Interior - Alaska

In the heartland of Alaska, you’ll find some of the state’s most impressive natural wonders and a wealth of culture and history. The Yukon River courses nearly 2,000 miles across Interior Alaska. Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, is surrounded by Denali National Park and Preserve. This area boasts spectacular mountain vistas, berry-laden tundra and an abundance of wildlife including caribou, moose, Dall sheep and grizzly bear.

In the heart of the region is Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest city. Born out of the gold rush era, historical opportunities transport you back to a rustic Alaska filled with colorful facts and fiction. The Athabascan Indian culture of Interior Alaska is rich with tradition as seen in their music, dance and beautiful beadwork. Summer brings up to 20 hours of daylight and winter one of the best locations on earth for viewing the Northern Lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

A product of the Gold Rush, Fairbanks has grown into a bustling trade and transportation center for Interior and Far North Alaska. Alaska’s second largest city (population 32,156) is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Fairbanks enjoys more than 20 hours of daylight from mid-May through July.

Popular regional activities include cruising the Chena and Tanana rivers on an authentic sternwheeler, canoe, or raft; observing musk oxen, caribou, and reindeer at the university’s Large Animal Research Station; and visiting Alaskaland, a frontier theme park.

You can also drive to bubbling mineral waters at Manley, Circle, and Chena Hot Springs; view a portion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; and visit the community of North Pole, where the U.S. Post Office traditionally sends Santa’s mail to be answered by his elves.

A fly-in excursion to Fort Yukon on the Arctic Circle gives you a sampling of life on the Yukon River, in Alaska’s largest Athabascan village.

Nenana, Alaska

Nenana is a welcome sight for motorists traveling the Alaska Highway. This friendly community greets travelers with fresh enthusiasm, information and entertainment. Dog sled racing is a popular winter activity along Nenana’s world-class mushing trails.

The Taylor Highway starts just 15 miles east of Nenana and leads to the famous “Forty Mile” and “Klondike” gold fields, the historic communities of Chicken and Eagle, and ultimately to the Yukon River. It crosses the Canadian boarder at Boundary, and continues on to the gold rush town of Dawson City, Yukon Territory.

Tok, Alaska

Tok is a welcome sight for motorists traveling the Alaska Highway. This friendly community greets travelers with fresh enthusiasm, information and entertainment. Dog sled racing is a popular winter activity along Tok’s world-class mushing trails.

The Taylor Highway starts just 15 miles east of Tok and leads to the famous “Forty Mile” and “Klondike” gold fields, the historic communities of Chicken and Eagle, and ultimately to the Yukon River. It crosses the Canadian boarder at Boundary, and continues on to the gold rush town of Dawson City, Yukon Territory.