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Suggest a Feature →Eielson Air Force Base — Fairbanks, Alaska
The coldest major military installation in America. And the most dramatic.
Eielson Air Force Base sits in the interior of Alaska, 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks — one of the coldest permanently inhabited places in the United States. The base is home to the 354th Fighter Wing (F-35A), and hosts Red Flag-Alaska, one of the premier combat training exercises in the world. Temperatures here reach -60°F with windchill in January. This is not hyperbole.
Interior Alaska is a specific world. The Tanana River valley, the Alaska Range (Denali is visible on clear days from Eielson), and the Interior Alaska landscape are genuinely remarkable. Summer brings 22+ hours of daylight and a social and natural explosion that has to be experienced. The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from September through March are among the world's best.
The Fairbanks community has a deep military relationship — Fort Wainwright is 30 minutes west, and the combined military and civilian community of the Interior is close-knit and experienced at surviving Alaska winters together.
Must Eat
The spots worth eating at before you PCS out.
Pike's Landing (Fairbanks)
"Fairbanks riverfront dining. The Chena River, summer seaplanes, and good food."
Pike's Landing has been a Fairbanks institution for decades — riverside deck dining in summer with float planes passing, Alaskan salmon and halibut, and a bar that fills with the combined military and civilian community.
The outside deck in summer (June-August) when daylight runs past midnight is the experience. Order the salmon and watch floatplanes land on the Chena.
The Cookie Jar (Fairbanks)
"Fairbanks' beloved bakery and breakfast spot."
A Fairbanks institution for breakfast and lunch with excellent baked goods, hearty Alaskan portions, and the kind of warmth you need after a January commute.
The cinnamon rolls are the size of your head. Go for Saturday morning breakfast — the community gathers there.
Pumphouse Restaurant (Fairbanks)
"An 1890s gold rush pump station converted into Fairbanks's best restaurant."
The historic Chena River pump house turned restaurant and saloon. Alaskan crab, salmon, and a bar that has the history of the gold rush on its walls. The building is a genuine artifact.
The outdoor deck in summer on the Chena River is excellent. The salmon bake is the Alaskan experience. Get the sour-dough bread — it's authentic to the gold rush tradition.
Salmon Bake (Alaskan tradition)
"The Alaskan summer tradition. King salmon off the grill."
Salmon bakes happen throughout Fairbanks and at camp facilities during summer. Fresh-caught king salmon over open fire is the definitive Interior Alaska summer meal.
The base MWR and the Pioneer Park salmon bake events are the most accessible. Bring your own catch if you've been fishing — the Tanana and its tributaries have excellent fishing.
Outdoor
Get outside. The land around military installations is usually the best reason to be there.
Denali National Park
"North America's highest peak. 120 miles southwest."
Denali (20,310 feet) is visible from Eielson on clear days. The national park is 120 miles southwest — one bus road into the wilderness, no private vehicles past Mile 15. The wildlife viewing (grizzly, wolf, caribou, Dall sheep) is world-class.
Book the Denali bus seats (Tundra Wilderness Tour) months in advance for summer — they sell out. Camping permits in the backcountry require advance planning.
Dog Mushing (Yukon Quest)
"The toughest sled dog race in the world runs through Fairbanks."
The Yukon Quest (1,000 miles, Fairbanks to Whitehorse) is even harder than the Iditarod by most accounts. February start in downtown Fairbanks. You can volunteer as a checkpoint handler or just watch the start.
The start line party at Yukon Quest is a genuine Fairbanks winter celebration. Cold but festive. Bib numbers for handling volunteers are available through the race organization.
Chena River State Recreation Area
"Alaska hiking, gold panning, and wildlife within 30 miles."
The Chena River State Recreation Area has excellent summer hiking (Granite Tors, Angel Rocks), gold panning access, fishing, and winter snowshoeing. The Angel Rocks trail to Chena Hot Springs is a classic overnight.
The Granite Tors trail is 15 miles and reaches dramatic granite formations rising from the tundra. Bring bear spray.
Culture & History
Places with stories. Most military towns sit on deep history — dig in.
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
"The northernmost land-grant university. Exceptional natural history museum."
UAF's Museum of the North is one of the finest natural history museums in Alaska — Pleistocene mammals, permafrost science, Alaska art, and the biology of the North. The "Gallery of Alaska" installation is remarkable.
The natural history collection includes a blue babe (steppe bison preserved in permafrost for 36,000 years). The museum is significantly better than its obscure location would suggest.
Pioneer Park (Fairbanks)
"Gold rush history in a preserved frontier village."
Pioneer Park preserves the original Fairbanks gold rush era buildings and riverboats — including the SS Nenana, the largest wooden riverboat in Alaska. Free to walk the grounds.
The SS Nenana (National Historic Landmark) is genuinely impressive. The sternwheeler is enormous and remarkably preserved.
Family
Stuff to do with the kids. Rated by people who have brought actual children.
Running Reindeer Ranch
"Walk in the woods with domesticated reindeer. Exactly as described."
A working reindeer ranch 30 minutes from Eielson offers guided hikes through the birch forest with their domesticated reindeer herd. Genuinely excellent for families.
Book in advance — the tours are small group and fill quickly. Summer birch forest hikes and winter snow walks are both available.
Day Trips
When you need to remember there's a world outside the gate.
"North America's highest peak and finest wildlife viewing."
2-hour drive to the park entrance. Book bus tickets well in advance for summer. Wildlife spotting (grizzly, wolf, caribou, moose) on the park road is the defining Alaska experience.
"Cross into Canada via the Alaska Highway. 5 hours. The frontier."
The Alaska Highway to Whitehorse passes through some of the most remote landscape in North America. Whitehorse has good restaurants, a gold rush museum, and Miles Canyon.
The Alaska wilderness is not forgiving. Bear spray, navigation equipment, and proper cold weather gear are not optional for any backcountry activity. Get Alaska-specific wilderness training.
Vehicle block heaters are necessary in Interior Alaska winters. Plugging in your vehicle at night (base has outlets everywhere) is required below -20°F to prevent engine damage.
The midnight sun of June-July genuinely disrupts sleep. Blackout curtains are essential — budget for them before arrival.
Alaska produces state-specific benefits for residents: the Permanent Fund Dividend, no state income tax, and extensive outdoor access. Understand your residency status and the associated benefits.
Red Flag-Alaska is one of the most significant aerial combat training exercises in the world. If you're flying or in a supporting role, the tempo is intentionally demanding. Plan accordingly.
Interior Alaska winter is not a hardship to be endured — it's a way of life to be adopted. People who spend their assignment counting days until spring have a miserable time. People who learn to ski, snow machine, ice fish, chase auroras, and build winter culture have one of the most remarkable military assignments available. Choose which one you're going to be before you arrive.
This guide is built by people who've been stationed here. If there's a spot we got wrong or a gem we missed, tell us.