![The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. As of 16 February 2015, it runs 66°33′45.6″ north of the Equator.
The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone. The equivalent polar circle in the Southern Hemisphere is called the Antarctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle is the southernmost latitude in the Northern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours (at the June solstice and December solstice respectively). North of the Arctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon). On the Arctic Circle those events occur, in principle, exactly once per year, at the June and December solstices, respectively. However, in practice, because of atmospheric refraction and mirages, and because the sun appears as a disk and not a point, part of the midnight sun may be seen on the night of the northern summer solstice up to about 50′ (90 km (56 mi)) south of the Arctic Circle; similarly, on the day of the northern winter solstice, part of the sun may be seen up to about 50′ north of the Arctic Circle. That is true at sea level; those limits increase with elevation above sea level, although in mountainous regions there is often no direct view of the true horizon.
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed. It directly depends on the Earth's axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period,[2] notably due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year; see Circle of latitude for more information.
#snow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6140564/a9f9449e-bab4-40a6-a9a1-5356b0cc2aa8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=500&q=medium)
Photo by Sharrie Shaw
Find Hotels with Free Parking in Nikiski, AK
Change your mindBook hotels with free cancellation
Be pickySearch almost a million properties worldwide
Check availability on Nikiski Hotels with Free Parking
Top Nikiski Hotels with Free Parking
Aspen Extended Stay Suites Kenai
Kenai
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (702)
"super place to stay"
lynn
The price is NT$3,122
NT$3,309 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 20 - Dec 21
Best Western King Salmon Inn
Soldotna
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (377)
"Great staff...."
CHAD
The price is NT$4,180
NT$4,598 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 22 - Nov 23
Aspen Hotel Soldotna
Soldotna
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (791)
"lots of shops and restaraunts nearby"
Gordon
The price is NT$3,318
NT$3,650 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 20 - Dec 21
Quality Inn Kenai
Kenai
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (563)
"Staff was very helpful and the place is very clean and it felt safe. "
John
The price is NT$3,324
NT$3,523 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Uptown Motel Kenai
Kenai
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (293)
"Great place to stay! "
Edward
The price is NT$2,774
NT$2,940 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Kenai Airport Hotel
Kenai
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (323)
"Great spot to wa"
Donna
The price is NT$3,338
NT$3,538 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 20 - Nov 21
Kenai River Lodge
Soldotna
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (741)
"Second visit to this hotel, reasonable winter rates for a nice room with king bed. They are clean and staff is friendly and helpful."
Mark
The price is NT$3,740
NT$4,114 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 22 - Nov 23
Soldotna Inn
Soldotna
7.6 out of 10, Good, (526)
"Bed was good, breakfast was good, staff was friendly."
Peter
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Top Nikiski Hotel Reviews
Aspen Hotel Soldotna
10/10 Excellent
Explore a world of travel with Expedia
More Hotel Options in Nikiski
Hotels near popular Kenai Attractions
Nikiski Hotels by Star Rating
More ways to book
Expedia's Latest Trends
Hotels
Flights
Packages