Alpenglow : Healy : Seek The Aurora

Healy

Home / 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?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Healy. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

8%

There is a 8% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Healy area (forecast for 6 November 2025 at 6:06pm UTC)

Kp 2.33

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 aurora activity.

Density 3.92 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 556.1 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.

Moon

Waning gibbous

Sunrise 8:55am

Sunset 4:24pm

Moonrise 2:28pm

Moonset 1:16pm

Snow

-11°C Feels like -11°C

High: -8°C
Low: -11°C

Chance of precipitation 73%
Cloud cover 100%
Northerly winds 2 km/h
Snow 1 mm

Book an amazing adventure in Healy

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Healy.

Free cancellation

3 Hour SHERP Tour: Denali Fat Truck Tours

4.9 (404)

3 hours 30 minutes From £194.39

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

Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal

4.8 (488)

3 hours From £127.45

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.
Free cancellation

Black Diamond Treasure Hunt Excursion with Backcountry Dining

4.9 (181)

3 hours From £135.45

Journey into the wilds of Alaska on a unique family-friendly treasure hunt aboard an off-road vehicle driven by our trained guide. Set out from Healy for this 3-hour guided adventure and work together searching for hidden clues, seeking out quartz and granite rocks, and exchanging geocache treasures, which results in a take-home souvenir. Learn about local history, flora, and fauna and refuel with a traditional back country meal. Please let us know when booking if you are driving yourself or if you need to be picked up at your hotel choice. The pick up time at your hotel is the listed booking time. If you are driving yourself to our location plase arrive 15 minutes later. We are located at 1.2 Mile Otto Lake Road, turn onto Otto Lake Raod at Mile 247 off the George Parks Highway.
Free cancellation

2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour

4.8 (916)

2 hours 30 minutes From £113.97

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

5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area

5.0 (96)

5 hours From £155.36

Do you like jaw-dropping views? A good workout? Learning about Denali? If you answered “no” to any of those questions, this tour isn’t for you. But if you answered yes… Ready? Leave the buses and boardwalks behind. Hike high into the Alaska Range. Feel the wind in your hair. As the views unfold, you can’t peel your eyes away. The rugged mountains rise around you like castles. The wide valleys stretch into the distance. The greens, reds, and blues of the tundra create a patchwork quilt unlike any other. Now pick your jaw back up! There’s more to see, and higher to go! Toil further up the steep ridge. Scramble over jagged rocks. Stroll through dips full of delicate wildflowers. Later in the season, enjoy the bounty of wild blueberries, lingonberries, currants, and more. So tell me - will you settle for the buses and boardwalks most people in Denali see? Or will you come with us and adventure into the Alaska Range, seeing views normally reserved for the Dall sheep? The choice is yours.
Free cancellation

Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure

4.8 (71)

3 hours From £119.44

Discover Alaska's enigmatic wilderness on a thrilling 3-hour, 4WD adventure from Healy. Join your guide on a spectacular tour of the Alaskan wilderness. Take charge of your individual journey while driving your own ATV vehicle, enjoying stunning natural scenery as you go. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Healy are included.