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
Two Rivers
65.8° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
North Pole
65.6° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Tanacross
65.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Tok
65.0° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Tetlin
64.9° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ Bright
Kp0Kp1Kp2Kp3Kp4Kp5Kp6Kp7Kp8Kp9
Visible on horizon
Clearly visible
Bright overhead
Northway
64.8° MLAT
Required Kp Levels
Kp 2.0+ Horizon
Kp 3.0+ Optimal
Kp 4.0+ 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
Two Rivers
Exceptional aurora viewing destination at 65.8° magnetic latitude. The low KP 1+ threshold means you'll see northern lights on most active nights with clear weather.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
North Pole
Prime aurora zone at 65.6° magnetic latitude. Northern lights visible most clear nights during active solar periods. Low KP threshold means frequent viewing opportunities.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Tanacross
Exceptional aurora viewing destination at 65.0° magnetic latitude. The low KP 1+ threshold means you'll see northern lights on most active nights with clear weather.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Tok
Located in the heart of the auroral oval at 65.0° MLAT. One of the best locations in the USA for regular northern lights displays. Clear skies are the main limiting factor.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Tetlin
High-latitude location at 64.9° magnetic latitude. Aurora frequently visible during moderate to strong solar activity with the low KP 1+ threshold.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Northway
At 64.8° MLAT, Northway offers outstanding northern lights opportunities. Regular aurora activity during geomagnetic storms with favorable viewing conditions.
CURRENT STATUS
Likely Visible
View
Beaver
Exceptional aurora viewing destination at 67.1° magnetic latitude. The low KP 0+ threshold means you'll see northern lights on most active nights with clear weather.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Bettles
Exceptional aurora viewing destination at 66.9° magnetic latitude. The low KP 1+ threshold means you'll see northern lights on most active nights with clear weather.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Stevens Village
Located in the heart of the auroral oval at 66.5° MLAT. One of the best locations in the USA for regular northern lights displays. Clear skies are the main limiting factor.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Alatna
Located in the heart of the auroral oval at 66.4° MLAT. One of the best locations in the USA for regular northern lights displays. Clear skies are the main limiting factor.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Allakaket
Exceptional aurora viewing destination at 66.4° magnetic latitude. The low KP 1+ threshold means you'll see northern lights on most active nights with clear weather.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Livengood
Located in the heart of the auroral oval at 66.1° MLAT. One of the best locations in the USA for regular northern lights displays. Clear skies are the main limiting factor.
CURRENT STATUS
Might be Visible
View
Showing top 12 cities by current aurora activity and magnetic latitude. Alaska has 212 total aurora viewing locations.
View all 212 cities
RampartHughesFairbanksMintoNenanaTananaGalenaLake MinchuminaTalkeetnaKaktovikBarrowNuiqsutAtqasukWainwrightAnaktuvuk PassChalkyitsikVenetiePoint LayFort YukonPortage CreekCircleEagleAmblerKobukShungnakChickenPoint HopeKivalinaNoatakKianaNoorvikManley Hot SpringsSelawikDelta JunctionKotzebueDot LakeHusliaAndersonBucklandHealyDeeringRubySlanaKoyukukShishmarefChistochinaNulatoGakonaKoyukKaltagDiomedeWalesBrevig MissionChitinaElimShaktoolikTellerWhite MountainNikolaiUnalakleetMcGrathSkagwayTakotnaNomeHainesPalmerValdezWillowWasillaSaint MichaelStebbinsTatitlekYakutatAnchorageCordovaEyakGraylingGirdwoodShagelukWhittierAnvikJuneauTyonekGustavusKotlikStony RiverHoonahCrooked CreekHoly CrossRed DevilSleetmuteEmmonakKenaiLime VillageAlakanukPelicanSavoongaSoldotnaTenakee SpringsGambellSewardAngoonNunam IquaSheldon PointAniakChuathbalukMarshallRussian MissionKalskagLower KalskagMountain VillageNinilchikPilot StationPitkas PointUpper KalskagKakePetersburgSitkaHalibut CoveWrangellHomerNondaltonScammon BayTuluksakSeldoviaAkiachakAkiakChevakCoffman CoveIliamnaNewhalenBethelHooper BayKasiglukKwethlukNunapitchukPort AlexanderNapakiakNapaskiakKokhanokThorne BayKasaanKoliganekKetchikanKlawockSaxmanCraigIgiugigEekMetlakatlaNew StuyahokTuntutuliakEkwokHydaburgTununakLevelockNightmuteToksook BayAleknagikChefornakQuinhagakDillinghamKwigillingokMekoryukKing SalmonKipnukNaknekOuzinkieSouth NaknekManokotakPort LionsKodiakTogiakTwin HillsGoodnews BayPlatinumEgegikKarlukLarsen BayOld HarborPilot PointAkhiokPort HeidenChignikChignik LagoonChignik LakeNelson LagoonSand PointSaint GeorgeCold BayKing CoveFalse PassSaint PaulAkutanUnalaskaNikolskiAtkaAdakSaint Mary'sClark's Point
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 Often favorable
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 Two Rivers (MLAT 65.8°) can see aurora at Kp 2.0+, 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.
