Alaska is more than the Inside Passage or Anchorage. Here you’ll find everything you need to know when it comes to understanding the regions of Alaska and how to get from here to there. A lot of visitors arrive with a basic knowledge of Southcentral Alaska, but if you’re looking to spend a bit more time or want to see Alaska’s wilderness unfiltered, we can help you plan that sort of Alaska trip The regions you can visit range from collections of islands to landlocked expanses of tundra, so let’s go see it all!
We all know that Alaska is a huge state, but it’s also a very strangely shaped one. There’s the mainland of AK and then Southeast Alaska and the capital, Juneau, are dangling off to the lower east side. And then you have the Aleutian Islands, a humongous archipelago, stretching off into the Pacific Ocean. Alaska is 586,400 square miles which equals 1/5 of the lower 48 states. It’s the size of Texas, Montana California and more combined. Huge!
With so much ground to cover, it can be difficult to plan travel to the different Alaska regions in the same trip. We’ve got tips to help you do it though, including suggestions for combining different types of travel to make an incredible Alaska trip. Before that though, an important statement regarding the lands of Alaska and both the past and current Alaska Native peoples:
I think it’s very important to understand the background of any area we travel to. Sometimes that history is beautiful, sometimes it’s ugly or messy, and sometimes it’s both. Alaska was taken from several large groups of people, many of whom were forced to attend Indian Schools to be re-educated. Alaska has a history of segregation between white people and the different tribes who’ve called this land home for tens of thousands of years. This is why it’s important to acknowledge the people and make an effort to learn and travel responsibly.
We acknowledge that the lands we visit or on which we live here are the traditional lands of the Athabascan, Dena’ina, Tanana, Alutiq, Aleut, Yupik, Inupiaq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian and other Peoples that have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We acknowledge the history and current lives of these people and aim to interact with and visit their ancestral lands respectfully and with gratitude.
Southcentral Alaska – Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula
The hub of most travel in Alaska, Anchorage is a major city with an international airport. You can fly into Anchorage from mainland USA, Hawaii, Vancouver BC (Canada) and Frankfurt, Germany. Having said that, if you’re traveling to Alaska internationally, you can get to ANC from a major international city with usually just one stop, either in Seattle (SEA) or Vancouver (YVR). Once in Anchorage, the state is your oyster!
FLY INTO: Anchorage ANC, optional seaplane to Homer
Anchorage Area
Anchorage itself is a fun city with an incredible museum (the Anchorage Museum), an awesome coastal bike trail, good restaurants, lots of hotels and it’s a great home base for exploring Southcentral Alaska. From here you can easily take day trips up to the MatSu Valley, including the towns of Wasilla and Palmer, and get into some of the most accessible and beautiful stretches of mainland Alaska. Outdoor adventures in Chugach State Park and even the parks around Anchorage are fun for all kinds of activities and wildlife watching.
Anchorage is also the ceremonial start of the Iditarod race in March each year. The part of the Iditarod that you can watch in Anchorage is not the official beginning, as that actually starts 40 miles away in Eagle River, but it’s the exciting pageantry of the famous dogsled race. There are events and parties and excitement, and it’s a perfectly Alaska experience.
Turnagain Arm and Portage
Heading south from Anchorage, you’ll drive along the Turnagain Arm (a fjord coming off the Cook Inlet) on the Seward Highway. This will take you through Girdwood, where Anchorage comes to downhill ski in the winter, and then to Portage. Portage Valley is a wonderful place for hiking, as well as visiting the Portage Glacier and accessing the tunnel to Whittier. There’s even a boat tour on Portage Lake that takes you around the mountain to the face of the glacier, and hopefully you can see it calve a bit.
The two other big highlights of driving the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm are the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and watching for beluga whales. That’s right! You can actually see beluga whales from land here along the Turnagain Arm. Whether you stop of Beluga Point or another wayside area, it’s worth hanging out and watching the water for a bit, especially during an incoming tide during the salmon run.
THE BORE TIDE! I almost forgot to tell you about the famous bore tide of Turnagain Arm. Due to the geology and flow of water from rivers into the Arm, when the tide turns from low to high tide, a special bore tide forms. This is when the incoming tide creates a singular wave that “bores” its way through the inlet to the end. Surfers love to ride the bore and can often be seen surfing the bore tide from around Girdwood to as far in as it’ll take them.
Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park
Since I used to live on the Kenai Peninsula, I always love to talk about it, and especially Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward is a cute fishing town on the Kenai, about two hours from Anchorage. It’s the gateway to the Kenai Fjords and where you’ll catch your boat tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. Between the amazing whale watching and seeing tidewater glaciers making their splash into the sea, I think Kenai Fjords Tours and the whole park in general are a true Alaska gem.
