Denali Northern Lights Tour - Stampede Excursions (2024)

FAQs

What is the best month to see the northern lights in Alaska? ›

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.

The strongest lights tend to appear between 9pm and 2am, though the best sightings often occur between 11pm and midnight.

Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution.

Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the northern lights in Alaska due to its location, hours of darkness in winter, auroral activity, and the amount of tours, activities, and accommodations dedicated to northern lights viewing.

Certain conditions and locations may increase the likelihood of this phenomenon occurring. The best month to see the Northern Lights in Alaska while cruising is in September. With fewer hours of daylight and more darkness, there are additional chances to see the waltzing colors illuminate the evening sky.

The best time to cruise Alaska to see northern lights is during the Alaska cruise season, which runs from late April to October. During this season, the optimal viewing periods are in late April, late August, and mid-to-late September.

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season.

Auroras are visible almost every night near the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, which are about 66.5 degrees north and south of the Equator. In the north, the display is called aurora borealis, or northern lights. In the south, it is called aurora australis, or southern lights.

There are several viewpoints within the first 20 miles, but the farther you travel, the bigger the mountain gets. After the Eielson Visitor Center (park road mile 66) the summit is visible for the next 15 miles.

If you see Denali during your visit, count yourself lucky. The mountain is so tall, that people like to say “it makes its own weather.” Clouds bump up against the peak all summer long, so the mountain is completely visible only around 20% of the time.

Is it better to see northern lights in Iceland or Alaska? ›

Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaska city experiences them around 45% of the time (compared to about 25% for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold.

Yes, you can see the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, from Anchorage - but not in the summer. The aurora actually occurs all year long, but the sky needs to be clear and dark to see it. Views are best from September to April.

(I'm not crying, you're crying.) The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season.

The community sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights. You can expect to see the spectacle in the sky in Wiseman about 250 nights a year, especially between late August and mid-April.

If you're wondering if Iceland or Alaska is better for viewing the Northern Lights. The answer is that both offer incredible opportunities. The ideal position for viewing the Aurora Borealis is north of 65 degrees latitude. It will need to be a cloudless night and preferably away from city lights.

The Sparkling City of Fairbanks

Many people consider Fairbanks the single best place for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska.