Best Backpacking in Alaska

Looking for the best backpacking in Alaska? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Alaska. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the incredible Outbound community.

Hike Byron Glacier

To begin on this adventure, you first have to find the trailhead. Drive out on the highway to Girdwood, and turn left at the sign that says "Portage Glacier". Towards the end of the road, it Ys and you take a right, then another right. Follow this...

Hike to the Crow Pass Cabin

Climb 3 miles from the parking lot at the Crow Creek Trailhead to Crow Pass. Waiting for you at Crystal Lake is the quaint A-frame Forest Service Cabin, along with an amazing view of Crystal Lake. The cabin sits just 500 feet off of the main tra...

6 miles 2080 ft gain

Hike Reed Lakes, AK

The trail head starts at the small unpaved parking lot which is free, (it was very full though because of berry picking). The trail starts off wide and flat as you walk through a beautiful valley surrounded by trees and giant granite mountain peak...

18 miles 1850 ft gain

Hut to Hut Across Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains

Cooling temps and changing colors often prompt us to squeeze in one more trip. And in the mountains of Alaska, it really is a squeeze. The time from peak fall colors to the first snow cover can be as short as a week. This autumn we chose to expand...

31 miles 4800 ft gain

Hike the Stampede Trail to the Magic Bus

* Updated June 18, 2020: Due to safety concerns, the bus has been removed from this location.The trail to the Magic Bus is roughly 18.6 miles long and starts at the point where you no longer can drive, which is typically Eightmile Lake. Offroad ve...

37.2 miles 1271 ft gain

Summit Igloo Mountain

Make no mistake, this is a unkempt, social trail. Starting at the base of the mountain at the McKinley Park Road sign for Big Creek/Igloo Mountain Campground, begin hiking northeast towards a faint social trail heading up the mountain. Once you re...

4 miles 4200 ft gain

Hike the Crow Pass National Historic Trail

Starting at an elevation of 600 feet from the Eagle River Nature Center, the trail runs through the Eagle River Valley and climbs over Crow Pass to Girdwood.The trail follows the river for almost 12 miles before requiring a ford. Fords can be very...

22.6 miles 3100 ft gain

Hike to Rabbit Lake & McHugh Peak

Rabbit lake and McHugh peak easy way in trail starts at Canyon Road off DeArmoun. This road is still not completely paved and I recommend you drive slow. You must arrived early to obtain parking spots on the weekends otherwise you'll be fine. Park...

5 miles 200 ft gain

Camp at Chugach State Park

All trails start from the Eagle River Nature Center, located in the Chugach Forest. There are many different trails and loops (from less than a mile to 25 miles), so no matter your experience, there is a good trail for you. A trail map of the area...

3 miles

Hike the Gold Mint Trail

Hiking through this valley really shows off the amazing landscape of Alaska.The trailhead starts at mile 13.7 on Hatcher Pass Rd. There is a big parking lot ($5 for a day pass). The trail has mile markers for the first 5 miles and is fairly well g...

16 miles

Hike to Alaska's Mint Hut

Start your adventure by driving 1.5 hours north of Anchorage to the Gold Mint Trailhead about 20 mins away from the town of Palmer. Pay for parking, there is a day fee and a camping (choose either depending on your ambitions). This trail can be b...

9 miles 2500 ft gain

Backpack Wickersham Dome

The trailhead is 28 miles on the Elliott Highway outside of Fox. It is clearly marked with a great parking area. A maintained outhouse facility is on the far side of the parking lot and is highly recommended before hitting the actual trail.The t...

7 miles

Browse All Adventures