Alaska
The untamed last frontier. While visiting Denali National Park is on many traveler's bucket list, and while it's well worth the trip there's no reason to stop there. Alaska is chock full of hiking, backpacking, packrafting, kayaking, rafting and more. It's truly difficult to put into words the scale and magnificence of an untamed Alaskan landscape -- you'll just have to see for yourself.
Top Spots in and near Alaska
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Yukon-Koyukuk, Alaska
Backpack Gates Of The Arctic National Park
25 mi / 2000 ft gainThe absolute most important part of planning a trip to Gates Of The Arctic is accepting the fact that you’ll be improvising for the majority of the experience. The park is larger than several US states, so remote that not a single road or hiking trail exists within the park, and the vast majority...Read more -
Chitina, Alaska
Summit Bonanza Peak, Wrangell-St. Elias NP
9 mi / 4000 ft gainThis journey begins at the northern terminus of the historic Kennecott Mines, following the Root Glacier trail to the north. Follow this trail between 1-2 miles until you reach a split in the trail. Follow the split to the southeast and continue along this trail until you reach another split. If ...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Camp and Kayak at Holgate Glacier's Beach
4.0There are many options to go about your adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park. Once you've finally decided on this spot, you'll be glad you chose it! First step on how to get here is by making a reservation with a company to get out there. Most people start from Seward or Homer, as it's the clo...Read more -
Gustavus, Alaska
Camp at Bartlett Cove Campground in Glacier Bay NP
5.01 miDepending on how you arrive to Gustavus, (which may or may not be the most difficult part of this adventure) you'll want to head to the Visitor Information Center at Bartlett Cove within the park to grab a free camping permit if you are there during the summer season and to sit through an orienta...Read more -
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Hike the Taiga Trail
1.6 mi / 298 ft gainThe trail is a quick and scenic 1.6 miles, with wonderful wild flowers and ample opportunities to see wildlife (along with the surrounding river valley and Alaska Range). The Taiga trail is best used from April to August. This trail also serves the purpose of connecting the visitor's center with ...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Kayak Aialik Glacier
If you're visiting Alaska, you're probably there to see glaciers, and Aialik Glacier is worth the money and time to see. Imagine a towering 1.5 mile wide glacier surrounded by rugged peaks and a thick green forest rising from the blue water. The chance to spot whales, puffins, sea lions, porpoise...Read more -
Fairbanks, Alaska
Snowshoe the Granite Tors Loop Trail
15 mi / 2900 ft gainThe Granite Tors Loop Trailhead is located at Milepost 39 on Chena River Road east of Fairbanks. It starts at about 700ft above sea level and climbs to about 3200ft, peaking around the 8 mile mark. The climb is slow and continuous adding to the difficulty of the hike.The Chena River State Recreat...Read more -
Kodiak, Alaska
Fly Fish the Buskin River
4.0The Buskin River Recreation Site provides camping, wildlife and an abundance of Salmon fishing. See Kodiak Bears, Bald Eagles, Sitka Deer, Harlequin Ducks and even harbor seals near the mouth. The Buskin River is best known for its fishing. From June until September, The Buskin is stocked with Sa...Read more -
Chitina, Alaska
Backpack to Stairway Icefall at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
14.4 mi / 2305 ft gainWe began our trek at the Kennecott Mines, which is a short van ride from the town of McCarthy, which is (semi) road accessible. I say semi because to get there you must drive 60 miles on a dirt road and park nearby the town, which is not road accessible, and cross a foot bridge. Once you've hau...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Drive along Turnagain Arm
5.0This stretch of highway is just as beautiful (if not more!) as the famous Pacific Coast Highway on the west coast. You truly couldn’t ask for more. Beautiful mountains, glaciers, and water provide the scenery here. There are dozens of pull off opportunities. The highway is marked with mile mar...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Mountain Bike at Kincaid Park
5.0Kincaid Park is a 1500 acre park in Anchorage that offers 25 miles of singletrack and a variety of trails. I'd recommend starting at the Raspberry trailhead to complete a big loop of the park. The trails are mostly super flowy, without any serious elevation gain. All-in-all a great place to ride ...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Eklutna Lake
This beautiful lake is fed by Eklutna Glacier. There is so much to do here: Rent bikes or kayaks (bring your own too). Info about renting is here. Relax around the lake. There is plenty of space here, walk along the lake and head to a more secluded area, or closer to the parking lot there...Read more -
Juneau, Alaska
Mount McGinnis
10.73 mi / 4226 ft gainAt a shop in Juneau, I saw a photo of from the top of a mountain that blew me away. I began searching and soon found that it was taken atop Mount McGinnis, one of Juneau's Big Five Summits. Juneau's Big Five are a list of front range summits that are Walk Up summits. Which, in other terms, mean...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
5.0You'll see tons of animals including bald eagles, bears, moose, muskox, lynx, reindeer, and wolves! It's a conservation center so they have a great mission. It is located in Portage Valley and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountain Range and the Turnagain Arm Inlet. Open 7 days a week, 10 am t...Read more -
Valdez, Alaska
Paddle Valdez Lake to Valdez Glacier
The end of the Airport Road just North of Valdez brings you to the side of the lake. Begin your adventure here, or just come check out the view and watch the icebergs float among the lake while you picnic in the parking area. Should you choose to approach the glacier, paddle Northwest. It to...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Hike Lazy Mountain
5.6 mi / 3000 ft gainMy sister and I with her dog did this great adventure after completing a Star Wars marathon and being pretty lazy on the couch. We wanted to get up and move our bodies, so we decided to check out this summit hike that ironically was named Lazy Mountain. This is a great hike for those that want a ...Read more
