Alaska is known as the last frontier for its vast expanses of rugged beauty. With more than a dozen mountain ranges, thousands of miles of coastline, and glaciers as far as the eye can see, it is no surprise that this incredible land will take your breath away at every turn.
Getting to some of these locations is as easy as driving to the end of town, while others require trips by boat, by air, or even traversing through one of the most dense populations of grizzly bears in the world.
So, let’s pack our bags and hit the trail to see some of Alaska’s most stunning places.
Denali National Park
There is no way that North America’s tallest mountain won’t be first on any list of scenic places to visit in Alaska. Getting to Denali isn’t difficult as there are trains, roads, and trails that lead to spectacular viewpoints.
The real challenge is guessing the weather as the mountain is often shrouded by clouds. Some estimates put the chances of seeing Denali on any given day at only 20%! It is worth sticking around at the viewpoints, as the conditions can change from socked-in to clear in the blink of an eye.
Kenai Fjords National Park
While Denali is the most well-known natural sight in Alaska, it is often Kenai Fjords National Park that leaves visitors breathless with its natural beauty.
This area truly has it all, with towering cliffs, abundant wildlife, up-close views of glaciers, and stunningly turquoise waters.
The best way to see all the park has to offer is on a boat tour, but if that is out of your budget, then you can still hike to Exit Glacier to get an up-close look at this massive river of ice.
Glacier Bay National Park
For most visitors to Glacier Bay National Park, the trip is made aboard cruise ships, which navigate to tidewater glaciers, around icebergs, and past the wildlife that call this incredible natural landscape home.
Here, even aboard massive cruise ships, you’ll feel dwarfed by the sheer scale of the ice-covered mountains that tower overhead.
Watch the faces of the glaciers as you may catch huge chunks of ice calving into the icy waters below.
Hubbard Glacier
Imagine standing in front of a wall of ice that towers 40 stories overhead and stretches for six miles. That is what it is like to visit Hubbard Glacier, which sits near the remote town of Yakutat, Alaska.
This massive glacier (we can’t understate just how truly large this glacier is) is another favorite among cruise line passengers, as the boats will take them to within half a mile of the face.
Calving icebergs and shifting sands on the seafloor make approaching any closer a dangerous proposition!
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is one of the easiest sights to visit in Alaska, as it sits at the edge of town in Juneau. While the glacier isn’t as visible as it once was from the visitor center, there are trails that will take you to better overlooks and the impressive Nugget Falls.
Those looking for a little adventure can take longer trails that lead to overlooks where you can take in the full 13-mile length of this mighty icefield.
Seward Highway
During the summer season, the Seward Highway comes alive with locals and visitors alike making the trek between Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula, and, ultimately, Seward.
Along the way, the road will take you along Turnagain Arm, through mountain passes, and past massive lakes. With numerous turnouts, there are plenty of places to stop to stretch your legs and take in the incredible views that punctuate this corner of the state.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest park in the national park system yet also one of the least visited. And most of the visitors who do make their way here don’t venture any further than the abandoned mines past McCarthy.
Adventurers who want to see all the park has to offer will have to do so by plane or with some very rugged backpacking, as there are virtually no roads or trails once you’re inside the park’s boundaries.
Those who do make the trek will be treated to a truly Alaskan experience of wild rivers and rugged mountain ranges.
Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the country. The only access to it is by boat or plane. Once there, visitors are treated to one of the most amazing natural sights in the world.
Here, Alaskan Brown Bears gather by the dozens to feast on salmon as they make their way upriver to spawn. The bears are so singularly focused on the salmon that they will frequently walk directly past park guests without so much as looking at them.
With elevated viewing platforms you’ll be able to watch the bears in action as they catch salmon out of midair as they try to jump the falls.
Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass is a playground for locals and visitors alike, with miles of hiking trails, scenic cabins, abundant berry picking, skiing, and more.
The area is also home to abandoned mines, the wreckage of a military plane, and multi-day hut-to-hut backpacking routes.
No matter which activity you choose, you’ll be blown away by the sheer beauty of this rugged yet accessible region.
Skagway and White Pass
Get an up-close look at one of the consequential events in Alaska’s history with a train trip that leads visitors up and over White Pass out of Skagway. It was here that folks looking to strike it rich during the gold rush lugged hundreds and even thousands of pounds of gear up and over the mountains.
Today, you’ll be able to take an easier route over the same mountains and enjoy the views of this beautiful region.
Northern Lights
During the cold winter months in Alaska, the skies over the interior frequently come to life as the aurora borealis dances overhead. Photographers will make the trek out into the cold to brave subzero temperatures in hopes of capturing these magical sights.
While the northern lights can occur all across Alaska, one of the best places to view them is around Fairbanks in the dead of winter when the nights are long and dark.
