What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Marion Creek Falls Trail
The Marion Creek Falls Trail connects to the North Fork Trail and extends off of the Marion Creek Campground. At the end of the trail, you'll catch a glimpse of Marion Creek Falls.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Creamers Field Nature Trail
Located in Fairbanks on a historic dairy farm, the Creamers Field Nature Trail winds through an otherwise unchartered forest area that would not be accessible without the marked trail.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Granite Tors Trail
The Granite Tors Trail is a strenuous hike that requires overnight backpack camping, but it offers hikers spectacular views of granite formations made from molten rock that cooled over 70 million to 90 million years ago.
Length: 15 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Fishing & Boating
Marion Creek, which can be accessed right inside the Marion Creek Campground, is an excellent place for catching native Alaskan fish. Marion Creek itself extends for 179 miles and is full of Arctic grayling and small Dolly Varden species. The best times to fish in the creek are from July to September, as snow runoff makes it difficult for anglers to fish from March to June. If you plan on fishing at Marion Creek, be sure to have a valid fishing license issued by the state of Alaska and to follow any fishing regulations put in place at the time that you fish.
You may also enjoy boating in a canoe or kayak on the wider areas of Marion Creek. There are some landing areas in Marion Creek Campground for you to access the creek; however, keep in mind that there are no boat rentals at the campground, so be prepared with your boat and gear.
Picnicking
The North Fork Trail Shelter is a great place to stop when you'd like to indulge in a picnic. There are also some picnic tables set up at campsites in the Marion Creek Campground that you can use while camping. There are usually trash bins at the campground for you to use when cleaning up after yourself. There are none at the North Fork Trail Shelter, however, so come prepared with your own trash bags as necessary. Remember to never leave any food behind.
Stargazing
The Alaskan wilderness is the perfect location for stargazing and viewing the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Since the Marion Creek Campground is located in the northern half of Alaska, you'll have a front-row seat to the night sky without the interference of city lights. Keep in mind, though, that Alaska experiences cloudy nights often, so be sure to check the weather forecast and plan for long stargazing sessions when you're waiting for a break in cloud coverage.