Location: Fairbanks
Top Things to do in Fairbanks
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Fairbanks, Alaska (AK)
Its far north location means Fairbanks gets the midnight sun in the summer and the northern lights during Aurora Season (August to April). These wonders define the city, along with winter activities, the gold rush past, Alaska Native heritage, a vibrant arts scene and “golden heart” hospitality. Enjoy dog mushing, panning for gold, floating the Chena River or visiting a museum. Add a nearby trip to a hot springs, Denali, the Arctic or the Interior. Fairbanks is the gateway to discovering Alaska.
Restaurants in Fairbanks
1. Eagle Summit
2. Chena River State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Located just north of Fairbanks, this area offer many trails for day hikes.
Reviewed By RedRoniNp - Nashville, United States
We have been to the area several times now and amazed at the beauty. Even had a surprise moose encounter with twins. Worth the visit.
3. Alaskan Husky and Horse Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
We offer summer adventure tours with horses from 1 hr to 10 days camping on the trail, stunning scenery and in winter we offer the same caliber trips but with sled dogs!
4. Ski Land
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Come visit one of the best-kept secrets in Alaska! We offer amazing Skiing and Snowboarding on Saturday's, Sunday's, and Monday's. With a full-price adult ticket only $40 and a youth for only $20, we even offer a $10 discount on full-priced day passes to season pass holders from any other resort or to those who stay at one of our lodging partners. 7 nights a week we offer Aurora Viewing from our warm lodges. With our unique location on top of Cleary Summit, we offer one of the best places to see the lights.
5. Georgeson Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Discover the diversity of native and introduced plants growing under the Midnight sun. Observe Alaska's world famous giant cabbages. Visit our developing children's garden. Observe wildlife, birds, plants and insects that live in Alaska's great interior. Season is June 1 through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 per person, children 6 and under free. The Georgeson Botanical Garden is located at the Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station (AFES) farm west of the main UAF campus.
Reviewed By 308denniss - Ocean Isle Beach, United States
We enjoyed visiting these gardens. They have everything planted here from flowers to vegetables. We've been to larger areas like in Longwood Gardens in PA and Brookgreen Gardens in SC but that doesn't take away from the beauty of these. Bring a picnic lunch as they have areas with tables to relax and enjoy strolling through acres of plants, flowers, and water exhibits. The price? A small donation of 5.00 per person.
6. Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge is a 2,000 acre refuge on the site of the historic Creamer's Dairy in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Dairy was once the largest producer in Alaska and is on the historic registry of places. The refuge has miles of multi-use trails that are open year round and it is an excellent location for bird watching and wildlife viewing. The Farmhouse Visitor Center & Gift Shop is open daily in the summer from 9:30 - 5 and on Saturdays in the winter from Noon - 4. Guided Nature Walks are available Mon-Sat at 10 am June through August by trained naturalists. Non-profit organization "Friends of Creamer's Field" provides programs during the year at the state owned refuge. In the winter the trails are groomed for cross country skiing and skijoring. Dog mushers, walkers and runners also visit the fields and trails regularly. During the migration seasons the fields are closed except to the birds, but the other trails are still open away from the fields. Come visit!
Reviewed By J4911SFelizabethp
In February 2020 we visited in the afternoon, a helpful worker pointed us to trail maps and we enjoyed the boreal forest boardwalk trail. In March 2021 we returned, and this time more interesting birds were at the feeders and trees. I saw my first bohemian waxwing bird and cute common redpolls and chickadees. On March 20 there was a strong corona aurora and we viewed this wonder over Creamers Field. I hope sometime we can return during migration when it's not frozen over!
7. Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
The wildlife sanctuary draws a crowd - a crowd of song and shore birds, moose and waterfowl. Featuring easy walking nature trails that lead to Wander Lake and Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Off the trailhead of the sanctuary is the Taiga Center that features free Alaskan movies for resort guests during the summer on the 14 foot big screen. Visit the trailhead kiosk outside the Taiga Center for trail maps and Bird Checklist.
Reviewed By MACKBA - Fairbanks, United States
It's a nice place for a nature walk and birdwatching, close to town and in the safe area. It's an easy walk, kids and aged people will be comfortable here.
8. Angel Rocks Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By KRCinci
This was a great hike that followed the flat river for a while then ascended to various rock formations with great views. Since it was totally deep snow, we followed a set of foot prints, which we later learned was only part of the path. We saw no one.
9. Birch Hill Recreation Area
10. Golden Heart Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By tammye909
A wonderful area right next to the Chena River which runs right down the middle of downtown Fairbanks. There are informative plaques, etc. around and it’s easy to walk around the area.
