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Fairbanks,
Alaska's second-largest city, is a
former gold-rush town with a cutting-edge
university-and it still holds onto
its fiercely independent roots. Tour
old gold mines, take a historic riverboat
cruise, or just wander around downtown.
It's a 7-hour drive up from Anchorage,
but thanks to the midnight sun you'll
find enough daylight to enjoy some
of the scenic highlights and activities
along the way-here are a few of our
favorites:
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| Eagle River Nature Center (Mile 13.4) |
| Just 30 minutes out of town, you'll come to the dramatic Eagle River Valley and the nature center, the gateway to Chugach State Park. Pick the brains of the rangers for activities; perhaps you'll hike a section of the Iditarod Trail and hark back to the days when the trail was used as a mail route. Albert Loop Trail meanders three miles through prime beaver-watching territory and serves up great peak views. |
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907-694-2108 |
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Exit at mile 13.4 and take Old Glenn Highway, follow signs to mile 12.5 Eagle River Rd. |
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| 32 min from downtown |
27 miles one-way |
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| Thunderbird Falls (Mile 25.2) |
| Walk through the mossy forest of birch trees about one mile; you're soon surrounded by ferns, and then at the viewing platform, where you can watch the thunderous falls tumble down the rocky cliff face. |
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| 31 min from downtown |
26 miles one-way |
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| Eklutna Village Historical Park (Mile 26.5) |
| Dating back to 1650, the park is the area's oldest continuously inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement. Russian Orthodox missionaries came here in the early 1800s, and you can still see St. Nicholas Church, the oldest standing building in greater Anchorage. Snap some pictures of the colorful Spirit Houses build over the graves of the deceased-a custom that came from the melding of the cultures. Up for a walk? It'll pay off with a glacier view, as well as the chance to see foxes, eagles, and black bears. |
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907-696-2828 |
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Exit at mile 26.5 and take Eklutna Lake Rd. |
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| 32 min from downtown |
27 miles one-way |
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| Eklutna Lake |
| On the other side of the highway, a 10-mile road leads to this secluded lake, a great spot to picnic, hike, or fish. Trails include the easy 8-mile Lakeside Trail or 6.5-mile Twin Peaks Trail, which climbs to magnificent views. |
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| 44 min from downtown |
37 miles one-way |
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| Old Glenn Highway (Mile 29.6) |
| To explore the road less traveled, take the Old Glenn Highway to Palmer, a back road that feels like old Alaska. The roadside homes and farms are rural and private, with space and beauty all around them. You'll cross the old Knik River Bridge where you can get out and hike around, but there tend to be a lot of four-wheelers in the area. |
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| 36 min from downtown |
30 miles one-way |
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| Wasilla (Mile 42.2) |
| Wasilla
boasts historic buildings and, for
dog-mushing fans, the Iditarod Headquarters.
You can purchase souvenirs, watch footage of past races,
and take a ride with a veteran musher on a cart pulled
by a sled dog team. |
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Iditarod HQ: Mile 2.2 Knik Road (south from Wasilla); 907-376-5155; www.iditarod.com; open daily 8:00am-7:00pm (summer hours, May15-Sep 18) |
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| 52 min from downtown |
43 miles one-way |
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| Talkeetna (Mile 98.7-halfway to Denali) |
| The 15-mile drive down a spur road into Talkeetna is a worthwhile detour. This authentic pioneer town offers awe-inspiring southern views of McKinley, gorgeous flightseeing, world-class fishing, and the staging ground for climbing expeditions. Take in a slice of Alaska's past-and have a drink-at the historic watering hole, the Fairview Inn. |
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| 2 hr 17 min from downtown |
114 miles one-way |
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| Scenic Stops |
| You'll cross the mighty Susitna River (mile 104.2), get your first clear view of the Alaska Range (mile 107.6), and drive through wide open Broad Pass (mile 195). |
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| 2-4 hr from downtown |
105-195 miles one-way |
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| Denali Highway Junction (Mile 210) |
| This 135-mile dirt road leads you through the high country to lakes, lodges, and tons of camping and hiking. |
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| 4 hr 13 min from downtown |
211 miles one-way to junction |
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| Denali National Park (Mile 237) |
| Here lies the pinnacle of many travelers' Alaskan visits-the incomparably beautiful Denali. The park holds six million acres of lakes, tundra, peaks, and wildlife dominated by North America's highest peak and interrupted by a single 90-mile road. |
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| 4 hr 45 min from downtown |
238 miles one-way |
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| Fairbanks (Mile 358) |
| You've reached the end of the Parks Highway and arrived in Fairbanks. |
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| 7 hr 11 min from downtown |
359 miles one-way |
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