Northern lights in Alaska are frequent on clear, dark nights: even quiet activity of Kp 1 can bring them into view. Of the 212 locations AuroraMe tracks in Alaska, Kaktovik has the best chance; others need up to Kp 9.
Cities Covered
212
Magnetic Latitude Range
47.8°–71.2° MLAT
Required Kp Index
Kp 1.0–9.0
Unlikely
Best chance in Alaska tonight: Kaktovik
AuroraMe watches Kp, clouds and darkness windows so you know when to go outside.
Kp Requirements by Location
Kaktovik
71.2° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Barrow
70.5° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Nuiqsut
70.2° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Atqasuk
69.6° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Wainwright
69.4° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Point Lay
68.1° MLAT
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Best Dark Sky Viewing Locations
Interactive map showing dark sky preserves and Bortle class sites in Alaska. Click markers for details and directions.
Bortle 1
Denali National Park
One of the darkest skies in North America
120mi from fairbanks240mi from anchorage
Parks Highway, open year-round
Bortle 2
Chena Hot Springs
Aurora viewing with hot springs resort
60mi from fairbanks
Chena Hot Springs Road, maintained winter
Bortle 3
Murphy Dome
Popular local aurora viewing spot
20mi from fairbanks
Murphy Dome Road, 4WD recommended
Aurora Status by City
Kaktovik
Inupiat village on Barter Island, on the Beaufort Sea coast inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Unlikely
Barrow
Arctic community with exceptional polar aurora viewing and polar night displays
Unlikely
Nuiqsut
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Atqasuk
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Wainwright
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Point Lay
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Anaktuvuk Pass
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Chalkyitsik
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Venetie
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Portage Creek
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Fort Yukon
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Beaver
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
Unlikely
Showing top 12 cities by current aurora activity and magnetic latitude. Alaska has 212 total aurora viewing locations.
View all 212 cities
CircleBettlesEagleStevens VillageAlatnaAllakaketPoint HopeAmblerKobukShungnakLivengoodKivalinaNoatakRampartKianaChickenHughesTwo RiversNoorvikFairbanksMintoNorth PoleSelawikKotzebueManley Hot SpringsTananaDelta JunctionNenanaHusliaDot LakeTokTanacrossAndersonBucklandTetlinNorthwayDeeringHealyShishmarefRubySlanaGalenaKoyukukLake MinchuminaNulatoChistochinaKoyukDiomedeWalesGakonaKaltagBrevig MissionTellerElimShaktoolikWhite MountainChitinaNikolaiNomeTalkeetnaUnalakleetMcGrathSkagwayTakotnaHainesPalmerValdezWillowWasillaSaint MichaelStebbinsTatitlekGraylingYakutatCordovaEyakAnchorageShagelukGirdwoodAnvikJuneauWhittierGustavusKotlikTyonekSavoongaGambellStony RiverHoonahHoly CrossEmmonakCrooked CreekRed DevilSleetmuteAlakanukLime VillagePelicanTenakee SpringsNunam IquaKenaiSoldotnaSheldon PointSewardAngoonAniakChuathbalukSaint Mary'sMarshallRussian MissionMountain VillagePilot StationPitkas PointKalskagLower KalskagUpper KalskagKakePetersburgNinilchikSitkaWrangellScammon BayHalibut CoveTuluksakHomerNondaltonChevakSeldoviaAkiachakAkiakCoffman CoveHooper BayKwethlukNunapitchukPort AlexanderIliamnaNewhalenBethelKasiglukThorne BayNapakiakNapaskiakKasaanKetchikanSaxmanKokhanokKlawockCraigKoliganekMetlakatlaHydaburgIgiugigEekTuntutuliakNew StuyahokTununakNightmuteToksook BayEkwokLevelockChefornakMekoryukAleknagikQuinhagakKwigillingokKipnukDillinghamKing SalmonNaknekSouth NaknekManokotakOuzinkieClark's PointTwin HillsPort LionsKodiakTogiakGoodnews BayPlatinumEgegikLarsen BayKarlukOld HarborPilot PointAkhiokPort HeidenChignikChignik LagoonChignik LakeSaint PaulNelson LagoonSand PointSaint GeorgeCold BayKing CoveFalse PassAkutanUnalaskaNikolskiAtkaAdak
Best Viewing Season in Alaska
Geographic Advantages
Mean astronomical darkness at Venetie, Dec–Feb 9.7–13.1 hours
Dark Sky Sites 3 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Estimates for Venetie
January 14.48 clear nights, 47.3% cloud
March 14.31 clear nights, 42% cloud
December 11.72 clear nights, 52.6% cloud
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Alaska?
Yes, Alaska offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Kaktovik (MLAT 71.2°) can see aurora at Kp 1.0+, while southern locations need Kp 9.0+. Best viewing is September–April during dark, clear nights.
Where are the darkest skies in Alaska?
The darkest locations include Denali National Park and Chena Hot Springs with Bortle class 1–3. These sites offer minimal light pollution for optimal aurora photography.
Learn More About the Northern Lights
Use the aurora borealis forecast, check northern lights tonight, or open the live aurora map and Kp tracker.