In Seward you’ll also be able to do kayak tours with Sunny Cove Kayaking, hike at Exit Glacier in the National Park, and visit the Alaska Sea Life Center to watch puffins dive. A lot of people come to Seward on their Alaska trip to go deep sea fishing for halibut and cod as well, so there’s something for everyone here.
The Sterling Highway and Kenai River
I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve driven the Sterling Highway across the Kenai Peninsula. I used to live in Cooper Landing, so this region of Alaska is very special to me. What makes it so cool are the mountains surrounding you at all times paired with moose, bear and porcupines wherever you explore. What the Kenai River and mountains are known for though is the fishing.
Yes, there are wonderful hikes all along the Sterling Highway, and Skilak Lake has awesome camping and kayaking, but the fishing is the hot ticket here. With all five types of Alaskan salmon running on the Kenai River (king, silver, red, pink and dog) it’s a wildly popular place for fishing in the peak summer months. It’s not just the humans fishing though, as there’s rarely a day you don’t spy an Alaskan brown bear also trying his or her luck in the rivers, especially on the Russian River.
Homer, Kenai and Cook Inlet
The further and further you get from Anchorage the more wild it gets. I remember the first time I went fishing on the Kasilof River I saw more eagles and moose than the number of fish I caught. The area from the town of Kenai down to the Homer Spit is full of cabins and fishing guide services. There are lots of remote, beautiful places to camp. This is a favorite destination for weekend trips if you live in the Anchorage area.
Homer itself is a fun town. It’s famous for the Spit with it’s fishermen bars and deep sea fishing guides, but there’s more to the town than that. Homer is an actual town with residents who live here year round and welcome the summer visitors, and because it has a solid population through every season, there are lots of restaurants, some galleries and cool shops that are open beyond the standard June through September season.
Another fascinating element to the western side of the Kenai Peninsula is the Russian immigrant element. From Nikiski to Homer and across the water in Seldovia, there are historic Russian Orthodox churches. You can visit them respectfully and appreciate them from the outside, or if you would like to participate in a service, the active churches have posted service times. I think this unique cultural element is very special, even if I myself am not a believer.
Southeast Alaska – Juneau, Sitka and the Inside Passage
If you ask the average American who travels a fair amount if they’ve taken an Alaska trip, chances are they’ll say “Yes, we did a cruise a few years ago.” That is one way to see one of the Alaska regions, but there is much more to each of the islands in Southeast Alaska than the cruise port. I know that many people do venture BEYOND the port, but not everyone does. Beyond the surface, the port towns and outlying islands of this region are amazing, full of Alaska Native culture and there in a ton of wildlife to se
FLY INTO: Juneau JNU or Sitka SIT, or arrive via Alaska Marine Highway
Juneau, the Alaska State Capital
I really enjoy Juneau. As a tourist, it’s very walkable with lots of interesting things to do AND accessible nature. Juneau is beautiful, set against the mountains with staircases rising up through the neighborhoods. If you venture away from the port area and historic downtown, you’ll get to see even more beautiful areas. From the rocky beaches to the coves of Auke Bay, waterfalls to the easy-to-visit Mendenhall Glacier, there you can easily plan a 3-5 day visit and have a great time.
If you’re already thinking you want Juneau to be a part of your Alaska trip, you can fly here and then take the Alaska Marine Highway the day boat routes to Skagway, Haines and Gustavus. This way you can explore the region without being on a cruise ship.
Sitka and Ketchikan
Southeast Alaska is one of the easiest Alaska regions to be able to experience Alaska Native culture. There are so many wonderful sites, museums, working artists and public exhibitions to include in your Alaska trip. Sitka National Historical Park is an awesome place to spend a day learning. With 18 totem poles and countless other Tlingit (said klink-it) exhibits, I think this is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Alaska to gain some insight into
Ketchikan also has quite a lot of Alaska Native culture in addition to the wildlife and beautiful Inside Passage scenery. Add to that the cool, perfectly picturesque historic area built on docks/stilts/piers and you’ve got a very unique town to visit. Both Sitka and Ketchikan are on the Alaska Marine Highway route, so if you’re not doing a cruise but want to access these spots, that’s a great option.
Skagway, Haines and Glacier Bay National Park
When I think of Skagway I think of bald eagles, but also the Alaska Gold Rush. And then nearby are Haines and Glacier Bay National Park. Really, this part of the Southeast Alaska region has so much to do and see. It is a bit complicated to explore though, so you’ll need to do a good job planning utilizing the Alaska Marine Highway. You can also visit these areas on a cruise through the Inside Passage.
Visiting Glacier Bay National Park might seem pretty tricky to visit if you’re not on a cruise ship, but it’s not. You’ll need to fly into Gustavus from Juneau and then access the park through a boat tour. Since it’s a short flight and the National Park can be explored over the course of two or three days, it’s very doable to add to other Inside Passage stops. Our first visit to Glacier Bay National Park was actually on an UnCruise on the Wilderness Legacy ship, which in itself was awesome.
Prince William Sound – connecting SC Alaska to the Inside Passage
Starting between Anchorage and Seward, the town of Whittier is the launch point for exploring Prince William Sound. Cruise ships make port here as well as fishing boats and glacier tours. The famous College Fjord is a short boat ride away from Whittier. Here you’ll find 20+ tidewater and hanging glaciers and incredible wildlife in the waters.
Also on Prince William Sound is the town of Valdez, the gateway to Wrangell-St Elias National Park. The glacial waters carry that beautiful turquoise color and the outdoor fun is endless. Whether you want to come to Valdez for paddling with glaciers or you are arriving via the Alaska Marina Highway to start a road trip to Fairbanks, you’ll love how pretty it is.
Another reason you might want to visit Valdez, Alaska is because it’s the place to fly to from Anchorage to get closer to the Copper River Basin, famous for salmon fishing. The flight from ANC is less than an hour with Ravn Air and there are lots of guide services to help you get out on one of the rivers for a fishing adventure.
FLY INTO: Valdez VDZ via Anchorage ANC
Interior Alaska – the Alaska Range to the Arctic Circle
When I hear “Interior” I tend to picture rolling hills of tundra, bogs with mosquitoes, and endless white in the winter times… And that’s accurate. There’s a lot more to the Interior than that though. As you leave the Anchorage area, aka the Anchorage Bowl, you come into the Mantanuska-Susitna Borough. We affectionately call this the MatSu Valley and it’s kind of my favorite adventure destination in Alaska. If you keep heading north you’ll come to Denali National Park and Fairbanks. There’s more to the Interior, including much of the Unorganized / Unincorporated Borough.
FLY INTO: Anchorage ANC and then drive north OR Fairbanks FAI
The Matsu Valley – Palmer to Talkeetna
I’ve never had a dull day in the MatSu Valley. My kids’ favorite hike in Alaska is here, my favorite scenery is here, one of my favorite Alaskan restaurants is here… It’s great. Palmer is rather the farming area of the state and this is where the Alaska State Fair is, but there’s more to Palmer than that. This is a great town to visit with kids as you’ve got the Musk Ox Farm, the Reindeer Farm, glaciers to explore, some mining history and it’s just pretty.
Between Palmer and Talkeetna is Hatcher Pass. There are so many wonderful hikes and views here. As you cross the Little Susitna River and head up into the mountains, the landscape opens up to give sweeping sights across the valley. Continuing across Hatcher Pass, it’s rugged and wild (closed in winter). This is the version of Alaska most visitors don’t get to see when they do an Alaska road trip.
On the Talkeetna side of the MatSu Valley you’ll find the more well-known sights and things to do. From fishing and rafting to hiking with views of Mount Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), the outdoor activities are endless, and many are just off the Parks Highway. There are quite a few interesting sled dog farms here too. The town of Talkeetna is cute and kind of iconic, including their mayor… a cat. Grad some pizza and head to a jet boat tour on the Susitna River and you’ve had a great day in Talkeetna.
Denali National Park
Don’t worry, we have lots of information about visiting Denali National Park on your Alaska trip. It was the first National Park to be created for the purpose of wildlife conservation, and today that still shows. There’s no shortage of moose, bear, caribou, birds, foxes and more. Whether you’re doing one of the guided bus tours deep into the park or you’re just visiting as far as you’re allowed to drive in (typically to Savage River, mile 15), each visit is different and beautiful.
One of the coolest things and also one of the most unique aspects of traveling in Denali National Park is off-trail hiking. That’s right, this is one of the only National Parks where you’re encouraged to wander through the tundra or taiga forest without a path, and in fact, you’re not supposed to retrace your steps even. Off-trail hiking can seem strange and even a little scary, but it’s wonderful and is a very special experience.
Fairbanks and the Northern Lights
I know: you can see the Northern Lights from all around Alaska when the conditions are right, but Fairbanks and the areas within the ring of the Aurora Borealis really do get the most spectacular displays. If you get to visit in the winter months, get ready for some great photos of the Northern Lights in the Fairbanks area.
There’s more to this part of Alaska’s Interior than just the Lights (but they are amazing). Here you’ve got sled dog and mining culture, kayaking and fishing, and amazing wildlife. Fairbanks has some museums which are great on the extra cold days, and also Chena Hot Springs, which is fun if you need a soak.
Many people come to Fairbanks to either start or end an Alaska road trip. Because driving the Parks Highway to/from Anchorage is so popular, one-way car rentals are very easy in Fairbanks. I absolutely recommend it, and I say this as somebody who’s driven the Parks Highway more times than I can count.
Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic National Parks
THESE are my Alaska bucket list: Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic National Parks. Like with Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks, these two also can only be reached by small airplanes. From Fairbanks you can fly to Bettles and then explore Gates of the Arctic with a guide.
For Kobuk Valley National Park, it’s a little different. You again have to plan a private flight from Fairbanks or you can fly on Alaska Airlines in the summer season into Kotzebue (OTZ). From here you can get an authorized air taxi into the park and either explore with a guide, do your own hiking with a planned pickup, or you can bring an inflatable raft to float your way through the park and back to Kotzebue.
This region of Alaska, the Interior, is deep! It takes a lot of planning to get here and once here the costs can add up, but it’s uch a unique place to explore. Expect to see landscapes like nowhere else. In Kobuk you’ll see great dunes meeting tundra. In Gates of the Arctic you’ll have tundra prairies and winding rivers meeting the mountains. It’s all so far removed from civilization, I can only imagine the stories and photos.
Southwest Alaska – the Aleutian Islands and More
My experience in Southwest Alaska is limited to Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks. I’ll tell you, these Alaska National Parks are amazing and the wildlife is jaw dropping, but getting here is quite costly. Yes, you can fly from Anchorage to both of the Parks for a day trip or a few nights, but the high prices make an adventure like this very difficult for most travelers and families coming to Alaska. Bear viewing at Lake Clark National Park or Katmai really is a bucket list trip, including for Alaskans.
TIP: we partner with Rust’s Air Service and if you use the code 2traveldads when you book you’ll save 10% off your passage! Please let us know if you book so we can see how your trip went!
You can easily, and usually for very low Alaska Airlines miles, fly to the town of King Salmon or Kodiak, and here you’ll have incredible wildlife experiences too. Both towns have lodging options that won’t break the bank AND luxury lodge experiences as well. Southwest Alaska is not often something I get asked about, but I think there’s going to be more visitors here in the coming years’ tourism seasons.
The Aleutian Islands are the archipelago that stretch from the Alaska Peninsula (end of the Alaska Range of mountains) out into the Pacific Ocean. Alaska Native villages, military towns and fishing ports dot the Aleutian Islands. There isn’t a lot of tourism here, but you can visit and may just have the time of your life. Wildlife such as walruses, whales and migratory birds are a highlight if you’re a wildlife photographer like me.
Something else cool about the Aleutian Islands is the town of Adak. This is the westernmost town in the USA and only has about 200 people living there. You can actually fly here on Alaska Airlines if you’re interested in an adventure as remote as this.
Note: I haven’t been out to the Aleutian Islands yet, but as soon as I visit I’ll share all my observations and tips.
FLY INTO: Anchorage ANC and then fly to King Salmon AKN or Kodiak ADQ
Western Alaska – Nome, the Bering Sea and Iditarod Country
Of all the places I’ve been or wanted to go in Alaska, Nome and the Bering Sea are still at the top of my list. The world-famous Iditarod Race begins in Anchorage and ends here in Nome. The elusive musk ox (I’ve seen them at the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer) roams the lowlands and hills here. There are gold mines and fishing boats. It’s the end of North America. Epic!
So, is this a place a lot of people planning an Alaska trip want to visit? No, not really unless they’re feeling like some very unique travel that is NOT luxurious is what they’re looking for. You can definitely have fun and see some amazing views and wildlife in the far reaches of Alaska, but Nome and the surrounding lands aren’t built up for major tourism. You can for sure plan a trip, but you’ll need to work with a guide for a lot of the potential adventures.
Something cool about visiting Nome is that you get a very different sort of tourism vibe than Southcentral or Southeast Alaska. This region is very chill and rugged, with the toughest Alaskans calling it home. Native Alaskan culture is strong in the smaller communities and in Nome. Sled Dog culture is strong, both in summer with tours and during the Iditarod. And the wildlife viewing is one of a kind, with birds, bears whales and large land mammals. Nome and the Bering Sea are an epic alternative to the standard Alaska trip.
FLY INTO: Anchorage ANC and then connect to Nome OME
As you work on planning your Alaska trip, I would encourage you to add a few less visited Alaska regions to your plan. If you have the time and the budget, the adventure that awaits in Alaska really is boundless.
If you have any questions about planning your travel to or in Alaska, need some specific recommendations or want to share your favorite places and activities, please send us a note. We’re always happy to hear from other who love Alaska as much as we do.
