FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Tucked deep in the heart of Alaska, Fairbanks is where wild beauty meets true adventure. Surrounded by endless forests, rivers, and snow-covered peaks, it’s one of the best places on Earth to witness the northern lights, soak in natural hot springs, and experience the magic of the midnight sun. Whether you're chasing auroras or exploring untouched wilderness, Fairbanks offers a raw, untamed glimpse of nature that’s both humbling and unforgettable. For deeper guidance, links and pricing, full travel plans, and even more hidden gems, purchase the complete Travel Guide! (coming soon)
Alaska is a land of extremes, and the experience you have depends greatly on the season you choose to travel. Each time of year offers something unique, from the endless daylight of summer to the magical northern lights of winter.
When To Visit
March – May
March is the highlight of our guide, and for good reason. As winter begins to ease, days grow longer, but the nights are still dark enough to catch the northern lights dancing across the sky. It’s also considered a “shoulder season,” meaning fewer crowds and more open space to enjoy the wild. Snow still blankets the ground, making activities like snowmobiling, dog sledding, and skiing possible, while warmer days bring a taste of the coming thaw. April and May transition quickly - wildlife stirs, rivers start to open, and the landscape shifts into vibrant life.
Spring
June – August
This is Alaska’s busiest season. Long, sun-filled days (sometimes up to 20+ hours of daylight) make it possible to pack in endless adventure -hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The weather is warmer, the roads and trails are fully accessible, and festivals bring energy to towns across the state. Summer is the best time to visit Denali National Park, which is about 2 hours drive from Fairbanks. This is because the flora is at its prime and wildlife is most active. All facilities are fully operational (they weren’t when I visited in March) and requires early booking at higher prices than the should season(s).
Summer
September - November
Autumn is brief but striking. September brings brilliant fall colors across tundra and forests, as well as prime opportunities to spot migrating animals. By October, daylight hours shorten and snow often returns to higher elevations. It’s another shoulder season, with quieter travel and crisp, clear days, but many summer-focused services and tours close down until spring.
Autumn
December - February
Winter in Alaska is raw, beautiful, and not for the faint of heart. Expect short days, frigid temperatures, and lots of snow. But for those who embrace it, the rewards are incredible—northern lights at their brightest, world-class skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and the kind of silence you can only find in deep winter. Towns light up with festivals, and the slower pace feels worlds away from the summer rush.
Winter
Aurora Borealis
The northern lights are visible in Alaska from late August through mid-April, but the very best times to plan your trip are around the equinox months of September and March. During these windows, auroral activity is especially strong, the nights are long and dark enough for clear viewing, and the weather is often more forgiving than in deep winter.
September – October: Crisp nights, fall colors on the tundra, and fewer crowds. Ideal for pairing aurora viewing with hiking or wildlife watching.
November – February: The darkest skies of the year bring the brightest and most reliable auroras, but be prepared for frigid temperatures and limited daylight.
March: The favorite - clearer skies, longer days for activities, and still plenty of darkness for vivid northern lights displays.
Bottom line: For the best balance of aurora activity, accessibility, and things to do during the day, September and March are the prime months to visit.
Dog Sledding
The Iditarod is Alaska’s legendary long-distance sled dog race and is now a century-old tradition! Spanning roughly 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome, the race follows part of a historic mail route and commemorates the heroic mushers and dogs who once delivered mail and life-saving medicine across the frozen frontier (The Serum Run of 1925). Fairbanks has served as one of the best places to experience the spirit of mushing firsthand!
While the race itself should be left to the professionals, you can absolutely participate in dog sledding during your visit! There are several options to mush your way through the Alaskan wilderness, but the company I used was Black Spruce Dog Sledding. It is an absolutely WILD experience that should not be skipped!
Rev up your adrenaline &
dive into Alaska’s untamed
winter wonderland on a
snowmobile adventure you’ll
never forget. Small, personal tours
take you zipping through dense spruce
forests and winding willow trails, with a good
chance of spotting moose, caribou, lynx, or even sled dog teams in training. It’s wild, pure fun, and a must-do in Alaska’s Interior!
Snowmobiles
Visit the Running Reindeer Ranch for a truly unique experience interacting with Alaskan reindeer!
In the cooler months, take a guided 1-hour walk through a birch forest alongside friendly reindeer! This experience lets you observe the animals up close, learn about their Arctic adaptations, and even join in a few playful “reindeer games.” The adventure wraps up with homemade cookies and warm drinks.
In the warmer months, join a yoga class on a grassy lawn while reindeer roam freely around you! For an hour, you’ll move through poses with guidance from a certified instructor as the herd paws at mats, settles in nearby, or dozes off.
Reindeer Games
Fairbanks is adjacent to North Pole, AK - home of the world’s largest Santa Claus!
Fun Fact
42 feet tall
Chena Hot Springs
Now this was a day trip I felt was worth taking! Just 25 miles from Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Resort features a large indoor pool and a scenic outdoor wading lake, constantly replenished by mineral-rich water rising from the earth at around 165°F. With authentic Gold Rush roots, it was already a premier destination for Interior Alaska by 1912. Today, it remains one of the state’s most popular hot springs, known for open-air aurora viewing in winter. The resort also offers a campground, cabins and rooms, a restaurant, tours of all kinds, and an indoor ice museum built from 1,000 tons of ice - making it an easy and memorable day trip from Fairbanks.