Face The Outdoors
- (907) 590-1567
Northern Lights Tours in Fairbanks, Alaska
Northern lights tours Fairbanks from a private wilderness lodge directly under the aurora oval — Fairbanks sits at one of the best locations on earth for viewing the aurora borealis, with the geographic position and low light pollution that make these displays possible. These small-group tours are built for every kind of traveler — first-timers and couples here to cross the aurora off the bucket list, families, and photographers of any level from phone to DSLR. Small-group tours capped at 10 guests, led by a native Alaskan owner-operator. Face The Outdoors is recommended by National Geographic. The aurora is visible from late August through mid-April — our tour season runs August 20 to April 20 — with peak viewing season running September through March when auroral activity is strongest around the equinoxes. Hot drinks, photography coaching on whatever camera you brought — from phone to DSLR camera — and watermark-free aurora portraits delivered the next morning. Alaska northern lights trips don't get more authentic than this.
See the aurora or tour again free · Free reschedule for a year
CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK NOW →Experience the Tour
Our private lodge is nestled deep in Alaska's interior — far from any city lights and downtown Fairbanks, directly under the aurora oval. It's a remote, ideal location for northern lights viewing, where the aurora appears most active overhead. This is the northern lights tour Fairbanks visitors come back for — guided by expert guides, not a roadside pullout or a tour bus parking lot.
Private Lodge
Cedar log home with panoramic windows, heated interior, and a large viewing deck with 360-degree sky access. Zero light pollution. The lodge doubles as a heated waiting space — step outside when the aurora picks up, come back in to warm up between displays.
Aurora Chasing
When clouds move in, we go mobile — chasing clear skies along four highway corridors. We use real-time weather and satellite data plus decades of local knowledge, sometimes driving up to 4 hours from Fairbanks to find clear viewing. We never give up on your night.
How our lodge-plus-chase model works →Photo Help
Phone tips, camera guidance, and professional aurora portraits of your group included with every tour. Whether you're shooting on a phone or bringing a DSLR camera, we help you get the shots.
Your Night, Step by Step
For the best chance to see the northern lights, clear dark nights and high geomagnetic activity are essential. Here's how your evening unfolds.
Pickup Time Email
Michael emails your exact pickup time on the day of your tour. If the forecast looks rough a day or two ahead, he'll email you about rescheduling to a better night.
Hotel Pickup
We pick you up from your downtown Fairbanks hotel in our heated vehicle.
Journey to the Lodge
Scenic drive deep into Interior Alaska. The city lights fade as you enter the boreal forest — some of the darkest, most aurora-active skies in North America.
Aurora Viewing
Watch from the warm lodge or the outdoor deck, with hot drinks, snacks, water and restrooms right there. Aurora visibility is best between 8 PM and 3 AM, with peak activity often hitting around midnight. Michael monitors conditions all night, shares aurora science, and gives hands-on camera help on any device. While most standard northern lights tours in Fairbanks last only 3-5 hours, our extended experience gives you the full night.
Mobile Chasing
Clouds roll in? We chase clear skies using real-time weather and satellite data, sometimes driving up to 4 hours from Fairbanks to find clear viewing.
Chase spots are remote, and late at night an open restroom can be an hour or more away, so restroom options on the road are limited to the outdoors and hot drinks and snacks may not come along. When the forecast points to a chase night, Michael reaches out a day or more ahead so you can plan for it. You're welcome to bring your own water and snacks. If you need more flexibility for stops, a private tour lets your group set the pace.
Return to Fairbanks
Back to your hotel with unforgettable memories and professional aurora photos.
What's Included
Everything in your $325 small group northern lights tour — no hidden costs, and your aurora portraits are never watermarked
- ✓ Hotel pickup
- ✓ Heated vehicle
- ✓ Scenic drive
- ✓ Private
- ✓ Heated
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Hot drinks (coffee, tea)
- ✓ Snacks
- ✓ Water
- ✓ Camera help for any skill level
- ✓ Phone tips
- ✓ Watermark-free aurora portraits delivered in 24-48 hours
Tour Pricing
2026-2027 Season · Reservation required, advance booking recommended
Small Group Tour
- ✓ Round-trip transport
- ✓ Private lodge access
- ✓ Hot drinks & snacks at the lodge
- ✓Photography help — phone to DSLR camera
- ✓ 1-3 watermark-free aurora portraits delivered in 24-48 hours
- ✓ Mobile chasing
Private Group Tour
✨ Everything in Small Group, plus:
- ✓ Exclusive lodge use
- ✓ 5-7 watermark-free aurora portraits delivered in 24-48 hours
- ✓ Flexible schedule
- ✓Customizable pacing— stay late, wrap up early, spend time on photos — your call
Every tour is backed by our Aurora Commitment — see the aurora or tour again free, with free rescheduling for a year. Pickups are in the downtown Fairbanks core; if you're staying in North Pole or outside the core, you'll meet Michael at the Morris Thompson Visitor Center. Small-group tours have a minimum age of 10; private tours have no age minimum.
MULTI-NIGHT DISCOUNT
Book 3+ nights, save 15%
Multiple nights = 90%+ chance of seeing the lights
GET MULTI-NIGHT QUOTE →What Northern Lights Tours Cost in Fairbanks
Northern lights tours in Fairbanks typically range from around $220 to $3,799 depending on duration and what's included, with multi-day excursions reaching $2,300 to $3,800. Many operators charge an additional $60 per professional aurora portrait — our small group and private tours include watermark-free aurora portraits in the base price, delivered in 24-48 hours, so the price you see is the price you pay. See a full side-by-side comparison if you'd like the details.
What to Bring
Essential Gear
- ✓Warm layers — Temps can drop to -40°F December through February
- ✓Insulated boots — Rated for extreme cold
- ✓Gloves, hat, scarf — Cover all skin
- ✓Hand/toe warmers — Extra warmth
Want to Photograph the Aurora?
- ✓DSLR camera with manual mode — Set a long exposure
- ✓Tripod — Keeps your shots sharp
- ✓Extra batteries — Cold drains them fast
📸 No camera? Smartphones work great with our guidance, plus we include professional portraits.
Live space weather, right now
See tonight’s real-time solar wind and Kp readings from NOAA, and why a low Kp doesn’t mean a quiet night in Fairbanks.
Common Questions About Our Northern Lights Tour
Everything you need to know before booking your Fairbanks aurora tour.
Why is Fairbanks the best place to see the northern lights?
Fairbanks sits directly under the aurora oval — the ring around Earth's geomagnetic pole where auroral activity is most concentrated. Combined with low light pollution, dry winter air, and a geographical position that produces more than 200 potential viewing nights per year, this makes Fairbanks one of the best places on Earth for northern lights viewing. Auroral activity is strongest around the equinoxes — September and March — when geomagnetic conditions align most favorably.
When is the best time of year to see the northern lights?
Our season runs from late August through mid-April. Peak viewing season aligns with the equinoxes — September and March — when auroral activity is strongest. Within each night, the aurora is most visible between 8 PM and 3 AM, with activity often peaking around midnight. December through February brings the darkest skies of the year along with extreme cold that can reach -40°F, so pack accordingly.
What if it's cloudy on my tour night?
If cloudy skies move in over the lodge, we go mobile and chase clear skies up to 4 hours from Fairbanks — that's the advantage of our lodge-plus-chase model. We use the real-time aurora forecast, satellite cloud imagery, and decades of local knowledge to find clear-sky openings. Refreshments and restrooms stay at the lodge, so on chase nights restroom options on the road are limited to the outdoors. When a chase looks likely, Michael emails a day or more ahead so you can plan for it and bring your own water and snacks. If conditions still don't deliver an aurora viewing, our Aurora Commitment lets you join another tour during your trip at no extra cost, subject to availability. Learn how we read the aurora forecast →
What if the aurora doesn't appear?
