You’re going to be excited about this 7-day itinerary for Alaska! Having lived there and also explored it as a tourist, I’ve combined my experiences to create an amazing road trip plan that highlights some of the most incredible sights in the main tourist corridor of the state. This week-long adventure is a fantastic mix of nature and wildlife, making it perfect for families or adults looking for a memorable getaway.
If you feel like a week isn’t enough to see everything, you’re absolutely right. This itinerary is a great way to get a taste of Alaska, but if you can extend your trip, definitely do it! At the end of the week-long plan, I’ve added extra ideas for how to spend more time exploring. Also, I’ve set this up like we’re doing this Alaska road trip together, so forgive me for just inviting myself along.
I’m happy to answer any questions about planning a road trip or providing additional tips for visiting Alaska, so just ask. Leave a comment or send us a note and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Alaska Road Trip Map
Before we dig in, here’s a map of our Alaska road trip route. You’ll see that we begin in Anchorage and then head south, visiting Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Cooper Landing and we have the option of going through the tunnel to Whittier. After that, we’ll head north back through Anchorage up to the Willow / Talkeetna area. This is the most mellow part of our road trip plan, with good down time and relaxing activities.
Then we’ll head north to Denali National Park for a wildlife safari and some hiking in the tundra. This is WHY YOU’RE HERE! To wrap up our 7 day itinerary we’ll head south to Hatcher Pass and enjoy some beautiful hikes and sights. There’s an option to add another day or two in Palmer, so check that out and see if you want it to be a part of YOUR Alaska road trip route!
Starting a 7 Day Alaska Road Trip
You can catch a flight to Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) from anywhere in North America and even from Europe! Seriously! For this 7-day Alaska trip, make sure to book your flight and rental car in ANC since Fairbanks and Juneau aren’t included in this adventure. Here are all the destinations with direct flights into Anchorage, so you should be able to get here easily with just one connector:
- Seattle
- Portland
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Honolulu
- Houston
- Las Vegas
- Minneapolis
- New York (EWR)
- Phoenix
- Salt Lake City
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Frankfurt, Germany
After a long travel day, it’s a good idea to book a hotel in Anchorage for your first night. This will give you a chance to rest, pick up some snacks for your road trip, and get ready for the journey ahead the next day. When you’re looking for a place to stay in Anchorage, aim for a hotel in the downtown area so you can walk to nearby restaurants. If you end up booking a hotel on Spenard, Northern Lights, or Tudor Road, be prepared to drive to find something to eat. Consider how easy you want your first night to be after traveling. (we’ve got Anchorage ideas at the end, or check out our 4 Day Anchorage Itinerary)
Find an Anchorage hotel here:
Day 1 – Turnagain Arm to Seward
Rise and shine, early birds! Before we hit the road, let’s grab some sandwiches in Anchorage. Trust me, you’ll thank me later – the options along the Seward Highway are pretty slim until we reach Seward. Here’s what we’ve got lined up for today:
- Portage Glacier visitor center and cruise
- Trail of Blue Ice hiking / fish viewing
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Tern Lake Wildlife Watching
- Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward
- Dinner in Seward
As we leave Anchorage and head south, we’ll cruise along the Turnagain Arm. Keep your eyes peeled, folks! This inlet is a wildlife wonderland. We might spot bald eagles, Dall sheep, moose, and if we’re really lucky, beluga whales! Don’t be shy about pulling over at the various lookouts along the way to Girdwood. From there, we’ll veer east towards Portage, still on wildlife watch. This part of our journey is like a sneak peek of all the Kenai Peninsula has to offer!
Portage Valley or Whittier
First stop: Portage Glacier visitor center in the Chugach National Forest. We’ll get the lowdown on Alaska’s glaciers and get our bearings. Then, it’s all aboard the Portage Glacier Cruise! For an hour, we’ll sail on Portage Lake and get up close and personal with the Alaskan wilderness. It’s a chill ride, perfect for the whole family.
On our way out of Portage Valley, let’s swing by the Williwaw fish viewing platform. If we’re lucky, we might see some salmon! And if the weather’s nice, why not take a little detour on the beaver pond loop trail? It’s an easy walk and a great chance to stretch our legs. We can also hop on and off the Trail of Blue Ice at various points. It’s a fantastic spot for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
ALTERNATIVE: plan to drive through the Whittier Tunnel and do a glacier cruise on Prince William Sound. The Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is amazing and you’ll see tons of tidewater and hanging glaciers. Lazy Otter Tours does a shorter cruise to Blackstone Bay and does a landing at a beautiful cove. Both tours are fun, beautiful and great with kids.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Before we leave Turnagain Arm, we’ve got to check out the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This place is a wildlife sanctuary where injured Alaskan animals are cared for, some for rehabilitation and return and some become permanent residents. Want to make sure you see bears, moose, and musk oxen? This is your chance! Alaska wildlife is amazing so try to see animals whenever you can.
Stops Along the Seward Highway
Between Anchorage and Portage, there are a few places that are worth stopping at, but they are just viewpoints that provide a look across the Arm. If you stop at Beluga Point or another wayside, keep your eyes peeled for beluga whales in the water or Dall sheep on the cliffs above.
As we continue our journey south on the Seward Highway, we’ll make a few pit stops. The Place River is great for wildlife watching, and we can’t miss those “Welcome to the Kenai” signs – perfect for a photo op! If you’re up for a little exploring, the Turnagain Pass Snowmobile Parking Lot has some beautiful trails. The wildflowers and Chugach Mountains views are to die for!
Next up is Tern Lake, where the road meets the Sterling Highway. This is prime swan and arctic tern territory, and if Lady Luck is on our side, we might even spot a bear or moose. There’s a picnic area here too – perfect for a lunch break or snack time.
Our last stop before Seward is Bear Lake or Snow River. Both are hotspots for swans, bald eagles, bears, and moose. When I used to drive guides around the Kenai Peninsula, these were my go-to wildlife watching spots. Once we hit Seward, if we’ve still got some pep in our step, let’s check out the Alaska Sea Life Center. It’s a cool aquarium with animal rehab areas, touch tanks, and even a puffin diving tank!
Where to Stay in Seward
For our Seward stay, we’ve got a few options. There are some hotels downtown, and some cozy cabins and lodges as you approach town along the Seward Highway. I had a great time at the Seward Windsong Lodge – loved its location near Exit Glacier (which we’ll explore tomorrow). Let’s book for two nights, as we’ll need a couple of days to really soak in all Seward and the surrounding area have to offer.
Check out Seward hotel and vacation rental options here:
Day 2 – Kenai Fjords National Park
Get ready for a treat, folks! Kenai Fjords National Park is a real gem. I’ve spent countless days boating in the fjords, kayaking in Resurrection Bay, and hiking at Exit Glacier. Trust me, visiting this park is one of the most special National Park experiences you can have. It’s not a drive-through kind of place, but exploring it is an absolute must on our Alaska road trip. Here’s what we’ve got planned:
- Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Tour
- Hiking at Exit Glacier
- Dinner at Resurrection Roadhouse
Kenai Fjords Boat Tour
Since most of Kenai Fjords National Park is only accessible by water, a boat tour is the way to go. Kenai Fjords Tours (KFT) offers a few different options depending on how long you want to be out. My advice? The longer, the better! The wildlife here is the real star of the show.
When we head out, we’ll park in the KFT lot and hop on their shuttle bus. Make sure to check in for the boat tour about 30 minutes before departure. They provide a continental breakfast on board, but if you want something heartier, grab breakfast at your hotel or hit up the Porthole food truck nearby.
The tour will take you through islands, around peninsulas, to waterfalls, all while we keep our eyes peeled for whales, porpoises, dolphins, puffins, seals, and more. The highlight for many is getting up close to a tidewater glacier. Depending on our tour, we’ll see either Northwestern, Aialik, or Holgate Glacier. Each one is a stunner, especially if we’re lucky enough to see it calving or having an ice fall. Get ready to fall head over heels for Kenai Fjords National Park!
Hiking at Exit Glacier
After a day on the water, we’ll stretch our legs with an easy hike at Exit Glacier. The trails here are pretty chill, including a wheelchair-accessible one. We’ll hike through the woods, soak in the views of Resurrection Valley, see Exit Glacier up close, and follow the path of its recent rapid retreat. It’s mind-blowing to see how much it’s changed in just the last 20 years.
Let’s cap off our day with dinner at the Resurrection Roadhouse (it’s fantastic!) and then take a wildlife drive after dinner. Dusk is prime time for wildlife spotting on the Kenai Peninsula, and the Exit Glacier road is a great place to hang out and see what we can see!
ALTERNATIVE: if you have it in your budget and have the interest, there is an incredible helicopter tour with Seward Helicopter Tours that flies up to Godwin Glacier and does a combination flightseeing and dogsledding.
Day 3 – Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage
The Kenai Peninsula is a hiker’s paradise, but there’s so much more to see beyond the trails. To keep our 7-day Alaska itinerary on track, we’re just scratching the surface today. We’re heading to the Sterling Highway to look for bears and enjoy two of mainland Alaska’s prettiest rivers, the Russian and Kenai. Here’s what’s on tap for the day:
- Hiking at Russian River and falls, wildlife viewing
- Cooper Landing Brewing Co
- Kenai Lake
- Scenic float on the Kenai River
- Drive north, departing the Kenai Peninsula
Russian River for Falls and Wildlife
As we cruise through Cooper Landing on the Sterling Highway, we’ll cross the milky turquoise Kenai River. A bit further on, we’ll hit the Russian River recreational sites. You do pay a fee to access the area (National Forest Service – bring your military ID or National Park pass for a discount), then park and start a gentle hike along the Russian River.
Remember which lot you parked in (they have fun names like Pink Salmon, King Salmon), then head down to the river. Go right to check out where the Russian and Kenai Rivers meet, or left to head towards Russian River Falls. This spot is a salmon hotspot, which means… you guessed it, bears! BEAR SAFETY is crucial here, folks!
If we spot a bear by the river, let’s give it plenty of space and keep an eye out for others. The bears usually stick to the far side of the river because of all the fishermen, but they can cross whenever they feel like it. Let’s enjoy the wildlife and our hike, then head back to our vehicle (good thing we remembered where we parked!). If you have bear spray, bring it, but be sure you know how to use it properly even though you’ll likely not even need to think about using it.
Cooper Landing Brewing Co and Kenai Lake
Time for lunch! We could grab a bite at one of the small restaurants in Cooper Landing (I love Gwin’s Lodge), or head to Cooper Landing Brewing Co for what might just be the best burger you’ve ever had. They’ve got a beer counter for local brews and a food counter for burgers, pretzels, and more. The vibe is great, and you can sit inside or outside.
After lunch, if we’ve got time, let’s cruise down Quartz Creek Road to the shore of Kenai Lake. The mountain and lake views are stunning, and we might even spot a moose if we’re lucky!
Kenai River Scenic Float Raft Trip
I’ve rafted the Kenai River more times than I can count, and I love it. There are a few rapids to keep things exciting, but overall it’s a pretty chill ride. Let’s do a scenic float with either Alaska Rivers Co or Alaska River Adventures. I’ve seen tons of moose and bears from the raft, and once I even had a school of sockeye salmon rush under us – talk about wild!
If you’re after a more intense rafting experience, there’s 6 Mile Creek in the Hope area of the Kenai Peninsula. Fair warning: it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s one of the only rivers that genuinely scared me. It’s beautiful and unforgettable, but with class IV and V rapids, it’s for advanced rafters only. That’s why I prefer the more relaxed Kenai River float! After our river adventure, we’ll head back north to Anchorage or Eagle River, or continue up to Talkeetna. Our 7-day Alaska road trip itinerary is flexible, so we can mix up where we stay for the last half of our trip.
Day 4 – Willow and Talkeetna
If you’ve ever chatted with someone who’s done an Alaska road trip or a cruise tour, they’ve probably raved about Talkeetna. And for good reason – it’s adorable! I’ve been there many times, and it’s got that classic “old Alaska” charm. This part of our trip is like a little breather before we head to the tundra. Here’s what we’ve got planned:
- Drive north on Parks Highway
- Float or fishing on Willow Creek
- Explore and dine in Talkeetna
- Jet boat up the Susitna River
Willow Creek Scenic Float and Photography
As we make our way north towards Denali National Park, we’ll pass through some pretty spots and small towns. One of these is Willow. It’s not a big place, but it’s great for fishing and floating through the wilderness. If we didn’t do a scenic float on the Kenai River (or if we’re hungry for more), a float on Willow Creek is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, deer, and wildflowers. It’s a totally different wilderness experience than what we’ve seen so far on our Alaska adventure.
Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours
I think visiting a sled dog camp/farm is a really cool experience and I love getting to talk to dog mushers. Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours in Willow is a wonderful stop, especially if you’re doing an Alaska road trip with kids. You get to meet the dogs and PUPPIES, as well as hear just what it takes to do the Iditarod. While we’re here, we’ll be sure to ASK QUESTIONS! One of the best ways to support dog mushers is to listen to them and carry their stories beyond your own interaction.
Part of visiting this sled dog farm is getting to see the dog team in action. Even if there’s no snow on the ground, Vern and his team at Dream a Dream know how to get the dogs excited and out on the trail. Getting pulled by the team is fun and it really does show off how much the sled dogs love what they do.
Talkeetna – Famous for Being Itself
Talkeetna is like the Key West of Alaska – famous for its quirky, laid-back vibe. The area around town on the Talkeetna Spur Road is pretty, with lots to do, but the town itself is the main attraction. Let’s walk from one end to the other, popping into shops, mercantiles and restaurants. Don’t miss the spinach bread from the airstream trailer – it’s perfect for a riverside snack.
While we’re here, let’s stop by the satellite visitor center for Denali National Park. It’s a great place to confirm our plans for the next day and get some hiking suggestions. Once we’ve got our bearings, we could head over to the XY Lakes for some easy hiking, or rent a kayak at the parking area. Talkeetna can get busy with tourists, but it’s still a charming place to explore.
Jet Boat on the Susitna River
Ever been on a jet boat? They’re a blast! It’s a totally different experience from our other boat trips. I’ve done this kind of tour here, on the Rogue River in Oregon, and in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Trust me, it’s awesome! I think the jet boat on the Susitna River is a must when you visit Talkeetna
A jet boat ride is fast and loud, with quiet breaks and lots of interesting info along the way. The Susitna River is unique, so blasting upstream and checking out the Alaskan wilderness from the water is pretty cool. Plus, we’ll get to stop and explore a trapper’s cabin, an indigenous camp, and take a little nature walk. It’s a great way to round out our day and add some more river time to our Alaska road trip.
Where to Stay in Talkeetna
Talkeetna has some surprisingly nice accommodation options. You don’t have to stay right in town (which can be tricky anyway), but you can be within walking distance or a quick 10-minute drive away. We’ve only got one night planned here in our 7-day itinerary, so where we stay won’t hugely impact our daily plan.
I had a great stay at the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge on the Talkeetna Spur Road. We had a fantastic little cabin, access to Montana Creek for fly fishing, and it was wonderfully quiet in the woods. It was also one of the most affordable places we’ve stayed on any Alaska trip!
Find a Talkeetna area stay here:
Day 5 – Denali State Park to Denali Village
Today’s the day, folks! We’re finally heading to Denali National Park! But first, let’s make a pit stop at Denali State Park for some hiking. As we head north, we’ll have some potentially amazing views and easy hikes to enjoy before we reach the village around the National Park entrance. Here’s what’s on the agenda:
- Stop into Denali State Park for a few easy hikes
- Have Lunch in Cantwell
- Arrive at Denali Village and explore
- Evening hike at Denali National Park
Hiking at Denali State Park
As we make our way north to the National Park, we’ll pass through Denali State Park. It might not be as famous as its big brother, but there are some great hikes, awesome views of the Chulitna River and Denali (formerly Mt McKinley), and fantastic wildlife opportunities. Don’t forget to pack some snacks and water in case we decide to tackle one of the longer hikes… or simply because there are MINIMAL services between Talkeetna and Denali National Park.
The Moose Flats Loop and Denali Viewpoint South are easy trails that won’t eat up too much of our drive time. If we’re feeling more adventurous, the Byers Lake Loop trail is longer but still pretty easy (and beautiful). For a real challenge, we could try the Curry Ridge trail, which has more elevation gain and takes a bit longer. These last two trails are further from the road and campground areas, so we might have better luck spotting wildlife. Remember, seeing wildlife is awesome, but safety comes first! Let’s make sure to keep our distance and observe from afar, especially with bears and moose during the rut.
Enjoying Denali Village
Denali Village and the area around the National Park entrance is pretty fun to explore. It’s not as touristy as some National Park towns like Cherokee at Great Smoky Mountains NP or West Glacier at Glacier NP, but there’s still plenty to see and do. You’ll find lots of restaurants and lodges, with shops and convenience stores mixed in. There are a few attractions in the village, like the Sourdough Photo Studio or a sled dog experience, but it’s not packed with museums and galleries like some park towns.
If we have time and the budget, we could check out the Husky Homestead tours. They’re super fun and great if we haven’t done anything dogsled-related yet. Or, if we’re feeling adventurous, Denali Air offers incredible flightseeing tours. We could even land on an icefield if we’re up for it!
Where to Stay at Denali National Park
Now, Denali doesn’t have a grand old lodge like Yellowstone or Yosemite, but there are lots of nice places to stay around the park entrance. We could also stay down in Cantwell or up in Healy, depending on what’s available and our budget. The key thing is to book early – as soon as we know our travel dates, let’s lock in those hotel reservations! We’ve got two nights here in our 7-day itinerary, so we want to make sure we’ve got a comfy place to rest our heads.
I actually worked at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and have stayed at the McKinley Chalet Resort, so I can vouch for both. Just a heads up – if we’re visiting during peak summer months, we’re looking at $300+ USD per night. But if we’re here at the start or end of the season, we might snag a great deal!
Find a Denali National Park stay here:
Day 6 – Safari into Denali National Park
I’ll never forget the first time I ventured into Denali National Park. I fell head over heels for the tundra right away. There are a few ways to experience the tundra and the far reaches of Denali, but for our road trip, we’re keeping it simple with a guided tour. Don’t worry, though – we’ll still have plenty of freedom to explore. Here’s what we’ve got lined up:
- Denali National Park Wilderness Safari
- Visitor Center
- Hiking at Denali National Park
- Music of Denali Dinner Show
Denali National Park Bus Tour
The main way to explore Denali National Park is on one of the bus tours. Usually, there are three options:
- Denali Natural History Tour – 5 hours
- Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour – 8 hours
- Denali Transit Buses – as long as you want
Just a heads up – due to a landslide/sinkhole issue in the park, only 43 of the 92 mile Park Road is open in 2024 and 2025. The road is supposed to reopen all the way to Wonder Lake in 2026. But don’t worry, we can still see tons of Denali National Park, its wildlife, and those incredible tundra landscapes.
The main difference between the tours is how far into the park they go. The Natural History Tour goes beyond Savage River (as far as we can drive into the Park ourselves), while the Tundra Wilderness Tour can potentially go all the way to the Eielson Visitor Center. The Transit Bus isn’t narrated but makes stops along the way to let people off for hiking in the tundra. It’ll stop for wildlife like the tour buses do, but it’s more of a transportation service than a tour.
Here’s a hot tip: BOOK YOUR TOUR ASAP. I can’t stress this enough – book your bus tour into Denali National Park as soon as you know you’ll be there. The longer Tundra Wilderness tour books up super far in advance, and even the Natural History tour fills up quickly. Don’t let our Alaska road trip get derailed because we can’t visit this amazing place!
Easy Denali Things to Do
One of the great things about our 7-day Alaska itinerary is that we have some flexibility to move things around and spend more time in places we’re really enjoying. There are quite a few hiking trails at Denali National Park that we can access from the visitor center and town. We can also drive into the Park as far as the Savage River, so let’s enjoy hiking there too. The Taiga, Horseshoe Lake, and Savage River Loop trails are all great options that aren’t too difficult and get us into nature easily.
Here’s something cool about Denali National Park – the park rangers will tell you that the best parts of the park aren’t on the trails! Because of the nature of the tundra and landscape, visitors are encouraged to explore wherever they want. The key is to always keep safety in mind, leave no trace, and bring the supplies we’ll need for however long we want to be tundra hiking. Let’s be sure to ask a ranger about off-trail hiking if we’re interested!
Music of Denali Dinner Show
I just had to add the Music of Denali dinner theater to our itinerary because it’s iconic… and so delightfully cheesy. I love this show and have seen it many times. The buffet of salmon, ribs, and more is delicious, and the whole experience is super family-friendly. For being both dinner and a show, it’s also one of the most affordable unique experiences in Alaska. The show happens at the McKinley Chalets, so if we’re staying there, we really can’t miss it!
Note: this IS a kid-friendly show. There are other dinner shows around Alaska that push the edge of appropriate (I’m looking at you Salmon Bake), but Music of Denali is great for kids.
Day 7 – More Hiking and Return to ANC
I can’t believe it’s already our last day of adventure! After a week of road-tripping in Alaska, we’ve seen so much. But we’ve still got a few more things to do before we wrap up. As we drive south back to Anchorage, let’s go a bit off the beaten path. When we’re on the Parks Highway heading south, we’ll hang a left onto the Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive. Here’s what we’ve got planned:
- Drive through Hatcher Pass (partial dirt road)
- Visit Independence Mine State Park
- Hike in the Archangel Valley
- Return to Anchorage
Visiting Hatcher Pass
Now, I’m not usually one for long dirt roads, but Hatcher Pass is an exception. It’s well-maintained and actually quite popular. As we head east on the Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive, we’ll pass through a beautiful valley with mossy green hills, small waterfalls and streams, placer washouts, old and current gold mines, and great off-trail hiking spots.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife here in Hatcher Pass. There are lots of wild blueberries and rooty areas that bears absolutely love. From the stream bed up the hills, let’s watch for Alaskan brown bears and black bears. If we’re hiking, let’s make sure to keep our bear spray handy and make some noise as we explore the hills.
Independence Mine State Park and Gold Cord Lake
I’ve been to a lot of historic places and spent a ton of time in Alaska, but I learned so much at Independence Mine State Park. It really helped me understand why mining died out and why these huge industrial sites were just abandoned. We’ll get to explore mine and camp ruins, check out old machinery, and wander through cool buildings. There are some great hiking trails too.
The highlight for me was the Gold Cord Lake Trail. Wow! It’s short but intense. Streams and fairy-like mossy mounds set the mood for one of the prettiest hikes I’ve done in the area. If we’re hiking up to Gold Cord Lake in early summer, we might even get to see it still frozen. It’s a sight to behold!
After our hike, let’s grab lunch at the Hatcher Pass Lodge and take a stroll around the property. Every time I visit, I try to scope out which cabin I want to stay in next time. They’re really cool and in such a beautiful spot.
Hiking in the Archangel Valley – Lane Basin Trail
Our last hike of the trip isn’t far away. The Lane Basin Loop is at the end of the beautiful Archangel Valley. This area is popular with rock climbers, but it’s also got some really cool hikes for the rest of us. Fair warning: the road up to Lane Basin is ROUGH. We might want to park at one of the climbing areas and walk the extra 1.5 miles up the road if our rental car can’t handle it.
Once we’re on the Lane Basin Loop trail, get ready to be blown away. My 12-year-old son said it was the prettiest hike we’ve ever done AND his favorite hike ever. The scenery is truly amazing, with streams, waterfalls, tundra-like areas, and rocky cliffs all around. It’s the perfect way to cap off our Alaska road trip.
Wrapping Up Our 7-Day Alaska Road Trip
Well, folks, that’s a wrap on our epic Alaska road trip! When I first did this itinerary, it was just to relive my glory days of living in Alaska. Little did I know it would be the perfect introduction for the rest of my family to what the Last Frontier is really all about. I hope you’ve fallen in love with Alaska just like we did.
As you head home, think about all the things you saw and didn’t get to do, or what you’d like to explore more. The great thing about Alaska is that you can visit over and over and never have the same trip twice, even if you follow the same itinerary.
To add for next time, plan a few days exploring the Palmer area north of Anchorage. I love this area because it’s basically the gateway to glaciers and all kinds of Alaskan adventures you maybe aren’t expecting. If you’ve got time to add a day in Palmer to THIS TRIP, do it! Here are my top Palmer picks to add if you have the chance.
- Ice hiking at Matanuska Glacier
- Helicopter tour and landing on Knik Glacier
- ATV exploring on the Knik River
- Visiting the Musk Ox Farm and Reindeer Farm
Another option is to extend your time in Alaska either before or after the road trip with a few days in Anchorage. I love Anchorage as a city because it has great museums, good food and lots of outdoor adventures just beyond downtown. Here are some fun, easy activities to add if you have time in Anchorage.
- Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- Visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Check out the Anchorage Museum
If you have any questions about planning your own Alaska road trip, need to tweak the itinerary to fit your group’s interests, or just want some more specific recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan amazing adventures. Safe travels, and may your Alaska memories last a lifetime!
