THE AURORA ZONE · USA NORTHERN LIGHTS TOURS

The 15 Best USA Northern Lights Tours

29 tours  ·  from $99 a seat

The 15 usa northern lights tours worth a late night, each with its price, how long you are out and what happens if the cloud rolls in. Number one is there for a reason; start with it.

Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour - The 60-mile drive from Fairbanks to Chena
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Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

Leave Fairbanks around 4 p.m. for Chena Hot Springs Resort, 60 miles away. Your guide handles the winter drive, leads you through the Aurora Ice Museum, and gives you time for the 106°F outdoor pool, indoor pool, dinner, and aurora watching. Guides such as Savvy, Shannon, Gina, Tyler, and Jessica are praised for their local insight and persistence.

“Great experience! Kathy was an excellent guide who made sure we had everything we needed and enjoyed the trip. The hot springs were transcendent and the ice museum was super cool. Definitely worth your time even if you’re only in Alaska for a little bit! Definitely ask for Kathy, she was great”

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Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour - Hilltop pie and the first Dalton Highway photos
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Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

2.Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 942 reviews · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $330

Ride from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle in a heated van capped at eight people, crossing the Yukon River and following the Dalton Highway beside the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Guides such as Jessica, Shannon, Guy, and Coltin combine Alaska stories with aurora stops on the return. Expect a remote, bumpy, weather-dependent day.

“This is a very long tour -- because the Arctic Circle is a long way up, and the roads are terrible. Best case scenario, it's a bone-jarring ride. After (and during) rains, it's muddy and tricky to maneuver. Jessica did a heroic job keeping us on the road and moving forward ... along with supplying good information. We did make it to the Arctic Circle and we even got a small taste of the Northern Lights.”

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SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience - Free Photography & More - The possible stops, from domes to forest roads
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SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience – Free Photography & More

3.SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience – Free Photography & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 706 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $335Top rated

Leave Fairbanks with guides such as Tony, Andrew, and Dre, who track clouds and aurora activity in real time. You may visit several dark-sky sites, warm up by a fire, cook reindeer sausage, use a tripod, and receive downloadable group photos. Pickup is included, but bring serious cold-weather gear.

“Great tour!! Fun guides they shared so much information about the area makes me want to visit in summer time. We stopped 3 times to watch the lights and they were amazing. Loved my adventure.”

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Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography - Chasing darker skies north of Fairbanks
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Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

4.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 486 reviews · 8 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $210

Join Arctic Night Tours in Fairbanks for an 8 to 12 hour aurora chase beginning around 8 pm. Guides such as Elena and Ed track clouds and aurora activity, driving toward darker skies. You can warm up in the van, enjoy snacks and drinks, and pose for professional photos while the lights move overhead.

“Our tour guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly informative throughout the entire experience. This is a family-run business with a fantastic team, and you can truly feel how much they care about their guests. Snacks were provided, along with hand warmers and toe warmers, and they took great care of us the whole night, patiently answering all our questions. The absolute highlight of the tour was the photography session. Not having to remove my gloves in the extreme cold while the guides took unlimited professional photos for us was such a thoughtful touch. They really didn’t need to take that many pictures, but they were so kind and generous…”

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Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks - What the night looks like from pickup to return
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Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

5.Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 481 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $189

Set out from Fairbanks at 10:30 p.m. with guides such as David, Grace, Cole, or Joy, depending on the night. Your guide tracks the forecast, drives to rural viewing spots, and photographs you beneath the aurora. The four-hour tour includes hotel pickup and free JPG files, but no restroom, chairs, blankets, or guaranteed lights.

“These folks do everything they can to get you to the Northern Lights! David found a beautiful spot with limited clouds. They also provided us with lots of photos which went well with our own. Worth the cost.”

