Visitors' guide

Tours and attractions

Where do you go from here? Take a hike, or a tour or a class. With 2,250 acres to explore on our Fairbanks campus, there’s always something going on. So find an activity that suits you. The highlights below are a good place to start, and you’ll find lots of other events on our calendar.

Tours subject to change. Call ahead to confirm dates and times. All tours free except where otherwise indicated.

A group of people participating a UAF guided tour

UAF walking tour

Get to know UAF on student-led, 90-minute tours. Call or text 907-474-7500 to request a tour. For a self-guided tour, search “IJͼ Campus Tour” on Spotify. A virtual tour is also available.

West Ridge of Fairbanks exterior buildings

Campus shuttle for self-guided tours  

Stops every 12 minutes at tour sites and the north Wood Center station. See shuttle symbols below for tour stops.

FREE TO RIDE

  • Hours: May 20-Aug. 30, Weekdays, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Stops:
    • Geophysical Institute
    • UA Museum of the North

Audience seated on the grass and in lawn chairs for a summer concert at the Georgeson Botanical Garden

Georgeson Botanical Garden

Explore over 10 acres of plant displays and demonstration gardens. Don’t miss the popular children’s garden, boasting one of the largest hedge mazes in the country. Donation requested.

UAF Planet Walk Earth information sign

UAF Planet Walk

Journey through scaled representations of each celestial body, from Mercury to Neptune, and uncover intriguing facts about our cosmic neighbors along the way. One mile long: start at the west end of Yukon Drive. Download our 10-question scavenger hunt before you get started.

  • Web: 

Muskoxen graze at the Large Animal Research Station

Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station

Get up close and personal with reindeer and muskoxen, survivors from the ice age.
Gift shop on site with items by Alaska artists. Admission fee.

A group of visitors stand under a hanging fossil exhibit

UA Museum of the North  

Discover millions of years of biodiversity and thousands of years of cultural traditions at one of Alaska’s premier visitor attractions. Admission fee.

Exterior view of the Geophysical Institute

Geophysical Institute  

Learn about our giant satellite dishes and how world-class researchers study everything from the center of the Earth to the center of the sun.

  • Guided tours: May 28-Aug. 27, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Elvey Building
  • Self-guided indoor or outdoor tours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Web:

Exterior of the Morris Thompson Building

Science For Alaska Summer Series

Learn about Alaska aurora, climate, earthquake, volcanoes, beavers and more! UAF Geophysical Institute experts partner with Explore Fairbanks to share science stories and answer your questions about natural phenomena in Alaska.

  • Dates: June 14, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center
  • Web:

A group of hikers in a forest

International Arctic Research Center

Explore our lobby for a glimpse of climate change research, see our giant display of warming Arctic temperatures on the 4th floor, or take an .

  • Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. except major holidays.
  • Web:
  • Email: UAF-IARC@alaska.edu
  • Phone: 907-474-1544

Rocket launch against an aurora filled night sky at Poker Flat Research Range

Poker Flat Research Range

Tour the largest land-based rocket range in the world and the only high-latitude range in the U.S. Two-hour walking tours start at 2 p.m.

  • Tours:
    • May 1, 15 & 29
    • June 12 & 26
    • July 10 & 24
    • Aug. 7 & 21
    • Sept. 4
  • Web:

Summer concertIJͼ photo by Todd Paris

Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning events

Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning offers courses and hosts many events throughout the summer, including special guest lectures and concerts. For more information call 907-474-7021 or visit the Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning website.

two people walking on a campus trail in the fallIJͼ photo by Todd Paris

Go for a hike!

UAF’s trail system is great for hiking, biking or skiing.

IJͼ the Fairbanks campus and area

The 2,250-acre Fairbanks campus, located near the center of Alaska, offers limitless opportunities for activity and recreation. Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest city, sits on the banks of the Chena River in the heart of Alaska. Learn more about the Fairbanks area.