Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic Dome
Fairbanks, USA
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Seek out the colorful northern lights on a small-group tour near Fairbanks, Alaska. Set out with your guide to an off-grid location—with little to no light pollution—or choose to chase the lights by van. Once you’ve locked eyes on the fleeting natural phenomenon, get your photography gear out to capture what you’re seeing with tips from your guide.
- Enjoy hot chocolate and snacks while watching the lights
- A small-group tour ensures a personalized experience
- Warm up around a bonfire at the homestead location
- Hassle-free hotel transfers included from Fairbanks
What's Included
- Coffee and/or TeaHot chocolate, Coffee, or tea and s'mores
- Covid-19 Health and Safety measures
- hand sanitizer
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.10:00 pm
What To Expect
1
White Mountain
2
Elliott Highway
3
Chena River Lakes Recreation Area
4
Chena River State Recreation Area
5
Fairbanks
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 46 reviews
Jesse_B, Mar 2026
What a completely amazing experience. Tabitha is a wonderful person and the view of the Northern Lights was unbeatable. We had a tour scheduled for a Saturday night and on Friday, she gave us a call that the lights were expected to put on a better showing on Friday night. Because of her forethought, we were able to see what was likely the best viewing of the year.
Michael_C, Jan 2026
Unfortunately, due to poor weather, our experience was cancelled. However, our contact, Tabitha, worked tirelessly with over several hours, watching the weather to see if there was any chance of a break in the cloud cover that would provide an opportunity to view the northern lights. When it came time to make the call, Tabitha said it just wasn’t going to happen, offered a couple of alternatives which were not timely for us, and said she would process a full refund based on a weather cancellation.
So while our event did not occur, our deals with the Howling Bay Kennel, the provider, and Tabitha, our contact, was an absolute pleasure. We hope to return to Alaska in the future and will make it a point to use them if at all possible.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your patience in the matter, and while we cannot control the weather- we can control rescheduling efforts and weather refunds in full!
Eleni_M, Nov 2025
This was a great experience for catching the northern lights! Tabitha has a ton of local knowledge and is very hospitable. We were the only people on the visit and felt like we had a front row seat to see the lights from her property. Loved the local knowledge and stories she shared. Was wonderful to be able to go in/out of her home since it was quite cold out that night!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for joining me for a relaxed evening and great conversation! Glad to hear you enjoyed the experience!
Tammy_G, Sep 2024
Our host was very knowledgeable. Pick up was right on time! Thank you for an enjoyable evening Tabitha!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you for the delightful evening!
Donald_O, Mar 2024
The communication and execution of this tour was terrible. Started when we arrived on time at designated meeting place on Viator tickets (see attached). Tour guide was not present. After attempts to call she responded by saying she was picking other customers up and would arrive 30 mins later (approx 950 pm). After starting tour, communication was lacking ( no microphone used, no educational facts of route, Alaska, northern lights were shared). Temp in van was extremely cold and never asked if we were comfortable and adjusted to provide more heat after being out in -17 degree weather. Tour advertised Northern lights and Aurora photography with warm Geodesic dome. Also coffee and/ or Tea-Hot chocolate. There was no dome and no hot beverages! Tour guide finally offered water, after being asked. On return trip, tour guide made two stops; one to check on “traps” she stated someone had placed off the road and the second to secure water from a mineral spring along the side of the road ( mentioned she had no water in her home and proceeded to fill one empty 12 oz. Water bottle from the spring). Clearly poorly executed trip and guide was less than professional. While I have used Viator prior (primarily in Europe) this tour will have me reconsider using or recommending in the future.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Greetings, my apologies that your experience was not everything that you expected in seeing the Northern Lights that evening.
It is clearly stated in the tour description that transportation is included in this tour from hotel and Airbnb within Fairbanks city limits. There were multiple attempts through Viator and directly by phone to obtain your pickup location prior to tour time even. This information is recorded.
When contact was made, it was stated that as per tour description, I was in Fairbanks picking up a group and we would be 25min to your location. It was also communicated that due to weather conditions we would be travelling north of Fairbanks to see the Northern Lights, which is also listed in the tour description. This evening we drove almost 80 miles one way to make sure all guests had the best opportunity of viewing the Northern Lights and we were successful. The temperature was about -5F, which is common at this time of year. And the storage of your additional outdoor gear was accomidated in the van.
During our drive, it was communicated that due to the long travel time of over 1hr, multiple stops to: either use public restroom facilities, or to "stretch legs," as well as adjust temperature in the van or switch seats was offered. Multiple guests voiced their needs, and they were met upon request. Information about the Northern Lights was shared freely with all guests during our 2 hr viewing time/stop.
Viewing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, but I do try my hardest to find the best opportunities based on the knowledge base that I have, therefore if we had stayed at the dome location we would have had no success that evening.
Dale_W, Mar 2024
Tabitha was a wonderful guide and went out of her way to make our experience so good. She kept going to enable us to see the Northern Lights.
Kat_R, Dec 2023
The aurora viewing at the geodesic dome was canceled due to lack of participants. However Tabitha offered an alternate trip to Chena Hot Springs. The drive up was nice. She gave us info about the dog sledding community and other bits of history about the area.
The hot springs were lovely, dinner was good but the wait was a bit longer than expected. On the way back to Fairbanks we stopped several times to potentially get pictures of the auroras. She found some nice spots with interesting foreground so the auroras popped. Unfortunately the auroras weren't very bright, but it was great to see them nonetheless.
I highly recommending a tour with Tabitha. Even though it wasn't the tour I planned, it was worth the time and money.
Barbara_K, Oct 2023
Awesome experience. Northern lights are a must see! Fabulous warming hut! Wonderful knowledgeable group. Safe drivers for hotel pick up and drop off.
