Sweeping mountain vistas, incredible wildlife, and thrilling adventures that you’ll never forget await in America’s last frontier. Alaska is a destination rich in culture, dazzling scenery, and endless outdoor activities. You’ll be invigorated by the fresh air and wide-open spaces from the minute you arrive in the 49th state, where snow-capped mountains, pristine forest, mighty glaciers, and ocean beckon to be explored.
From exhilarating dog-sledding adventures and wildlife spotting excursions to incredible fishing trips and soaring scenic flights, there’s no shortage of ways to absorb Alaska’s natural beauty. With so many exciting adventures in Alaska, there’s something for every type of traveler, from hikers to photographers, wildlife spotters, and thrill-seekers.
Check off your Alaska bucket list with these nine once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan adventures.
Dog Sled Through the Wilderness
Juneau
Experiencing the iconic Alaskan tradition of dog-sledding is one of the state’s ultimate adventures, with deep cultural ties. Dog-sledding is one of the sports that Alaska is known for, with the punishing, 1,150-mile-long Iditarod race taking place every March.
Get a glimpse of life at the racing kennels, where you’ll have the opportunity to talk to the mushers and trainers, and meet adorable puppies. You’ll be whisked through the Alaskan wilderness in an authentic sled, in summer, with wheels rather than runners, with a chance to marvel at the gorgeous scenery.
Alternatively, take a helicopter to a glacier where you can get a taste of winter sled rides, even in summer, as eager teams of huskies race across the ice and snow. Popular destinations for dog-sledding in Alaska include Fairbanks, Denali, Juneau, Anchorage, and Seward.
Kayak on Glacier-Fed Lakes
Sitka
Kayaking in Alaska is one of the best ways to explore the pristine scenery. A little over 10 miles from the southeastern city of Juneau, you’ll uncover a paddler’s paradise at the beautiful Mendenhall Lake.
Chunks of ice bob in the milky blue water, breaking off the Mendenhall Glacier, which feeds the lake. You’ll paddle across the lake to within a safe distance of the glacier’s massive face, which creaks, rumbles, and occasionally calves into the water.
Look out for bald eagles, mountain goats, and even brown bears. You’ll also get close to Nugget Falls, a dramatic cascade tumbling down the rock face from a height of over 375 feet.
Another wonderful spot for kayaking is the Kenai fjords, close to Seward, a landscape of forested islands, snowy mountains, and tranquil waters rich in marine life. Join a kayak expedition with an experienced naturalist and glide through Resurrection Bay, looking out for colonies of seals, sea otters, humpback whales, bald eagles, and mountain goats.
Fish for Wild Salmon
Ketchikan
Fishing is one of the main activities for which Alaska is known. For a true bucket-list experience, head out on a deep-sea fishing expedition.
Get your sea legs aboard a deep-sea fishing vessel from Seward, on the Kenai Peninsula. Or hop aboard one of Ketchikan’s unique fishing vessels where you can learn how to crab and try long-line fishing on the Bering Sea. This region is known for halibut, but you’ll also have the chance to reel in salmon and black bass.
If you prefer to stay ashore and soak up the scenery, cast a line in one of the many pristine rivers or lakes. Popular spots include the Kenai River, located on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula. Enormous king salmon and sockeye salmon run here, and the Kenai River is extremely bountiful during summer in Alaska when anglers arrive in their dozens to fish, and bears come down to the water’s edge to feast.
Ketchikan
Fish the rich streams in Icy Strait Point, where you’ll have a chance to hook trout and several species of salmon. Unearth some of the best saltwater King salmon fishing in Sitka, as well as trout and char. Ketchikan, dubbed “salmon fishing capital of the world”, is another great spot where you’re likely to catch king and silver salmon.
Read: Where to Fish in Alaska
Hike in Denali National Park
Denali National Park
Explore one of the most ruggedly beautiful national parks in the United States, miles of forest and tundra against the towering backdrop of North America’s highest mountain.
Located in the midst of the jagged Alaska Range, the park’s diverse landscape makes it a hiker’s dream. It’s also one of the best places to visit if you’re interested in photographing Alaska and its abundant wildlife. The park is home to moose, caribou, grizzly and black bears, wolves, foxes, marmots, ptarmigan, and Dall sheep. You might spot golden or bald eagles, too, soaring above or keeping watch from the trees.
There are trails suited to every level of fitness. For a less challenging Alaskan hike that nonetheless has incredible scenery, head out on the Horseshoe Lake Trail, a two-mile hike that loops around Horseshoe Lake, with an opportunity to view a beaver dam and keep an eye out for beavers.
Or embark on the Savage Alpine Trail, a more challenging trek that stretches approximately four miles, across wild tundra, with some steep ascents and descents.
Walk on a Glacier
Denali National Park
Trekking on a glacier is easily one of the most exciting Alaskan adventures. Strap on your spikes and take a guided walk on top of a vast, slow-moving river of ice, as layer after layer of natural history unfolds before you.
Peer into bottomless crevasses and marvel at the vibrant blue striations. On many of Alaska’s glaciers, you can embark on this unique and incredible expedition, whether accessed by driving and hiking, or by climbing aboard a helicopter to reach more remote areas.
Near Juneau, you’ll find yourself transported to another world as soon as you land on the Taku Glacier. Hear about the history of the ancient glacier as you carefully venture along the surface. As Juneau’s largest glacier, Taku is the deepest within the area’s icefield.
Also located just outside of Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier is a popular destination for glacier trekking. A guided walk will have you exploring, learning, and even discovering mystical ice caves.
Exit Glacier, near Seward
Another popular hike in Alaska is Exit Glacier near Seward. This is one of the best places to visit in Alaska, especially for those looking to get up close to the glacier without gearing up and trekking on top of it. Located in Kenai Fjords National Park, this glacier is part of the vast Harding Icefield, with several trails above and beside it, allowing visitors to observe the icy splendor. Longer hikes will take you with a guide over the ice, too.
View Bears in Their Natural Habitat
Brown bear
Bear viewing in Alaska is one of the most exciting wildlife adventures you can have while exploring the Last Frontier. Venture from the city of Anchorage to the protected terrain of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, where you have a chance of some of the best bear sightings in the state.
Accessible only by boat or plane, this is a place of untouched, pristine wilderness. Traveling a little over an hour by floatplane provides a breathtaking perspective of the landscape from above.
Salmon spawn in the park’s rivers, and where there are salmon, there are bears. Observe brown and black bears fishing and playing in the waters of Cook Inlet. Viewing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat is a photographer’s dream. You should be able to see them from the end of May to mid-September.
Read: Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners
Embark on an Ocean Rafting Adventure
Sitka
Harness your inner adventurer in Alaska with an ocean rafting expedition. Explore the amazing volcanic coast around Sitka via high-speed boat, traveling at up to 50mph. Zoom to Kruzof and St. Lazaria Islands, where you’ll slow right down and have the opportunity to observe marine life and wild landscapes.
Marvel at rugged cliffs and sea caves, spot sea birds like cormorants and puffins, and view the famous Mount Edgecumbe Volcano. This resident dormant volcano of Sitka towers a little over 3,200 feet; the beauty of this sleeping giant is a fantastic photo opp.
If the weather allows, your boat driver may even venture into some of the sea caves shaped by Edgecumbe’s past eruptions. Keep your eyes out for other wildlife along the way too, as otters, sea lions, and whales are often spotted here.
Fly Over Mountains, Glaciers, & Fjords
Denali National Park
Flightseeing in Alaska is one of the most exciting ways to view the its sweeping landscapes. Whether in a floatplane or a helicopter, a scenic flight will have you soaring above unbelievable terrain and allow access to places you wouldn’t otherwise get to view.
Head north to the Arctic Circle with a flight out of the city of Fairbanks. Gain a bird’s eye view of remote Alaskan terrain as you fly 140 air miles over arctic tundra, the Yukon River, and the impressive snow-capped Brooks Range, inside the Arctic Circle, where you’ll land. The journey continues by road along the remote Dalton Highway to the community of Wiseman for an insight into how local people live in this harsh, remote setting.
Out of Anchorage or Talkeetna, scenic flights will land you on nearby glaciers for the ultimate authentic Alaskan flightseeing experience, or have you soaring over Denali National Park for a new perspective of North America’s tallest mountain. When the clouds part, the vast, ice-and-granite bulk of the mountain from the air is awe-inspiring.
For couples on an Alaska honeymoon, one of the most romantic things to do is to hop aboard a helicopter for a thrilling flight over Skagway, where your destination is a nearby glacier. Marvel at the expansive ice sheet and snowfield from above, before landing on Denver Glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Get Close to the Face of a Glacier
Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward
Alaska’s fjord-indented coast, carved by ancient glaciers, is often best admired from the water. Board the Katlian Express, a jet-powered catamaran, for an exhilarating ride through the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area near the capital city of Juneau.
Venture past South Sawyer Glacier under towering, 4,000-foot cliffs, and thundering Alaskan waterfalls. You’ll get up close to the glacier face and with luck, hear the pistol crack and roar as great chunks of ice calve off into the water. Keep an eye out for eagles, whales, and bears on your fjord adventure.
Explore the awe-inspiring Kenai Fjords National Park by boat, just outside of Seward. This is a fantastic spot for whale watching in Alaska, where you can spot orcas, grey, and humpback whales. In addition, you’ll have a good chance of seeing bald eagles, as well as seals and otters playing in the glassy waters of the fjords. You’ll sail close to the faces of enormous glaciers, admire striking mountains, and find yourself immersed in pristine nature.
Pan for Gold
Gold Dredge 8, near Fairbanks
Alaska has long been famous for its gold, and a visit to a former working dredge is a great way to learn about this precious metal and its connection to the state.
Gold Dredge 8, near Fairbanks, was active between 1928 and 1959, with a break during World War II, bringing wealth to the Tanana Valley and the city of Fairbanks. It opened again as a tourist attraction in 1984 and has been declared a National Engineering Landmark. A visit here is a chance to try panning for gold. You get to keep any specks—or better still, nuggets—that you find.
The visit starts with a ride on a replica of the old, narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad. Guides, with musical accompaniment, will tell you about the workings of the dredge before you arrive at the Mining Museum.
Gold Dredge 8, near Fairbanks
This fascinating museum contains exhibits that explain how gold is mined, a technique that’s had to be adapted to working with the almost permanently frozen soil of the tundra. Ice Age fossils were discovered on the site, some of which are on display.
You’ll also learn about the human side of dredging for gold. The original Alaskan miners were known as “sourdoughs” as they would carry flour and a sourdough starter with them when out in the wild, using nature’s water supply to bake their own bread for sustenance.
Fly on a Zipline at Icy Strait Point
ZipRider in Icy Strait Point Photo by Werner Bayer on Flickr, licensed under CC0 1.0
Icy Strait Point, on Chichagof Island, is the location of the world’s largest zipline, which is one of the best adventures in Alaska for those who love their thrills.
The Zip Rider starts at a dizzying 1,330 feet above sea level. Its six parallel zip wires mean you can “race” your friends and family as you fly down the mountainside, over the spruce, cedar, and hemlock trees, at exhilarating speeds of up to 60 mph.
The adventure starts with the ascent on the Mountaintop Gondola, with mesmerizing views of distant Glacier Bay and Icy Strait coming into vision as you get higher. At the launch platform, you’ll be kitted out in a safety harness and clipped onto the wire. Then, the gates open and you’re off, the wind whistling in your ears as you fly like an eagle. It’s all over in 90 seconds, but the rush is something you’ll never forget.
Read: Best Spots for Ziplining in Alaska
Learn About Totem Poles
Totem Bight State Historical Park
Totem Bight State Historical Park is a fascinating insight into the art and culture of the Tlingit and Haida people of the Inside Passage. Ten miles from Ketchikan, this 11-acre park, set in the lush Tongass Forest, houses a collection of recreated totems, as well as a Clan House.
Totem poles are an important symbol of the history, values, and identity of a tribe, using imagery of the animals from which the Alaskan Native people take inspiration. There are complex rituals involved in selecting a tree, usually a cedar, to be carved into a totem, and the narrative that the pole will communicate.
Totem Bight State Historical Park
This rich culture came under threat in the early 20th century, as villagers were leaving their traditional homes to seek work. The communities and the totem poles that adorned them fell into disrepair. In 1938, the U.S. Forest Service started to salvage the poles, using local tribespeople to restore them. What you see today are carefully created replicas, some now many decades old, each telling its own story. Pick up a guide to the collection, which tells you the story of each totem.
You’ll also see a replica Clan House, again, elaborately decorated, which would typically have housed between 30 and 50 people of the same clan, led by a chief, with each family occupying its own space but sharing communal facilities for cooking.
Relive the History of the Gold Rush
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
The Klondike Gold Rush is integral to Alaska’s history, and a visit to Skagway is the best way to get a feel for those heady, lawless days.
Your first stop should be the visitor center of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, which is in the railway depot next to where the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway trains depart. Drop in and watch the compelling, 25-minute film that gives you a real sense of gold fever from 1897, when the stampede was first unleashed.
Next, take the train over the White Pass, some 2,888 feet high and one of the best Alaska adventures to experience. The railroad didn’t exist at the time of the stampede, and prospectors had to make the treacherous journey on foot. The White Pass was steep, freezing, and icy in winter and slippery with mud in summer. Needless to say, many men and horses failed to make the journey.
The train ride, though, is thrilling, as the vintage train clatters over narrow bridges, through dense forest, and along steep ledges. You will catch glimpses of the original narrow trail and the now tranquil Dead Horse Gulch, where tragically, more than 3,000 horses and mules died.
Hike the Chilkoot Trail
Chilkoot Trail
Starting from Dyea, once a tented city teeming with Gold Rush prospectors and now almost entirely reclaimed by the wilderness, the Chilkoot Trail was an alternative route to the White Pass to reach the Yukon River and then the gold fields. Before the Gold Rush, the trail existed as a trading route established by Native Alaskans.
The trail extends a punishing 33 miles over steep mountains into Canada, requiring both stamina and overnight stops. During the Gold Rush, though, men had to tackle this route, which is too narrow for pack animals, laden down by all their own gear.
Most visitors prefer to tackle the first two miles of the trail, which is exceptionally beautiful, through meadows and forest, the sound of birdsong on the breeze. You can combine this short hike with a relaxing drift on a raft down the Taiya River to its tidal estuary. Guides recount tales of the Gold Rush along the way.
Float Down the Nenana River
Nenana River
One of the best ways to take in the magnificent scenery of Denali National Park is to take to the waters of the Nenana River, a glacial river that flows along the eastern boundary of the park. The river is a popular kayaking and white water rafting waterway, with sections suitable for everybody from beginners to serious adventurers.
Most tours take you down a relatively mellow section of the river, with some thrills from class II and class III rapids, bouncy enough for an adrenaline rush but not so rough as to be frightening. You can choose to paddle, following the instructions of your guide, or simply sit back, hold on, and enjoy the ride. You don’t need any experience, just warm clothing and the safety gear that’s provided.
Along the way, you could spot Dall sheep, eagles, moose, caribou, and bears on the banks, while the whole journey takes place against the spectacular backdrop of the craggy Alaska Range Mountains.
Walk up Mount Marathon
Mount Marathon, Seward
Looking to burn some calories in Seward? The day hike up Mount Marathon, which looms over the downtown area, could be the answer.
Mount Marathon is the location of one of the most extreme running races in the U.S., taking place on July 4th every year. Runners sprint straight up the mountain and straight down, most arriving at the finish line scratched, bruised, and covered with mud.
Mere mortals can opt for an easier experience, taking one or more of the three trails that lead you to the summit. The four-and-a-half mile hike is achievable in a day and passes through magnificent scenery including shaded spruce forests and a boulder-strewn valley once occupied by a glacier. Race Point, at 3,022 feet above sea level, is the point at which the July 4th runners turn around and begin their descent.
The views of Resurrection Bay sparkling in the sunshine and the town stretched out along the waterfront from the summit are breathtaking. Look out for eagles and other Alaskan birds of prey wheeling on the thermals above you.
Spot Humpback Whales
Humpback whale
You stand an excellent chance of seeing humpback whales, the most acrobatic of all whale species, all along the coast of southern Alaska. But the best way to admire these magnificent mammals is from a small boat operated by marine mammal specialists who even know individual whales, distinguishable by their tail flukes, and their habits.
Juneau is one of the best areas of Alaska for whale watching. Humpbacks migrate here every summer after wintering in the warm waters around Hawaii. The waters around Auke Bay are a great place to spot them—and some boat operators carry a hydrophone, so you can hear the hypnotic song of the whales from miles away.
While sightings aren’t guaranteed, they are extremely likely. You could see whales feeding, diving, and breaching, when they jump right out of the water. There’s also a good chance of spotting orca, which stay here year-round, as well as porpoises, sea lions, and bald eagles perched in the trees along the shoreline, watching for the silver flash of a salmon.
See Bald Eagles Up Close
Bald eagle
The bald eagle, the national bird of the U.S., is abundant in Alaska, where the population is estimated at around 30,000 birds. These majestic eagles are not actually bald; they are dark brown, with a white head, a bright yellow beak, and talons like knives. The white head makes them relatively easy to spot when perched high in the trees.
You will see bald eagles in the wild; they’re particularly prevalent around Juneau and Ketchikan. But to get really close to these magnificent birds, and to help in their conservation, visit the Alaskan Raptor Center in Sitka. Here, eagles, falcons, owls, and hawks are rehabilitated from injury, usually caused by entanglement or collision with something man-made, and released back into nature. Some 200 birds a year are rehabilitated here.
Bald eagle
The center includes a state-of-the-art flight training facility where birds live in a recreation of their natural environment, with no human intervention that they are aware of, and re-learn the skill of flight after recovering from injury.
Some birds have injuries too severe to allow them to survive in the wild and are kept as “raptors in residence”, helping to provide education to schoolchildren and visitors.
Stroll Through the Tongass National Forest
Tongass National Forest
The Tongass National Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world, a mind-blowing 500 square miles of wilderness, cedar, spruce and hemlock trees, rushing streams, fjords and inlets, and meadows. A hike along forest trails with a guide is a wonderful way to commune with nature, breathing in the pure air and listening to birdsong against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
From Ketchikan, join your guide for a three-mile hike, with plenty of stops for photos, stories about the forest and its inhabitants, and, should you wish, brief meditation. Look for bald eagles in the trees. In salmon spawning season, which peaks here in July and August, spot bears fishing and feasting at the rushing salmon streams.
Hike or Bike the Tony Knowles Trail
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage
Locals in Anchorage love the Tony Knowles Trail, a beautiful coastal trail named after a former Alaskan governor that leads from downtown to Kincaid Park over a distance of 11 miles. You’ll see people here hiking, walking their dogs, cycling, rollerblading, and in winter, cross-country skiing.
The trail is paved all the way and is fully accessible. You can join it at various points and explore as much as you wish, all the time against a jaw-droppingly spectacular backdrop of the snowy Chugach Mountains, and the high rise of downtown Anchorage.
Watch the tide rise and fall over the mudflats alongside the trail, stroll through sun-dappled forest, examine the fault line of the 1964 earthquake, and see if you can spot distinctive white beluga whales. There’s a good chance a moose may stroll across the trail in front of you, too.
Meet the “Mayor” in Talkeetna
Talkeetna
Boho Talkeetna, an arty, deeply individualistic little town on the fringes of Denali National Park, is an enchanting place to visit.
There’s a constant buzz here from the mountaineering community, as the town is a base camp for those hoping to tackle North America’s tallest peak—a 20,320-foot challenge. But there’s Gold Rush history here, too, as well as historic buildings, breweries, galleries, and pubs.
The permanent population is only around 1,000, so wandering around won’t take long. Check out Nagley’s Store, which started out as a supply store for miners and trappers in 1921. This was also the home of Stubbs, a charismatic ginger tomcat that served as Talkeetna’s honorary mayor from 1998 to 2017. The current “mayor”, also resident in the store, is a longhair named Aurora.
Visit the Talkeetna Roadhouse bakery for reindeer sausages and cinnamon rolls, and drop into the many craft shops for local birch syrup, Alaskan-made jewelry, and natural balms and cures.
Read: Activities to Add to Your Adventure Bucket List
Watch: Cruise to Alaska With Celebrity Cruises
A cruise with Celebrity Cruises is an incredible way to experience these thrilling Alaskan adventures. Browse cruises to Alaska on our website and prepare for the trip of a lifetime.
