Cities Covered
212
Monitoring locations across Alaska
Magnetic Latitude Range
48.8°–71.1° MLAT
Prime aurora viewing latitudes
Required Kp Index
Kp 1.0–8.0
Minimum activity for visibility
Kp Requirements by Location
Kaktovik
71.1° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Barrow
70.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Nuiqsut
70.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Atqasuk
69.2° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Wainwright
69.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Anaktuvuk Pass
68.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 1.0+ Horizon
Kp 2.0+ Optimal
Kp 3.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
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
Arctic community with exceptional polar aurora viewing and polar night displays
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Barrow
Arctic community with exceptional polar aurora viewing and polar night displays
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Nuiqsut
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Atqasuk
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Wainwright
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Anaktuvuk Pass
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Chalkyitsik
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Venetie
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Point Lay
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Fort Yukon
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Portage Creek
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Beaver
Far northern Alaska city with outstanding aurora visibility and dark winter skies
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Showing top 12 cities by magnetic latitude (aurora data loading...). Alaska has 212 total aurora viewing locations.
View all 212 cities
CircleBettlesEagleStevens VillageAlatnaAllakaketAmblerKobukLivengoodShungnakChickenPoint HopeRampartTwo RiversHughesKivalinaNoatakFairbanksKianaMintoNorth PoleNoorvikManley Hot SpringsSelawikDelta JunctionKotzebueNenanaTananaDot LakeHusliaTanacrossTokAndersonTetlinNorthwayBucklandHealyDeeringRubySlanaGalenaKoyukukShishmarefChistochinaLake MinchuminaNulatoGakonaKoyukKaltagDiomedeWalesBrevig MissionChitinaElimShaktoolikTellerWhite MountainNikolaiTalkeetnaUnalakleetMcGrathSkagwayTakotnaNomeHainesPalmerValdezWillowWasillaSaint MichaelStebbinsTatitlekYakutatAnchorageCordovaEyakGraylingGirdwoodShagelukWhittierAnvikJuneauTyonekGustavusKotlikStony RiverHoonahCrooked CreekHoly CrossRed DevilSleetmuteEmmonakKenaiLime VillageAlakanukPelicanSavoongaSoldotnaTenakee SpringsGambellSewardAngoonNunam IquaSheldon PointAniakChuathbalukMarshallRussian MissionSaint Mary'sKalskagLower KalskagMountain VillageNinilchikPilot StationPitkas PointUpper KalskagKakePetersburgSitkaHalibut CoveWrangellHomerNondaltonScammon BayTuluksakSeldoviaAkiachakAkiakChevakCoffman CoveIliamnaNewhalenBethelHooper BayKasiglukKwethlukNunapitchukPort AlexanderNapakiakNapaskiakKokhanokThorne BayKasaanKoliganekKetchikanKlawockSaxmanCraigIgiugigEekMetlakatlaNew StuyahokTuntutuliakEkwokHydaburgTununakLevelockNightmuteToksook BayAleknagikChefornakQuinhagakDillinghamKwigillingokMekoryukKing SalmonKipnukNaknekOuzinkieSouth NaknekClark's PointManokotakPort LionsKodiakTogiakTwin HillsGoodnews BayPlatinumEgegikKarlukLarsen BayOld HarborPilot PointAkhiokPort HeidenChignikChignik LagoonChignik LakeNelson LagoonSand PointSaint GeorgeCold BayKing CoveFalse PassSaint PaulAkutanUnalaskaNikolskiAtkaAdak
Best Viewing Season in Alaska
Geographic Advantages
Magnetic Latitude 48.8°–71.1° MLAT
Cities Covered 212 locations
Winter Darkness 20 hours
Dark Sky Sites 3 Bortle 1-3
Peak Aurora Months
Primary Peak September–October
Secondary Peak March–April
Equinox Boost +35% activity
Photography Winter darkness
Track with AuroraMe
Coverage All 212 cities
Advance Notice 30 minutes
Weather Integration Cloud cover
Predictions Best viewing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in Alaska?
Yes, Alaska offers aurora viewing opportunities. Cities like Kaktovik (MLAT 71.1°) can see aurora at Kp 1.0+, while southern locations need Kp 8.0+. 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.
