Alaska Travel Guide

Alaska Itinerary

10 Day Alaska Itinerary: 3 Ways to Plan an Epic Alaska Road Trip

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There are many ways to plan your “perfect Alaska itinerary,” depending on your interests. Cruise the fjords, go glacier hiking or ice climbing, soar over the snow-capped mountains on a flightseeing tour, see Denali in all her glory, watch brown bears feeding on salmon, and drive through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the USA.

In this guide, we list three different ways to spend 10 days in Alaska. These are great starting points for planning your trip, and they can be easily modified if you have more or less time.

Denali

From the top things to do in the park, to the best trails to hike, and sample itineraries to help you plan your time, here are our articles about Denali National Park.

16 Best Things to Do in 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. There are […]

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Eielson Visitor Center on Denali Park Road

Eielson, which is located at mile 66 on Denali Park Road, is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Denali National Park & Preserve. On a clear day, the views of Denali are unbeatable. The drive to get here is gorgeous, there are several short hikes to choose from, and you get to […]

Denali Flightseeing Tour: Photos, Tour Options, & is It Worth It?

One of the best ways to experience Denali National Park is on a flightseeing tour. Denali is the tallest mountain in North America. It’s vertical relief, which is the visible difference from base to peak, is 18,000 feet (5,500 meters), which is the highest of any mountain in the world. On a Denali flightseeing tour, […]

Denali Park Road Travel Guide: Things to Do, Map, Photos, Itineraries

There is only one road that leads into Denali National Park and that would be Denali Park Road. Stretching 92 miles, this road leads to stunning viewpoints, scenic lakes, and numerous hiking trails and campsites. Along the drive, you have the chance to spot all of Alaska’s Big 5, not to mention big views of […]

How to Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail | Denali National Park

Horseshoe Lake is a beautiful lake near the front entrance of Denali National Park. Named after its shape, Horseshoe Lake can be reached from the Horseshoe Lake Trail. This trail is a short and easy hike that first takes you to an aerial overlook of the lake and then down to its shoreline, where you […]

How to Hike the McKinley Bar Trail in Denali National Park

The McKinley Bar Trail is a great add-on to a Denali Park Road backcountry adventure. Hiking through a beautiful landscape of streams, marshes, and spruce trees makes this hike enjoyable even on a cloudy day. And on a clear day you will also be treated with specular views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The […]

How to Hike the Savage Alpine Trail in Denali National Park

If you want sweeping views of Denali National Park, and a great view of Denali without venturing too far into the park, put the Savage Alpine Trail on your to-do list. This is one of our favorite hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve. On a clear day, you can see Denali from the high […]

How to Hike the Triple Lakes Trail in Denali National Park

The Triple Lakes Trail is a 9.25-mile point-to-point hike in Denali National Park. This well-maintained and well-traveled trail runs along the eastern border of the park just south of the park’s only entrance. As you hike the Triple Lakes Trail, you can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of three separate lakes, right from their shorelines. […]

Mount Healy Overlook Trail | Step-By-Step Guide, Stats, Photos

Hiking to the Mount Healy Overlook is one of the most popular hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve. The main reason to do this hike is for the view. From the overlook, you have 360° views of the front country of the park and, on a clear day, you will be able to see […]

Top 10 Hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve

Looking for a great hike to do in Denali National Park? You have a lot to choose from. The National Park Service website lists 20 hikes in Denali National Park. These trails are scattered throughout the park and range in distance and difficulty. We hiked a majority of these trails and we have a lot […]

What to Do in Denali while Denali Park Road is Closed (& Is It Worth It?)

Only one road leads into Denali (Denali Park Road) and currently it is closed at mile 43, which is about the halfway point. This road closure cuts off access into the backcountry of the park, which is unfortunate, since some of Denali’s best experiences lie beyond this road closure. However, even with the road closure, […]

Wrangell-St. Elias

From the top things to do in the park, to the best trails to hike, and sample itineraries to help you plan your time, here are our articles about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Travel Guide

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In our Guide to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, learn about the best things to do, the best hiking trails, where to eat, and where to stay.

