Anchorage. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and its location makes it a great rest stop between neighboring National Parks. From Anchorage our favorite things to do were visiting the Eklutna Lake, the Reindeer Farm, and the Musk Ox Farm.

Drive the Seward Highway. The drive on Seward Highway is beautiful, an attraction in itself. Along the way you can gaze across the Turnagain Arm, ride a cable car up into the Chugach Mountains, admire beautiful turquoise lakes with mountain reflections in them, hike to a waterfall in a picturesque setting, and so much more.

Seward. Seward is a small city located at the end of the Seward Highway and on the northern end of Resurrection Bay. This is where most people stay when exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Boat excursions leave from the harbor and take passengers into the coastal fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park. Along the way passengers look for wildlife (whales, otters, seals, sea lions, puffins, eagles, and more) and see glaciers. There are also many great hikes to do just outside of Seward.

Juneau. Juneau may be the smallest US state capital, but it is packed with outdoor attractions. Here you can day trip to see wildlife, explore nearby glaciers, or simply enjoy the small-town feel of the Alaskan capital.

Valdez. Valdez is a little fishing town nestled in a fjord on the Prince William Sound. It is a great place to go glacier kayaking, take a whale-watching tour, and see beautiful waterfalls.

Glacier Kayak at the Columbia Glacier. If you want to witness the power of one of the world’s most active glaciers in action, then add the Columbia Glacier to your Alaskan itinerary. With roughly 13 million tons of ice breaking off of the Columbia Glacier every day, there is a good chance that you will be able to watch a calving event take place.

Denali National Park. Denali National Park, one of the largest national parks in the USA, is home to millions of acres of remote, rugged wilderness. It is named for Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, and catching a view of this mountain peak is one of the best things to do in Denali National Park.

Kenai Fjords National Park. Hike to one of the largest icefields in North America, spot humpback whales and orcas on a wildlife cruise, kayak in front of glaciers, go ice climbing or glacier hiking, and soar over the fjords in a helicopter…these are all things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Wrangell - St. Elias National Park: Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is one of our favorite US National Parks. Its remote location, countless mountains and glaciers, and sheer beauty is simply astounding. It feels like an adventure to drive in on McCarthy Road, pull your belongings across the footbridge, and get shuttled to your lodge or campground. From Kennecott and McCarthy, you can go glacier hiking, tour an abandoned copper mill, and venture into the backcountry. And to see this park from the sky is absolutely mind-blowing.

Katmai National Park. Katmai National Park & Preserve is a land of brown bears and volcanoes. It is wild, rugged, and remote and one of our favorite national parks. This national park is one of the best in the US for wildlife viewing. Every summer, brown bears head to the rivers, to feed on salmon.

Visit the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. What you might not know is that Katmai National Park and Preserve is also home to Novarupta and the largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century. The eruption left behind a valley of ash and wasteland, called the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. With Brooks Lodge, you can day trip out to the valley with a National Park Service guide, visit some overlooks, and go on a short hike.

Lake Clark National Park. Lake Clark National Park is one of the least visited National Park in the United States and is home to two active volcanoes, the state’s largest lake, epic mountains, calving glaciers, beautiful beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. This park is perfect for nature lovers, backpackers, and kayakers. There are no roads within the park, but there are remote lodges to stay in for those looking for a comfortable excursion in the wilderness.

Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay is an impressive National Park with 11 massive tidewater glaciers, beautiful blue seas, and an abundance of both marine and land animals. Many travelers cruise through the park, but you can also take boat tours, go kayaking in front of the glaciers, fish, or go whale watching.

Kobuk Valley National Park. Kobuk Valley National Park is home to some of Alaska’s most surreal landscapes. In the south of the park lies the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, the largest active dunes in the arctic circle. Further north lies the Kobuk River, a great spot for fishing, wildlife cruises, and rafting. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of caribou migrate through this National Park twice a year, and if you are lucky you may get to see this great herd. Kobuk Valley has no roads or campgrounds, so the best way to see the park is either by backpacking or by flightseeing.

Gates of the Arctic National Park. Gates of the Arctic is a vast wilderness set in Alaska’s northernmost mountain chain. The park is filled with beautiful mountain scenery, shimmering lakes, and active wildlife. There are no roads, campgrounds, or trails within the park so the only way to explore it is from a flightseeing tour or by backpacking. You can take day hikes into the park, take a guided excursion, or go on an independent trek through the wild Arctic land. This National Park is a true test of strength and bravery, but the gorgeous views and untouched nature make the challenge worth the experience.