Eielson AFB might not be the first thing that pops into your head for an adventure, but for us, it’s been a real experience. Between the 24-hours of daylight in the summer and watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of our living room sofa, it’s been wild. Somehow, at the same time, it just feels like another cozy, small-town base on the outskirts of the city.
To start off, Eielson is nestled about 30 minutes south of Fairbanks in Interior Alaska. Fairbanks is kind of your low-key hub for all things practical: Costco, Fred Meyer, Lowes, Old Navy, Ulta, and great restaurants – they’re all just a short drive away, but without the crazy traffic scenes.
A few minutes outside of the base is the city of North Pole. (Yes, really.) Every day feels like Christmas here, complete with candy cane McDonald’s signs and year-round festive light poles. Adorable, right? It’s no surprise that so many off-base families choose to live in North Pole. You’ve got options from modern, newly-built neighborhoods to homes tucked away in wooded lots that allow for some extra breathing space and wildlife sightings.
Between these two cities and the typical base offerings, you’ve got just about all your needs covered between everyday necessities and arctic entertainment.
Things to know about Eielson Air Force Base
Since moving to Interior Alaska, I’ve picked up a few outlooks that have become pretty routine parts of my day: a new appreciation for nature, precise calendar planning, a fear of ravens (they’re huge here!), a newfound excitement around trying new things, and a love for curling.
Winters here are like something out of a storybook, with all the glistening snow and jaw-dropping auroras that light up the sky for months on end. And even if you’re not the most outgoing person (like me, 🙋🏼♀️), there’s always something happening—hence the calendar planning. From fun girls’ trips to the hot springs to checking out local events like the World Ice Art Championship or the Yukon Quest, it’s nearly impossible to get bored. I’ve learned that you’ve just got to get out there and try it, whether it’s bundling up for ice fishing, exploring a glacier, joining a curling team (s/o to the Fun League!), hitting the slopes for some skiing, or just cruising around on snow machines or snow tubes. There’s always something to do, especially with the constant trips organized by Outdoor Rec.
Summers are jam-packed with hiking, camping, and fishing—it’s like a whole new world opens up. And the best part? There’s always some kind of festival or event going on, like the Midnight Sun Festival or the amazing food truck gatherings that seem to pop up everywhere. I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for sitting on a blanket, snacking on some food truck eats, and listening to live music on a sunny day.
Being a part of the Eielson community has been a wild ride. We consider ourselves lucky to have had a chance to volunteer for a few years here in exchange for this experience. Plus, having family and friends come visit us in Alaska has been the ultimate treat. Watching others be in awe of the other-worldly beauty that we get to live in is just the cherry on top.
Blair
Looking for more specific recommendations from the WAF community on topics like best neighborhoods, favorite restaurants, or doctor recommendations – join the conversation in our private Facebook group of incredible WAFs!
In an effort to better serve every WAF across all branches, and with the help of some amazing other WAFs, we’ve curated branch specific Facebook groups. You can find your branch’s group by joining the general WAF Facebook page and then clicking “visit group”.
