Galena, AK

Travel Guide

Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
Photo provided by State of Alaska
Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
Photo provided by State of Alaska/Chris McLennan
See the famous Yukon River and enjoy a variety of summer and winter sporting events in this Alaskan village accessible only by air or water.

For a remote adventure in central Alaska, visit the village of Galena. Its location on the Yukon River offers plenty of summer and winter activities.

In March on alternating years, Galena is a checkpoint roughly halfway along the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which stretches more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from Anchorage west to Nome and the Bering Sea. For a unique vacation experience, volunteer to support the activities as mushers and dogs race along the frozen Yukon River to and from the Galena checkpoint. The Iron Dog 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometer) snowmobile race also passes through Galena each February.

In less intense competitions, watch local residents from age 3 through adult compete in races on dog sleds, snowshoes and fat-tire bikes during the annual Galena Spring Carnival on Alexander Lake. Competitors also use picks to break through 3-foot-thick (1-meter) ice on the Yukon in as little as 15 minutes.

Each June after the river thaws, Galena is the checkpoint for another race, the Yukon 800 Mile Marathon. Endurance racers in speedboats travel from Fairbanks at speeds up to 70 miles (110 kilometers) per hour to Galena. After spending the night, they race back to Fairbanks, covering roughly 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) on the round trip. Watch this transition in the early morning hours and cheer on your favorite team.

Between these exciting major events, try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and swimming in Galena’s heated indoor pool in winter. In summer, fish and kayak in the river and lakes in the area.

Although you can’t drive to Galena, reaching the village is easy via multiple daily flights from Fairbanks or Anchorage to Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport. The Fairbanks flight is slightly over 1 hour and the Anchorage flight is just under 3 hours. In summer, travel on the Yukon River by boat or barge between Galena and neighboring towns. In winter, the Yukon becomes a frozen highway for navigation by ATV, snowmobile and dog sled.

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Westmark Anchorage Hotel
3 out of 5
720 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK
The price is NT$7,092 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
NT$7,092
NT$7,943 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"I thought there was a shuttle to the airport but that was not available although not a problem to get a taxi. The room was comfortable, and the view was a surprise looking at the water view in Anchorage."

Reviewed on 2025/7/5

Westmark Anchorage Hotel
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
3 out of 5
4411 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
The price is NT$8,152 per night from Jul 12 to Jul 13
NT$8,152
NT$9,131 total
Jul 12 - Jul 13
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,020 reviews)
"Quick and friendly check in"

Reviewed on 2025/7/6

Wyndham Garden Anchorage Airport
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Puffin Inn of Anchorage
2 out of 5
4400 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Anchorage. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,819 reviews)
"The staff was extremely helpful and very kind."

Reviewed on 2025/7/8

Puffin Inn of Anchorage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
3 out of 5
17351 E Michele Drive, Talkeetna, AK
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Talkeetna. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (396 reviews)
"Very nice place. I would highly recommend it."

Reviewed on 2025/7/7

Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
3.5 out of 5
1/10th Mile Lester Road, Healy, AK
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Healy. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tri-Valley Community Library and Black Diamond ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (434 reviews)
"A week in Alaska. This was by far our favorite stay. Quiet, exceptionally clean and well stocked. Cute Cabin with firm beds, easy access to main road."

Reviewed on 2025/7/2

Denali Tri-Valley Cabins
North Star Place
North Star Place
3.5 out of 5
1313 22nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Fairbanks. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (112 reviews)
"Very clean and easy access to the city."

Reviewed on 2025/6/24

North Star Place
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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