If conditions don't deliver any aurora borealis viewing on your scheduled tour (at guide's discretion by visual or by camera), you can join another tour during your trip at no extra cost, subject to availability. The aurora is a natural phenomenon — we can't control it, but we can make sure you have another shot. We also recommend booking 3+ nights to push your odds past 90%.
What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
You can reschedule your tour anytime within 12 months of your original date at no cost, subject to availability. If we cancel due to severe weather and can't reschedule you, you receive a full refund. We never cancel on you — we run tours even with just one guest.
What's included in the $325 tour price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Fairbanks, private heated lodge access, hot drinks and snacks at the lodge, photography coaching on your own camera or phone, and 1-3 watermark-free aurora portraits delivered within 24-48 hours — often the next morning. Mobile chase capability if conditions require relocation. Refreshments and restrooms stay at the lodge, so on chase nights restroom options on the road are limited to the outdoors and it's worth bringing your own water and snacks. Winter clothing rental is not included — we recommend renting locally from Alaska Element or 6th Avenue Outfitters.
Where do you pick up from?
Hotel and Airbnb pickups in the downtown Fairbanks core area, typically between 8-8:30 PM, returning by approximately 5 AM. We don't drive directly to Chena Hot Springs Resort, Borealis Basecamp, North Pole, Eielson, or Salcha — those areas are too spread out — but you're still welcome on the tour. If you're staying in one of those areas, you'll simply meet Michael at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center in downtown Fairbanks, an easy, central meeting point.
Can you help me take photos of the aurora?
Absolutely. Michael has decades of aurora photography experience, so whether you're shooting on an iPhone, a casual mirrorless setup, or a DSLR with a tripod, he'll help you get the best results on your own gear. No experience required. On a DSLR or mirrorless camera, sharp aurora shots come down to a handful of settings — a wide-open aperture, a multi-second long exposure, ISO usually in the 1600 to 3200 range, and focus set manually to infinity. Michael sets it up hands-on right on your camera so you're not fighting menus in the cold, and adjusts as the aurora brightens or fades. On a phone, night mode plus a small tripod goes a long way, and he'll walk you through it. He also captures watermark-free aurora portraits of your group so you go home with great images even if you'd rather just take the show in.
How small is your group really?
Maximum 10 guests per tour. Ever. One vehicle, one guide, one private lodge. While other Fairbanks operators run 14 to 60 travelers per night across multiple vans, we'll never split your night across multiple vehicles or pack you into a crowd. The 10-guest cap is structural — it's the ceiling of what one owner-operator can run from a private lodge. See the top 5 reasons guests choose us →
When should I book my tour?
Our season runs from late August through mid-April. The 2026-2027 season fills 3-6 months ahead — we recommend booking as early as possible once your travel dates are set. With a maximum of 10 guests per night and high demand throughout the season, advance booking is essential.
Book Your Northern Lights Tour
The 2026-2027 season fills 3-6 months ahead. Fly into Fairbanks direct or connect through Anchorage — we pick you up from any downtown Fairbanks hotel. With limited capacity and high demand, early booking is essential.
CHECK AVAILABILITY →📞 (907) 590-1567 · ✉️ michael@facetheoutdoors.com
Planning Your Fairbanks Trip
The northern lights tour runs from evening to early morning, leaving your days free for exploring downtown Fairbanks. Fairbanks offers winter activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and visiting the World Ice Art Championships. Many visitors soak in the natural pools at Chena Hot Springs Resort during the day before joining our evening aurora tour. You can also spot wildlife — moose and even reindeer are common in the snow-covered landscape. Some travelers add an Arctic Circle excursion for an even deeper Alaska experience. The town of Fairbanks itself has local history, great restaurants, and all the winter gear rentals you'll need. You can reach Fairbanks by train from Anchorage, by direct flight, or by scenic drive.
Our season runs from late August through mid-April, with the longest aurora viewing windows during the darkest winter months. Book 3+ nights to push your odds past 90%. Our Alaska lodge has limited capacity, so advance reservation is recommended.