Pioneer Park
The Basics
There is a lot to see and do at Pioneer Park and you can easily spend an entire day there. Park attractions include a replica Native Alaskan village, the Tanana Valley Railroad Museum, Bear Gallery, Pioneer Air Museum, and more. Plus there are plenty of activities for children including a carousel, train, miniature golf course, and playground.
A visit to Pioneer Park is included in many historical tours of Faribanks along with other notable attractions such as the Museum of the North and the Yukon Quest Log Cabin. You won’t want to miss the Alaska salmon bake and dinner show that runs nightly from May through mid-September.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A family-friendly theme park showcasing the history of Fairbanks.
- Entry to Pioneer Park is free, but some of the park’s attractions may require an admission fee.
- Pioneer Park is wheelchair and stroller accessible and the playground features accessible play equipment.
How to Get There
Pioneer Park is located just west of downtown Fairbanks along the Chena River at 2300 Airport Way. From downtown, take the red or blue bus or the Fairbanks shared summer shuttle. Ample parking is available right in front of the park. A pedestrian waterfront path also connects the park with the downtown area.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Pioneer Park is open year-round, although some attractions including the shops, restaurants, and amusement rides are closed during the winter months. Free live music performances are held at the park nightly at 7pm during the summer months as well as frequent festivals, craft fairs, and other special events. A tree-lighting ceremony is celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year and the park is aglow with festive lights through March.
Pioneer Park’s Mining Valley
Located in the western end of Pioneer Park, Mining Valley features equipment and tools during the early days of mining in Fairbanks. You’ll get to see a replica gold rush era sluice gate, which trapped gold as water and other minerals passed through. Here, you’ll also find a monument dedicated to the first gold prospectors to arrive in Fairbanks.
- Chena River State Recreation Area
- Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
- Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
- University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Georgeson Botanical Garden
- Large Animal Research Station
- Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint
- Gold Dredge 8
- Tolovana River
- Aurora Ice Museum
- Chena Hot Springs Resort