RV Rental Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks RV Rentals

One of the best ways to explore Alaska is via the comfort of your own RV. While it's a days-long drive from the continental U.S. to Alaska, many RVers choose to fly (or cruise) to Fairbanks, rent a recreational vehicle, and begin their exploration from there.

The second-largest city in Alaska, Fairbanks is a nature lover’s dream and an outdoor survivalist’s paradise. It features some of the most breathtaking and untouched landscapes you will ever have the pleasure of witnessing. 

The famous Alaskan Gold Rush allowed Fairbanks to flourish and grow rapidly in the early 1900s as thousands of people flocked from all over hoping to strike it rich. After the hype of the gold rush died down, Fairbanks became a staging area for the construction of military depots during WWII and the Cold War. Next came the discovery of oil.

While Fairbanks has certainly seen its fair share of ups and downs over the decades, the raw natural beauty of the region remains constant and draws thousands of tourists to some of the most rugged and untouched wilderness in the world. Renting an RV is one of the most economical and fun ways to see this stunning landscape. As a result, RV rentals in Fairbanks are numerous and easy to find. 

If you’re looking to tour around Fairbanks in an RV, check out some of the must-see sights and activities in this welcoming and spectacular destination. The options are varied and numerous, and you’ll be hard-pressed to fit everything you want to see and do into one visit.

Popular RV Destinations in Fairbanks

Aurora Viewing

Perhaps one of the most unique and quintessentially Alaskan experiences is viewing the ethereal and vibrant Aurora Borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. From mid-September through late April, tourists can enjoy one of the best free shows ever put on by nature. It’s an experience you and your crew will never forget. 

Fairbanks has a number of opportunities to view the captivating night-time light show. With several tour providers to choose from, such as A&P Tours, Alaska Aurora Adventures, and Nature Image, you can arrange to view the Northern Lights from a heated “aurorium” cabin, dome, lodge, or yurt. Or you can choose to go on an overnight sled dog expedition, take a guided snowcat or snowmobile tour, or even fly directly above the Arctic Circle. With so many ways to take in the nightly light show, you might have to try a few different ones to see which is your favorite. 

Dog Sledding

Another sought-after activity that is exclusive to the region is dog sledding. Fairbanks boasts plenty of providers for an idyllic sled dog tour, like Frisky Pups Sled Dog Tours, Arctic Dog Adventure Co., Paws for Adventure Sled Dog Tours, and many more. You and your family can choose to go for a quick 30-minute ride in a dog sled basket or stay out much longer if you like.

You can even learn to drive your own sled dog team at a mushing school. You can mush to a remote lodge for an extended guided tour, or head to a nearby cabin to watch the Northern Lights. Let’s not forget all the adorable Alaskan Husky puppies you’ll be able to pet and play with. 

If you time your visit right, you can experience the adrenaline rush of watching one of the sled dog winter races in Fairbanks. Some tour providers will even take you on a guided hike with huskies under the midnight sun.

Chena Hot Springs

Enjoy a drive up the scenic 56-mile Chena Hot Springs Road and park your RV at the Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can enjoy state-of-the-art amenities and free WiFi while you luxuriate in the soothing and healing waters of the Chena Hot Springs. These world-class hot springs were discovered more than 100 years ago and are renowned for their mineral-rich outdoor rock lake that maintains a relaxing and calming average water temperature of 106 degrees year-round.

While there, be sure to check out the funky and fun year-round Ice Museum where you can belly up to the otherworldly and beautiful ice bar for a much-needed beverage. You’ll also want to make time to explore the well-maintained Chena River State Recreation area where you can hike, float, fish, camp, go horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ATVing. Hike the awe-inspiring trails to enjoy some of the most jaw-dropping scenic views and vistas you’ll ever experience. 

Bear Viewing Tours

Get a close-up, yet protected, view of one of the ultimate symbols of the untamed Alaskan wilderness: the bear. Choose from a brown, black, or polar bear excursion, and depending on the time of year you’re there, you might even get to see some adorable and playful bear cubs. While you may get lucky enough to see a bear on your own in the wilderness, going on a guided bear viewing tour will almost certainly guarantee you the opportunity to see anywhere from 4-20 bears all at once, and much closer than you would ever dare to get to them by yourself.

Enjoy special moments watching bears in their natural habitat playing, filling their bellies with berries, catching wriggling fish in a salmon-choked river, belly-flopping into lakes, or just roaming curiously through the wild landscape. With some of the tours being fly-in only, you’ll get to see a bird’s eye view of the raw and undeveloped Alaskan environment. Fly-in tours can be pricey, but where else are you going to something that will create some of the best memories and experiences you’ll ever have?

Gold Dredge 8

Fairbanks embraces its colorful gold rush history at its very own Gold Dredge 8. Join the Binkley family for a fun and memorable experience that offers you a close-up view of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a presentation about its operation and construction. Take a ride aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and soak in the sights and sounds as you listen to your conductor tell tales of the huge gold rush and the thousands of characters that came to strike it rich.

