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Fairbanks,  Alaska's second largest city, is centrally located in the heart of Alaska in the Tanana Valley. 

The hostel is perfectly situated to begin your exploration of Interior Alaska. 

Located along the banks of the Chena River in the expansive Tanana Valley, you can travel in any direction out of town and you will find yourself in wilderness in a matter of minutes.

 Distance between Fairbanks and:

Anchorage   358 mi / 576 km
Denali Park  121 mi / 194 km
 Dawson City 393 mi / 631 km 
Valdez         364 mi / 586 km
 Prudhoe Bay 489 mi / 793 km
 
 City Pop  35,000
 Borough Pop 98,000
 Elevation = 436 ft / 133 m

GETTING OUTSIDE FAIRBANKS

From Fairbanks you may make connections with ground or air transportation  to remote villages,  Denali Park, Dawson City, Prudhoe Bay, the Arctic Circle,  Skagway, Whitehorse.

Several small commuter flights operate out of the Fairbanks International Airport, allowing for easy access to even the most remote villages and wilderness areas.

Let us know if youd like us to store your things while your away exploring!

There are way too many activities to list here.  Whether you wish to explore on your own or let a local show you around, you will want to begin your search of the many opportunities available in Interior Alaska. 

The hostel has much information to get you started on planning activities in the area.  For additional information on specific activities, public lands, parks, hiking, camping, fishing or backcountry exploration, make sure you visit the

                        Alaska Public Lands Information Center

                        Located at 101 Dunkel St

                        (in the same building as the Visitor

                        Center in the city center) 

                        (907) 456-0527
.

HISTORY

Located at the historical end of the Alaska Highway, Fairbanks is rich in history and tradition. The city (named for a senator from Indiana) was founded in 1901 after the discovery of gold caused a rush of thousands to flood into the Tanana Valley.

Fairbanks soon became Alaska's vibrant cultural and economic center. For over 100 years, Fairbanks has played a vital role in Alaska's economic, educational and military history.

University of Alaska Main Campus (UAF)

THE CAMPUS IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE HOSTEL

Be sure to visit the UAF.

Established in Fairbanks in 1917, it is one of  a few  Land, Sea and Space Grant universities  in the country.  Over 9,000 students and located on 2,250 acres UAF is  home to:

                             -Geophysical Institute

                             -Botanical Gardens

                             -Large Animal Research station (Musk Ox & Reindeer Farm)

                             -Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station

                             -Poker Flats Rocket Research Range

                                        AND THE NOT TO BE MISSED 

                              -Museum Of The North   

THINGS TO DO

With summer temperatures reaching into the 90's and the endless summer days, Fairbanks offers many opportunities for the adventurous traveler.  
Ask us about any of these local activities - many depart from our door.

•    A day trip to the Arctic Circle
•    A bush flight to a remote village
•    An adventurous day hike to a relaxing soak at one of several Hot Springs
•    Hike the Pinnell Mountain Trail during summer solstice.- a well kept secret
•    Multi day canoeing adventure on the Chatanika River

FROM OUR GUESTBOOK

My time at Billie's was a time for reflection on all I had seen and done. In my last hours here I went for a last walk. Just a few hundred yards from the hostel, I found a small path and followed it to a creek.
There I found a hidden glade, filled with wild blue bells, roses, butterflies, a squirrel and birds.
 
I have fulfilled a lifelong dream by coming to Alaska.
I have traveled through the inside passage, seeing wondrous things like calving glaciers, wildlife and towering mountains, the magnificent Isolation of the Yukon and the tundra North of the Arctic Circle.
I have had adventures I never dreamed I would have.
Everything has just been so much more than I thought it could ever be, and of course the best part are the people you meet.

Barbara Ann McClure - Australia