can you see the northern lights in anchorage

Alaska is located so far north that your chances of seeing the northern lights in the summer months are basically zero. Aurora Denali Lodge in Healy (a 20-minute drive to the park) is open in the winter and perfectly-named if you aren’t keen on camping. And once the sun rises, Anchorage offers plenty of other ways to wow. When to Visit Alaska for the Northern Lights. From November through March, you can expect snow and cold, dark winter nights that get longer approaching the winter solstice on December 21st. Based on my experience (more on that below), here are the best places to see the northern lights near Anchorage. And we where wondering when is the best time to see the Aurora Boreals. She decided to start the site after realizing how many friends and family had never seen the Milky Way, and that space tourism was going to unlock the next great travel destination: space! Keep your shutter speed short. 5 Best Spots to See the Northern Lights in Anchorage. On the 15th then coach back to Anchorage. There’s also a service called Aurora Borealis Notifications where you can sign up for email alerts. No matter what time of night you’re viewing the northern lights in Alaska, you need to bundle up. Borealis Basecamp has domes designed especially to offer you a view of the northern lights from the comfort of your bed. These admittedly look cool but can distract from the aurora in your pics! (Fairbanks is substantially farther north than Anchorage, and more close to the Auroral Oval.). Once you’re set up, be prepared to be patient and keep shooting. In this section, you’ll find a list of places you can see the aurora near some of the major cities and communities you’ll probably visit anyway on a winter trip in Alaska. These will inspire you to find the tour that’s right for you and includes daytime experiences you want with nighttime aurora-viewing opportunities. Any of these spots will be good for a clear view of the night sky. Whether you are coming to Fort Wainwright for TDY, PCS, other official travel or leisure, the Holiday Inn Express Northern Lights Inn on post would like the opportunity to meet your lodging needs. While the lights are unpredictable, it’s best to stay up late to increase your odds of seeing them. Here are some of the ones that stand out: As you can tell, you have plenty of choices! My husband and I are looking for a trip to Alaska. The northern lights (also called the Aurora Borealis) are the name for the aurora when viewed from the northern hemisphere. Tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Aurora Ice Fishing, & Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos. Winter biking, either on fat tire bikes or with studded... Anchorage.net is the official source for Anchorage, Alaska and Southcentral Alaska travel information on everything from outdoor adventures to metropolitan amenities. The fiberglass domes at Borealis Basecamp have clear, curved windows that stretch 16 feet across each dome roof, allowing you to lie in bed and view the northern lights. Should I wait 2-3 years or go this year/next? Let us know in the comments. (Hint: it requires a lot of self-sufficiency, and is pretty snowy and cold in the winter!). Then you’ll receive a call if the staff know the aurora is out! The best time to see the northern lights is from late August through April and this itinerary was designed with a multiple-night stay in Fairbanks to enhance this opportunity. From mid-September onward, the nights are long and dark enough to offer a good chance to see the aurora on any given night. Thank you for all the info. Anchorage is the best base from which to chase aurora. Grab that scarf and hat plus those gloves, hand warmers, wool socks, and proper boots! This is a popular spot in the summer for hiking, cycling, and boating to the Eklutna Glacier. My name is Valerie, and I'm the founder of Space Tourism Guide! . 1) I read about the 11 year cycle, we are at the low end of the cycle jut starting up. In the winter, the road may not be totally accessible, but it works its way up a very sheltered mountain valley. Everything worked out very smooth and I am looking forward to return in a couple of years to Alaska. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t head deep into the Talkeetna Mountains if you’re keen to see the northern lights! One great part about visiting Alaska to see the northern lights is that U.S. citizens don’t need a passport… No immigration, no customs! In the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun,’ that midnight sun definitely interferes with the ability to see dark skies! Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage? Catching the aurora can be as easy as looking up at the stars. Whittier to. Think Ice Road Truckers meets the greatest night sky show on Earth. However, this is weather dependent, and sightings of the northern lights are not guaranteed. We would like to plan a week trip. 4) I am into Landscape Photography. Debora, thanks for your comment. Several Questions…Agree that Alaska is a great place to go since we currently have travel bans in Canada. Since we wanted to combine the northern lights viewing with activities, we ended up booking a package on Alaska Active. You can see the northern lights in Anchorage if you know where to go. You can only drive 13 miles into the park in your private vehicle year-round – and this road is hit-or-miss during the winter based on snow conditions. Talkeetna is a great spot on your itinerary if you’re planning a winter trip to Alaska – even if you’re not hunting the aurora. Here are some quick tips: If you need more help capturing the perfect photos during your trip, check out our full guide of aurora photography tips. The Best Time of Year to See the Northern Lights in Alaska, The Best Places in Alaska to See the Northern Lights, Popular Tours & Day Trips to See the Northern Lights in Alaska, 10-day Iditarod/Denali/northern lights tour, 11 Things You Need to Know to See the Northern Lights, The 17 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland This Winter, The 8 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Sweden This Winter, https://www.valisemag.com/alaska-northern-lights-trip/. During the winter, peak times are between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. If you’re planning a shoulder season trip to Alaska, autumn is a great time with some northern lights viewing opportunities too. Now you know the basics, so it’s time to start planning a trip to Alaska to see the northern lights for yourself. The northern lights are active in the skies over Anchorage from late September to the middle of April.... Alpine skiing in Alaska is outrageous; high mountaintops situated at sea level create some of the best snow... How do Alaskans get two-wheeled traction in winter? As such, I spent fifteen winters enjoying the northern lights, and these are some of my favorite spots to view the aurora in Eagle River – ‘near home.’. Would like to go out viewing most nights we are there – don’t want to miss anything! View the Northern Lights. Once the aurora light up, you’ll have a chance to shoot some amazing dancing lights in the sky. The primary road up into the pass (from Palmer) is typically open in some fashion for skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers who make their way up to the pass for daytime fun. Here’s all my knowledge and wisdom to help you plan an unforgettable trip to see the northern lights in Alaska. While Alaska is certainly not close to the rest of the U.S., this works out in its favor: it’s far enough north and sparsely populated so that you can have amazing aurora viewing opportunities, even near major cities. Highlights: Borealis Basecamp just outside of Fairbanks offers a new and unique way to see the Northern Lights. To improve your chances of getting a great picture, you need the right camera and gear plus the right settings to capture the color and details. If you want to see the aurora in Alaska, we’ve got you covered. At night, you can pull off into one of the parking areas and look up to see the aurora if it’s visible. Based on these things, what is your best recommendation for a trip? As you’ll learn in this section, if you try to visit Alaska during the wrong season, your chances to see the northern lights are nil. This post was originally published in February 2019, and was updated in September 2020. Below are just a few prime aurora viewing spots and guides focused on northern lights in the winter: The shimmering aurora are seen swirling in Anchorage’s skies from the middle of August through April. They can be incredibly bright, multihued, and fast moving. 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