This historic and beloved monument is a National Engineering landmark that you won’t see anywhere else. Operating between 1928 and 1959, Gold Dredge 8 played an essential role in the mining industry, and in fact the overall economy of Fairbanks. Gold Dredge 8 was a giant mechanical gold pan that extracted millions of ounces of gold from the frozen Alaskan ground, and it's a site you won’t soon forget, especially after you pan for your own gold at the end of the tour.

Events and Entertainment in Fairbanks

World Ice Art Championships

Mid-February to end of March

One of the most amazing and awe-inspiring events you’ll ever attend, the World Ice Art Championships are not to be missed. This is one of the most intense ice sculpting art contests in the world, attracting 100 carvers from more than 30 nations, including Japan, Russia, the Netherlands, and more. Tens of thousands of spectators flock to the Tanana Valley Fairgrounds to be amazed and inspired by some of the most intricately detailed and innovative ice sculptures to ever be seen.

Every year brings a host of never-before-seen ice carvings that just seem to get better and more competitive every time. In addition to the jaw-dropping exhibition pieces and sculptures, kids will love the ever-expanding playful ice attractions that are specially made for the kids park. This is a one-of-a-kind event that you won’t want to miss.

Open North American Sled Dog Race

Mid-March

Organized by the Alaska Dog Mushers Association in 1944, the Open North American Sled Dog Race is the oldest and longest consecutively hosted run sprint sled dog race in the world, and attracts teams from all over Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States who all vie for the illustrious and coveted title of fastest sled dog team. The three-day event runs from Friday to Sunday and features two 20.9 mile heats and one 28.6 mile heat that pushes teams to their limits.

You can feel the excitement firsthand by watching the teams in action at plenty of vantage points along the racecourse that runs along the Alaska Dog Mushers Association’s trails, along the edge of Creamer’s Field, past the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, and up to the Mushers Hall on Farmers Loop Road. This fun and exciting event also features a parka parade, a banquet, a pop scramble, and numerous vendors serving up food, goods, and services to round out the festivities.

Midnight Sun Festival

Sunday closest to June 21

There are few places that celebrate the summer solstice and thus, the longest day of the year, as well as the city of Fairbanks does. Being located just 140 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks enjoys 24 hours of continuous daylight each year on June 21. The city marks this significant day with the largest single-day event in all of Alaska. 

The party kicks off with a free 12-hour-long street fair that attracts more than 30,000 people. It features hundreds of exhibitors offering native Alaskan goods and merchandise, delicious foods, beverages, and services. Three separate stages host over 30 live music performances.

The day also offers fun for the whole family with gold panning, a climbing wall, pony rides, break dancing, and much more. Round out the celebration by attending the Midnight Sun baseball game that is held on June 21 each year.

Golden Days

Mid-July

Each year, in honor of the city’s founding and the discovery of gold by the Italian immigrant Felix Pedro, Fairbanks hosts a five-day festival called “Golden Days,” which is one of the country’s “Top 100 Events,” according to Destination Magazine. The event kicks off on Saturday with the largest parade in Alaska, the aptly named Grande Parade, which features around 100 intricately detailed floats, multiple marching bands and performers, and hundreds of the city’s residents dressed up gold rush costumes.

Other festival highlights include the Rubber Duckie Race, in which 8,000 rubber ducks are dropped into the Chena River for a 1/4-mile downstream “race” in which the winner claims up to $10,000 in cash. There’s also a street fair with plenty of vendors selling yummy foods and beautifully made arts, crafts, clothing, and more. The River Regatta is a goofy race in which contestants attempt to float their ridiculously made rafts down the Chena River while trying to avoid being soaked by streams for the numerous water guns that the spectators along the bridge hold. Don’t forget the BBQ cook-off!

World Eskimo-Indian Olympics

July 16-19

As part of Golden Days, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) were begun over 50 years ago in order to promote knowledge and awareness of the native Alaskans’ traditional skills and games. This is an event you won’t see anywhere else and it showcases top athletes from the circumpolar north, including teams from Greenland and Russia who gather in Fairbanks to compete in tests of endurance, balance, strength, and pain tolerance. Events like the Four Man Carry, and the Eskimo Stick Pull have no age limit and are all based on skills that have been prized by Native cultures for thousands of years.

In addition to the unique events, you can enjoy a well-rounded cultural celebration that features traditional Native dances, long-standing rituals like the blanket toss, and the annual Miss WEIO pageant that has young women from across Alaska compete in cultural communications and skills. You’ll also be able to find the perfect souvenir or keepsake at the annual craft bazaar, where numerous vendors set up tables full of beaded moccasins, fur hats, ivory figurines, sealskin artifacts, and more. Whatever you do, don’t forget to sample the Native frybread.

FAQs:

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Fairbanks can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Fairbanks?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, the legal age to rent one in Alaska is 21. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Fairbanks. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Fairbanks will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Fairbanks?

Many RV and camper rentals in Fairbanks are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.