Aurora Viewing Area, Scenic viewpoint for northern lights observation in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.
This designated viewpoint sits along Fish Creek Road at approximately 65 degrees north latitude, offering unobstructed views of the night sky for observing aurora borealis displays during dark winter months.
The Fairbanks region has served as a northern lights observation hub for decades due to its geographic position, attracting scientists and photographers seeking to study and document auroral activity.
Indigenous Alaska communities have observed auroras for generations, interpreting the dancing lights through their own traditions, while modern visitors seek the natural displays as part of Alaska wilderness experiences.
Visitors should dress warmly for below-freezing temperatures, arrive between 10 PM and 2 AM during September through April, and bring photography equipment for capturing the light displays during clear nights.
The site offers a roadside parking area with minimal facilities, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies while enjoying direct exposure to some of the most active auroral zones in North America.
Location: Fairbanks
Address: 2315 Fish Creek Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712, USA 99712 Fairbanks
GPS coordinates: 65.04672,-147.43739
Latest update: November 28, 2025 18:06
This collection presents locations in the polar and subpolar regions of the Northern Hemisphere where aurora borealis can be observed. The sites included lie within the auroral zone, where geomagnetic activity regularly produces natural light displays in the night sky. The list encompasses various landscape types, including national parks, geothermal areas, mountains, islands, fjords, and arctic territories. In Iceland, Þingvellir National Park offers a tectonic rift valley setting for aurora viewing, while the black sand beaches of Vík and the geothermal zone of Mývatn provide different natural backdrops. Mount Kirkjufell near Grundarfjörður is frequently photographed with northern lights overhead. In Scandinavia, the auroral zones of Tromsø and Kiruna, the Lofoten Islands, North Cape, Abisko National Park, and arctic stations in Finland such as Kakslauttanen, Levi, and Rovaniemi provide access to viewing areas at varying latitudes. North America contributes the Fairbanks area in Alaska and Denali National Park to this collection. Greenland offers observation points from the ice sheet near Kangerlussuaq and the fjord region around Nuuk. These locations span latitudes between 60 and 70 degrees north, where auroral displays occur most frequently during the dark months.
Goldstream Dredge No. 8
15.8 km
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
24 km
Fairbanks Exploration Company Gold Dredge No. 5
6.6 km
Fairbanks Exploration Company Dredge No. 2
16.2 km
Discovery Claim on Pedro Creek
5.1 km
Fairbanks Exploration Company Housing
25.5 km
Fairbanks Exploration Company Machine Shop
25.5 km
Fairbanks Exploration Company Manager's House
25.1 km
Illinois Street Historic District
25.7 km
Pilot Bluff
9.8 km
Bluff Number 2
15.3 km
Tanana Valley Fairgrounds
25.2 km
Howling Bay Kennels
10.4 km
Alaska Bird Observatory
24.3 km
North Star Golf Course
19.1 km
Alyeska pipeline visitor center
15.9 km
Gold Daughters
16 km
Gold Dredge nº8
15.9 km
Gold Dredge #8
15.7 km
Paws For Adventure
18.5 km
Chena Bend Golf Course
24.8 km
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
24.1 km
Pedro Monument Historical Wayside
5.1 km
Golden Wheel Show Ring
25.1 km
Chatanika Gold Dredge
7.6 km
Felix Pedro Monument
5 km
Scenic viewpoint
22.9 km
Observation Tower
24.2 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes