Walking Trails in Fairbanks:
A Healthy Walk in the Woods

Whether you're passing through Fairbanks as a visitor, or are a permanent resident, do take advantage of the excellent walking trails available year-round for free at the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge at 1300 College Road near downtown Fairbanks.

Five different trails range in length from a half-mile to just under two and a half miles. The trails pass through meadows and boreal forests, and along the sides of seasonal pools and agricultural fields. Viewing platforms are scattered along many of the trails, while boardwalks guide visitors across damp areas within the Boreal Forest trail.

Convenient parking spaces and outhouse facilities are available near the beginning of the trails, and there's a bus stop nearby. During the summer, the Farmhouse Visitor Center is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

• Trails map for Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge (390k pdf file) (PDF information.)

Throughout 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center, and the Friends of Creamer's Field to produce the following "Healthy Walk in the Woods" pamphlets, and to provide pedometers and backpacks at the Farmhouse Visitor Center for interested walkers. If you'd like to borrow one of the backpacks during your visit, check at the Farmhouse Visitor Center to see if they are still available.

• Walking pamphlet (350 kb pdf file) (PDF information.)
• Walking for health pamphlet (350 kb pdf file)

Getting outdoors for family fun and excercise is beneficial to almost everyone's health. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is happy to join with the National Institute of Health and other agencies in the "We Can!" program to support children's activity and nutrition.