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Santa’s Home Base: Top Things to do in North Pole Alaska

Published: october 16, 2019.

Home » Epic Locations » Santa’s Home Base: Top Things to do in North Pole Alaska

Christmas in Alaska might only arrive in late December, but the holiday season and spirit are celebrated year-round in the quaint and whimsical town of North Pole, Alaska. No, this isn’t the North Pole set deep in the icy Arctic at the top of the world. Whether you’re seeking a winter wonderland experience or a summer retreat, there are plenty of things to do in North Pole, Alaska to enchant every traveler. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Where is the North Pole in Alaska?

North Pole is a welcoming commuter community about a 15-minute sleigh ride (or an even shorter drive) from Fairbanks and close to Ft. Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base in the heart of Alaska’s Interior region . It is a whimsical destination that captures the essence of the holiday season and offers a unique blend of winter wonderland charm and year-round allure.

Santa Claus House in North Pole Alaska near Fairbanks.

Things to Do in North Pole Alaska: A Festive Adventure Awaits

We always get asked from customers “what to do in north pole alaska” or “is there anything at the north pole”. The truth is, Alaska’s North Pole is home to a unique blend of festive attractions, serene natural beauty, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere . While it may not be as busy as Anchorage or other big Alaskan cities, your Alaska winter tour will be incomplete without a trip to the North Pole. Below we have captured some of the best things to see and do during your trip to this cute yet magical destination.

Source: content.time.com

Visit the Santa Claus House in North Pole Alaska

No visit to the North Pole would be complete without a visit to the iconic Santa Claus House , a true embodiment of Christmas spirit. Inside the Santa Claus House, visitors can meet the man himself, Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus, too), for a chat and a photo, as well as shop for holiday gifts, ornaments and memorabilia, and even purchase personalized letters from Santa for the well-behaved children in their lives.

You’ll actually see Santa’s presence long before you pull into the Santa Claus House parking lot at Santa Claus House with arguably the world’s largest Santa statue, complete with an abbreviated Naughty/Nice list looming over the property. Stand at his feet for a perfect pose – #SantaSelfie! It’s almost comical for summer visitors to take this image, sweating under the Interior’s very warm and very bright Midnight Sun, as the symbol of white Christmases and winter cheer stands over their shoulder. Nearby there’s even a pen of reindeer, who are clearly enjoying a relaxing life of carb-loading before their long night of flight on December 24.

Inside the Santa Claus House, visitors can meet the man himself, Santa (and sometimes Mrs. Claus, too), for a chat and a photo, as well as shop for holiday gifts, ornaments and memorabilia, and even purchase personalized letters from Santa for the well-behaved children in their lives.

Unleash Your Inner Child at Santa’s Workshop

Step into the world of imagination at Santa’s Workshop, where elves are busy crafting toys and preparing for Christmas. Let your inner child run wild as you explore the workshop and create your own Christmas-themed souvenir. Speaking of Christmas letters, hundreds of thousands of messages either addressed to Santa from children or requesting a North Pole postmark on cards from families and individuals arrive from around the world at the North Pole’s post office each year. Santa’s little helpers (community volunteers) do their jolly best to make sure every message gets a reply and/or the polar postmark.

Explore the Quirky Streets

Upon arriving, it doesn’t take long to realize this isn’t “Anytown”, U.S.A. North Pole’s quirky-name roadways including Santa Claus Lane, Mistletoe Lane, St. Nicholas Drive, Snowman Lane and Kris Kringle Drive have jumbo candy canes dangling along them, while some businesses and residences are also adorned with their festive finest. What else would you expect from a town that at one time ambitiously hoped to be a toy factory headquarters

Witness the Spectacle of North Pole’s Holiday Festival

Winter is when the North Pole truly lives up to its name. This town has a big holiday festival around Christmas time, complete with a tree lighting ceremony, mesmerising fireworks, and festive performances. That event certainly feels more like what you’d expect from a town called North Pole, as temps hover around zero.

Unwind at the Chena River and Chena Lakes

In the summer, the North Pole is warm and welcoming – an excellent destination for Alaska travelers who are looking for an easy-going place to pitch a tent or park an RV along the Chena River or at the nearby Chena Lakes, which are tranquil and excellent for recreational swimming, kayaking and fishing .

Admire the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Witness the Majestic Wildlife

While Santa is North Pole’s unrivaled star resident, another icon passes through North Pole: the engineering marvel Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Consider booking a north pole tour from Fairbanks , which features a guided trip to the Museum of the North, Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the north pole Santa Claus house.

For a glimpse into the Alaskan wildlife, embark on a wildlife viewing tour or simply venture into the surrounding forests, where moose, bears, and other creatures may make an appearance. The reindeer, however, are perfectly content to stay put at the Santa Claus House.

Trans Alaska Oil Pipeline view.

North Pole, Alaska : A Year-Round Gem

From the twinkling lights and festive cheer of Christmas to the serene beauty of summer retreats, North Pole, Alaska, is a destination that enchants visitors throughout the year. Whether you’re seeking a magical holiday experience or a tranquil escape into nature’s embrace, North Pole offers a unique blend of attractions and activities that will leave you with lasting memories of a truly extraordinary destination.

Experience a Magical North Pole Alaska Christmas

As you plan your Alaska Christmas vacation, consider the North Pole, a town where the spirit of Christmas lives on all year round. There are plenty of things to do in North Pole Alaska and its surrounding areas that can elevate your tour experience to another level. Embark on a dog sledding expedition in Fairbanks , or experience the rustic comfort of Alaska’s Arctic Circle in winter in a lodge-based winter adventure – perfect for viewing the Northern Lights . 

Alaska Tours offers a variety of winter packages and excursions to suit every traveler’s preference, ensuring an memorable experience in the heart of Alaska’s winter magic.  Contact us to learn more about our North Pole tours, and book your unforgettable Alaskan adventure today

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Top Tours in North Pole, AK

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1. Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour from Fairbanks

2. Aurora Lodge Viewing

3. Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour from Fairbanks

4. Northern Lights Viewing at Murphy Dome

5. Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks

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

7. Arctic Circle Day Trip from Fairbanks with Transportation

8. Chena Hot Springs Tour

9. Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour

10. The Beauty of the North Tour

11. Quick and Easy Ice Fishing at Chena Lake

12. Fairbanks City Highlight Tour

13. Hiking Expedition at Angel Rocks

14. Aurora Borealis Viewing and Ice Fishing Adventure

15. "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour

16. Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic Dome

17. Sightseeing the Last Frontier Fairbanks City Tour in Fairbanks AK

18. Ice Fishing Day Tour

19. Capturing the Ethereal Beauty: Northern Lights Photo Workshop

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Incredible Aurora Viewing Adventure

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

4-Hour Aurora Viewing with FREE Photography at Aurora Camp (极光营地)

Arctic Circle Winter Drive Adventure

10 Hours Denali Winter Drive in Alaska

3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience

Arctic Circle Aurora Driving Adventure

Fairbanks Northern Lights Tour

2-Hour Guided Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks

1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation)

30-minute Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation)

What travellers are saying.

• Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour from Fairbanks
• Aurora Lodge Viewing
• Fairbanks Ice Fishing Expedition in a Heated Cabin with Fish Cookout
• Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks
• Northern Lights Viewing at Murphy Dome
• Alaska Wildlife Guide LLC
• The Alaskan Experience
• Sean Kurdziolek Portraits and Gallery

7 Magical Highlights of a Trip to the North Pole Alaska

It’s both fascinating and funny how some people have this burning desire to go and see what lies at the end of the Earth when many of us just want to snuggle in our blankets. If you are the former group of people then kudos to your grit for planning a trip to the North Pole .

The North Pole is much more than the hometown of Santa Claus where the feeling of Christmas stays throughout the year. You can call it ‘nature’s wonderland’ where everything is untouched and untamed color. 

A trip to the North Pole will gain more popularity in the coming years as a tourist destination where people would want to go to unwind from the hustle-bustle of city life. It will blow your mind with all the unique things it has to offer and you will realize what you have been missing all your life.

Brace yourselves for the chilling details (throwing an extra blanket on myself). The North Pole has a “warmer” season which is in July when the temperature is 32℉ | 0℃ and the lowest temperature goes well below zero where you can actually experience chattering of your teeth. 

Things to Look Forward to On Your Trip to the North Pole

The aurora borealis .

The Aurora Borealis, also called “ the Northern Lights ,” is nature’s own dancing light show. Here’s some geeky information if you’re curious as to how the Aurora Borealis phenomenon occurs.

The Sun’s electrically charged particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere, its particles, and gas resulting in this scintillating phenomenon. Just like your mood, the Auroras are never the same, and catching the Northern Lights are on many bucket lists. 

You can plan your trip to the North Pole around the time when Northern Lights are easier to experience to take back a memory that will last a lifetime. If you get a chance to experience these, consider yourself both lucky and blessed. 

A Snowmobile Adventure

The extreme weather and dangerous landscape are a thrilling combination for risk-takers and adventure lovers. A snowmobile adventure is an experience you would not want to miss during your trip to the North Pole. 

You will have to follow an expert guide to explore the winter landscapes the North Pole has to offer. This one hour or longer adventure will give you a glimpse of the wildlife of the region including fox, moose, and snowshoe hare. 

And what’s more soul-soothing than gulping down some hot coffee and snacks down the throat after this exciting adventure?

Hot Air Balloons

Another fantastic highlight of a trip to the North Pole is the hot air balloons. Imagine the priceless feeling of rising high above the ground and experiencing something that only a few people are able to and enjoying a 360° view of the icy wonderland. Talk about heaven on Earth. 

On a hot air balloon adventure, you can spot polar bears, whales swimming in the blue water, and other wildlife which will add up to making your whole trip worthwhile. 

You have to see it to believe it. Your trip to the North Pole would certainly be enhanced by a magical adventure like this one.

A City Tour of Fairbanks

If you are a fan of sightseeing, history, culture, and architecture, then opt for a tour of this ‘Golden Heart City’ which will last for 5 hours. The Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center will give you an incredible insight into the fascinating history and culture of the city.

Your day will come to a beautiful end when you will visit the Santa Claus House, a place where your inner child will come to life again. 

The Santa Claus House

You may not realize that your actual dream was not to go on a trip to the North Pole but to visit the Santa Claus House . Don’t worry, you’re secret is safe with us. 

Christmas never seems to end here. No matter if you’ve been naughty or nice. Remember all the letters you sent to Santa? On a trip to the North Pole, you are your family have the chance to tell him Christmas wishes in person. And at his home!

If you have children on your trip to the North Pole, they will not only have much to share with friends back home but will boast about this experience for a lifetime.

Zip Zaps Laser Tag

If you think your entire trip to the North Pole comes to a conclusion at the Santa Claus House well, the fun has just begun. There’s excitement for the whole family on this fun-filled experience. 

Your kids are sure to have a blast chasing their siblings (and parents) around in an epic game of laser tag.

Take a Polar Plunge

Imagine being in multiple layers every day during your trip to the North Pole then shedding all that off to take the most freezing plunge. This one is for the daredevils and takes place during each voyage. 

The expedition team closely observes the polar conditions to select an appropriate time and place. 

You will wear a tethered harness and plunge into the water if you’re brave enough. Don’t worry as there is a physician present during this activity and you will be surrounded by guides as safety is of utmost importance.

Consider all the adventures that await on your trip to the North Pole. These are the most popular things to do here and in the Fairbanks area. Whether you’re traveling with friends or family, you’re sure to learn plenty of new things you never knew about the North Pole and return home with many stories to share.

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Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. She started traveling the world in 2003 when she attended a summer abroad study at the University of Cambridge in England. Since then, her wanderlust has been fierce. Her three passions in life are her son, traveling, and being creative. The Fairytale Traveler brand gives Christa the opportunity to do all of these things and to live intentionally every day. "It's never too late to believe in what you love and to pursue your dreams." -Christa Thompson

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Arctic / North Pole Cruises & Tours

Find the right Arctic / North Pole cruise adventure for you. We've got 269 tours going to Arctic / North Pole, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 96 days. The most popular month to go is August, which has the most number of tour departures.

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Wonders of Greenland (from Iceland)

This was an experience of a lifetime. Challenging but very rewarding.

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Midnight Sun – 7 Days in Lapland

Our experience with Nordic Unique was great. As a little older group some tours did not appeal to us and they were great about rearranging the itinerary. There could have been a little more communication prior to the trip. I would also suggest some kayaks at the lake. Our guide Matthias (Niales) was awesome!! He was patient, kind, knowledgeable and a great cook.

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Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and Norway

I loved it! What an amazing trip, full of beautiful scenery and special touching moments with the huskies. The snow mobile ride was exhilarating. But best of all, the auroras were stunning, we were so lucky to see them several days in a row. Finally our guide Centti from Time travels was so funny and richly deserves a career in comedy. We love him.

Arctic Summer Explorer | Road to the Arctic Sea

It was an amazing adventure.. one we’ll never forget. Our guide Shungo was fantastic, so fun, entertaining us with his stories of the north and so informative. Leo, his helper was great too.. always ready to help with whatever we needed. This trip is not for the faint hearted but so worth it if you want to know more about Canada’s north, gold mining and the indigenous people.

Finnish Lapland in Winter

Great trip. Unique experiences

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West Greenland Gems: Fjords, Icebergs, and Culture (7 destinations)

Tailor-Made Private Norway Trip to Chase the Northern Lights

Jann was a fantastic guide / driver who was kind and considerate and wanted the best experience possible for his guests!! Jann was friendly and educated/answered all questions even with personal stories! We were very lucky and had a great viewing night and Jann had prepared us for the post that we would not see anything, would highly suggest the Jann experience to everyone!

• Book With Flexibility This operator allows you to rebook your dates or tours with them for free, waiving change fees.

Tromsö & Alta: Arctic Northern Lights - 5 days

Lofoten Road Trip (Explore Alluring Lofoten by Car)

Greenland Summer Adventure - 5 days

Swedish Lapland: The Northern Lights

Amazing experience! Really recommend to travel with Yes-Trips. Their guides and prices are absolutely worth it!

Polar Bears and Belugas on the Churchill River

Belugas, Bears and Blooms

In polar bear country

Exclusive Adventure (from Denmark)

Arctic / north pole cruises & tours reviews.

This is an amazing tour, exploring the world largest island. I am the oldest in the group of young dudes from different parts of the globe. Being an old bloke in the group it’s not easy. Traversing and maneuvering the parched land of Greenland and trekking the icecap…whoa! that’s incredible to feat. Our tour expert Eva is amazing, she walks and talks with full of energy. She knows the area well enough that she could explain with gusto. If you’re looking for comfort tour, this is not for you. Transportation…majority by foot and speed boat. The group of ten bonded together. We’d amazing swaddled moments together. Sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere, very very cold, making pee in the middle of the night walking few hundred feet groping in the dark if no flashlight…that was fun, good luck if you trip. Eating our lunch anyplace, anywhere but place good enough to rest and eat. The only issue I’d was buying a few minutes of WiFi to use that didn’t work, waste of money. I want to write more but it’ll be a book….Anyway, thanks to the Tasermiut Tour team but Eva takes the lion’s share.

This trip was wonderful and empowering. The scenery was magical. The activities were fun and memorable. Elo and our drivers were excellent. I met some wonderful people. Christmas in Lapland was truly an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.

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Chena Lake Recreation Area

Right next to North Pole is the beautiful Chena Lake Recreation Area that covers 2,100 acres and includes the popular Lake Park, with a 260 acre lake and the River Park, which meanders along 4 miles of the Chena River. During summer and fall, potable water and restroom facilities are available. The Lake Park has volleyball, horseshoes, a playground, picnic areas with tables and fire rings, covered pavilions, a campground, two designated swimming areas with sandy beaches, a boat rental facility and a lake boat launch as well as two fishing docks (one handicap accessible). The River Park has additional camping, activity and picnic areas. Chena Lake is stocked annually by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game with rainbow trout, silver salmon and Arctic char. The Chena River has Arctic grayling, northern pike, whitefish, burbot and an annual run of king salmon. During Aurora Season , from August 21 to April 21, the Chena Lake Recreation Area is a great place to hunt for the aurora. During the winter, Chena Lake Recreation Area has ice fishing and miles of trials for hiking and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, skijoring and dog mushing.

101 Dunkel Street, Suite 111 Fairbanks, AK 99701-4806 Telephone: (907) 456-5774 Visitor Guide Request: 1-800-327-5774 Email:  [email protected] About Explore Fairbanks

The Big Loop Alaska Road Trip Anchorage-Denali-Tok

Updated April 2024 ,  The Big Loop Alaska Road Trip was originally written in July 2017

This Big Loop Alaska road trip hits some of the highlights of south-central and interior Alaska but this itinerary is very ambitious. Keep it moving, or plan to allot more than a week if you’d like to spend much time in each place.

The Big Loop Alaska Road Trip is one variation of my road-tripping Alaska series. Check the Alaska DOT’s  511  for road construction, delay, and road condition information. Another trusty source of information is the  Alaska Milepost , I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip!

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Where To Stay In Talkeetna

Where to stay in & near denali, where to stay in fairbanks, where to stay in delta junction, where to stay in tok, where to stay near matanuska glacier.

Day 1: Anchorage to Talkeetna to Denali National Park

You’ll likely arrive in  Anchorage  in the middle of the night as mentioned in previous posts. Grab your  rental car , get some sleep at a nearby hotel or hostel, and begin your Big Loop Alaska road trip in the morning after some good rest. Provisions can be picked up before leaving Anchorage or in the nearby community of Wasilla as you take off to the north.

Looking for things to do while you’re in Anchorage? Check out my  Anchorage Travel Guide

Where To Stay In Anchorage

Budget Basecamp Anchorage |  Booking.com  |

Midrange The Lakefront Anchorage |  Booking.com |  Hotels.com  |

Splurge The Hotel Captain Cook |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Now off to Talkeetna 

Talkeetna is a fun little Alaska town that once had a cat for a mayor. It’s a 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage.

Take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. About 100 miles north of Anchorage you’ll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where you’ll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna.

There’s plenty of places to camp as well as cabins an inn, and a hostel for rent, and there are several little restaurants.

If you can afford it, I would splurge on the  Denali flightseeing tour  with one of the many air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing.

I’ve not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone who’s done it. These flights can range from $220 to $460 per person.

Other activities in Talkeetna include the  Denali Zipline , kayaking & rafting tours, and the riverboat trip up the Devil’s Canyon. The drive from Talkeetna to Denali National Park will continue another 2.5 hours 145 miles.

*Note: Air taxi operators will cancel trips due to unstable and/or bad weather.

Budget Camping

Midrange Grace & Bill’s Freedom Hills B&B | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Splurge Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Day 2: Denali National Park

If you only have a day to afford here, I’d suggest a Denali Bus Tour. You cannot drive past the Savage River post in Denali National Park on your own (unless you opt to visit in late September and secure a  Denali Road Lottery Permit  in May the same year), which is only a few miles past the visitor center.

The entire park road extends 92 miles to Kantishna. To go beyond Savage River by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses.

Non-narrated buses will cost from $26.50 to $34.00 per person (kids under 15yo are free). Narrated bus tours will cost from $80.75 to $194.00 per person (kids 15yo and under range from $33.50 to $92.00 per kid).  Click here  to visit the park website’s info on buses and schedules.

Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. It’s advisable to book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done at  Reserve Denali .

A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free.

What to do in Denali? Check out my  Denali National Park Guide  for ideas

Want to travel the full length of the Denali NP Road on a backcountry adventure?  Click here  to book this tour!

Click here  to book a Denali NP Walking Tour

Budget Camping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park |  Reservedenali.com   |

Midrange Aurora Denali Lodge (Healy) |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Splurge McKinley Creekside Cabins |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Day 3: Healy and Fairbanks

The Denali to Healy drive only takes 20 mins and is 18 miles away. A fun excursion to take in Healy is a  river rafting  trip which can be booked either on arrival or in advance.

Continue the drive from Healy to  Fairbanks  which is another 2 hours and 110 miles. Nenana is a great stop to make in between to break up the trip (you can also go  river rafting  here as well).

Once in Fairbanks you can explore the downtown area, have fun on the Chena River, or if you’re up for a little more driving you can head out to Chena Hotsprings and have a nice soak in the hot waters.

The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs (must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs.

Several campgrounds are available around Fairbanks including one right in the middle of the city along the Chena River. Camping can also be had further outside town at Harding Lake and a number of other areas.

Not sure what to do in Fairbanks? Read my  Fairbanks Travel Guide

Budget Billie’s Backpacker Hostel |  Booking.com  |  Hostelworld.com  |

Midrange Pike’s Waterfront Lodge | Booking.com | Hotels.com |

Splurge Sophie Station Suites |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Day 4: North Pole and Delta Junction

Fairbanks to North Pole is a 20 minute drive, 15 miles away. North Pole’s only attraction is the Santa Claus house which is a fun stop if you’re traveling with kids.

Expect the drive from North Pole to Delta Junction to take about 1.5 hours for the 82 mile journey. There are a number of activities to explore in Delta,  click here  for more info. Camping is available nearby.

Midrange Trophy Lodge |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Delta to Tok will take you 1 hour 45 minutes to drive the 110 miles without any stops, but will likely take you longer as you sightsee your way down the highway. Look for camping near to to Tok for the evening. It’s a good idea to continue south from Tok to camp for the evening to take some of the drive time off for tomorrow.

Midrange Hyde Away Inn B&B |  Booking.com  | Hotels.com |

Day 6: Matanuska Glacier (Glacier View)

Tok to Glacier View is 3 hours 40 minutes and 215 miles. You’ll take a left off the Glenn Highway around Mile 102 and follow the road to a house where you’ll pay your entrance fee.

The main attraction today will be Matanuska Glacier. You can once again visit the glacier for $25 per person (a family owns the only access road to the glacier). Or you can explore the glacier by a  guided trip .

Budget Camping near Matanuska Glacier

Midrange Eagle Hotel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Splurge Pioneer Motel |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Day 7: Back to Anchorage, fly home

The drive from Glacier View to Anchorage will take roughly 2 hours to travel the 105 miles to complete your Big Loop Alaska roadtrip adventure.

*Note: You can easily start and end this trip from Fairbanks, rather than Anchorage!

Have Any Questions About The Big Loop Alaska Road Trip?

Ask in the comments sections below.

Want More Ideas For One Week In Alaska Itineraries?

Check out the following posts in the ‘One Week In Alaska’ series:

• Hit The Highlights- Anchorage to Fairbanks
• North To The Future: The Dalton Highway
• Glaciers, Fjords, & South Central Alaska
• The Big Loop: Anchorage to Fairbanks & Back
• The Denali Highway Road Trip
• The Best of Wrangell St. Elias and Prince William Sound

More Posts from Alaska:

The Big Loop Alaska Road Trip

2 Day Anchorage Itinerary

Hiking The Mint-Bomber Traverse

Travel Alaska On A Budget

How To Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park

A Guide To The Denali Highway

Visit Spencer Glacier On The Whistle Stop Train

Visiting Byron Glacier

How To Get To Mendenhall Ice Caves

16 Best Day Hikes Near Anchorage, Alaska

What to Pack for Alaska, Written by a Local

Anchorage’s Best Hotels: Where to Stay in Anchorage

Biking to Knik Glacier in the Winter

A Day Hike Into ANWR

Fairbanks Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Fairbanks

Shrine of St. Therese In Juneau, Alaska

How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska?

The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours

The Ultimate Alaska Highway Guide: Driving the Alcan between Canada & Alaska

Wrangell St. Elias Road Trip, Alaska

A Quick Guide To Hope, Alaska

How To Get A Denali Road Lottery Permit

The Rabbit Lakes Hike In Anchorage, Alaska

Kayaker’s Cove: My Favorite Escape From Seward

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The Ultimate Alaska Travel Guide

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Anchorage travel guide + 20 things to do in anchorage.

