Seeing the Northern Lights from Fairbanks: A Season Guide

When aurora season is

Explore Fairbanks, the borough visitor bureau, puts aurora season at August 21 through April 21. Summer nights in Fairbanks are simply too bright; the sun barely sets. Fairbanks sits under the auroral oval, the ring around the far north where northern lights activity concentrates, so on a clear, dark night the odds are good: Explore Fairbanks says the aurora is visible on average four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough.

Nothing guarantees a show. Activity changes night to night like the weather, and cloud cover hides even a strong display. That is why we suggest planning a stay of three nights or more if seeing the lights is the point of your trip.

Check the forecast before you go out

• UAF Geophysical Institute aurora forecast: the Fairbanks-based forecast, with a multi-day outlook and live sky cameras.
• NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: a 30-minute forecast of where the aurora is likely right now.
• Check the cloud forecast as well. A clear sky matters as much as a high aurora forecast.
• Be out in the late evening. Explore Fairbanks recommends late-evening hours for the best chances.

Watching from Rewak Studios

We are on Rewak Drive, about 3.1 miles from downtown Fairbanks. On strong nights you can catch the aurora right from the property. For a fuller show, darker skies are a short drive past the city lights.

Late nights are easy here. Check-in is self-service from 4:00 PM, with a door code for the main building and a physical key card for your room, so a late flight or an evening aurora tour never means racing a front desk. Free off-street parking is included with every unit, so you can come and go as the forecast changes.

Where to drive for darker skies

Explore Fairbanks publishes a free Aurora Viewing Map & Guide with vantage points around the area, including Cleary Summit, Murphy Dome, the Chena River State Recreation Area and North Pole. You can download it from Explore Fairbanks or pick up a printed copy at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center downtown. Many visitors also book a guided aurora tour, which handles the driving and the waiting.

• Check Alaska 511 for road conditions before driving out of town at night.
• Dress for standing still in deep cold: insulated boots, a hat, mittens or gloves, and layers.
• Keep your gas tank topped up and tell someone where you are going. In real cold, plug your car in when you get back; our winter plug-in guide explains how.

Choosing a room for an aurora trip

For a few nights, most aurora visitors take a Queen Room (one queen bed, sleeps 2) or a Two Doubles room (two double beds, up to 2 adults and 1 child). Both share a kitchenette with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker and basic cookware, and Safeway is right across the street. The 2-Bedroom Apartment has its own full kitchen and currently has a 30-night minimum for arrivals through April 30, 2027.

Pick your dates on our rooms page for live rates. Booking direct is where our best rate is.