Fairbanks
Feel the frontier vibe in Fairbanks, a city with gold rush roots
Alaska’s second-largest community, the gold rush town of Fairbanks is, in many ways a pure expression of the Alaskan psyche. An amiable and eccentric place, Fairbanks believes whole-heartedly in Alaska’s frontier ethos and clings ferociously to its independent spirit.
For visitors, Fairbanks forms the nexus for the state’s most iconic journeys, including the trip up to the Arctic Circle, just 120 miles to the north. Visitors also use Fairbanks as the jumping-off point for jaunts to Denali National Park and Preserve, two hours to the south. (Denali—formerly Mount McKinley—is North America’s highest peak).
Boasting a population of 32,000, Fairbanks is a place of sharp contrasts. In the winter, record low temperatures of 60 below zero have been seen while summer temperatures can soar above 80 degrees. Fairbanks enjoys more than 22 hours of daylight when the summer solstice arrives on June 21, and the city’s Midnight Sun Baseball Game pits two minor league teams against each other in a late-night tradition.
Fairbanks also is one of the best places to view the northern lights. The city has a high percentage of clear nights and sky gazers enjoy these lights in a high degree of occurrence and activity. The aurora borealis’ signature yellow-green glow occurs dramatically between late August and mid-April.
Annual events in the city include the Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race in March and the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics during the Fourth of July and Christmas holidays. City attractions include Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge and Pioneer Park.
© State of Alaska/Kristen Kemmerling
On the Water: Chena Lake Recreation Area
You don’t have to venture far from Fairbanks to experience Alaska’s wild beauty. Chena Lake Recreation Area spans 2,000 glorious acres and is a popular recreation area for locals and visitors. At the height of summer’s midnight sun, boaters, anglers and swimmers (there are two designated swimming areas) congregate at Lake Park’s 260-acre lake and sandy beaches. The park also boasts three volleyball courts, a children’s playground, horseshoe pit, picnic sites, two covered pavilions, a place to rent nonmotorized boats, a lake boat launch, water stations and changing facilities.
For visitors, the 3-mile, self-guided nature trail provides a pleasant introduction to Alaska’s flora and fauna. Fishing is an especially popular activity here; the Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks Chena Lake annually with rainbow trout, silver salmon and Arctic char. The Chena River, located in the River Park, has a healthy inventory of grayling, northern pike, whitefish, turbot and an annual run of king salmon.
For More Information
Fairbanks Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
800-327-5774
Alaska Travel Industry Association
800-862-5275