Interior - Fairbanks - Denali National Park

Denali, Fairbanks, Bear & Wildlife Viewing, Flightseeing, Kantishna

Athabascan peoples predominantly inhabited Alaska’s Interior region before the Alaska Gold Rush in the late 19th century. In Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart City, you can tour gold mines and learn to pan for your treasure. After the Gold Rush, the region was sustained by military bases and the oil boom. Now tourism is an essential industry in this Alaska region as visitors travel to experience the Interior’s rich history, from prehistoric to modern times.

Fairbanks is located under the “Aurora Belt,” making it one of the best locations in the world to see the Northern Lights. On average, the Northern Lights are visible 243 days per year, although an Aurora Borealis vacation is best planned for nights from October to early April. The outdoor mineral springs at Chena Hot Springs Resort make it another “hot” winter destination.

Nature hiking in the Interior is another great activity, and Denali National Park is the most popular destination in the region. Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, is the centerpiece of the park at 20,320 feet tall. Visitors to Denali National Park are also searching for Alaska’s Big Five – grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. Most travelers stay at the entrance to the park, but there are also lodges deep inside Denali for more adventurous hikers.

The Interior of Alaska is accessible by train, motor coach, car, and airplane. The Alaska Railroad serves Denali and Fairbanks daily in the summer and weekly in the winter. Motor coaches bring many visitors to Denali National Park from Seward, Anchorage, and Whittier. Fairbanks has Alaska’s second-largest airport, with yearly daily jet service to Anchorage and the Lower 48 states.

The main highways in the region are the Parks Highway, which runs from Fairbanks south by Denali to Wasilla, the Richardson Highway from Fairbanks south to Valdez, and the Alaska Highway from Fairbanks southeast to the Canadian border (also known as the Alcan Highway). The Elliott, Steese, and Dalton Highways run north of Fairbanks but are unpaved and unsuitable for rental cars. The Denali Highway, which cuts west from Paxson to Denali National Park, is also unpaved. Few car rental agencies will allow their vehicles on these dirt roads. The Top of the World Highway takes you northeast from Tok to the Canadian border and Dawson City. While portions of this scenic and historic route are unpaved, we have obtained rental car waivers for our clients to experience this unique part of Alaska’s Interior.

 

Choose from 86 vacations in Alaska related to Interior - Fairbanks - Denali National Park

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Flightseeing tour lands briefly in Coldfoot Camp

Arctic Circle Winter Flightseeing Tour

Depart from Fairbanks for a day trip on a small plane, land across the Arctic Circle ceremoniously, and receive an official Arctic Circle certificate. Enjoy a walk on the treeless Arctic tundra, which will give you a sense... Browse itinerary

Ice Fishing Day Tour from Fairbanks

Today you will be picked up from your Fairbanks hotel for a full day of guided Alaska lake ice fishing.  Learn traditional Alaska Native skills and techniques for ice fishing from experienced ice fishing guides.  While catching fish... Browse itinerary

two river rafts with people exploring a river surrounded by a mountainous landscape

Wilderness Run Float Trip from Denali

On this Alaska river rafting day trip from the Denali Park Entrance, you’ll float down the Nenana River bordering Denali National Park. You may see moose, sheep, caribou, and bear as you raft downstream 11 miles. Your rafting... Browse itinerary

Fall Arctic Circle Northern Lights Fly and Drive

Enjoy an Alaska Northern Lights day tour with a small group into Alaska’s Arctic region by air and land.  Fly from Fairbanks and land in Coldfoot, originally a mining camp but perhaps now more well known from Ice... Browse itinerary

a person on a snowy road leaning on a wooden sign reading "Welcome to the James Dalton Highway, Gateway to the Arctic - Road to Prudhoe Bay "

Arctic Circle Northern Lights Adventure (Extended)

Guided journey by van along the famed Dalton Highway and across the Arctic Circle. This extended journey spends three nights at the remote outpost of Coldfoot, a rest stop for Alaska’s “ Ice Road Truckers”. The area... Browse itinerary

green aurora over the Dalton Highway in Alaska in winter

Arctic Circle Northern Lights Overnight Adventure

From Fairbanks, travel by van with an expert driver-guide along the same rough and rugged route as the "ice road truckers" along the Dalton Highway and across the Arctic Circle. Spend a few nights at the remote outpost... Browse itinerary

a snowy boreal forest landscape, with the snow-capped mountain of Denali in the background

Winter Adventure to Denali

Travel to Denali National Park on a fall or winter adventure! This guided tour departs from Fairbanks and travels south through the Tanana Valley along the Parks Highway. Your guide will share areas of interest and stop at... Browse itinerary

Denali Tundra Express with Landing by Helicopter

On this Alaska flightseeing day tour, enjoy an aerial view of the eastern boundary of Denali National Park as you travel along the spine of the Alaska Range. Upon landing, sink your feet into the alpine tundra, and... Browse itinerary

Denali Express Flightseeing

This 45-minute Denali flightseeing day tour via a small bush plane from the Denali Park Entrance lets you experience Denali National Park from a bird’s eye view and experience Mt. Denali from the air. Fly along the snow-capped... Browse itinerary

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