Can you see the northern lights in Alaska in August?

The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season. So yes, there are some very lucky cruise passengers who will see the northern lights in the Inside Passage late in the summer and fall, but don't bank on it.



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Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaskan city experiences them around 45 percent of the time (compared to about 25 percent for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold.

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August is a great month to visit Alaska! The summer season is still bustling, and there are many different activities to enjoy, such as fishing and bear viewing. There is plenty of daylight, and the average temperature remains relatively warm.

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The vast majority of people stick to the peak summer months of June, July, and August. Fewer people in September means more accommodations are available in popular areas like Denali National Park and Preserve, and that in general, you'll be hiking, sightseeing and snapping photos with way fewer photobombers.

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First of all, if the aurora is dancing brightly you'll be able to see it even from a city center (plus you'll always be able to get away from bright lights in Norwegian cities by heading to the parks). So if the weather and aurora forecast are good, you might not need to take a tour to see the northern lights.

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