Check out this list of the 15 best things to do in Alaska if you dream of an unforgettable trip to the largest US state and the least populated delights with its wildness, nature, and animals. Here you can admire the highest peak in North America, Denali, which rises 20,310 feet above sea level. You can explore Alaska’s glaciers, and there are more than 100,000. Also, you can hike through the mountains, camp in the wilderness, or cross the Arctic Circle.
If you love wildlife, Alaska is one of the best places in the US to observe brown bears, caribou, moose, bald eagles, or marine animals: humpback whales, seals, or sea otters. This list will inspire you and help you plan your Alaska itinerary in detail.
15 Best Things to do in Alaska
Enjoy the Homer Spit
Our list will start at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula – the 4.5-mile-long Homer Spit. It is one of the most stunning places in Alaska, with such exciting things to do in Homer that it’s hard to list them all. You need to spend a few days here to explore the area.
One of the best activities in Homer is a wildlife cruise in Kachemak Bay, a halibut fishing cruise, kayaking, walking on Homer beaches, and strolling a fantastic boardwalk full of galleries, art, crafts, bars, and restaurants. Make sure to eat oysters, halibut, or salmon, the best in the world. And drink beer with the locals and tack a dollar to a wall in the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon.
Explore Kenai Fjords National Park
From Homer, head to Seward, home to Kenai Fjords National Park. You won’t be bored in this town. One of the best things to do in Seward is undoubtedly the wildlife cruises, during which, depending on the season, you can admire the fjords, glaciers, and lots of marine animals such as humpback whales, seals, and sea otters. There are also exciting hiking trails here. You can explore one of Alaska’s most popular glaciers – Exit Glacier. Easy and short hikes are Glacier View Loop Trail and Glacier Overlook Trail. The most challenging is the Harding Icefield Trail, which is an 8.2-mile out-and-back day hike.
Hike the Alaska Glaciers
Five percent of Alaska is covered by ice year-round, by nearly 100,000 glaciers. However, only 664 glaciers have their names. You can walk them, hike them, climb them. You can explore them at different difficulty levels, and it’s one of the most thrilling things to do in Alaska. Moreover, you can take scenic flights with landing on the glacier. One of the most accessible glaciers to walk on with a guide in Alaska is the Matanuska Glacier, which is only a 2-hour scenic drive north of Anchorage. Portage Glacier via Portage Pass Trail in Whittier is great for exploring independently. You can take the panoramic 2-mile Byron Glacier Trail from Girdwood. And if you plan to visit Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is one of this area’s most recognizable and best glaciers.
Take a Bear Viewing Trip to Brooks Falls
Do you dream of observing or photographing brown bears in their natural habitat? Have you seen pictures of bears standing on the edge of a waterfall with red salmon in their teeth, and you are wondering where they were taken? No doubt in Alaska. These are the famous Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. It is home to over 2,000 brown bears, and you have a 100% chance that you spot them in this park during the season from June to mid-September. But it takes work to get there, so check out how to plan a trip to Katmai National Park step by step, as bear-watching is one of the best things to do in Alaska.
Try Sea Kayaking in Valdez
If you like water sports, try canoeing. One of the best things to do in Alaska is sea kayaking among glaciers. And one of the best places to do this activity is the harbor town of Valdez. This town offers extremely picturesque views, wonderfully glaciers, and hiking trails, but a kayaking trip with a guide is one of the most exciting attractions. Rowing in the waters of the glacier is dangerous, so be sure to listen to the guide’s instructions. In good weather, you even have a chance to explore ice caves by kayak. It’s an authentic Alaskan adventure. Remember to dress warm, because the ice water beats the cold. Tour organizers provide waterproof pants, jackets, and shoes.
Go For a Hike in Hatcher Pass
Alaska is a paradise for mountain hikers with breathtaking scenery. There are thousands of trails. The most exciting you can find in the Hatcher Pass area. Hatcher Pass is easy to reach from Anchorage or Palmer, and you can spend a day or several days hiking, depending on your interests. Notably, a large part of the trails on Hatcher Pass are well marked and have different levels of difficulties, so definitely recommended for those who have no experience in the Alaskan wilderness. In addition, on the Independence Mine Trail, you can admire an old abandoned gold mine, one of the best preserved from the gold rush era. Other fascinating trails in the area include the April Bowl Loop via Hatch Peak, Skyscraper Mountain, Marmot Mountain, and Reed Lakes.
Visit the Abandoned Kennecott Copper Mine
Alaska is not only a gold deposit. The natural resources of this state are enormous: one of the world’s largest oil deposits, natural gas, uranium, platinum, tin, and copper ores. At the beginning of the 20th century, copper ore was mined in a copper mine hidden in the largest national park in the USA – Wrangell – St. Elias. Kennecott Copper Mine impresses with its wooden, red architecture against the background of mountains and glaciers. If you are interested in relics of the past and places of historical significance surrounded by extraordinary nature, add this mine to your Alaskan bucket list. Be sure also to go hiking nearby, especially hiking Root Glacier is a fantastic experience.
