best time to visit fairbanks alaska

Fairbanks Travel Guide

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Best Times To Visit Fairbanks

The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal. Although peak season brings the highest accommodation rates and the largest crowds of the year, it also welcomes the warmest weather, with average temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. You can save money and still enjoy pleasant, cool climes in the late spring and early fall. For the lowest rates, visit during the offseason, which begins after Labor Day and runs through Memorial Day. If your main objective is to see the northern lights , the late fall and winter are peak viewing times.

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Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

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This Alaskan City Is a Prime Northern Lights Destination — How to Visit

Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights.

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While most visitors to Alaska head to the scenic southern coast, there's one interior destination that pulls its fair share of visitors: Fairbanks. With a population of about 33,000 people, it's Alaska's second-largest city, just narrowly beating out Juneau by a few hundred residents as of the 2020 census. Fairbanks has some pretty intense temperature swings throughout the year — summer highs are in the 70s, while winter lows are below zero — but it's still a year-round destination for travelers. In the summer, there's hiking, farmers' markets, and festivals. And in the winter, there are the northern lights . Need we say more? If you're interested in making the trek north, here's what you need to know about visiting Fairbanks, Alaska.

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How to See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

The northern lights are undoubtedly the biggest attraction in Fairbanks, as the destination is considered one of the best in the world to see the atmospheric phenomenon. (In fact, the Geophysical Institute, which offers one of the best aurora forecast services, is located at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.) During aurora season, which runs from August 21 through April 21, the northern lights show up four out of five nights on average, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. — but that doesn't mean you're guaranteed to see them. You still need clear skies to see the aurora borealis , which means that you should stay for at least a few nights or even a week to maximize your chances. The lights are so prevalent here because of the city's northern location, right near the place where the northern lights most commonly appear: the Auroral Oval, a ring circling the Earth at a latitude of approximately 65 to 70 degrees north.

Though Fairbanks is a small city, it still suffers from light pollution, so the best northern lights viewing is done outside the city. While you can drive yourself into more remote areas, you can also take a northern lights tour, which might even include activities like a soak at Chena Hot Springs and a visit to the Aurora Ice Museum , or adventures like snowmobiling and ice fishing. But even if you're in town, you still might see the aurora. Many hotels in Fairbanks offer a northern lights wake-up call, so if you turn in for the night before the aurora shows up, they'll call your room phone to ensure you'll see them.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Things to Do in Fairbanks

Beyond the northern lights, Fairbanks is known for its museums, such as the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum , the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center , and the University of Alaska Museum of the North . In the summer, when Fairbanks experiences the midnight sun (when the sky remains light all night long), there are plenty of festivals and fairs, including the popular Midnight Sun Festival , which sees 30,000 people gather for 12 hours of live music, shopping, and good eats. Fairbanks also serves as a good jumping-off point for excursions into Denali National Park or the arctic, whether on day trips or multi-day adventures.

Hotels in Fairbanks

Most hotels in Fairbanks are budget to mid-tier chains belonging to the major hospitality groups, like Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, Hyatt, and IHG. But there are also a few independent hotels, inns, and hostels in the heart of town, such as Pike's Waterfront Lodge , Alaska Heritage House , and Billie's Backpackers Hostel . For prime northern lights viewing, head outside of town to more distant accommodations, like A Taste of Alaska Lodge , Alaska Grizzly Lodge , and Chena Hot Springs Resort . Be sure to book well in advance of your visit if you're heading to Fairbanks for northern lights season.

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Aurora Season

Fairbanks' renowned aurora viewing lures people from all over the world during Aurora Season. But why is Fairbanks, Alaska popular for viewing the northern lights and when should you visit? How do you look for the aurora and will you stay warm doing so? If you've thought of these questions, you’re not alone! Keep reading to have these frequently asked questions answered and get other useful information about this magnificent natural phenomena.

View the real-time Aurora Tracker

Northern Lights in Fairbanks

It's no surprise that with Fairbanks' location, it is frequently referred to as the best place to see the northern lights in Alaska, the United States and in many cases, across the globe.

