a bit easier than Murphy Dome and you can sit by the frozen lake to enjoy the views.
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4. Cleary Summit, 30 Minutes
Another popular spot is Cleary Summit, which can get a bit crowded during evenings when the Northern Lights are expected. Sometimes this spot doesn't show up on maps, so you'll want to head to Mile 21 on the Steese Highway. The drive is a bit steep, and again you should expect Winter road conditions.

5. Special Lodges & Stays 
​If you want to stay away from the crowds and have a more private viewing experience, I recommend booking a stay that caters to Northern Lights viewing. There's lots of places to stay around Fairbanks that are specifically designed for the Northern Lights - like the igloos at Borealis Basecamp or this hidden yurt that sits on a hill overlooking Fairbanks. If you want to quietly enjoy the views without people flashing their headlights at you, then this is your best bet.

Watch My Fairbanks Adventures Here!

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Other Alaska Blog Posts You Might Be Interested In : 
-> Photographing the Northern Lights
-> Best Winter Things to Do in Fairbanks
-> Where to Stay in Fairbanks

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Pin this Northern Lights Guide for Later!