Fairbanks, Alaska
At 65 degrees north latitude, the sky takes on a capricious life of its own—a canvas for the aurora borealis, the midnight sun, and sunsets and sunrises that last forever. Home to serious mountain ranges, pristine rivers and lakes, abundant wildlife and a certain poignant solitude that is found nowhere else on earth. Locals embrace the natural world and have created a vibrant river city in the far north. Where else can you travel to such a remote locale and still enjoy all the amenities of a charming downtown, a thriving arts community, rich Alaska Native culture, authentic Alaskan activities and attractions and endless opportunities for exploration?
Top Spots in and near Fairbanks
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Fairbanks, Alaska
Photograph the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska
1 mi / 1 ft gainAs close to magic as you'll ever see on this Earth, the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are an absolute must-see for any nature enthusiast. The aurora borealis are visible in Fairbanks from August through April, meaning there's an astounding nine months of aurora viewing! Of course, the auro...Read more -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Snowshoe the Granite Tors Loop Trail
15 mi / 2900 ft gainThe Granite Tors Loop Trailhead is located at Milepost 39 on Chena River Road east of Fairbanks. It starts at about 700ft above sea level and climbs to about 3200ft, peaking around the 8 mile mark. The climb is slow and continuous adding to the difficulty of the hike.The Chena River State Recreat...Read more -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Backpack Granite Tors
5.015 miWe split this 15-mile loop into an overnight backpacking trip and had an amazing time. Our route started up the eastern side of the loop and took us past the trail shelter. Once we reached the tors, we settled in and set up camp. It was stunning and we actually wished we would have left a day bet...Read more -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Snow Biking in Alaska's Arctic
100 miWhite Mountains National Recreation Area is run by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and is best traveled during the winter months. The BLM maintains three trailheads to provide access to 12 public recreation cabins that are connected by extensive trail systems. Trailheads for the Wickersham Cr...Read more -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Hike Angel Rocks Trail
5.03.5 mi / 900 ft gainAngel Rocks is a moderately difficult trail in the Chena River State Recreation Area. The 3.5-mile loop is a great day hike and is frequented by many locals after work. The hike takes you along the Chena River before climbing up 900 feet to sweeping views of the forest below. The “Angel Rocks” ar...Read more
