Month-by-month viewing quality
| Month | Viewing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| February | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| March | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| April | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| May | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| June | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| July | No — midnight sun | Midnight sun — no real darkness |
| August | Marginal | Short nights at the season edge |
| September | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| October | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| November | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
| December | Peak | Long dark nights + peak activity |
Why these months?
Two things decide your odds in Coldfoot: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and March and October and February tend to edge out the dead of winter. Coldfoot's season runs late august to mid-april.
Coldfoot is a truck stop on the Dalton Highway in the Brooks Range, well north of the Arctic Circle and about as far under the oval as you can drive in the United States. Its geomagnetic latitude is high enough that a quiet night still delivers.
Where to stand in Coldfoot
Anywhere off the highway — there is essentially no light for a hundred miles. The Dalton is a serious winter road; nearly everyone comes on a guided trip from Fairbanks, and that is the sensible way to do it.
Tours & stays to book
Northern lights tours from Coldfoot
Viator · guided tours · from $95
Aurora chases & photo tours in Coldfoot
GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $95
Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Coldfoot
Booking.com · lodging
Know when Coldfoot is about to light up
Aurora odds swing night to night. Leave your email and we'll tell you when Coldfoot hits its best window — time to book a tour for your dates.