Healy

Forget crowded cityscapes and light pollution. In Healy, you’re trading urban noise for the hushed whisper of the Alaskan wilderness, like something pulled straight from the canvas of a Bob Ross painting, a setting perfectly primed for witnessing the the Northern Lights.

Imagine the crisp, clean air biting gently at your cheeks as you gaze upwards, at the shimmering colors on the inky canvas of the night sky. Healy’s proximity to Denali National Park provides unparalleled dark skies, and its remote location minimizes light interference, ensuring an unforgettable aurora viewing experience.

Pack your warmest layers, grab your camera, and prepare to be awestruck. Your Alaskan aurora adventure begins here.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

6%

There is a 6% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Healy area (forecast for 27 April 2025 at 5:03pm UTC)

Kp 1.67

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
Bz 2 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 3.01 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 395.0 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Clouds

4°C Feels like 4°C

High
8°C
Low
-1°C
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Cloud cover: 91%
  • Wind: 3 km/h

Moon

New moon

  • Sun rises at: 5:41am
  • Sun sets at: 10:05pm
  • Moon rises at: 5:16am
  • Moon sets at: 11:29pm

Book an amazing adventure in Healy

  • Free cancellation

    3 Hour SHERP Tour: Denali Fat Truck Tours

    4.9 (238)

    3 hours 30 minutes From £190.38

    Come explore the Alaska Wilderness off the road. Explore in a guided and climate controlled Search & Rescue Fat Truck/Sherp while staying safe from the weather, bugs, and the occasional wild animal. This 3 Hour tour takes you off road up steep mining trails to vista views, teaches you about the local history, and geological formations near Denali National Park in an adventurous off road Fat Truck search & rescue vehicle. (Plan on about 3.5-4 hours if using the the hotel shuttle service from select hotels during the summer season)

  • Free cancellation

    2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour

    4.8 (797)

    2 hours 30 minutes From £103.21

    Get ready for an adventure in the Alaskan wilderness with an ATV tour from Denali. On an automatic single or double ATV, you'll ride along trails surrounded by Denali National Park at speeds up to 30 mph (48 kph), and make stops to enjoy 360-degree views of the Alaska Range, Otto Lake, and the Healy Valley. Traverse rocky creek beds and splash through the water (weather permitting) as a guide leads you through the rugged terrain and provides opportunities for photography. Wildlife is abundant, so watch for moose on the trail. When booking, select from several departure times and decide whether you want a single or 2-passenger side-by-side ATV.

  • Free cancellation Likely to sell out

    3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park

    5.0 (77)

    3 hours From £90.98

    Stroll leisurely through the forest of Denali National Park. As you walk, listen to your guide talk about the plants, animals, ecology, geology, and more that make Denali unique. Taste the bounty of edible berries that pepper Denali's forests. Your guide is a true expert. Not a mid-rate guide who knows a few fun facts. They're a Naturalist who's prepared to answer any question you throw at them. They're ready for wildlife encounters with bear spray and good training. They have a Wilderness First Responder certification, making them better prepared than an EMT for an emergency in the backcountry. See? I told you they were an expert. This is your chance to experience Alaska up close and personal. Your chance to feel the peat moss that so few do. Taste the elusive and legendary cloudberries. This is more than a walk. It's an all expenses paid teleportation into the inner workings of Denali National Park. OH! And we donate 5% to conservation. You're helping Denali by taking this tour!

  • Free cancellation

    Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour

    4.8 (285)

    3 hours 30 minutes From £136.09

    Get out and ride in the Alaskan Boreal Forest! Traveling at speeds up to 30 mph, maneuver through the taiga to picturesque panoramas of the Alaska Range. Observe glacial moraines and historic archaeological dig sites while navigating tree rutted trails, mountain-fed creek beds, and boggy tundra. Spend more time riding on the trail than any other Denali area off-road adventure tour. You may learn how to make fireweed tea, leave with a blueberry smile, or even chat about survival. Periodic stops are made for photography and wildlife sightings. Tackle the terrain in a single-rider ATV or share the thrill in a multi-passenger side-by-side ATV. Trails are challenging for all experience levels.  Total tour covers about 20 miles with 2½ hours on the trails.

  • Free cancellation

    Horse-Drawn Covered Wagon Ride with Backcountry Dining

    4.6 (399)

    3 hours From £85.82

    Journey across Alaska's tundra the way the original pioneers did, by horse-drawn covered wagon, on this 3-hour excursion from Black Diamond Resort. Set out from Healy for this wagon trip across the northern border of Denali National Park, which takes you back through time to learn about the area’s historic and natural treasures. Bask in mountain scenery and then stop to enjoy a delicious back-country dining experience. Choose from several day and evening departure times, and relish the convenience of round-trip transport. 

  • Free cancellation

    Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal

    4.8 (402)

    3 hours From £124.82

    See the wilds of Alaska on a Side by Side ATV with a full windshield, roof, seat belts, gas pedal, and break.  This fun and fantastic machine handles the rough terrain well - all near the Denali National Park boundary in the heart of Alaska. This is a great tour for couples, friends, and families. All ages are welcome with various start times each day and personal guides to cater to your needs. Photo opportunities abound on this 3 hour tour and a full service back country meal is provided.  Please allow 3 1/2 hours if we are picking you up at your hotel.

Places to check out around Healy

Discover Restaurants, Hiking Trails, Parks and more…

Other places in The USA

AnchorageFairbanks

See also

Aurora ForecastPlanning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist