The 15 Best Northern Lights Photography Tours in the USA

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

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

SkyChase™ takes you from Fairbanks into darker skies, guided by aurora forecasts and real-time weather. Expect hotel pickup, heated vans, campfire food, hot drinks, camera help, tripod rentals, and downloadable photos. Guides such as Tony, Andrew, and Dre also share Alaska stories along the way.

“Unfortunately the northern lights didn’t show up which was so disappointing. However the tour company was great. They tried several locations to make it eventful. The staff were amazing. I would love to try again with them.”

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2.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

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

Leave Fairbanks around 8 pm with Arctic Night Tours and chase clear skies with guides such as Elena and Ed. Expect an 8 to 12 hour outing, remote viewing areas, snacks, hand warmers, warm-up breaks, and many professional aurora photos at no extra charge.

“This was an incredible Aurora experience!! We ended up about an hour north of Fairbanks in the mountains and the Aurora was spectacular! It took a few hours to come out in full force but even the view of only the stars is incredible from that far outside the city. It was insanely cold (-36 degrees) so make sure to dress warm but it is definitely one of the best experiences I have ever been on.”

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

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

David, Grace, Cole, and other Alaska Journey Tours guides drive you from Fairbanks into darker rural areas, following cloud breaks and aurora activity. The roughly four-hour outing includes free JPG photography, hotel pickup, several possible stops, and no guaranteed sighting, restroom, or camera lesson.

“Joy and David were our photographer and navigators. Even though the conditions were not the best due to being partly cloudy David was really knowledgeable and finding the lights even with all the clouds and Joy kept us comfortable throughout the event. They both did their best to capture great pictures despite unfavorable conditions. Would recommend!”

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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

Join Joy and David at a mountaintop cabin near Murphy Dome for a 4.5-hour aurora watch. You can wait indoors with hot drinks and snacks, then step into a 10-acre yard for open-sky views. Guides track activity and take photos when the lights appear.

“It was good overall we saw the aurora after 2 + hours of waiting. The host was nice there was about 20 people that spoke his language to most of the time he was giving them his attention. We ask several times to dime the lights without him doing so. The aurora was out it was extremely cold so we wanted to take some pictures inside as well. But he was more about getting a picture outside when we could have been viewing the Aurora. We felt very rushed. The Aurora was beautiful the cabin was warm and plenty of snacks and hot coffee and hot chocolate.”

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5.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

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

Ed and Elena of Arctic Night Tours lead a flexible Fairbanks aurora chase, driving toward clearer skies for up to 12 hours. You get hotel pickup, snacks, warm breaks, and professional photos and time-lapse video, so you can watch the sky instead of managing a camera.

“Great experience with phenomenal views and professional photography, highly recommend”

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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 with guides such as Michael or Stella. Watch from floor-to-ceiling windows or step outside, enjoy hot drinks and snacks, and receive help with aurora photos during this five-hour evening outing.

“Pick up service was on time! Stella our driver she was very enthusiastic and bubbly. We were the first group to arrive at the Aurora house and people kept coming. The Aurora house was packed some seats were not comfortable so we got lucky with getting the nice sofa seats. Being stuck with all those people for 4 hours waiting was brutal. We did get lucky as the wind was very minimal and calm so stepping outside for fresh air was nice. The restroom was ok mostly clean but not much sound proof. Snacks and drinks were available.. Which was very nice. Cookies could have been refilled with new can....…”

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7.Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo

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

You’ll leave Anchorage late at night with a small group and a photographer guide such as Ben, Chad, Colin, or Erica. The route may reach Chugach State Park, Eagle River, Palmer, the Knik River, or Hatcher Pass. Expect camera help, tripods, snacks, blankets, and portraits beneath the aurora.

“It’s been a bucket list item to see the Aurora Borealis and did this tour deliver (with a little luck from the weather). Our tour guide, Colin did a great job explaining and finding the best locations. Our other guide Ben did a great job taking professional pictures of our group with the Northern Lights in the background. The warm van and hot chocolate were fantastic during those moments when we needed to warm up! Great tour and highly recommend for your bucket list!”

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8.Northern Lights Aurora Chasing Adventure Tour & Free Photography

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

Join a small English-speaking group of up to 14 for a five-hour aurora chase from Fairbanks. Your guide watches the sky, shifts locations with the weather, and helps capture free photos when the lights appear. Hotel pickup, hot drinks, and snacks are included.

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

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

Start at 10:30 p.m. from downtown Fairbanks and spend about four hours chasing the aurora with a private guide and photographer. Guides such as David, Abigail, and Leah work to find clear skies, take your northern lights portraits, and send digital photos afterward.

“GREAT TOUR EVER!!!! NOTHING CAN MATCH THIS!! David was simply awesome, he is super informative and really went above and beyond to chase the lights!!!!!!! He knows what he is doing and just blindly follow him and you would witness the aurora. He is passionate in what he is doing. He took out great pictures of us. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”

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10.Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour

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

Join Howling Bay Kennel for an evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. See seasonal Ice Art, arrange your own dinner, soak in a mineral pool, and chase the Aurora with guides such as Tabitha or Kevin. Pickup is offered, groups cap at 12, and the tour runs about 8 hours.

“I want to start off by saying that Kevin is amazing. He was so adherent to everything I requested. The music, the climate control, stopping off at all locations where we could see the northern lights. He is super knowledgeable and can even provide you tips on local experiences. If you’re looking for Aurora chasing, look no further. This is the real deal, you will not be disappointed! 🙏”

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11.Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Photography Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 33 reviews · 6 hours · from $312

Join Alaska Photo Treks for a six-hour Aurora Borealis hunt from Anchorage. Your English-speaking photographer guide, such as Chad or Erica, tracks the forecast, teaches night photography, supplies tripods and warmers, and can arrange camera rental or aurora portraits.

“Our guide, Chad, was fantastic! The forecast was uncertain for the night, but he did a fantastic job watching the data and finding us a great spot to catch the lights. He even extended the tour a little to make sure we could see them before heading back to our hotels. It was a great experience!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $149

Join Alaska Custom Tours for a four-hour Fairbanks aurora chase starting around 10 p.m. Guides such as June and Adam track the lights, take photos, and keep the ride lively with snacks, water, and karaoke. English and Mandarin support are available, with groups capped at 14.

“Great vibes with Adam! We had a fun night singing in the car and enjoying snacks provided to kill time waiting for the lights. He was knowledgeable and friendly, with above and beyond customer service! Would take this tour again, thank you Adam!”

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13.Luxury RV Small Group Aurora Chasing Tour with Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $230

Join guide Michael at 10 p.m. for a five-hour aurora chase from your Fairbanks hotel. You’ll ride in a warm RV, follow changing weather and aurora activity, and get hot chocolate, snacks, restroom access, and practical help with phone or tripod photography.

“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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14.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 Northern Lights photo workshop from Fairbanks. Pickup, dark-sky locations, snacks, drinks, tripods, and personal instruction are included. Bring your own camera or rent one for $35. The group is limited to five people.

“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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15.Northern Lights Adventure with Photos & HOT PIZZA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $300

Join Alaska guide and photographer Nathan for a small-group aurora hunt north of Fairbanks. You will learn camera settings, warm up with stone-fired pizza and hot drinks, and receive portrait and scenery photos. A free second tour is offered if clouds block the aurora.

“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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