5 Day Fairbanks Basecamp

Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city, and check into your accommodation. You’ll find an abundance of options, including B&Bs, wilderness lodges, and hotels. Here are some ideas for your first day:

• Take a walk at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, where you can observe ducks, geese, and other birds.
• Visit Pioneer Park, a historic village that features original buildings moved from downtown Fairbanks, as well as museums and a Gold Rush town street. It’s also a theme park with a carousel and a train that runs past shops and restaurants.
• Visit UA Museum of the North to discover fascinating stories about Alaska's people, places, and wildlife.

Head to a reputable dog mushing facility that offers summer tours, where you’ll meet and pet the friendly, enthusiastic sled dogs. Enjoy a short dog-sled ride on a cart or ATV while a musher guides and narrates the experience. This activity provides a taste of the thrill of dog mushing, even in the summer months. End your day with a walk along the Chena River, or rent a canoe or kayak from a local shop and paddle the river.

Begin your day on the Chena River with the Riverboat Discovery Tour. This 3.5-hour tour on an authentic sternwheeler offers engaging stops where visitors can learn about dog mushing, bush pilots, and Alaska Native culture. The tour blends educational entertainment with outdoor exposure, providing an enriching and enjoyable experience for both kids and adults while exploring the Chena River’s scenic beauty and history.

Explore the rich history of the Gold Rush at the interactive Gold Dredge 8 Gold Panning Tour. This interactive, educational experience includes both guided narration about Gold Rush history and a chance to try gold panning with real gold ore. The narrow-gauge train ride that takes them through the historic gold mining area, providing a unique perspective of the landscape and enhancing the overall immersion into Alaska’s Gold Rush history. Another great gold panning experience for those that want to spend more time panning is offered by Gold Daughters.

Then go see some wildlife at Running Reindeer Ranch. Meet and pet friendly reindeer in a serene setting, fostering a connection with nature.

Many visitors don’t realize that visiting Denali from Fairbanks in a day is possible! From Fairbanks, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive to the Denali National Park Visitor Center, so plan for an early departure. Arrive at the visitor center and explore the interactive exhibits and walk the short, easy trails nearby, like the Horseshoe Lake Trail or the McKinley Station Trail. Or, rent a bike! Also consider hopping on the Denali Park Shuttle bus to access trails inside the park to just enjoy the scenery. If you want a narrated tour, the Tundra Wilderness Tour or Denali Natural History Tour are on the shorter end (4 -6 hrs) and provide the opportunity to see some of the park’s stunning landscapes without having to endure a full-day bus ride. Denali National Park does not allow private vehicles beyond Mile 15, so this is your only option to really explore the park.

If you want to give yourself a little extra time, drive from Fairbanks to Denali the night before and spend the night in Denali.

Return to Fairbanks before your departure.