There are many different ways you can hunt for the aurora. You can drive to a nearby vantage point and wait for them to appear, or take a tour and watch them from a heated “aurorium” cabin, yurt, dome or lodge. You can also see them on a dog sled adventure or while you are ice fishing, on a snow cat tour, via a trip part way up the Dalton Highway or even on a flight above the Arctic Circle.

Aurora Viewing Map & Guide

Use the brand-new Aurora Viewing Map & Guide to plan your aurora viewing adventure in the Fairbanks area. In addition to an easy-to-use map detailing northern light vantage points, you'll find science information, pro tips for aurora chasing and FAQs.

While you're in Fairbanks, a printed copy can be picked up at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, local hotels or through tour operators.

Download the Aurora Viewing Map & Guide

View the wonder of the northern lights in Fairbanks with this short video!

Aurora viewing faqs, why is fairbanks such a great place to view the northern lights.

Fairbanks’ location is ideal for northern lights viewing because it is under the “Auroral Oval,” a ring-shaped zone over the far north where aurora activity is concentrated. Additionally, Fairbanks’ low precipitation and distance from coastal areas contribute to consistently clear nights. All combined these variables make the Fairbanks region an outstanding destination for possible aurora borealis viewing.

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough. Scientifically speaking, the aurora is dancing above year-round, but we can only see it during the Aurora Season when we have dark enough skies.

Am I going to see the aurora if I visit Fairbanks?

The northern lights are so prolific in the Fairbanks region and the Arctic that visitors who stay a minimum of three nights and are actively out during the late evening hours increase their chance of seeing the aurora to more than 90 percent!

How can I see the aurora?

There are so many different ways, but a great way is to take a northern lights tour with a guide. You can view them from a heated “aurorium” cabin or lodge, see them on a dog sled adventure, on a snow cat tour, via a trip part way up the Dalton Highway or even on a flight above the Arctic Circle. Or perhaps you want to go fishing while you wait and go on an evening ice-fishing adventure on a local lake! All of these are great options, or if you are a do-it-yourself adventurer, you can drive to a nearby vantage point and wait for them to appear. See below for accessible spots around Fairbanks.

What colors will I typically see on my visit?

Visitors will most typically witness a swirling array of green, teal, and white. An intense aurora can get a purple or magenta edge. The aurora takes on different shapes such as curtains, bands, rays and coronas.

What should I wear to go aurora hunting?

Layers, layers, layers and dress warmly! You will likely be out in the elements for extended periods of time. Rely on synthetic, wool, and fleece materials, especially in the winter. For more on how to dress for winter pursuits, watch this video.

In The Media

The Best Places (and Time) to See the Northern Lights

In Fairbanks itself, residents see the northern lights on about eight of every 10 nights. More

Northern Lights: 11 places to see the aurora borealis

The city of Fairbanks, in Alaska, is often cited as the best place to see the Northern Lights in the United States. More

7 Magical Places to View Auroras

Fairbanks is the best place in the U.S. to take in the northern lights. More

Best Places to See the Northern Lights

Fairbanks lies directly beneath a band of aurora activity, meaning from August to May, the town regularly experiences a celestial display of green, yellow, and purple. More

How to Photograph the Aurora

Read this blog post with helpful tips and tricks from local guides.
Locate a dark area with minimal light pollution. Point your camera at the northern sky and compose your medium-distance foreground with a fixed object such as trees, hills or a cabin.
Use a digital camera with manual settings and a solid tripod.
Use a remote shutter to minimize camera shake.
Bring extra camera batteries and a flashlight or headlamp and dress for extended times outdoors.
Manually set your camera on its highest ISO setting, widest focal point and lowest aperture.
Expose each shot for approximately 5 to 10 seconds. Longer exposures will result in brighter images, but stars will streak and the aurora will soften. Short exposures may have sharper detail but dimmer images.
Every aurora and camera is distinctive, so experiment with different settings and exposure times to get the best shot.

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