The 11 Best Tours in Fairbanks

1.Alaska Snowmobile Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,703 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $112Our pick

Ride for one hour through North Pole’s Chena Lakes Recreation Area with guides such as Kathy, Gavin, Maple, or Israel. You’ll cross frozen lakes and rivers, follow mountain trails, watch for moose and foxes, and finish with hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and snacks. Drivers must be 18 or older.

“The ride was amazing and truly unforgettable, and our guide was the best, super friendly, professional, and made the whole experience even more special”

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2.Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,394 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $105Best value

Ride five miles through snowy North Pole trails behind a private team of Alaskan Huskies. Your musher explains mushing, guides the team by voice, and stops for photos and petting. Guides may include Jimmy, Emily, Vicky, Kristen, Lindsey, or Matt. Warm clothing, boots, gloves, and a neck gaiter are provided.

“Great experience! The landscape with the view of the dogs was just once in a lifetime feels. They bundle you up nicely but even so dress accordingly.”

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3.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the northern lights with guides such as Savvy, Jessica, Shannon, and Gina. Pickup, round-trip transport, pool access, and museum admission are included.

“Our Tour guide was very nice and knowledgeable and the ride in the van was comfortable. The hot springs was also very relaxing”

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4.Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 942 reviews · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $330

Leave Fairbanks at about 2 pm in a small van with a guide such as Jessica, Shannon, Guy, or Coltin. Follow the remote Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle, cross the Yukon River, and watch for auroras on the return. Expect a long, rough ride, winter cold, simple food, and no guarantee of clear skies or northern lights.

“It is a long day but worth it! Unfortunately weather didn’t cooperate but our guide was awesome and through the clouds we got some northern lights”

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5.Guided Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 809 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $169

At Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service near North Pole, you’ll learn to drive a Ski-Doo, practice before setting out, then follow a guide past the Alaska Pipeline and through snowy forest trails. Victoria, Will, Josh, and other guides lead beginner-friendly rides. Warm gear, heated helmets, and heated handgrips are included.

“Very fun time riding through north pole and over the frozen lake on the snowmobiles! Victoria, our guild, was very nice and took some great photos and videos for us!”

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6.SkyChase™ | Northern Lights Experience – Free Photography & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 706 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $335

Leave Fairbanks with guides such as Tony, Andrew, and Dre, who track clouds and aurora activity in real time. You may visit several dark-sky sites, warm up by a fire, eat reindeer sausage, use a tripod, and receive downloadable night-sky photos. Hotel pickup, hot drinks, and an aurora guarantee are included.

“Very good experience. They took us to two different locations to experience to watch Northern lights.”

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7.Arctic Circle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 680 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $305

Spend about 13 hours in a climate-controlled van with a local guide, traveling from Fairbanks along the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle. You’ll see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, cross the Yukon River, walk at Finger Mountain, stop at Yukon River Camp, and receive a personalized certificate. Guides vary, with Jessica, Pete, Kendall, and Ryan among recent leaders.

“Just knowing that we actually made it to the Artic Circle was wonderful! Terrific guide, very knowledgeable about the area. It was also amazing to just see the Alaska pipeline. You don't realize how many miles this covers until you actually see it.”

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8.Alaskan Heritage & Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 495 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $165

Spend about 5.5 hours exploring Fairbanks and North Pole with a small group of up to nine people. Your guide may be Rachel, Kathy, Jody, Greg, or another local expert. The tour includes hotel pickup, the University of Alaska Museum of the North, the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, the Alyeska Pipeline, and Santa Claus House.

“We had a fantastic time! Jordan was incredibly kind, patient, and accommodating. He explained everything perfectly, making the experience truly wonderful. Everything exceeded our expectations, and we will definitely recommend it to others.”

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9.Northern Lights Aurora Tour with FREE Photography

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 486 reviews · 8 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $210

Leave Fairbanks around 8 pm with Arctic Night Tours and chase clear skies for up to 12 hours. Guides such as Elena and Ed explain the aurora, adjust the route, provide snacks and warmers, and take professional photos while you enjoy the show. Pickup is offered, groups are capped at 15, and the outdoor wait can be intensely cold.

“It's a long activity. A good 2 hr drive north of fairbanks to get the best view of Aurora. The guides were full of energy and gives so much encouragement for you to seize the moment, take endless photos of you with background of the aurora. Wear appropriate clothing since this activity is completely outdoor, exposed to cold environment. Totally worth it”

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10.Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Viewing) Chasing with Photography in Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 481 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $189

Start around 10:30 p.m. and ride into rural Fairbanks with guides such as David, Grace, or Cole searching for clear skies and active auroras. Your guide handles the difficult night photography and sends original JPG files by OneDrive or Dropbox, usually within three days. Expect a warm vehicle, several stops, and no restroom during the chase.

“We had a great experience on our Northern Lights tour with David and Grace. They picked us up right on time and communicated well throughout the evening, setting clear expectations about the weather and what the night might look like. The SUVs were warm and comfortable, and it was clear they were experienced guides who knew the area well. They took us to several different viewing spots, all of which were quiet and uncrowded—most of the time, we were the only people there, which made the whole experience feel more special. They also took plenty of photos, which was a nice bonus so we could focus on enjoying the moment…”

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11.Fairbanks Ice Fishing Expedition in a Heated Cabin with Fish Cookout

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $169

Meet Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service near North Pole for a four-hour ice fishing outing on a frozen lake. Guides such as Noah, Trevor, Cody, Mike, and Riley drill your holes, bait the lines, teach the basics, and cook your catch. Fish from a warm cabin or step outside when conditions allow, with cocoa, reindeer sausage, gear, and lunch included.

“Great fun and caught a lot of fish! Our guide Noah took great care of us, and was fun and patient with our kid. We got to fish both inside, where we could see a lot of fish through the fishing holes, and outside, where the scenery was just beautiful. Had such an amazing time thanks to our guide!”

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