Fairbanks · ARCTIC CIRCLE TOURS & DRIVES FROM FAIRBANKS
16 reviewed
Crossing the Arctic Circle means a long day up the Dalton Highway, over the Yukon River and past the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to the sign itself. Below are the best Arctic Circle tours and drives from Fairbanks: which go by van and which fly one leg, how long each takes, what is included on the way, and which add an aurora watch on the drive home.
Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway for a small-group aurora hunt, with hotel pickup, meals, and Arctic Circle photos.
“Was looking forward to go to the artic circle, but our trip got canceled due to road conditions. Bummer”
Arctic Circle day tour from Fairbanks via the Dalton Highway in a small-group van, with tundra walk, pipeline sights, and a certificate.
“This was an amazing trip. We learned about the Aleyska pipeline and got to see many, many miles of it as we traveled northward on the famous Dalton Highway - and yes, it's just like it's portrayed on tv. We met firefighters from several different countries since the trip afforded us a lunch stop at an outpost. I can go on and on, but we went during the summer (late July) and it was a whopping 34 degrees. Loved, loved, loved this excursion and even the rest of group that was also on the tour. Would go again!”
A full-day drive from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle marker on the Dalton Highway, with narration, Yukon River stops, and a certificate.
“A 16-17 hour long day experience which was informative, enjoyable and highly memorable. Around 13 are spent on the road which is highly scenic, though largely gravel but not too uncomfortable. The remaining time is about experiencing Alaskan wilderness on foot at multiple stop points including lunch and dinner breaks. Our tour guide Jermey was phenomenal - courteous, knowledgeable and very safe, and his ongoing commentary through the day kept us engaged. Several good stops for photography and selfies, and complete disconnect (no cell coverage) made it special. A day well spent!”
Small-group Arctic Circle road trip from Fairbanks with hotel pickup, Arctic Circle crossing certificate, and aurora-chasing stops.
“Had a great time with our guide Ryan. He was very knowledgeable of the area and an excellent ambassador. It was rainy so the Dalton Highway was a bit bumpy, but he was an excellent driver. Unfortunately due to cloud cover we did not get to see the Northern Lights , but just another excuse to return.”
A long winter road trip from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle on the Dalton Highway, with pipeline views, Yukon River stops, and a certificate.
“I had a great experience with our guide Shawn he was very friendly and knowledgeable. You get to see beautiful views along the dalton highway I would definitely recommend this tour.”
Fairbanks Arctic Circle tour: cross 66.5622°N, see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River, then chase northern lights on the midnight drive.
“The day was memorable and certainly gained insight into the ruggedness of the road and the environment. Ash was very helpful and enlightening.”
Full-day Arctic Circle adventure from Fairbanks with pipeline views, Yukon River walking, Finger Mountain trek, and a certificate at the Arctic Circle.
“The van you take is kind of loud to begin with. The day started around 730 with a trip to a gas station/restaurant to order food for breakfast or anything you might want until dinner time around 430p. The first stop was a creek or something. Nothing but walking around in a cloud of mosquitos, no scenic views, just wondering why we're stopping... Next one was about the same but had a welcome to Dalton highway sign. I'd definitely recommend mosquito repellent at least for these spots. The day picked up with a stop at one of the access points of the pipeline. That was really cool to see it…”
Private Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway. Scenic photo stops, Yukon camp breaks, and aurora chances for up to 6.
“Ian had to cancel due to a blizzard warning. We were unable to go. He did a good job a communicating this. He offered to take us around Fairbanks to see Northern Lights but did our own things instead. Only reason it was a 4/5 is because I had to pick a rating and could not fully evaluate. But I would definitely try and schedule again in the future.”
14-hour small-group drive from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, with Dalton Highway narration and a real Northern Lights hunt.
“Everything was great! our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and we were able to get great views of Aurora Borealis”
A long winter day from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, with pipeline views, Yukon River Camp stops, and a real solstice-style crossing.
“I was collected at 9am. Temperatures were -45 to -25 throughout the tour. We rode, mostly in silence, for 3.5 hours until we reached the Dalton Highway sign where we took pictures. The scenery was nice. We stopped at a roadside mom and pop restaurant/souvenir shop on the way to the Arctic sign (another 2 hours) and on the way back. The return trip was a meal stop. Not really a lot of options. About half of us ate the snacks and food we brought with us. We didn't go to the spot under the pipeline I asked about. Nick said we'd stop on the way back but I knew…”
Fairbanks Arctic Circle full-day tour: Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Yukon River, Finger Mountain hike, Arctic Circle photo and certificate.
Arctic Circle and aurora chasing from Fairbanks with expert driving, small-group stops, and plenty of photo help on a winter night.
“nice experience, got fantastic view for sunset and aurora. Tour guide is very nice as well. Help us take beautiful photos”
Full-day midnight sun drive from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle, with Dalton Highway stops, the pipeline, Yukon River, and a certificate.
“It was a wonderful adventure, one negative, is that food was not provided by host, there was a stop on the way to buy souvenir and food but the tour guide/bus driver did not announced that we could placed and pay for hot dinner orders, so as to have a hot meal on our way back down from the artic circle, that was very careless and taught less of the driver because she ordered her hot meal.”
Drive the Dalton Highway to Milepost 115, earn an Arctic Circle certificate, then hunt aurora from Joy’s Trading Post base.
“what the tour is about: seeing a sign in the arctic pole and staying in a cabin waiting for the northern lights. It is really really tiring and you stay most of the time inside a bus on a terrible road. We were also unlucky because the day was too cloudy and we couldn’t see the aurora. I am sharing this info because I think it was not clear for me when I booked. It is really really tiring. The landscapes are not that beautiful (much more beautiful on the way to Denali). The ONLY positive thing for me was the tour guide. He was really Knowledgeable and shared many…”
Small-group Arctic Circle adventure from Fairbanks with aurora hunting, Arctic Circle certificates, free photos, and snacks on a late-afternoon drive.
“The driver was great. Very knowledgeable of the Alaska pipeline and some of the history behind it. He mage the trip better by getting us in areas to see the northern lights.”
