15 Northern Lights Photography Tours in the USA to Build a Morning Around

1.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

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

Meet Arctic Night Tours at 8 pm for an 8 to 12 hour aurora chase from Fairbanks. Guides such as Elena and Ed track clouds and activity, driving to dark viewing spots while two cameras capture your night. Bring serious cold-weather gear, since the van is warm but the viewing is outdoors.

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

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

David and the Alaska Journey Tours team drive you through rural Fairbanks in search of the aurora, changing locations as clouds and activity shift. You get hotel pickup, a warm vehicle, a small-group setting, and free JPG photos, but no restroom, chairs, blankets, or guaranteed sighting.

“The experience didn't happen. The sky was completely overcast with periodic rain. The company called and suggested cancelling -- although they said they'd do the tour if we wanted or we could move it to another day. We didn't have another free day and attempting to do the tour was pointless, so we cancelled. AND THEY CHARGED US 20% FOR CANCELLING! Rip-off!”

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

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

Spend about 4.5 hours at Aurora Camp near Murphy Dome with hosts Joy and David. Wait for the Northern Lights in a warm cabin with drinks, snacks, games, and an indoor restroom, then step into the 10-acre yard for open-sky views and professional photos.

“David was a great guide! He is passionate about what he does and he makes sure you’re comfortable & getting the best experience you can seeing the lights! We were lucky to have a great clear night”

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4.From Fairbanks: Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

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

Join Arctic Night Tours for an 8 to 12 hour Aurora chase from Fairbanks. Guides Ed and Elena track weather and sky conditions, drive toward clearer skies, provide snacks and warmers, and photograph you beneath the Northern Lights.

“Guide knew and shared so much about the Aurora. She made sure we were all comfortable even with very cold temperatures.”

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5.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, where you can watch the Northern Lights through floor-to-ceiling windows or step outside for photos. Guides such as Michael and Stella help spot the aurora, take portraits, and send images afterward. Hot drinks, snacks, and hotel pickup are included.

“The lodge is new, clean and warm. However, it is very crowded and packed. It is filled with chairs in all possible corners. If you’d like a quiet experience, this is not the place. Otherwise hosts are friendly and aurora is beautiful.”

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6.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 and follow the forecast to one or more viewing spots. A guide watches the sky while you wait with hot drinks and snacks, then helps capture aurora photos when the lights appear. Pickup, drop-off, and photography assistance are included.

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

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

Leave downtown Fairbanks around 10:30 p.m. with Alaska Journey Tours and chase the aurora by vehicle. Guides such as David combine night driving with photography, taking portraits beneath the lights and sending digital images afterward. Pickup is offered, but the northern lights are never guaranteed.

“Our guide David was great. He chased the lights til we found them - twice. He took lots of photos of each of us in the group, and several of just the lights with no people in them. He was professional, friendly and made sure we each had a good experience. If you want a northern lights guide, go with David!”

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8.Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour

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

Start around 5pm with Fairbanks ice art, then head to Chena Hot Springs for a mineral soak and Aurora hunting. Guides such as Kevin and Tabitha help with low-light photography and may make extra stops for clearer skies. Return is usually between 1am and 2am.

“Kevin and tabitha were very nice. Although we weren’t able to see the northern lights, Kevin tried his hardest to find them, the hot spring was amazing”

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9.Anchorage: Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Photography Tour

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

You’ll spend six hours chasing the Aurora Borealis from Anchorage with a professional photographer guide. Learn the science, use a complimentary tripod, and get help capturing the lights. Chad and Erica have guided recent outings, and camera rental is available by advance request.

“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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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 Fairbanks Aurora chase with English or Mandarin guidance, snacks, water, photo help, and karaoke in the car. Guides such as June and Adam adjust departure and location when conditions change, helping you spend your night where the lights may appear.

“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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11.Luxury RV Small Group Aurora Chasing Tour with Photography

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $230

Meet your guide at 10 p.m. for a five-hour aurora chase from Fairbanks in a warm RV. Michael helps with camera and tripod settings while you move between viewing spots, enjoy hot chocolate, snacks, coffee, and a restroom away from crowds.

“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 Northern Lights photography workshop from Fairbanks. Pickup, dark-sky driving, snacks, hot drinks, tripods, and patient instruction are included. Groups are limited to five, and a rental camera can be arranged for $35.

“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.Aurora Chasing Tour With Free Photography Service

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

You’ll leave Fairbanks late at night with a guide such as Michael, checking two viewing locations in search of the aurora. Hotel pickup, snacks, hot drinks, and an aurora photography service are included. Groups are limited to 14, and the tour runs about five hours.

“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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14.Half Night Personalized Aurora Chase and Photography

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

Join Lindsay or Shannon for a private, weather-led Aurora hunt from Fairbanks. You may chase the lights for under 50 miles or settle at a cabin, with photography help, hot drinks, snacks, and five edited Aurora portraits included.

“Lindsay is the BEST! I’ve done multiple tours with her and have had a great time on every one of them. I’ve been dog sledding, aurora chasing, ice fishing, bear viewing, visited the hot springs, and gone snowmobiling through her company, and every tour was top-notch. Lindsay has excellent communication and was great about giving me alternative tour options when certain ones weren’t possible due to bad weather blowing in. I highly recommend booking with Wandering Alaska!”

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15.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with Photography

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $160

Join Alaska Custom Tours for about four hours of aurora hunting near Fairbanks. Your guide, including June on one reported outing, drives to darker northern viewpoints, provides snacks, water, and photography services, and waits patiently for the lights to appear.

“Tour was scheduled for a Monday, but the operator contacted us and asked if we could reschedule to the next evening as the weather was going to be poor. We were able to do that, so the operator scheduled us for 10pm the next evening. As it turned out, the weather was too good. Since it doesn’t get dark in Alaska in early August until around midnight, the start of the tour was pushed back to 11pm. Our guide, June, picked us up at about 11 and we set off for the adventure. June drove us out of town towards a state park for about 30 minutes and found a…”

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