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Pleasant Acres Igloo and Northern Lights
Photo Credit: Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch
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Northern Lights Viewing Accommodations in Alaska

From mid-August to mid-April, visitors from all over the world travel to Alaska to witness the awe-inspiring northern lights. This breathtaking natural phenomenon, also known as the aurora borealis, lights up clear dark skies with vibrant colors, creating an extraordinary display that captivates all who witness its magical beauty. Though Alaska offers many opportunities to view the northern lights, choosing the right accommodations can greatly improve your chances of experiencing the aurora since they come out late at night.

We've pulled together some of the best lodging experiences that offer a unique blend of comfort, warmth, and optimal viewing conditions. While this list focuses on the areas where you have a higher likelihood of witnessing the northern lights (the Interior, Arctic, and Southcentral regions), don’t discount viewing opportunities in the Inside Passage and Southwest Alaska. Even though these areas are less frequently associated with aurora activity, you can still catch occasional glimpses of the northern lights under the right conditions, as they can be seen statewide.

Here are some of the top accommodations that will help you maximize your northern lights viewing in Alaska:

Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks

Open year-round and considered to be one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights, Chena Hot Springs Resort is located 60 miles away from Fairbanks in a remote area with minimal light pollution. Offering a diverse range of lodging options—from lodges and cabins to yurts—guests staying at Chena Hot Springs Resort can soak in natural hot springs, marvel at the aurora borealis, explore the Aurora Ice Museum, and participate in various guided tours.

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Cabin at Chena Hot Springs Resort
Cozy cabins at Chena Hot Springs Resort

Borealis Basecamp, Fairbanks

Borealis Basecamp offers guests a unique experience with igloo-style accommodations featuring clear ceilings and cube accommodations with a full wall of glass for optimal northern lights viewing right from your bed. Located just 25 miles from Fairbanks, this boutique lodging experience provides a luxurious and intimate setting for guests to immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of the aurora. Guests can also experience winter activities like dog sledding and snowmachining for a full Alaska adventure, along with fine dining at their on-site restaurant.

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Northern lights over Borealis Basecamp
Northern lights over Borealis Basecamp Igloo. Photo Credit: @laytonfindlater

Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch, Fairbanks

With several luxurious fiberglass igloos on the property, Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch offers a spectacular northern lights viewing experience. Each spacious dome, named after Alaska caribou herds, feature large windows designed for aurora borealis viewing. Positioned on raised decks overlooking the property's reindeer herd, guests in the igloos will enjoy stunning views, serene surroundings, and easy access to trails around the reindeer pasture. During the season, guests can even sign up to receive personalized Aurora Alerts and wake ups for a truly unforgettable stay.

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Pleasant Acres Igloo and Northern Lights
Photo Credit: Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch

Arctic Hive, Wiseman

Discover a unique wilderness retreat at Arctic Hive. Located in the Brooks Range, 63 miles above the Arctic Circle, this remote backcountry retreat center invites guests to unwind and connect with nature through yoga, meditation, art, skiing, and dog sledding. With three cozy cabins and a fiberglass igloo common area on the property, each cabin is designed for warmth and panoramic views of the stunning northern lights.

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Arctic Hive igloo
Photo Credit: Arctic Hive

Bettles Lodge, Bettles

Situated 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Bettles Lodge is your gateway to Alaska’s wild beauty, offering rustic charm and breathtaking views in a remote location. The lodge provides comfortable accommodations with exceptional service, offering trip packages tailored to your needs. Whether you're interested in wilderness trips like fishing, backpacking, canoeing, and flightseeing in summer, or winter activities such as northern lights viewing, dog mushing, and cross-country skiing, Bettles Lodge offers adventures for who wish to get off-the-beaten-track in Alaska.

Coldfoot Camp, Coldfoot

Coldfoot Camp, located north of the Arctic Circle along the Dalton Highway in the Brooks Range, offers guests easy access to an authentic Alaska wilderness experience. With rustic rooms and on-site dining, it's the perfect basecamp to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska. Enjoy guided aurora tours for unforgettable northern lights viewing, or explore the Arctic with wildlife tours, dog sledding, fat tire biking, and flightseeing. For those seeking adventure in a remote setting far from city lights, Coldfoot Camp provides a true Alaska experience.

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Northern lights in Wiseman
Northern lights in Wiseman near Coldfoot. Photo Credit: Travel Alaska, Matt Hage

Susitna Adventure Lodge, Cantwell

Discover your next adventure at Susitna Adventure Lodge, where you can disconnect and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, unwind, and explore the Alaska wilderness. Located along the Denali Highway and owned by two Iditarod mushers, this luxurious year-round lodge offers a private escape for small groups featuring a main lodge with cozy accommodations and easy access to a variety of outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a dog mushing camping trip, go cross country skiing, or simply gaze at the northern lights, this lodge provides a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

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Susitna Adventure Lodge
Photo Credit: Susitna Adventure Lodge

Talkeetna Accommodations, Talkeetna

The small town of Talkeetna is home to a wide variety of accommodations including cabins and lodges that provide a perfect basecamp for viewing the northern lights. You can relax for the day in your cozy accommodations or take to the many cross country ski trails, and then catch the lights at night the from vantage points overlooking the Susitna River or one of Talkeetna’s many lakes. Two popular options are Talkeetna Roadhouse and the Susitna River Lodge. Nestled in the heart of Talkeetna, the historic Talkeetna Roadhouse dates back to 1917 and is located right on the town’s lively Main Street. They offer warm, inviting hospitality, treats from their on-site bakery, and rustic accommodation options including private rooms, cabins, and cottages.

Less than a mile from downtown and located on a picturesque stretch of the Susitna River is the Susitna River Lodge, offering spacious cabins that are in a prime spot for northern lights viewing over the river. Simply walk a few steps to the river’s edge from your cabin for some of the best views in Talkeetna, with the mighty Denali in the distance.

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Denali Views over the Susitna River
Denali views from the Susitna River Lodge in Talkeetna.

Hatcher Pass Lodge, Hatcher Pass

Offering cabins and a main lodge with an on-site restaurant, Hatcher Pass Lodge is located in the Mat-Su Valley, about an hour north of Anchorage, with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Talkeetna Mountains. Guests can take to the local ski trails that meander through the historic mine buildings of Independence Mine National Historical Park and then unwind with a hot drink at the A-frame lodge. At night, experience the magic of the aurora borealis dancing across the dark night skies over the surrounding mountains.

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Northern lights over Hatcher Pass Lodge
Nothern lights over Hatcher Pass Lodge. Photo Credit: @roamwild_

Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is Alaska’s top ski destination and offers a good chance at northern lights viewing in Southcentral Alaska. With its location in the Chugach Mountains, the resort offers a perfect setting for aurora viewing, free from city light pollution. Guests can ask for a Northern Lights Wake-Up Call at Alyeska Resort, ensuring they never miss a chance to witness the stunning aurora display.

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Northern lights in Girdwood
Northern lights over Mount Alyeska from Moose Meadows in Girdwood
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