Juneau Travel Guide + 19 Things To Do In Juneau

The Best Road Trips In The World

Denali National Park Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Denali

10 Reasons to Visit Alaska

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The Dalton Highway Road Trip

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10 day alaska itinerary.

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The Road To Kantishna

Eating My Way Across The Alaska State Fair

7 thoughts on “the big loop alaska road trip”.

Hi Diana Thank you so much for your Lovely post. I love Denali National Park!

This is great THANK YOU! if we wanted to do FAI to ANC then back to FAI is there a preferred order? We land late on a Thurs so starting Friday AM from FAI. Thank you!

Either direction is fine, I’ve done the Denali Hwy both ways now. Most people seem to opt to go from Paxson to Cantwell since you’ll have a view of the Alaska Range as long as the weather is clear.

Thanks for all your helpful info! We are planning on roadtripping in Alaska next June and I wanted to check your thoughts on taking Hwy 8 from Paxson to Cantwell. I know it’s not paved, but are the sights worth it? Is it reasonable to do in a van so long as the weather is good? Anything else that would be helpful to know about the road? We can go around through Fairbanks as a back-up plan, but I just wanted to find out if it was even reasonable to consider in the first place.

Hey Emily, I do have one of these itinerary posts that includes the Denali Hwy, you can check it out here. The Denali Hwy is definitely worth the drive, it’s absolutely gorgeous. My parents just recently did it this summer and spent 3 days camping between Cantwell & Paxson and had a grand time. In June it should be no problem driving the road. My best recommendation for it is to just drive along a bit until you see an area you want to explore and get out and check it out. It’s not heavily trafficked so you won’t have huge crowds to contend with either.

Out of curiosity, how, exactly does a town manage to have a cat for its mayor?

Also, all of these Alaska road trips sound amazing! I’ve yet to visit but it’s high in my list. When I do go, I think I’ll be combining all of your suggestions into an epic month log adventure!

Hey Diana, Unfortunately I wrote this before I left to travel Tajikistan and Stubbs passed away from old age 🙁

That sounds great, a month will give you a good amount of time to check out Alaska!

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Tangled whale freed from fishing line near Unalaska

The whale entangled in fishing gear, left, and after being freed. (NOAA photos)

Federal authorities said a humpback whale found tangled in a fishing line this week near Unalaska was freed on Friday.

The roughly 32-foot 2-year-old male whale was first reported in distress Monday afternoon in Iliuliuk Bay, which sits between Unalaska and Dutch Harbor, said Asia Beder, an assistant area management biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The City of Unalaska used a drone to take photos of the whale from above, which helped rescuers see how the whale was tangled, she said.

The whale had a line through its mouth that also wrapped around the base of its tail, said Julie Fair, a spokeswoman for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries in Alaska. She described the whale as being hogtied.

The line appeared to be associated with fishing gear, but the response team is planning to evaluate it to confirm, said Sadie Wright, a large whale entanglement coordinator with NOAA Fisheries in Alaska.

Community members watched from shore and reported information about the whale’s location, respiration rate and condition while whale entanglement experts traveled from Juneau and Hawaii to help free the animal, Wright said. Officials used a camera attached to a long pole to take underwater footage of the whale in order to plan how to disentangle it, she said.

Trained and authorized large whale entanglement responder Asia Beder gathers underwater imagery of an entangled whale under permit #24359. (Photo provided by ADF&G)

Approaching tangled whales can be dangerous because the animals are stressed and unpredictable.

Officials used a roughly 30-foot pole with a hook knife and an attached camera to cut the line, said Ed Lyman, a large whale entanglement response coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. They cut the line in two separate places before the whale freed itself and swam off around 11 a.m. Friday, he said.

The whale had some cuts to its tail but appeared to be in good condition otherwise, Wright said.

Tess Williams

Tess Williams is a reporter focusing on breaking news and public safety. Before joining the ADN in 2019, she was a reporter for the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota. Contact her at [email protected].