Gold Rush Dining Room : Healy : Seek The Aurora

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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 colours 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.

3%

There is a 3% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Healy area (forecast for 11 January 2026 at 8:29pm UTC)

Kp 5.00

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.

HPI 76 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz -3 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.

Bt 5 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Density 2.54 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 centimetre (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 550.7 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 crescent 42%

Sunrise 10:28am

Sunset 3:39pm

Moonrise 3:41am

Moonset 10:58am

Snow

-23°C Feels like -30°C

High: -23°C
Low: -26°C

Chance of precipitation 100%
Cloud cover 100%
North-Westerly winds 1 km/h gusts of 2 km/h
Snow 4 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 (407)

3 hours 30 minutes From £189.10

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

Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour

4.8 (314)

3 hours 30 minutes From £146.56

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

Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour

4.8 (44)

2 hours 30 minutes From £110.87

Alaska: Land of the Midnight Sun, Land of All Night Fun! Make the best part of your day the start of your night! Novice and experienced riders, night-owls and daylight adventurers can appreciate this limited Wilderness Adventure guided tour departing at 9pm during the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice. The Midnight Sun illuminates forest trails and prolonged sunsets bathe the mountains in rosy alpenglow. Total tour covers about 10 miles with 1½ hours on the trails.
Free cancellation

Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining

4.8 (145)

3 hours From £123.98

Explore the rugged Alaskan wilderness on your own 4WD ATV machine. Join your guide for a personal tour of the backcountry, basking in the surrounding scenery while traversing dry creek beds and dirt paths on an off-road adventure. Your 3-hour excursion includes a hearty meal — the perfect refuel before you hop back on board the ATV for a thrilling return to your starting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Healy are included.
Free cancellation

Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal

4.8 (486)

3 hours From £123.98

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 Likely to sell out

Denali Alaska Range 5hr Mountain Hike w/Views & Naturalist Guide

5.0 (96)

5 hours From £151.13

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.