Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure from Fairbanks

Enjoy the amazing views of the mountains and keep an eye out for wildlife such as Moose and Caribou which are often seen crossing the road on the way to Castner Glacier. Once you arrive at the startin

Enjoy the amazing views of the mountains and keep an eye out for wildlife such as Moose and Caribou which are often seen crossing the road on the way to Castner Glacier. Once you arrive at the starting point of the trail the hike is 3 miles (round trip) to the Ice Cave and back.PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY FOR COLD WEATHER.Enjoy the epic views of the Delta Range, an eastern section of the Alaska Range. Ice caves are exceptional because they are not only scarce, but they are located far outside zones of permafrost—at low elevations (near sea level) and low latitudes (between around 30° and 70°), where they maintain a much lower average annual temperature than that of the air above. After you return from your hike we will head back to North Pole where you are going to have some free time to explore the world famous Santa Clause House. Drop Off at your hotel or AirBnB around 5:30 pm. Licensed by Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior permit #2025-00197

From: $0.00

Location: Fairbanks

What's Included

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: How difficult is the hike to the Ice Cave? Is it good for beginners?

A: The hike to Castner Glacier is about 3 miles round trip, mostly flat but can be slippery in parts, especially if there's ice. It’s pretty beginner-friendly; just make sure to dress in layers and wear good shoes! The guide will help out if anyone struggles, plus the views are totally worth it!

Q: What should I wear? I’ve never been hiking in cold weather.

A: Dress in warm, waterproof layers! Bring insulated boots, warm socks, gloves, and a beanie. It gets chilly near the glacier. You can always take layers off if you get too warm while hiking. And don’t forget a good camera for those views!

Q: What’s the best time of year to do this? I’m planning a trip for next summer.

A: Late spring to early fall is the best time! The ice caves are most accessible before they melt too much in summer, and you can see wildlife like moose and caribou along the way. If you don’t mind cooler weather, fall can also give some stunning views with fewer crowds.

Discussions

Thinking of gifting the Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure!

Hey everyone! I’m considering gifting this ice cave adventure in Fairbanks for my friend’s birthday. I’m a bit nervous about the cold weather and the hike since they're not super outdoorsy. Has anyone done this? What was your experience like? Any tips for a novice hiker?

Just got back from the Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure!

Wow, what an experience! The hike was so beautiful, especially with the snow. We saw a couple of moose too! The ice caves are just incredible. Make sure you wear good boots; I slipped a bit on the ice. But the guide was super helpful. Definitely recommend it!