Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage?
A practical guide to aurora watching from south Anchorage: when to look, where to drive and how to read the forecast.
Last reviewed October 22, 2026
Yes. On clear, dark nights between about mid-August and mid-April, the aurora is visible from the Anchorage area when solar activity is moderate or higher. City lights hide weaker displays, so head to a dark viewpoint. From Hillside Haven, the Glen Alps overlook in Chugach State Park is about 15 minutes up the hill. Stay several nights to give the weather a chance.
How to read the forecast
- Check the clouds first. Clear sky matters more than anything else. Use the National Weather Service in Anchorage for cloud cover.
- Check aurora activity on the University of Alaska Fairbanks aurora forecast or the NOAA 30-minute forecast.
- Mind the moon. The two weeks around a new moon are darkest.
- Be ready to go. Keep warm layers and a thermos by the door, and check again at 10 pm.
From the house
The house looks west over Cook Inlet toward Mount Susitna and the Alaska Range, above most of the city's lights. On strong nights you may catch the aurora from the decks. For the best view of the northern sky, drive up to Glen Alps or north toward Eklutna.
Photographing the aurora
- Use a tripod and turn off the flash.
- On a camera, try ISO 1600 to 3200, the widest aperture and 5 to 15 second exposures, focused manually at infinity.
- Recent phones do well in night mode if you brace them on something steady.
- Cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares in an inside pocket.
Where to watch near Anchorage
| Spot | Drive | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Glen Alps trailhead | 15min | The closest dark-sky viewpoint to the house, about 2,200 ft up with the city spread below. State park parking fee. |
| Point Woronzof | 30min | Open view over the inlet. Some city and airport glow. |
| Eklutna Tailrace | 55min | Dark, with a clear northern horizon. Popular with aurora tours. |
| Alyeska Resort | 45min | The mountains block Anchorage's light. Combine with a ski or spa day. |
| Hatcher Pass (Independence Mine area) | 2:00hr | High and very dark. The road can close in storms; go only with good conditions. |
Drive times from Hillside Haven. Watch for moose on dark roads and park only in designated areas.
Want better odds? Take the train north
Fairbanks sits under the auroral oval and sees the lights far more often. The Alaska Railroad's Aurora Winter Train runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks on weekends from mid-September to mid-May, with added midweek trains in February and March. Some groups spend a few nights in Fairbanks in the middle of a longer Anchorage stay.
Aurora questions
Can you see the northern lights from Anchorage?
Yes, on clear, dark nights from roughly mid-August to mid-April, when solar activity is high enough. Anchorage sits farther south than Fairbanks, so displays are less frequent and city lights wash out weaker ones. Driving 15 to 60 minutes to a dark spot improves your chances a lot.
What time of night is best?
Displays often peak between about 10 pm and 3 am. Plan a few nights, since cloud cover is the biggest obstacle.
What month is best for the aurora in Anchorage?
September through March. The weeks around the equinoxes in September and March are often active, and March pairs long ski days with dark nights.