UAF Trail System — Attraction in Alaska

I ran, walked, biked, and skied these trails many, MANY times in the late 80s and early 90s when I was a student at UAF. I loved the solitude, northern lights, wildlife, and just the feeling of being away from the books (we still had them back then!) for a few hours. Back then, most of the trails were single-track and none were marked except for the perimeter Skarland trail. And in the summer, there was a campground right where you enter the trails from West Ridge. College students would rent sites for the entire summer and set up rather elaborate campsites adorned with old furniture, car seats, coolers, and outdoor kitchens. It was one big party all summer long! Ah, the memories! Going back to visit last summer was bittersweet: like so much of UAF (and Fairbanks), the trails feel "all grown up": widened, marked, and well-maintained. The campground is long gone with the foundation of a satellite dish on what used to be a couple of the prime campsites. But, the woods are still breathtaking...and Smith Lake is still there...and it still feels like Fairbanks after all. I can't wait to go back again. I...

We were there in late December so it was all frozen & groomed for cross country skiing which was why we were there. The 5 of us ranged from first time skiing to moderate experience level. We went in the dark, around 6pm. Many of the trails were well lit, and we used head lamps for those that weren't. The terrain was pretty level and the trails well groomed. We all had a fantastic time! Came back 3 more...

A great place for a quick ride or hike just off the UAF Campus. The trails are also good, well groomed, cross-country ski trails during the winter and even have night skiing from the TH near the physics building. They connect to the Parks Highway to the west, Yankovic Rd. on the North and Ballaine Lake on the east side. They can be a bit buggy during early season, but get better as it warms...