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UAF Trail System
4.8 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Running trail in Fairbanks, Alaska · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from UAF Trail System's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Recreational area for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, near the University of Alaska campus.
What runners say about UAF Trail System
“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.”
“Plenty of easy to navigate trails and lots of wildlife to take pictures of.”
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.
I take the dog out on these trails every day. They are well maintained and stretch for miles. One of the highlights of the University
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.
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.
Trail conditions & character
“Back then, most of the trails were single-track and none were marked except for the perimeter Skarland trail.”
“I loved the solitude, northern lights, wildlife, and just the feeling of being away from the books (we still had them back then!”
“The 5 of us ranged from first time skiing to moderate experience level.”
Plan your run at UAF Trail System
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteuaf.edu
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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