Fairbanks

Felix Pedro’s 1902 find when he panned the local streams for that allusive and most valuable of metals sparked a flurry of prospectors and sparked the gold rush. These people settled and business grew, Fairbanks was born. This town has to be amongst the best in the world for those seeking the enjoyment of the great outdoors, sometimes called the last frontier Fairbanks is considered to be at the edge of the Alaskan wilderness.

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Trails

Minutes from this picturesque town centre are literally hundreds of hiking trails from gentle to extreme this is a walkers and hikers paradise. Hiking however is not the only activity available here, far from it this is a haven for thrill seekers and nature lovers alike. Mountain biking, white-water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, dog mushing, skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and backpacking to name just a few of the things to do here. And this is before we mention the fishing with an abundance of lakes and rivers making this ideal to cast that line. Arctic grayling a species considered extinct in many other areas of the United States is common here although one of the toughest catches you are likely to encounter.

Hotels, lodges and camping are amongst the most popular accommodation choices and there are plenty of motor home sites in the vicinity.

Situated 357 miles north of anchorage Fairbanks can be reached by the stunning AK3 highway and this route will take around 6 – 7 hours to complete bearing in mind the photo stops you are sure to make as you pass along side the beautiful Denali national park.

On arrival in Fairbanks the only hard part of your stay will be to plan what to do, like we have already stated the outdoor activities are extensive. However the town itself offers plenty of other pastimes to keep you occupied. The ice museum is well worth a visit as are the several local gold mines and museums reminding you of the towns rich heritage, another absolute must is the chena hot springs which provide thermal hot bathing and relaxation after a hard day on the trails of Fairbanks (especially nice in the cold winter).

Winter in Fairbanks offers all the activity you would expect from a winter sports destination of this standing. Infact Fairbanks is considered one of the best cross country skiing destinations in the world.

One of the top attractions in this region is an act of nature; from Fairbanks and the surrounding area you are in one of the world’s best positions to see the spectacular aurora (northern lights). From late august until April the night sky can dazzle with beams of light in an array of colours to create one of natures true marvels.

Although Fairbanks population rose dramatically after the gold rush, Alaskan natives lived in the region a long time before and are still prominent today. Atabascan Indians and Eskimos still live in the surrounding villages and there rich heritage and culture can still be seen all over the region. Of all the sports, scenery wildlife and nature Fairbanks provides it is its people that will provide the best memories of this remarkable and truly beautiful town.