Alaska Official State Vacation Planner • 2024 • Interior

A rich history and culture, endless summer days, incredible winter aurora viewings, and diverse landscapes home to unique wildlife make up the Interior region.

Known as the “Heartland of Alaska,” the culture here is as diverse as the landscape. This region is home to Iditarod teams, gold mining history, spectacular northern lights, and the tallest mountain in North America– Denali–in its namesake national park. Natural hot springs, mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, tundra, scenic roads, and a host of wildlife including bears, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and wolves can be found here. The Interior’s largest city, Fairbanks, plays the perfect host to bask in the midnight sun and discover a vibrant arts scene.

Athabascan peoples have called this land home for millennia, and their language is still in use. Chena, derived from the Athabascan word meaning “river,” names the hot springs and valley where caribou hunters have gathered for thousands of years.

Alaska’s Interior region has panoramic mountain and tundra views, the Parks Highway connecting Fairbanks to Anchorage, and jaw-dropping landscapes. The Richardson Highway and famed Alaska Highway also boast scenic views and historic landmarks along the routes to discover.

Getting to the Interior is a breeze. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is a large international airport that you can fly into and out of easily. Alternatively, you can fly to Anchorage and drive the Parks Highway, or take the Alaska Railroad north.

The largest city is Fairbanks, home to many Athabascan people, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, museums, historic sites, heritage centers, and wildlife viewings. The nearby town of North Pole is a popular destination for Christmas enthusiasts year-round.

Weather in the Interior can be somewhat extreme compared to other regions. In April-July, it averages 20 hours of sunlight, and temperatures range from 60-80°F. In comparison, there is a low of 4 hours of sunlight in December, and pre/post-winter solstice means temperatures often fall well below zero.

INTERIOR HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy a scenic drive north on the Elliot Highway or south on the Richardson or Parks Highways. Wildlife, epic landscapes, and more will greet you on your road trip travels. Nenana and Delta Junction are great stops for learning more about local history along the way.

Western Interior is a vast area dominated by four national wildlife refuges and a scattering of remote villages. Venture to the town of Galena for trips into the surrounding wildlife refuges that protect important nesting and breeding grounds.

One of the most famous national parks in the United States, Denali National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest peak, Denali–an Athabascan name meaning “The Great One.” Consider taking a scenic 4-hour train ride from Fairbanks to the entrance of the park.

Chena Hot Springs is the most popular natural hot springs in the state, and for good reason! Sit back and enjoy the rejuvenating heat in these mineral-rich waters under the midnight sun in summer or aurora-lit skies in winter: they’re open year-round.

Fairbanks offers sightseeing, museum tours, and outdoor recreation such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, hiking, and more. Wildlife, cultural and historical sites, and aurora viewing in the winter also make it a year-round option.

Alaska Official State Vacation Planner - 2024

Interior

ALASKA’S FIVE REGIONS

INTERIOR HIGHLIGHTS

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