Aurora viewing spot
Cleary Summit
Paved access, dark skies, 2,233 feet — 20 miles from Fairbanks
Distance
20 mi NE of Fairbanks
Elevation
2,233 ft
Kp needed
Kp 2
Access
Paved road (Steese Hwy)
Cleary Summit on the Steese Highway is the most accessible high-elevation dark-sky spot near Fairbanks — 20 miles northeast of downtown, paved road all the way, and a pullout with a clear northern view at 2,233 feet. It's the go-to for spontaneous aurora nights when you need to get out of city lights fast.
The best spontaneous spot
When the Kp forecast spikes unexpectedly, Cleary Summit is where Fairbanks residents drive. The paved road means you can leave at midnight and be under dark skies in 25 minutes — no prep needed.
The northern view
The summit pullout faces north, which is the direction aurora typically appears first. The drop-off on the north side opens up the sky dramatically. In winter the road can be slick — drive carefully and pull well off the road.
Combine with Fox and Chatanika
The Steese Highway corridor northeast of Fairbanks passes through Fox, Cleary Summit, and the Chatanika River valley — all good dark-sky sites. On nights of strong activity the whole corridor lights up.
Pro tip
Face north at the summit pullout — the clearest view and the direction where aurora first appears. Bring a headlamp and dress in full winter layers even for short stops.
Other viewing spots
Chena Hot Springs
Soak while the lights dance overhead — 60 miles east of Fairbanks
Murphy Dome
2,940 feet of unobstructed northern horizon — 27 miles from Fairbanks
Coldfoot Camp
250 miles above Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway — aurora at Kp 1
Denali National Park
Dark skies at 63°N with North America's tallest peak as backdrop
Fairbanks
The aurora capital — 240+ nights a year directly under the auroral oval
Utqiaġvik (Barrow)
71.3°N — the northernmost US city, where aurora appears even at noon in winter