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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Nondalton, Alaska
Camp at Woodward Priest Rock
Someone in my group was lucky enough to find this very cabin available to stay at in the national park, while we all were doing our research for camping spots in our big Alaska National Parks' Trip. We were stoked to be able to stay at such a historic and beautiful place. Getting there was defini...Read more -
Skagway, Alaska
Backpack the Chilkoot Trail
4.533 mi / 6800 ft gainThe Chilkoot Trail follows the access route from the Alaskan coast to the Yukon goldfields used during the Klondike gold rush. You can get to Skagway via road (from Whitehorse), flight, or ferry (from Juneau). Whale spotting on a ferry from Juneau is a great way to start the trip! There are 9 of...Read more -
Chitina, Alaska
Hike the Root Glacier to the Donoho Lakes
5 mi / 500 ft gainTraversing the glacier can be a whole day experience in and of itself. Make sure to set aside enough time to explore. I'd plan on at least 3-4 hours total travel time round trip on the glacier alone. The Donoho Lakes are a series of lakes that exist on a narrow strip of flat land between two glac...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 -
Kodiak, Alaska
Hike Spruce Cape
1.4 miThis hike is 1.4 mile out and back hike that leads to great island views and a fun beach to explore. This is one of the easiest hikes on Kodiak Island. Accessible in all seasons with a well groomed trail, minimal gear is needed, making it more of a nice walk that can be accomplished at all times ...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
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 -
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 -
Healy, Alaska
Savage Alpine Trail
4.54 mi / 1417 ft gainSavage Alpine Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a river located near Denali National Park, Alaska.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 -
Healy, Alaska
Camp at Teklanika River Campground
Teklanika campground offers a place to camp where you really get to experience Denali with very few people around. The campground sits right along the Teklanika River with incredible hikes and views of the park. Vehicles are not allowed past Mile 15 at the Savage River point, but if you are campi...Read more -
Cooper Landing, Alaska
Hike to the top of Slaughter Gulch
5 mi / 2600 ft gainSlaughter Gulch Trail is a leg-busting 2600' ascent up Slaughter Mountain in Cooper Landing, Alaska. Covering only a few miles, the trail is steep and quite rocky in some places, requiring the use of trekking poles, all fours, or impeccable balance. Start off early at the small parking lot near t...Read more -
Cooper Landing, Alaska
Paddle on Kenai Lake
I set off down the road towards “the lake I saw on the way in that was really blue”. From Seward, AK I knew that Kenai Lake was along State Highway 9, our only road out of town. It was deceiving to see the south end of the lake about 10 miles outside of Seward- but I found that the most accessibl...Read more -
Juneau, Alaska
Ride Mount Robert's Tramway
Mount Robert's Tramway offers amazing views from the air, as well as saves you a trek up the mountain side. There are numerous trails to choose from once you get to the top, or just enjoy the ride. You can also visit the nature center to learn more about the wildlife and culture of Alaska.Read more -
Ketchikan, Alaska
Explore Historic Creek Street
Creek Street is a historic boardwalk that is on the bank of Ketchikan Creek. You can take a stroll along the boardwalk and venture over to the Salmon Ladder Vista, to see loads of salmon working hard to go upstream. If you are luck, you might be able to see the creek swarming with salmon trying...Read more -
Ketchikan, Alaska
Stroll through City Park
Ketchikan Creek runs right through city park! You can explore the creek, and even see fish swim by. The Totem Heritage Center is also located in the park, and offers both indoor and outdoor totem poles to marvel at. You can see how tall you are in comparison to a totem pole. This park has many b...Read more
