Alaska — the land of the midnight sun, with its many national parks, abundant wildlife, and glaciers some of which are accessible by road — is a road trip worthy destination like no other. With close to 22 hours of daylight in summer, you can pack in an extraordinary amount of experiences. We've divided this guide into three regions, each centred around a base city.
Base Cities & Getting There
✈️ Anchorage
Alaska's largest city and busiest airport — you'll likely find the cheapest non-stop flights here. Best base for Seward, Kenai Fjords, and Hatcher Pass. Plenty of accommodation and supplies.
🏔 Fairbanks
Best base for Denali NP, Arctic Circle road trips, and Northern Lights in autumn. Connects to Anchorage via the Parks Highway — a stunning drive.
⛵ Seward
Adventure-packed town at the southern end of Alaska. Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and Bear Glacier kayaking. A must on any Alaska itinerary.
The drive on the Seward Highway from Anchorage to the coastal town of Seward is one of the most scenic we've ever been on. Listed here are our favourite stops along the way.
Beluga Point
A stunning viewpoint along the highway — if you're lucky and stay long enough, you might catch a passing Alaskan railroad train along the scenic coastline.
Girdwood
A small, beautiful town with quirky places to eat and drink. Hike the easy Byron Glacier Trail for close-up views of a glacier — one of the most accessible glacier walks in Alaska.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
If you haven't had grizzly or black bear encounters in the wild, this is the place. While we prefer wildlife in their natural habitat, this centre is exceptional for guaranteed sightings.
Portage Lake
A 20-minute detour from the highway that's absolutely worth it. This glacial lake was created by the Portage Glacier, which has now receded significantly — the lake itself is the dramatic result.
The highlight of Seward. Although there is road access to the park, the way to truly experience Kenai Fjords is via cruise, kayak, hike, or helicopter — most of the park is water or ice.
Exit Glacier Overlook Trail
An easy hike to views of Exit Glacier with markers showing how much the glacier has receded over the past two decades. Striking, sobering, and beautiful all at once.
Exit Glacier Ice Hike
Started on the Harding Icefield trail, then took a detour onto the glacier itself. Hiking with crampons on a giant slope of ice for the first time is a real butt-kicker — but an experience we'll never forget.
Bear Glacier Iceberg Kayaking
One of the most extraordinary things we have ever done. Imagine being surrounded by icebergs while kayaking toward an active tidewater glacier — the scale and silence is overwhelming. This was with Liquid Adventures in Seward — possibly the only outfitter offering this trip. The journey starts on a jet boat from Seward across Resurrection Bay before transferring to kayaks at the glacier lagoon.
A mountain pass in the Talkeetna Mountains that you could spend days in or visit for just a few hours and still be left in awe. Great hikes for all skill levels, an abandoned gold mine, and stunning alpine scenery.
Things to Do
- Independence Mine State Historical Park — an abandoned gold mining site, likely the most scenic one in existence, set in a valley surrounded by snow-capped Talkeetna Mountains. Free walking tours or paid guided tours available.
- Summit Lake — emerald green water after a short walk from Hatcher Pass Summit, or drive down to the lakeshore for a dip in the icy cold alpine lake.
- Hatcher Pass Cabins — the contrast of colourful private cabins against the lush green valley backdrop is worth the drive alone. Available to book overnight.
Best Hikes in Hatcher Pass
Gold Cord Lake Hike
An absolute gem with beautiful views from the very start. The elevation gain is steady except for the final stretch to the lake. A dip in the lake is cold but refreshing — worth it. Note: parking lot open 9am–7pm with $5 fee; outside those hours add 1 mile each way on a paved road.
April Bowl Trail
A steep hike ending at a series of glacial lakes with 360° views of the Talkeetna Mountains. Moderately challenging but the panoramic summit views are worth every step.
Reed Lakes Trail
For adventure seekers — we couldn't hike this one but it's at the top of our list for next time. Views are reportedly breathtaking.
We drove to Denali from Anchorage via the beautiful little town of Talkeetna — worth a quick stop for food and its tremendous character. On the approach, look out for Denali Viewpoint South around mile A 134.8 on the Parks Highway for the first glimpse of the peak on clear days.
Getting Around
- First 15 miles — open to private vehicles; includes the main visitor center area
- Beyond 15 miles — transit shuttles only (or camper buses for those with backcountry permits). Hop on and off at any stop to explore.
- The best way to experience Denali is to ride shuttles deep into the park, disembark, and explore as far as your legs will carry you in any direction.
Hikes Near the Entrance
Mount Healy Overlook Trail
Trailhead is a short walk from the Denali Visitor Center. Moderately challenging with limited views on the trail itself, but the overlook delivers panoramic views of the Alaska Range and the Nenana River valley.
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Easy hike near the park entrance — starts beside a railway track then transitions to a well-maintained gravel path to a beautiful lake. We hiked this late at night in summer light. Peaceful and highly recommended.
Unmaintained Trails (backcountry)
The best way to experience Denali's raw wilderness. Board a transit shuttle, get off at any stop, and navigate cross-country. No trails, no signs — just mountains, tundra, and wildlife.
Read our Glacier National Park trip planner.