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The summer season if Alaska is fairly short, but the days are nice and long. Being able to see at night allowed us to really get the most our of the Alaskan summers. If you were to ask me what we did most while living in Alaska, one of our top answers would be hunting and fishing. We are a big hunting and fishing family! That being said, I know those activities aren’t for everyone.
The good news is that there are plenty of other things to do in Fairbanks, Alaska. There are endless indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy in the area. Here are some of our favorite things to do near Fairbanks that we experienced while living in Alaska.
Berry Picking. A more unique outdoor activity in Alaska is wild berry picking. Alaska grows a ton of wild berries and we picked blueberries there multiple times. You may also find raspberries, cloud berries, cranberries, nagoon berries, and more. Just be cautious if you eat any berries, as there are poisonous plants and berries that grow in Alaska as well.
Kayaking. There are rivers and lakes all over Alaska to kayak on. There are some companies that do rent them out.If you choose to kayak, please make sure you research the water conditions, the weather, and the river difficulty ahead of time. There have been too many unfortunate incidents with kayaking. I do not say that to deter you, as we had a blast kayaking multiple times! However, some of the rivers can become very unpredictable, so it is always best to be prepared. If you’re new to kayaking, I would strongly recommend starting on a lake or a guided tour first. There are rivers and lakes all over Alaska that are perfect for kayaking, and several companies rent kayaks in the Fairbanks area.
Gold Panning. Gold panning is a fun and very “Alaska” activity to try. There are two main Gold Panning places near Fairbanks – Gold Daughters and Gold Dredge 8. They are both great places, but they do vary slightly. Gold Daughters allows you to pan for Gold as long as you want. Gold Dredge 8 is more touristy, as there is a train that explains the history of gold mining in Alaska. Gold Dredge 8 also has a larger gift shop. Both places demonstrate and explain how to pan for gold.
Glacier viewing. Just like hiking, there are glaciers all over the state. There are over 100,000 glaciers across the state of Alaska. Some of the popular glaciers include Castner glacier, Worthington Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, Exit Glacier, Columbia Glacier, Shoup Glacier, and Lu-Lu Belle Glacier. Just keep in mind not all glaciers can be accessed on foot. Some are only visible by boat or helicopter tours.
Visiting Small Towns in Alaska. If you have the time during your trip, I strongly recommend travelling to some of the smaller towns in Alaska. Each town is unique and has different things to offer. One of my favorites is Valdez, where you can read about HERE if you’re interested. Some other smaller towns that may be worth visiting include Seward, Talkeetna, Girdwood, Homer, and Whittier.
Hiking. One of my all-time favorite hikes is Angel Rocks. It’s a beautiful trail that we went on multiple times. It’s about an hour from Fairbanks, so it is a convenient day trip if you’re in that area. I hiked it in snow, sunshine, and accidentally in the rain – and every time was a blast. There are also many great hikes in Denali National Park, along with plenty of hiking trails all over Alaska.
Camping. There are so many incredible places to camp near Fairbanks. Many people use RVs or Campers, but there are also of plenty of people that use the old fashion tent. If you do use a tent, just be cautious of wildlife. I would also recommend bringing mosquito repellent, as the mosquitoes in Alaska are the worst I have ever experienced. Popular campsites include Tanana Valley campground, Chena River State Recreation Area, Birch Lake State Recreation Area, and Harding Lake State Recreation Area.
Thing I would bring with me when camping:
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Again, there is plenty of hunting and fishing to do in Alaska as well. But if you are not into hunting or fishing, I hope this gives you some great ideas for getting the most that Alaska has to offer!
Also check out: Alaska: My Favorite Winter Activities in the Last Frontier and The Best Touristy Things to do Near Fairbanks, Alaska.