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Mountaintop 360° Best Alaskan Cabin with Photography @Aurora Camp - Photography help is a real part of the value
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Mountaintop 360° Best Alaskan Cabin with Photography @Aurora Camp

6.Mountaintop 360° Best Alaskan Cabin with Photography @Aurora Camp

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 322 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99Best value

Spend about 4.5 hours at Aurora Camp near Murphy Dome, watching the Northern Lights from a warm cabin or 10-acre yard. Joy and David help with aurora photos, while tea, coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, games, and an indoor restroom make the long wait easier. Transfers from Fairbanks can be added.

“Awesome. The hosts are the best and the setup gives you a better opportunity to see the lights. We did two nights and were able to see them both nights! Thanks Joy!”

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Northern Lights Viewing at Murphy Dome - The 10 p.m. pickup from Fairbanks
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Northern Lights Viewing at Murphy Dome

7.Northern Lights Viewing at Murphy Dome

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 289 reviews · from $120

Ride from Fairbanks to Murphy Dome, about 20 miles away and 2,930 feet high, for a chance to see the aurora from a wide, dark sky. Guides such as Gina and Jacob help with spotting and photography, while hot drinks and snacks keep you comfortable in the van. Murphy Dome may be replaced by another site if the road is icy.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t see any Northern Lights on this tour, making it our second unsuccessful attempt. When comparing this tour to our previous one, the price differences became quite clear. One of the main issues we faced was the lack of communication from our tour guide; it was so cloudy that we were unsure if the tour was still happening or if we had the option to cancel. This uncertainty created a bit of stress as we waited for our pickup time. Once we arrived at Murphy Dome, we sat in the van, hoping the clouds would clear. However, it was extremely cold (it was snowing!) and very windy, so…”

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Aurora Viewing - Aurora Husky Lodge , Great view from top of the ridge - What happens between 10:30 PM and 2 AM
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Aurora Viewing – Aurora Husky Lodge , Great view from top of the ridge

8.Aurora Viewing – Aurora Husky Lodge , Great view from top of the ridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $130

Ride from a major Fairbanks hotel to Michi and Keiko’s Aurora Husky Lodge for about three and a half hours of Northern Lights watching. You can wait inside with cocoa, tea, coffee, and snacks, then step onto the deck or up toward the ridge for a clearer view. Michi also helps with camera settings.

“Our guide showed e the correct settings on my Canon R8. I was able to get some good pictures. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed our nights at the lodge.”

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Aurora Viewing Lodge - What happens from the 10 p.m. pickup onward
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Aurora Viewing Lodge

9.Aurora Viewing Lodge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 276 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $170

Ride from your Fairbanks hotel to a warm Alaskan log lodge with an outdoor deck, drinks, snacks, and an aurora presentation. Guides such as Kathy, Gina, Nicole, and Sage help explain the lights and camera settings. The tour lasts about five hours, but cloud cover and aurora activity remain unpredictable.

“Our group of 12 arrived at a beautiful lodge atop Cleary Summit. We walked into a large darkened room STUFFED with people! I counted over 34 people crammed into the space. There were hot drinks and cookies available. There was a large viewing deck out back. The host said very little, so we were on our own to know when the lights were outside. He even seemed overwhelmed with the number of people. I don't know what happened, but this was described as a "small group tour" and it was far from that! Fortunately, we saw a great light show and since it started late, we were allowed to stay…”

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From Fairbanks: Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography - Pickup from Fairbanks hotels and lodges
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From Fairbanks: Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

10.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 220 reviews · 1 day · from $210

Join Ed, Elena, or another Arctic Night Tours guide for an 8 to 12 hour aurora chase from Fairbanks. Your guide follows the forecast, clouds, and clear skies, driving as far as needed for a better view. The tour includes hotel pickup, snacks, drinks, warm transport, hand warmers, and professional photos and time-lapse footage.

“Well-executed very professional tour. I would highly recommend. We drove about an hour to a secluded area with great views of the sky and no light pollution. The company had two minivans there, with about 24 guests. However, it never felt crowded because the space was so large. There were ~5 guides, all very enthusiastic. There were two camera stations throughout the evening, taking as many photos as you wanted. We had about 26 photos taken of us with the aurora in the background. The guides were also very helpful with camera settings. The van was available for anyone who got cold or tired. Snacks and hand warmers were available.…”

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Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!! - Fresh pizza, hot drinks, and a proper pause
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Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!!