Julie_N, Nov 2022
We were able to see the aurora from different remote areas throughout the night. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Photos were taken and were included within the flat fee upfront. It was a pleasant experience that I’d recommend!
Matthew_R, Nov 2022
Excellent experience Kevin took time to help with camera setting and find the lights. Cloud cover came in, but he found a clear spot to view them.
Mukta_J, Oct 2022
I think the dome was good, they did their best to show us the lights but this should have been a weather cancellation. It was already known that the skies would be very cloudy but they didn’t cancel the tour. Felt like I spent for nothing
John_C, Sep 2022
Very educational and personal experience. The geodesic dome provides for some heat, coffee, and other snacks. The family is very hospitable and welcoming. A five-star experience!
Claire_B, Sep 2022
Excellent experience, Kevin did a great job and we were able to see the Northern Lights. Definitely recpmmrnd!
Flavia_P, Sep 2022
Excellent private tour. Tabitha was warm, inviting and went the extra mile to make it the best experience for us! We will be back
Connie_C, Aug 2022
The scientific chances of seeing the Aurora were low this night, but our amazing guide, Kevin, took us to the only cloudless sky in Alaska and we saw the Northern lights! He took amazing pictures that he shared with us all. He also went out of his way to pick us up! Kevin, Thank you for this amazing and memorable adventure!
Maxin_C, Mar 2022
Tabitha and her Family were very accommodating and nice. They were welcoming and they a very comfy dome. Just felt that we were being rushed in completing the experience. We were already picked up at 10 and left at around 2am. But overall it was a nice experience :)
Still waiting on the link for the photos.
Yolanda_M, Mar 2022
Cynthia our tour guide was excellent, she took some phenomenal pics of our experience. I would post some, but she hasn’t sent them as yet. I would recommend this tour for everyone. Please Cynthia, can you forward me my pics. Thanks
Mark_V, Mar 2022
This was our last day in Alaska and my partners birthday. We had attempted to see the Northern Lights a few times during the week with no success. We finally saw them with Howling Bay and it made for a special birthday. The location is cozy and they know their stuff!
Marie_W, Mar 2022
I travelled with my husband and two young children. It was family friendly. Inside the dome was warm & cozy with couches. Hot drinks, s'mores, and various good snacks for kids. It was a romantic getaway outside and the kids were safe and well inside the dome, best of both worlds. Can go inside the dome when watching the lights outside gets cold. Extremely friendly and awesome host. 10/10 would stay here again
Abhilash_M, Mar 2022
Knowledgeable guides, although we saw activity only barely visible to the eye, host took some excellent portrait shots with long exposure. Wait was warm comfortable and cozy
Everwood, Mar 2022
Good Dome, come again, hope to see good aurora next time and stay in this tour three nights not everyday to switch different tour.
Holly_H, Mar 2022
What a wonderful time we had! We missed our pick up due to late arrival on the train. Tabitha was very helpful (she even offered to help us find another tour). Tabitha said they offered self-drive and we did that. Great directions. Once there, Kevin entertained us from the comfort of a warm and cozy geo-dome until the lights appeared. He took photos of everyone and sent them via Dropbox. Highly recommend this small group experience.
Mai_C, Mar 2022
We were barely acknowledged. Not worth all that money, nothing you couldn't get the experience doing on your own by just finding a good spot to view the lights.
Mimis_C, Mar 2022
Fabulous experience the company Howling bay Kennels highly recommended Tabitha was wonderful the location they use to view the northern lights was great above all we got to see Aurora in all its glory for four hours.Spectacular !
TERI_S, Mar 2022
Van picked us up along with several others, then went about 20 north to their property. Tabitha very very friendly and informative about the lights and Fairbanks. We got lucky and the Lady really danced for us. Really enjoyed our tour and would definitely booked with them again.. They also have dog sledding and a few other things.
Cathy_J, Mar 2022
Although the Aurora was low level, the photos Kevin took for us brought it to life. The stars were beautiful and the warmth in the dome kept us comfortable. Great tour!
leyanis_M, Feb 2022
I don’t recommend this tour, the tour guy was supposed to pick us up in a van and picked us up in a small car where we didn’t fit… took us some pictures and never sent them. Horrible
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Hi leyanis, we apologize about this we had some people working for us and we eneded up leaving town for a family emergency unaware of how bad they where operating tours while we were gone. I would like to offer you a full refund for the bad experience and offer you a tour at no charge if you are ever back. The guides are no longer with the company and if there are pictures still on the camera I would love to get them to you. I am sincerely sorry for your poor experience most of the time operate the tour as an entire family and our 3 year old loves to help and we have lots of fun.
Robert_C, Feb 2022
Rather than Northern Lights chasing, we were taken to a dome on the tour operator's property. We were fine with this. The dome was warm, hot drinks were available, and the views of the aurora were spectacular. Tabitha was a great host. Group size is kept small so it was a more personal experience than some other tours we've used. Transportation was included. A fun night. Highly recommend.
Mike_C, Jan 2022
The host picked me up from the hotel promptly at 9pm. She was chipper and informative throughout the night. The Auroras were on the horizon when we arrived at the dome and grew stronger throughout the night. This is a great location a fairly short distance north of Fairbanks.
It was great to have the dome to duck into and escape the -22F temps. The host kept the wood fire stove stoked and the heat was appreciated. They offer hot chocolate and tea, but bring your bottle of water. The container of water had frozen.
Sneha_P, Jan 2022
The host was very friendly and accomodative. The location is very good.
Only challenge was the car which was old van and had struggled with going uphill on road.
From $200.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic Dome
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