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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

  • Fairbanks, Alaska

    Photograph the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

    1 mi / 1 ft gain
    As 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...
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  • Fairbanks, Alaska

    Snowshoe the Granite Tors Loop Trail

    15 mi / 2900 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Fairbanks, Alaska

    Backpack Granite Tors

    5.0
    15 mi
    We 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...
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  • Fairbanks, Alaska

    Snow Biking in Alaska's Arctic

    100 mi
    White 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...
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Guides, Insights and Stories from Fairbanks

These photographers set out to film the aurora borealis from the edge of space

These photographers set out to film the aurora borealis from the edge of space

Kyle Frost