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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

  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike Byron Glacier

    4.8
    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 road, and the first parking lot on your right is ...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike up Flattop Mountain

    4.0
    3.4 mi / 1300 ft gain
    This moderate to difficult climb starts at 2200 feet and gets progressively difficult as you get closer to the top. It will cost $5(cash or card) to park at the Glen Alps Trailhead where you will find a set of well maintained trails accessing different parts of the valley including O'mally Peak.F...
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  • Healy, Alaska

    Hike the McKinley Bar Trail

    5.0
    McKinley 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...
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  • Seward, Alaska

    Hike Exit Glacier

    4.8
    It's hard to fathom how massive some Alaskan glaciers can be. But spend a day hiking along one and you'll start to get an idea of how much ice there is in Alaska. The Exit Glacier is a small tongue of glacier from the Harding Ice Field that comes down to almost sea level.Drive the Exit Glacier Ro...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike Winner Creek Gorge

    4.7
    6 mi
    Most 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...
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  • Glacier View, Alaska

    Hike Matanuska Glacier

    4.8
    The glacier is adjacent to the Glenn Highway at milepost 101. Located about 93 miles northeast of Anchorage. There is a $20 entry fee where you can park your car and take a quick hike to the glacier. A campsite is located at the entrance if you care to stay overnight, but this can be done in an a...
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  • Juneau, Alaska

    Hike the Mendenhall Glacier

    4.8
    8 mi
    The Mendenhall Glacier, formerly known as Sitaantaagu ("the Glacier Behind the Town"), is a 12 mile long glacier about 12 miles outside Alaska’s capital Juneau. A quick drive from downtown Juneau to the ‘trailhead’ parking lot finds you overlooking the nearly half a mile wide face of the glacier....
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  • Palmer, Alaska

    Hike Reed Lakes, AK

    5.0
    18 mi / 1850 ft gain
    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 peaks. The trail changes to an upward climb with lots...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike O'Malley Peak

    5.0
    9 mi / 2200 ft gain
    Parking 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...
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  • Palmer, Alaska

    Hut to Hut Across Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains

    31 mi / 4800 ft gain
    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 on a popular trek in the Talkeetna Mountains nort...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Hike the South Fork Valley Trail, AK

    5.0
    The trail head starts out with a small climb but levels out shortly. The trail winds through forest at first, then opens up to beautiful Alaskan landscape. You cross a few bridges over small streams and rivers and hike by some turquoise ponds, then eventually come to a boulder field. It is about ...
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  • Healy, Alaska

    Horseshoe Lake Loop

    5.0
    2.45 mi / 499 ft gain
    Horseshoe Trail is located inside of Denali National Park in Alaska. This area provides a ton of lakes, open meadows, and free ranging wildlife, such as moose, grizzly bears, and caribou. Starting at the parking lot near the railroad tracks, you follow the tracks south until you see the Horsesho...
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  • Healy, Alaska

    Summit Igloo Mountain

    3.76 mi / 2385 ft gain
    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 reach the first false peak approximately 1/3 of your...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Thunderbird Falls

    4.2
    1.98 mi / 404 ft gain
    Thunderbird Falls is just 1 mile from the parking area off the Glenn Highway. The trail starts off with climb but quickly levels off. It skirts the Eklutna Canyon through a birch forest with viewing decks overlooking the cayon and falls. The trail splits near the end. If you stay to the right yo...
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  • Anchorage, Alaska

    Bird Ridge Trail

    5.0
    4.71 mi / 3248 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Palmer, Alaska

    Explore Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass

    4.7
    1.5 mi
    If 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...
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Camping and Lodging in Alaska

Guides, Insights and Stories from Alaska

The 5 Best Ways To Explore Alaska This Summer

The 5 Best Ways To Explore Alaska This Summer

Natalie Morawietz

8 Reasons Why I Returned To Alaska

8 Reasons Why I Returned To Alaska

Jacob W. Frank

These photographers set out to film the aurora borealis from the edge of space

These photographers set out to film the aurora borealis from the edge of space

Kyle Frost

The Perfect Weekend Getaway from Anchorage

The Perfect Weekend Getaway from Anchorage

Natalie F

Truly Wild: Explore Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Truly Wild: Explore Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Sara Sheehy

An Alaskan Adventure: A Guide to Kenai Fjords NP

An Alaskan Adventure: A Guide to Kenai Fjords NP

Maggie Donohoo