The Most Unique Northern Lights Experiences in Alaska

Alaska is one of the best places in the world to view the aurora borealis, aka the northern lights. Travelers come to Alaska during aurora season from late-August through late-April to view this incredible natural phenomenon where dancing waves of vibrant light in shades of green, yellow, pink, and purple light up the night skies in a spectacular show.

Northern lights tours and overnight packages are available in the Southcentral, Interior, and Arctic regions, where tour operators pay close attention to the aurora forecast and weather forecast, take care of transportation and logistics, and bring you to northern lights viewing hot spots. Witnessing the northern lights on any aurora tour is an unforgettable experience, but Alaska offers the chance to take it a step further with some incredibly unique aurora viewing opportunities. From aurora ice fishing to mushing a dog team under the northern lights to aurora yoga retreats, here are some of the unique northern lights viewing experiences that you’ll find in Alaska: 

Unique Overnight Accommodations

With optimal aurora viewing typically happening between 10:00pm and 2:00am, Alaska has a variety of unique accommodations that allow visitors to experience the beauty of the northern lights with ease. Many of these accommodations, primarily located in the Fairbanks area, are specifically designed so you can see the aurora right from your room. Geodesic igloos with clear roofs, cabins and cubes with floor to ceiling windows, and lodges with large decks and inside viewing areas offer the best opportunities for catching the lights in comfort. 

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Chena Hot Springs

Located just outside of Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Resort offers the unique opportunity to view the aurora while soaking in geothermal hot springs pools. The resort’s prime location under the auroral oval and away from light pollution make it an excellent spot for aurora viewing. The outdoor hot springs lake and hot tub are open until nearly midnight, allowing you to catch the first lights of the night if they are active. Visitors who want to maximize their aurora viewing at Chena Hot Springs can book one of the resort’s cozy cabins or lodge rooms or join one of their guided aurora viewing tours that take you to the summit of nearby Charlie Dome for 360 degree views of the night sky.

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Northern Lights Dog Sledding Tours

Combining two of Alaska’s most iconic winter experiences, northern lights dog sledding tours give you the thrill of riding across Alaska’s snowy landscapes pulled by a team of dogs under the aurora. Evening tours are available in Fairbanks that combine a nighttime ride with aurora viewing at a heated yurt. For a more immersive and adventurous aurora dog sledding experience, you can join a multi-day dog sledding tour near Fairbanks or Cantwell, where you’ll learn how to mush your own dog team through Alaska’s backcountry. These tours overnight at rustic cabins or heated tents where you can enjoy wilderness northern lights viewing alongside your dog team. 

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Aurora Snowmachine Tours

Evening aurora snowmachine (snowmobile) tours in Willow and Fairbanks take you on an exciting ride through Alaska’s backcountry, stopping along the way for photo ops at remote northern lights viewing locations. Guides will get you geared up, provide an overview of how to drive your own snowmachine, and then lead you on a thrilling and unique way to catch the lights. 

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Aurora Ice Fishing

Relax in the comfort of a heated ice fishing cabin as you fish under the dancing northern lights on an aurora ice fishing tour. These evening tours, available in the Fairbanks area, last several hours and include instruction from experienced ice fishing guides, gear, hot drinks, and the opportunity to enjoy your fish cooked on-site.  

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Arctic Northern Lights Yoga Retreat

Arctic Hive is a one-of-a-kind backcountry wilderness retreat near the remote community of Wiseman, located 63 miles above the Arctic Circle. In winter, Arctic Hive hosts all-inclusive northern lights, yoga, and adventure retreats, combining wellness and northern lights viewing under the mountains of the Brooks Range. Guests stay in cozy cabins and enjoy meals, meditation, yoga, and northern lights viewing from a large fiberglass igloo.

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