Borealis Basecamp

Stay Here Next: In-Depth Review of Borealis Basecamp in Alaska - AFAR

"Hidden on a private 100-acre boreal forest about a 45-minute drive north of Fairbanks, AK, this upscale lodge-style retreat is built for aurora hunters and outdoor adventurers year-round. Twenty-eight geodesic fiberglass igloos—each with a king bed, a small kitchen, a bathroom with a dry-flush toilet, and a 16-foot-wide ceiling window made from repurposed helicopter glass—offer dramatic in-bed views of chartreuse- and magenta-hued northern lights and are popular with couples and honeymooners. Modern cube cabins added in 2022 provide floor-to-ceiling north-facing windows, a lofted sleeping area suited for small families, and more thermal efficiency, while forthcoming double cubes will include extra sleeping space, a two-person indoor sauna, soaking tub, and walk-in shower. The on-site restaurant, Latitude 65, operates from an oversize yurt and emphasizes locally sourced seafood and meats plus foraged summer ingredients—expect dishes like halibut cassoulet and pan-seared sockeye salmon—alongside a robust local beer selection, notable wines, nightly bonfires with s’mores, and lounge hors d’oeuvres. Staff are described as casual and knowledgeable, and popular excursions include dog-mushing mornings with puppy meet-and-greets and half-hour rides, reindeer hikes, snowshoeing/trekking, and snowmachine/ATV ridge trips for sunset s’mores and champagne. Accessibility is mixed—cubes have level access while igloos require roughly six steps and dirt paths plus winter snow can challenge wheelchair users—but the property balances off-the-grid wilderness with creature comforts and a very high chance of seeing the aurora thanks to minimal nearby light pollution." - Bailey Berg