10 Best Things to Do in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

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 […]

Bagley Icefield and Mount St. Elias Flightseeing Tour of Wrangell – St. Elias National Park

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is home to some of the most rugged, mountainous, ice-covered scenery in the United States. If you want to see mountain peaks, glaciers, and an immense ice field that stretches as far as the eye can see, consider taking a flightseeing tour from McCarthy, Alaska. Wrangell Mountain […]

Root Glacier Trail: Step-By-Step Guide (Map, Stats & Photos)

Hiking the Root Glacier Trail is one of the best things to do in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This national park is covered with a huge amount of glacial ice and the Root Glacier is the most accessible glacier in the park. Whether or not you have been glacier hiking before, […]

The Ultimate Bonanza Mine Trail Guide | Wrangell – St. Elias

The Bonanza Mine Trail is a tough hike that features panoramic views over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. It’s not the most thrilling hike at first but once above the tree line the views really open up. The pay-off comes at the end…the chance to see the abandoned Bonanza Mine and sweeping views across Wrangell […]

Thirteen Glacier Flightseeing Tour | Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

The Thirteen Glacier Flightseeing Tour is a 70-minute tour of Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve that is offered by Wrangell Mountain Air. This flightseeing tour offers spectacular views of the Wrangell Mountains. On this tour, we flew over numerous glaciers, spotted Dall sheep clinging to the cliffs, soared over the Kennecott and […]

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park Flightseeing Tour: What to Expect & Is It Worth It?

One of the best ways to experience the immense size and grandeur of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is to take a flightseeing tour. This national park is massive…13.2 million acres with only a grand total of 101 miles of roads. Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve also contains the largest number of […]

Lake Clark

Learn how to plan your visit to Lake Clark National Park.

Lake Clark National Park Travel Guide

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In our Guide to Lake Clark National Park, learn about the best things to do and get important tips to help you plan your trip.

10 Epic Things to Do in Lake Clark National Park

Lake Clark National Park is a wild, rugged expanse of land that is home to two active volcanoes, icy glaciers, rocky, jagged mountains, several of the largest lakes in Alaska, and an abundance of wildlife. Located in Alaska, this national park is one of the least visited in the USA. There are no roads in […]

Journey through Lake Clark National Park in Photos

Lake Clark National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the USA. Located in Alaska, not far from Anchorage, this rugged, remote park is home to some of the most magnificent landscapes in the National Park system. Steaming volcanoes sit amidst the jagged, glacier covered Chigmit Mountains. Waterfalls spill down from the […]

Top Experiences in Alaska

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.

Best Time to Visit Alaska

The best time to visit Alaska is from May through September. That’s a short window of time, but for most of the year, the national parks are snow covered and inaccessible. Even May is a bit early, and some tours won’t start operating until June or even July.

The best time to visit Denali National Park is from June through early to mid-September. During this time, Denali Park Road is open, as are the campgrounds and lodges in Kantishna.

If you are looking to visit Katmai National Park, we recommend you visit in the second week of July. This is when you are most likely to see the bear feasting on salmon.

Further north are Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk National Park, and these are best visited in July or August as the days are long, wildlife is most active, and there is less snow on the ground.

Alaska is a whole new world in the winter. There are not many daylight hours, but the northern lights fill the sky and Alaska has plenty of outdoor activities to make the trip worthwhile. Take part in the state sport: dog-sledding, ski down Alaska’s snowy peaks, and run with reindeer at Alaska’s annual event.

US National Parks

US National Parks

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The US National Parks make an excellent travel destination, whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or a weekend getaway. In our guide to the national parks, get detailed trip planning information, advice on which parks to visit by season, and itineraries to help simplify your travel planning process.