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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Anchorage, Alaska
Hike Byron Glacier
4.8To 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 road, and the first parking lot on your right is ...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Hike the McKinley Bar Trail
5.0McKinley Bar Trail is a 5 mile roundtrip hike that is located 1/4 mile before Wonder Lake Campground. This hike is a great way to stretch your legs out after a long bus ride. This easy trail meanders through a spruce forest and past many small ponds before reaching the McKinley Bar on the McKinle...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike Winner Creek Gorge
4.76 miMost people will start this trail behind the Hotel Alyeska and parking is available there if you're not a guest spending the night. This trail can be broken down into 3 segments and the first section is .75 miles along many sections of boardwalk. It's all very flat and keeps you dry when the su...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Hut to Hut Across Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains
31 mi / 4800 ft gainCooling 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 on a popular trek in the Talkeetna Mountains nort...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Bird Ridge Trail
5.04.71 mi / 3248 ft gainThe trail begins at sea level and winds its way through the forest gradually, occasionally allowing a peek at the Turnagain Arm behind you. Once out of the treeline, the trail becomes much steeper, around dirt and rocks, but with the summit in sight it's easy to continue on, despite that stingin...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Explore Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass
4.71.5 miIf you've only got time to do a few things when in Alaska, make sure you visit Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass. It is open year round, and beautiful no matter the season. You can easily spend the entire day exploring the mine and surrounding area.The winter months fill the...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Climb Divide Mountain
6 mi / 2600 ft gainThe best time of year to do this is when the weather is cold and the river is low. I have had the best luck in late spring and early fall. If it's raining or really hot this hike won't be doable because the river will be impassable without a pack raft or a high skill level of river crossings. Sta...Read more -
Seward, Alaska
Climb Mount Alice
5.03 mi / 5265 ft gainThis hike starts at 0 feet elevation on the side of Resurrection Bay opposite of Seward. Travelling south from Anchorage, take a left turn onto Nash Road a couple of miles before getting into Seward itself. Follow Nash Road for a few miles, past campgrounds, etc. About a mile before reaching the ...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike Mt. Baldy in Chugach State Park
4.83 mi / 550 ft gainNestled in the mountains behind Eagle River, AK is Mt. Baldy. The hike to the top is an excellent choice if your time in Alaska is limited. The trailhead begins at the end of a spacious parking lot, which also offers some impressive views if any members of you party cannot make the climb. The tra...Read more -
Whittier, Alaska
Kayak Across Alaska's Prince William Sound
5.0The hundred mile paddle across PWS is a right of passage for Alaska kayakers. Like most big adventures in AK, it’s a daunting proposition to launch into what locals refer to as both beautiful and terrifying. Sometimes in the same sentence. At it’s best, you can paddle in a t-shirt and shorts, sto...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Explore the Knik Arm's Ice Fields
3.50.5 miAlaska's Knik Arm has an impressive tide. When out, the mudflats appear, and in the winter, massive, beautiful pieces of ice are left behind. The ice fields provide a great place for an easily accessible adventure. The ice chunks, coupled with the amazing views of the mountains to the east and th...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Camp at Chugach State Park
3 miAll 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 is available here.There are cabins located about ...Read more -
Palmer, Alaska
Reed Lakes Trail
5.011.35 mi / 2014 ft gainFor the hike along the Reed Lakes Trail, the first two miles are flat and then you gain the elevation pretty quickly in the next 2.5 miles. It's a great choice for an overnight adventure, or day hike. Some of the highlights include 2 glacier lakes, rocky granite mountain peaks, beautiful valley a...Read more -
Healy, Alaska
Hike the Eielson Alpine Trail, Denali NP
2 mi / 1000 ft gainTo get to this trailhead, you are going to have to take the Denali Park shuttle bus to the Eielson Visitor Center. The shuttle system is great, but it's also the only way you're going into the park in the summer months. Once you're on the bus, you can get out at any point, go for a hike, and catc...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike O'Malley Peak
5.09 mi / 2200 ft gainParking is at the Glen Alps trail head and costs $5 if you don't have a yearly pass which is $40 and lets you park at all the state parks without paying every time. This is also the same parking lot that you would use for the most hiked mountain in Alaska, Flat Top, so get there early to find a s...Read more -
Anchorage, Alaska
Hike to Rabbit Lake and the Suicide Peaks
4.710 miThe best part about this trail other than the stunning views is it's easy access from Anchorage; it is about a 20 minute drive from the center of town. You can access the trailhead by taking DeArmoun Road past Hillside Drive, when it soon turns into Canyon Road. You basically drive until the roa...Read more
