The Knik River Lodge near Palmer is a great place to watch the aurora. This entire area is great for aurora watching.

Turn on Knik River Rd and drive 1.6 miles.

61☃0’15.2″N 149☀2’02.0″W Swimming Hole: From the Old Glenn Hwy, head to the Knik River Bridge. The Knik River Bridge area has great views. The Knik River area is popular and wide open. Do not park on private property.Įklutna Tailrace is a great spot. The Trunk Road and Clark-Wolverine Rd areas/sections of town, as well as areas north of the main part of the city have little to no light pollution and are great places to go if you cannot go far. The upper and lower parking lots within Hatcher Pass Independence Mine parking lot and area, Hatcher Pass is a great place to catch the lights as it is far from city lights and has select views toward the north. Beach Lake in Birchwood and almost the entire area of Birchwood area are great spots that is not too far for locals. Use courtesy and TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS when you are parked. The Mt Baldy Trailhead parking area is a very popular spot and can get crowded during an expected aurora display. This area can get very icy in the winter so be prepared. Mt Baldy Trailhead, Skyline Dr and Hiland Dr overlooks Eagle River. Remember to look to the north, and possibly low on the horizon. Watch for security and respect the rules if that particular area is closed at night. JBER, head toward the back of the base, Otter Lake, 6 Mile, or at the very least away from streetlights and security lights. Sometimes during big events, downtown Anchorage can see the aurora just fine! The areas mentioned are good if the sky near your house or hotel is not dark enough. The aurora can be seen from anywhere in the city when the lights are overhead.

There are many areas in Anchorage with few or no streetlights. If the aurora is higher in the sky, the Potter Marsh area is good, as well as Beluga Point and Portage Valley. From downtown, the Captain Cook monument facing the water, Ship Creek area, and down by the water facing north coastal trails (Do not walk on the beach! It is mud, not sand. Abbott Loop Community Park is open with less light pollution. With the lights of the city toward the east, you can see the lights looking north. Another good place is Earthquake park and Point Woronzof. It overlooks the city and you can see the aurora above the city lights. For the Anchorage city areas, you can head to the favorite spots of Flattop and the Glen Alps parking area.

Northern lights anchorage alaska