Forests, Rivers, and Tundra
Chena River State Recreation Area is a year-round park with 397 square miles of forest, rivers, and alpine tundra. Visitors can hike, ski, ride snowmobiles, go dog sledding, horseback ride, canoe, hunt, fish, and camp. This means a wide variety of activities are available within one park—from getting around on foot or on skis to trips on the water.
A variety of boats are also used on the clear-flowing Chena River in Chena River State Recreation Area: canoes, kayaks, rafts, and riverboats. These four types of boats offer a distinctive picture of the possibilities on the river, without suggesting that they all provide the same experience.
Nature and Historic Traces
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge covers nearly 3,000 acres in Fairbanks North Star Borough. Its historic dairy buildings are the only surviving pioneer-era dairy buildings in Alaska’s Interior and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, a large refuge and a tangible reminder of the pioneer era stand side by side.
The refuge has more than 25 miles of trails, 4.2 miles of which are accessible in summer. Because seasonal accessibility can change, check which sections are accessible before your visit. These figures convey both the scale of the trail network and the fact that access to some areas depends on the season.
Tanana Lakes Recreation Area has two sandy swimming beaches as well as hiking and ATV trails. Tanana Lake, in turn, allows motorized boats to enter the Tanana River. The names are similar, but describe different offerings: swimming beaches and trails on the one hand, and access for motorized boats on the other.
Garden Culture, Crafts, and Science
The Folk School offers year-round classes and programs for all ages. Topics range from traditional crafts and woodworking to outdoor skills, practical arts, and natural sciences. The program thus encompasses both craft-related topics and hands-on ways to engage with nature and science.
Georgeson Botanical Garden is the northernmost botanical garden in the world. It is known for its peonies, which bloom in June and July, as well as for its research, education, and public outreach on gardening at high latitudes. Plant lovers will find both a seasonal bloom and work focused on gardening under the special conditions of high latitudes.
Another scientific topic awaits at the Walt and Marita Babula Planetarium: the immersive theater experience explores Alaska’s night sky, the northern lights, and the universe. The Large Animal Research Station offers tours focused on Arctic ecology and large mammals. Together, these offerings take you from looking at the sky to ecological topics and large animals.
Events and Local Cuisine
Alaska Salmon Bake has been operating in historic Pioneer Park for more than 40 years, offering an Alaskan dining experience. It is a distinctive part of the local food culture, alongside the area’s nature and cultural attractions.
The Midnight Sun Baseball Game takes place annually in June, is hosted by the Alaska Goldpanners, and is considered a Fairbanks tradition; it began in 1906. If you’re planning a visit around the game, check the current event dates, as details may change. Its long history and association with June give the game a special place among seasonal experiences.
Getting Your Bearings in Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks North Star Borough, at the junction of the Richardson Highway, George Parks Highway, Steese Highway, and Elliott Highway. The city is a clear point of reference when you’re orienting yourself among these highways. Chena Lake Recreation Area is a 2,178-acre park east of North Pole. Birch Hill Recreation Area and the Jim Whisenhant Cross Country Ski Trail System are also available for recreation. Both are offered for recreational use.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Fairbanks, North Pole, College, Kodiak Island Borough, Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Bristol Bay, Valdez-Cordova Census Area.
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