11.Electric Moose Studios Aurora Adventure W/Portraits & Hot Pizza!!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 211 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $385

Join Nathan of Electric Moose Studios for a six-hour Fairbanks aurora hunt limited to 10 people. You’ll ride 15 to 40 miles north, learn about the lights, enjoy fresh pizza and hot drinks in a heated shelter, and receive professional portraits, aurora photos, and a time-lapse video.

“Absolutely amazing!!! Nathan was such a great guide, his passion and excitement made the tour unforgettable. His excitement every time the northern lights flared was contagious and made the experience all the better. He for sure knows his stuff. His many years of experience in professional photography shows. Our photos were everything I could have hoped for. The warming shelter was cozy and allowed those of us on the tour to have great conversations and enjoy each others company. Nathan is a perfect blend of personable, professional, and an all around genuine guy. Even if there are no lights the evening you book he has so many creative surprises to…”

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Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Trip from Fairbanks - The Alyeska pipeline stop puts the road in context
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Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Trip from Fairbanks

12.Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Trip from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 175 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $320

Leave Fairbanks at 1 p.m. for a 14-hour Arctic road trip with hotel pickup, a guide, food, and hot drinks. Cross the Arctic Circle, visit the pipeline and Yukon River, and stop for aurora viewing when conditions allow. Guides such as Ash, Ryan, Jake, and Elijah are praised for their stories, driving, and photo help, but the rough road and late return demand stamina.

“Our guide Paul was amazing. He was friendly and humorous and great at taking pictures! Would definitely recommend it.”

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Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit - Guides who make a practical difference
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Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit

13.Aurora Glass House – Northern Lights and Photos at Cleary Summit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 162 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99

Ride from Fairbanks to the 270° Aurora Glass House at Cleary Summit, where floor-to-ceiling windows keep you warm while you watch for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Michael, Stella, and Ivan help spot the aurora and take photos. Pickup, hot drinks, snacks, water, and a five-hour visit are included.

“That was an amazing Aurora last night. The waiting room was also comfortable and relaxed. I would like to bring my wife some day.”

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Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo - Glen Alps and the Chugach State Park view
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Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo

14.Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $315

You’ll leave Anchorage late at night with guides such as Ben, Colin, Chad, or Erica, then chase clear skies toward Chugach State Park, Eagle River, and Palmer. Expect a small group, camera help, tripods, warm drinks, blankets, and portraits beneath the aurora when conditions cooperate.

“Incredible tour guide! He made the experience well worth the cost and effort even in cloudy conditions.”

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From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip - The First Stretch: Pipeline Engineering and Northern Roads
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From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip

15.Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 151 reviews · 14 hours · from $320

From Fairbanks, join guides such as Paul, Ash, Colleen, or Elijah for a long winter road trip to the Arctic Circle. You will see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Yukon River, Finger Mountain, and Dalton Highway, with sandwiches, hot drinks, certificates, and time to search for the Aurora Borealis on the return drive.

“The tour was an A+, more than excellent. Our guide was so kind and helpful. He stopped in great spots along the way to take pictures. The sight is marvelous, the transportation comfortable and mother nature blessed us with many Auroras Borealis. Thank you crew.”

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New in USA Northern Lights Tours

★ 4.5Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic DomeFrom $20045 reviews
★ 4.5Northern Lights Adventure of a Liftetime from AnchorageFrom $32057 reviews
★ 4.5Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Anchorage to Fairbanks One WayFrom $25957 reviews
★ 5.0Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern LightsFrom $24570 reviews
★ 4.5Northern Lights Murphy Dome Viewing in FairbanksFrom $12075 reviews
★ 5.0Northern Lights Viewing including Dinner and Dog SleddingFrom $300104 reviews
★ 4.5Northern Lights and Arctic Circle TourFrom $33097 reviews
★ 5.0Northern Lights Lodge & Chase Tour from FairbanksFrom $325109 reviews

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