If you have access to a 4-wheel drive, you can venture further into the back country and try either Ester or Murphy Dome.įinally, one of our favorite places to see the Northern Lights has got to be in Nome, Alaska during the Iditarod Not only can you get a chance to dog mush and watch some of the best racers in the world, but Nome offers so, so much more this time of year.
You might also consider pairing your Northern Lights viewing with a trip to one of the hot water spring pools outlying the city. Make certain you bundle up and stay on roads that have been cleared of snow. Be cautious, of course, since the winter temperatures here can be dangerously cold. Once you’re away from the city, the landscape darkens quickly. Wait for a cloudless night and make certain you check in with the Geophysical Institute’s website to see how active the northern lights will be. To get the best view, you’ll want to drive away from the ambient lights of the city. Located directly beneath the oval of the Northern Lights, the northerly location of Fairbanks means that aurora borealis hunters don’t have to venture too far away from the city in order to spot the lights. Many people consider Fairbanks the single best place for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska. You’ll get to see some of the countryside, have a better chance of glimpsing the lights, and also get the benefit of a tour guide who will have the best idea of where to find a cloudless evening sky. You can also venture into the Glenn Alps for a chance at some spectacular borealis action.įinally, you could always book a day-tour up to Fairbanks. Many locals rave about the views from Flattop Overlook. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, a great option is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area.
#BEST PLACE TO SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS HOW TO#
Again, you’ll want to head away from those city lights.Īs far as how to venture out of the city for a viewing, there are plenty of great options. Though you might be able to see something of the aurora borealis after sunset in the city, the dense population and light pollution make it a lot more difficult. You will generally be able to spot them a bit lower on the horizon. This article originally appeared online in November 2018 it was updated on January 21, 2021, to include current information.Though not positioned as far north as Fairbanks, Anchorage also offers some great opportunities for Northern Lights viewing. When to go: From early September to late April Book a bubble as part of the lodge’s Golden Circle Tour, which includes visits to waterfalls, hot springs, the Secret Lagoon, and Thingvellir National Park. How to go: At the Buubble Lodge (nicknamed the “5 Million Star Hotel”), guests can watch the aurora borealis dance across the sky from within a transparent glamping bubble nestled in the woods outside Reykjavík. Easily reachable by car from Reykjavík, Thingvellir National Park is another crowd favorite. Where to go: Iceland’s dramatic landscapes-among them the Snæfelsness peninsula, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, and Reynisfjara black sand beach-are particularly spectacular spots from which to view the Northern Lights.
In Iceland, it’s possible to view an aurora borealis display above the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon.