The 15 Northern Lights Photography Tours in Fairbanks Worth a Cold Night

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 706 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $335Our pick

Leave Fairbanks in a heated van with guides such as Tony, Andrew, or Drew, then follow real-time sky data toward clear, dark viewing spots. You’ll get a campfire meal, hot drinks, camera help, tripod access, downloadable group photos, and a 360-degree time-lapse. Pickup is included within five miles of downtown Fairbanks.

“Had a very good experience, although the lights were faint it i had a great time drew was my guide he let me take so many photos 😭and taught me some poses for the pic.”

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2.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

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

Arctic Night Tours picks you up in Fairbanks around 8 p.m. and chases clear skies for up to 12 hours. Guides such as Elena and Ed explain the aurora, provide snacks and warmers, and photograph you under the lights with several cameras. Expect a small group, long waits, and serious cold.

“The wife and I took this northern lights tour. Our driver and guide was Elena. She was a great driver and very knowledgeable about the science behind the northern lights. We were simply amazed at the northern lights themselves. We had a fantastic show as the lights danced above us in colors of green, purple and gold. Elena and her crew took as many photos as we wanted with a few different camera stations to capture different angles of the sky. The transport van was kept running and allowed us to warm up whenever the cold was unbearable. The northern lights were simply amazing and wife and I will always…”

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3.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 pm with guides such as David, Grace, or Cole, then chase clear skies across rural Alaska. The small-group tour uses warm SUVs, stops at several viewing spots, and includes free, unedited JPG photos. There are no bathrooms, chairs, or blankets, so dress for serious cold.

“I'm such a terrible person for forgetting the name of our tour guide but he was korean and he is very patient and we are also patient with him waiting for the aurora borealis. We definitely chased and captured this phenomenal moment with the Aurora Borealis for the 1st time in extreme cold no complaints at all, he also take professional photographs with you as you are watching the lights dancing and I'm happy that he sent the URL of the pictures right away. We would definitely book again and come back for more. Thank you Sir, for your patience and for making sure we get to see aurora borealis!…”

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

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

At Aurora Camp near Murphy Dome, Joy and David host a 4.5-hour Northern Lights watch from a warm cabin and 10-acre yard. You get 360-degree sky views, hot drinks, snacks, live aurora monitoring, a certificate, postcard, and help taking photos. Transfers from Fairbanks are available, usually around 9:00 to 9:45 p.m.

“The camp was great. Had good snacks and hot drinks. Joy suggested us to wait another 30 minutes and the wait finally paid off. We saw amazing auroras”

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5.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

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

Meet Ed, Elena, or another Arctic Night Tours guide at your Fairbanks hotel and ride into the dark countryside in search of clear skies and aurora activity. The route may stretch toward Yukon Lake, and the outing can last 8 to 12 hours. Your guide takes portraits, aurora photos, and sometimes time-lapse video while you stay focused on the sky.

“The tour was great, the guide really showed his professional and super helpful in leading us to chase the northern light. He also explained lots of information and knowledge about northern light which is really good. He drove us to a great spot and waited for the northern light, and we successfully catch the great view with massive light above our head which was super impressive. He also super helpful on taking photo for us. I will give “Prefect” to the tour and tour guide.”

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6.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 for about five hours of Northern Lights viewing. You can watch through floor-to-ceiling windows or step outside, with hot drinks, snacks, guide support, and photography included. Guides such as Michael and Stella help you spot the aurora and capture it.

“Stella was great about communicating pick up time and location! They provided salty snacks, coffee, and instant cocoa. She let us know when the Aurora seemed to be getting brighter and was patient in taking multiple portraits of each visitor. Highly Recommend!”

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7.Northern Lights Aurora Chasing Adventure Tour & Free Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

You’ll leave your Fairbanks hotel in a comfortable van around 9:25 to 10:00 PM and follow a guide to one or more viewing spots chosen for the weather. The five-hour outing includes hot drinks, snacks, hotel pickup and drop-off, and photography help at no extra charge. Aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

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8.Private Tour for Chasing Northern Lights (Aurora) with PHOTO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $499

Meet your guide around 10:30 p.m. for a four-hour private aurora chase from downtown Fairbanks. Guides such as David use changing weather and cloud cover to choose viewing spots, then photograph you beneath the lights. Photos arrive by download within a few days, though clear skies and aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

“We rode with the photographer who had great instincts to where the lights would be. He took excellent pictures and really made the experience great. I'm so happy to have chosen this tour!”

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9.Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · from $225

From Fairbanks, guides such as Kevin and Tabitha take you to seasonal ice art, dinner, Chena Hot Springs, and dark countryside for Aurora watching. The tour runs about 5pm to 1 or 2am, includes pickup, and serves as both a relaxing hot-spring outing and a practical night-photography lesson. Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed.

“We had a great time! Kevin was very accomodating host…would definitely recommend this tour to anyone.”

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10.Northern Lights(Aurora) Tour with Photography and Karaoke on car!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $149

Join Alaska Custom Tours for a four-hour Aurora hunt from Fairbanks. Guides such as June and Adam track changing conditions, drive to dark viewing spots, take photos, and keep the wait lively with snacks, water, and karaoke in the car. Pickup is offered, with English and Mandarin guiding.

“Our guide Adam, was great. He was knowledgeable, professional and easy going. Even though it was a mostly cloudy night he knew where to be. He patiently had us wait at his chosen spot and sure enough, the Aurora appeared. It was beautiful. My wife and I were so happy. Thank you Adam!”

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11.Luxury RV Small Group Aurora Chasing Tour with Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $230

Meet your guide Michael at 10:00 pm for a five-hour aurora hunt around Fairbanks. You will ride in a warm RV, move between viewing sites as weather and aurora activity change, and get hot chocolate, snacks, and photography help. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with space for up to eight people.

“The R.V. is an ideal way to travel for viewing the lights. It is comfortable and warm. A small group and the dynamic was helpful and friendly. Our guide Michael was a great host and photographer! Most importantly it was a great night for the lights. An experience not easily had but will be a memory for life.”

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12.Capturing the Ethereal Beauty: Northern Lights Photo Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $485

Join Todd of Capture Wild Alaska for a six-hour Fairbanks aurora photography workshop. He picks you up at your lodging, seeks dark skies away from city lights, and teaches beginners and experienced photographers how to capture the northern lights. Small groups, warm drinks, tripods, and camera rentals are available.

“I did a private tour with Todd on November 5, 2024 and it was one to remember. I consider myself an advanced beginner who experienced truly dark sky for the first time with Todd. He quickly got a sense of where I was in my photography journey and readily shared his knowledge. His ability to find open sky was particularly appreciated and we were fortunate to be lucky. His ability to convey technical information that matters was greatly appreciated. As we all know, there are tons of apps and tons of camera settings, but it’s nice to know what’s important and what’s not. It was also a joy to make…”

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13.Northern Lights Adventure with Photos & HOT PIZZA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $300

Join Nathan of Electric Moose Studios for a six-hour Fairbanks aurora hunt in a small group. Drive north in a 15-passenger van, learn night photography, warm up with fresh pizza and hot drinks, and receive aurora portraits plus landscape photos. Bring your own camera, tripod, and serious winter layers.

“I HIGHLY recommend this tour for a unique, well planned, and unforgettable Northern Lights experience! Our guide was above and beyond and the group was amazing. This tour really stands out from other Northern Lights experiences where you’re stuck waiting in a van or outside. We were treated to a cozy warming hut with heaters (it was truly warm even though it was single digits and snow) a variety of warm beverages, and an Ooni pizza oven—our guide made us five different pizzas! The hut was the perfect spot to wait for the aurora atop a viewing area away from Fairbanks city lights. We also lit compostable Chinese lanterns, which…”

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14.Aurora Chasing Tour With Free Photography Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Spend about five hours chasing the Northern Lights around Fairbanks with hotel pickup, warm drinks, snacks, and free photography. Your guide takes you to promising viewing spots, with a group capped at 14 people. Guide Michael has taken guests to two locations when the aurora needed a second try. Pickup details arrive by text around 6:00 PM.

“Our driver and tour guide, Michael, was excellent! We went to two different locations and the Aurora did not disappoint! I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see Lady Aurora and all her glory.”

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15.Half Night Personalized Aurora Chase and Photography

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Join Wandering Alaska in Fairbanks for a private, weather-led aurora chase of up to 50 miles. Your guide may follow the forecast or settle at a cabin, explain the science, help with phone or camera photography, and take five edited portraits beneath the lights. Pickup covers Fairbanks and North Pole lodging areas.

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