Camp in Denali National Park
One of the most beautiful things to do in Alaska is getting in touch with nature. It’s best to pitch a tent somewhere with a view of the mountains and enjoy the silence, sunrise, and sunset. One such place is Denali National Park. You can take a special permit and go backpacking around the park or stay at several NPS campgrounds. But for this adventure, you should be prepared because the park is home to bears, coyotes, and wolves. There is also no telephone or Internet coverage, nor any amenities, but you have extraordinary contact with nature.
Take a Flight over Denali with Glacier Landing
Another lifetime adventure in Alaska is to take a scenic flight from where you can admire North America’s highest mountain, Denali, which rises 20,194 feet above sea level. Moreover, you can also choose an option with a glacier landing and which glacier hike. You can book this trip at Talkeetna or Denali village.
Flights are very weather dependent and can be canceled during bad weather, so it’s worth giving yourself some extra time in the area so that you can fly the next day if necessary. If the weather does not improve, the organizers give back the money.
Go River Rafting in Talkeetna
One of the best things to do in Alaska is to visit the picturesque town of Talkeetna, which offers plenty of activities. This is where all climbing expeditions to the highest peak in North America start. Here you can go river rafting in the mountain scenery. But you will also find great hiking trails and fishing trips.
The town itself is worth a strolling, with the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum documenting all ascents of Denali and the area’s exciting gold rush history. Be sure to check out the galleries with works by local artists, try the local beer, and eat spinach bread.
Visit Husky Homestead
If you like dogs visiting one of the Husky Homesteads should be noticed on your trip to Alaska. You will learn about the vast importance of Huskies in Alaskan history. How often have dog sleds saved lives and brought help during the winter when everything is chained with snow and ice?
In such harsh conditions, only dog sleighs can provide the necessary supplies. Moreover, their role is still essential; many places in Alaska use dog sleds during the winter. But you can visit Husky Homesteads also in summer. You will find them in Denali, Talkeetna, or Fairbanks.
Soak in Chena Hot Springs
After all the Alaskan activities, mountain hiking, river rafting, or kayaking, if you feel that your muscles are tired and need rest, head to the Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks and take a dip in the hot springs. Your body will thank you for this beautiful relaxation surrounded by wild nature.
The muscles relax after a few minutes of soaking in a water temperature of 106 degrees F. It’s also one of the best places in Alaska to see the Northern Lights. At the resort, you can stay overnight in one of the hotel rooms or cabins or enjoy a daytime stay in the hot springs. There is also a great restaurant on site.
Ride the Scenic Alaska Railroad
An incredible adventure in Alaska is also a ride on the Alaska Railroad. The railroad’s main line is over 470 miles long and runs between Seward on the south coast and Fairbanks, passing through Anchorage and Denali National Park. Construction of the railroad began in 1903.
The scenery is breathtaking, and a trip like this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially if you’re traveling with kids. You can opt for the Denali Star Train, which starts in Anchorage and makes the 356-mile, 12-hour journey to Fairbanks, stopping in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali National Park. Or you can take the Coastal Classic Train from Anchorage to Seward via Girdwood.
Take a Scenic Flight over the Brooks Range
If you are in Fairbanks or are planning a Dalton Highway route, consider taking a scenic flight over the Brooks Range. You can take this trip from Fairbanks or Coldfoot Camp. It is a fantastic experience because these are some of the wildest mountains in Alaska.
The range is located in the least visited US national park – the Gates of the Arctic National Park. No roads lead to the park, so the trip requires preparation and experience. It also contains no services or amenities; it’s pure wilderness. Each visitor must be self-sufficient, as no help can be counted on in this remote park.
Drive the Dalton Highway
Driving the Dalton Highway is a road trip for lovers of gravel roads, but only if you have a 4WD car, two spare wheels, fuel, and food. This road runs past Fairbanks, crosses the Arctic Circle, and continues to Prudhoe Bay. It runs along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System all the time.
At the end of it, you can go on a trip to the Arctic Ocean. The route is considered one of the most dangerous in the USA and the world because, for 414 miles, it leads through the mountains on gravel. This is a technical route for delivery trucks. Services are limited on this highway, and not each rental allows you to drive this route, so make sure you can.
Conclusion
Alaska offers so many attractions that there needs to be more time to see everything you want to experience, no matter how long you plan to travel. The best time to travel to experience all things to do in Alaska listed above is during the summer months from June to mid-September.
But the weather in Alaska is fickle, so be prepared for it, and pack some warm stuff, a windproof jacket and hat, gloves, and a raincoat. Also, remember that this is the land of bears, so familiarize yourself with the safety rules if you encounter wildlife.
Author Bio: Agnes Stabinska
Agnes Stabinska is a content writer, photographer, and co-owner of The Van Escape blog. She loves wildlife, landscape photography, and outdoor adventures in national parks across the US. Alaska is her favorite state. Together with her partner Chris, she travels through the Americas. On their blog, you’ll find itineraries, tips, and essential resources to help you prepare for your escape to nature. The blog focuses on trip ideas to Alaska, US Southwest, and US Pacific Northwest, which they love most.
