- Riverboat Discovery Cruise Fairbanks
Climb aboard a classic Chena River sternwheeler to experience the living history of Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Things to Do in Fairbanks
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Rates & dates, departure times, availability.
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For decades, riverboats like the Discovery III sternwheeler ran the big rivers of Alaska's interior. They hauled freight and passengers, linked distant communities and helped build new ones. Today the boat takes visitors on a unique tour to explore that history and see firsthand some of Alaska's quintessential pastimes.
Experience some of Alaska's quintessential pastimes.
The stately Discovery III has three decks with comfortable indoor seating, and a fourth top deck with open-air seating. The large red paddlewheel splashing at the stern propels the boat on its journey down the Chena River. It's right on the water shortly after leaving Steamboat Landing that guests see their first Alaskan demo. A bushplane on floats takes off alongside the boat, banking in a long arc until it loops back and lands again. The pilot talks about the wild life of bush flying in Alaska before the boat continues downstream. The next stop is an exuberant sled dog demo at the riverside kennels of late four-time Iditarod musher Susan Butcher.
Upon reaching the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers, guests disembark for a walking tour of a Chena Indian Village. Native Alaskan guides lead groups to see spruce cabins, caches, smokehouses, and crafts created by Athabascans native to interior Alaska. After spending time further exploring the village on their own, guests board the boat for a return ride up the Chena River.
The Riverboat Discovery Cruise includes a bush plane demo, sled dog demo, and Chena Indian Village tour. There is a small giftshop and galley selling snacks, drinks, ice cream, and hearty lunch boxes on the boat. The tour returns to the Steamboat Landing where guests can visit the Discovery Trading Post, the largest Alaskan souvenir shop in Fairbanks .
What to Bring
Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. Most of the tour is conducted outside, so bring a light coat or rain jacket if necessary.
Special Instructions
Guests must check in at the Steamboat Landing station at least 30 minutes prior to the tour departure to exchange their voucher for a boarding pass.
Transfers & Meeting Points
The Riverboat Discovery Cruise is just five minutes from the Fairbanks airport and 20 minutes from downtown Fairbanks. Many local hotels offer shuttles to the Riverboat Discovery. Guests must coordinate their own transportation to the tour.
Riverboat Discovery Cruise 1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.
Child rates apply to children under the age of 13. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap.
| Dates | Adult | Child | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/1/25 (Su) to 8/31/25 (Su)6/1/25 (Su) to 8/31/25 (Su) | Adult: $95.00 | Child: $53.00 | Infant: $0.00 |
Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.
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| Depart | Location |
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| Depart: 8:45 AM | Location: |
| Depart | Location |
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| Depart: 2:00 PM | Location: |
SHOW MAP >
With the 2021 summer season still taking shape, some tour providers may not yet have their operating dates set. Availability on AlaskaTravel.com reflects the most current information and is updated daily. Please contact us if you have questions about this tour.
Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.
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Quick Facts
- Duration 3 Hours
- Options AM, PM
- Operating Dates Daily from 6/1/2025 to 8/31/2025
- Activity Level Less Active
What's Included
- Guided tour through an Athabascan village.
- Passage on a classic sternwheeler riverboat.
- Bush plane and sled dog demonstrations.
- Complimentary coffee and fresh donuts.
Guest Feedback
"We loved this! They made what might look like an ordinary river come alive! This was in our "Top 3 Attractions" list!"
~Ron from Illinois~
Photo Gallery
RiverBoat Discovery Information
DINING OPTIONS
We have various dining options on Steamboat Landing and Discovery III:
CHENA VILLAGE LIVING MUSEUM
Be immersed in frontier living first hand with a guided walking tour of an Athabascan village. You’ll see an Athabascan village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, a primitive spruce bark hut and fur pelts. Our guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate. They will also share how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century.
At the end of your guided tour, you will have time to explore the village on your own, interact with our guides and visit dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel.
INTERNATIONAL SCRIPTS
A family business
The Binkley family’s steamboating tradition goes back over 100 years and five generations. In 1898, when Charles M. Binkley hiked over the Chilkoot Pass with other stampeders, he was not so much in search of gold as he was the chance to build and operate boats on the Yukon and its tributaries. He became a respected pilot and boat builder in the North. His son, Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940's.
As transportation systems changed in the north, railroads and airplanes began to carry much of the freight. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began a river excursion business focusing on sharing their love of Alaska and its culture with visitors. Over the coming years, Captain Jim and Mary B’s business grew from the Godspeed, a 25 passenger vessel, to the Discovery III, a 900 passenger vessel. Today, Captain Jim’s grandchildren run the company and Mary B is still active in the business.
In addition to growing their sternwheel business, the Binkley’s have added a gold mining attraction: Gold Dredge 8. The family has developed a tour in the heart of the gold fields where the first gold strikes attracted miners from the Klondike. They have incorporated large scale industrial mining and the smaller 'Mom and Pop' side of mining into an all-encompassing tour that also features the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad.
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1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, AK 99709
1-866-479-6673
907-479-6673
Feedback Page
Gold Dredge 8
Captain Jim's Salmon
Adventure Green Alaska
Alaska Travel Industry Association
Explore Fairbanks
PVA Green Waters
Trip Advisor
Trail Breaker Kennel
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Many of our Riverboat Discovery guests arrive via taxi or shuttle. We do not recommend taking a taxi to our Gold Dredge 8 location. It is outside of town and a taxi would be quite expensive. We recommend either renting a car or checking into a shuttle service such as Go North (907-452-9999) or Airlink (907-452-3337).
Riverboat Discovery is at Riverboat Discovery. ALASKA RESIDENTS! Get 40% off Riverboat Discovery & Gold Dredge 8 tickets! Sale starts Monday! Tickets are non refundable and must be used during the 2022 season. (Link in bio to book online) We can't wait to see you this summer! Your three-hour tour will take you into the heart of Alaska and a ...
Riverboat Discovery. SEASONAL BUSINESS open May 10, 2024 to September 21, 2024. Two tours daily departing at 8:45AM & 2:00PM. Please call ahead if visiting in May or September. This is more than just a boat ride! Board the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery for one of the most unique Alaskan experiences available!
Riverboat Discovery: Worth the Money - If You Have Discount Tickets - See 2,505 traveler reviews, 822 candid photos, and great deals for Fairbanks, AK, at Tripadvisor. ... Worth the Money - If You Have Discount Tickets. Review of Riverboat Discovery. Reviewed September 2, 2011 .
View on Map. 1975 Discovery Drive Fairbanks, AK 99709. By Car: The Riverboat Discovery is located minutes away from the Fairbanks International Airport. Take Airport Way west toward the airport, turn right onto Dale Road, the access road, and follow the signs to their property. Guests will board the Riverboat Discovery at Steamboat Landing.
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Travel Specials & Discounts. Destinations. Destinations Overview. Maps. Cities & Towns. National Parks & Public Lands. Regions. Visitor Centers. Alaska Travel Specials. Image. ... Riverboat Discovery Interior (907) 479-6673. 1975 Discovery Drive. Fairbanks, AK 99709. Months. J F M A M J J A S O N D.
The Riverboat Discovery Cruise is just five minutes from the Fairbanks airport and 20 minutes from downtown Fairbanks. Many local hotels offer shuttles to the Riverboat Discovery. Guests must coordinate their own transportation to the tour. 1975 Discovery Drive.
Riverboat Discovery. SEASONAL BUSINESS open May 11, 2022 to September 17, 2022. Two tours daily departing at 8:45AM & 2:00PM. Please call ahead if visiting in May or September. More than just a boat ride! Board the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery for one of the most unique Alaskan experiences available! This three-hour cruise will take you ...
Riverboat Discovery. SEASONAL BUSINESS open May 10, 2024 to September 21, 2024. Two tours daily departing at 8:45AM & 2:00PM. Please call ahead if visiting in May or September. This is more than just a boat ride! Board the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery for one of the most unique Alaskan experiences available!
In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began a river excursion business focusing on sharing their love of Alaska and its culture with visitors. Over the coming years, Captain Jim and Mary B's business grew from the Godspeed, a 25 passenger vessel, to the Discovery III, a 900 passenger ...
One of the most popular attractions in Fairbanks, Alaska, is the Riverboat Discovery Tour. This 3-hour tour dives into the history and culture of the Alaskan people. Visitors tour an Athabascan village and learn how these Alaskans survived for 10,000 years. They visit the home of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher and learn ...
The experience was enlightening, educational and the view was spectacular. Helpful. See 1,319 more reviews on Tripadvisor. Half-day Tours in Fairbanks: Check out 1574 reviews and photos of Viator's Riverboat Discovery Tour.
Riverboat Discovery, Fairbanks, Alaska. 4,117 likes · 61 talking about this · 20,134 were here. 2024 Dates of Operation: May 10th-September 21st Tour Times: 8:45AM & 2:00PM Duration: Three hours
Itinerary. You'll start at. 1975 Discovery Dr. 1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA. See address & details. 1. Riverboat Discovery. Stop: 3 hours - Admission included. Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations.
Itinerary. You'll start at. 1975 Discovery Dr. 1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA. See address & details. 1. Riverboat Discovery. Stop: 3 hours - Admission included. Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations.
Riverboat Discovery, Fairbanks: See 2,437 reviews, articles, and 762 photos of Riverboat Discovery, ranked No.71 on Tripadvisor among 71 attractions in Fairbanks. ... Do you do group discounts. atrptaker. Lake Tahoe (California), CA 55 contributions. Hi! We were a part of a cruise line group thru Royal Caribbean cruises. Simply the BEST!
Specialties: Discovery awaits. For thousands of years, rivers have shaped our lands and the way that we live on them, and for five generations the Binkley family has made the rivers of Alaska their way of life. This unique three-hour tour aboard the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery will take you into the golden heart of Alaska as you discover our history, our culture, and our people. Meet ...
The Discovery III departs twice daily between mid-May and mid-September, at 8:45 a.m. and at 2 p.m. A third tour departs at 6:30 p.m. on selected days throughout the season. Cost is $49.95 for adults; and $34.95 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 ride for free.
Itinerary. You'll start at. 1975 Discovery Dr. 1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA. See address & details. 1. Riverboat Discovery. Stop: 3 hours - Admission included. Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations.
Approximately 7 1/2 hours. Price From. $169.95 Per Person. Easy Activity Level. Meal Provided. Shopping Opportunities. Wheelchair Accessible. Board the only remaining authentic Alaska sternwheeler for a cruise along the Chena and Tanana rivers in Chena River State Recreation Area. During this narrated cruise, you will witness the unique line ...
Approximately 5 hours. Price From. $99.95 Per Person. Snack Included. Easy Activity Level. Family Friendly. Wheelchair Accessible. Enjoy a cruise on the Chena and Tanana rivers aboard an authentic sternwheeler and watch a bush pilot take off and land from a riverbank landing strip. From late June through early August, these waters teem with salmon.
You'll start at. 1975 Discovery Dr. 1975 Discovery Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA. See address & details. 1. Riverboat Discovery. Stop: 3 hours - Admission included. Your three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations.