Before we get into all the nitty gritty, let’s get one thing out of the way; a trip to Alaska in itself is utterly life changing. But once you make your way up to the mighty Last Frontier, you need to dive in to all the epic attractions that you’ve been dreaming about for your entire life. We are talking about the places that people rave about for the rest of their lifetime after visiting just once. Each and every one of these trips is filled with mind-blowing natural beauty, and we are darn near certain that you’ll be itching to visit them in no time at all. Click the caption fields to learn more.
- Alaska’s Majestic Keystone Canyon – Valdez
Flickr - Jimmy Emerson, DVM Alaska’s grandest of all canyons is located in one of the snowiest regions in the last frontier - Valdez. Take a summertime floating trip down the river or spend the day hiking around the canyon and experiencing epic waterfall views.
- Boat Accessible Getaway to Hidden Halibut Cove – Kachemak Bay
Courtney Stanley Head to Halibut Cove out of Alaska’s ‘halibut fishing capital of the world’ of Homer and eat at the renowned Saltry Restaurant or time your trip to catch the Halibut Cove Live music series on the most incredible floating amphitheater that you’ve ever seen.
- Scenic Drive to Hatcher Pass – Willow
Flickr - Scott McMurren Head to the Mat-Su Valley once the snow clears and spend the day hiking, biking, berry picking, gold panning and more. This outdoor playground is one of Alaska’s most sought after destinations for locals and visitors alike.
- The Quiet Fishing Town That’s Frozen In Time – Cordova
Facebook - David Little Photography Whether you’re visiting to fish the prolific salmon streams of the Copper River or you’re just coming to soak in the views, this charming mountain town offers natural beauty that is simply unmatched.
- The One Destination With The Bluest Water In Alaska – Kenai Lake
Courtney Stanley This glacier fed lake in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula is one of the most awe-inspiring sights that you’ll ever witness. Get out on the water and spend the day fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, wildlife viewing or birding.
- Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves – Juneau
YouTube - GoPro It doesn’t get more Alaskan than hiking inside some crystal blue/turquoise glacier caves in the middle of the largest national forest in the U.S. This experience takes a bit of a trek to accomplish, but the reward is so worth it once you arrive.
- The Winter Wonderland Sleigh Ride Tour – Palmer
Facebook - Alaska Horse Adventures LLC This is a seasonal delight but it’s also an excellent activity to enjoy any month of the year. Load up your sweetheart or your whole family and let the beautiful horses take you out into Alaska’s promise lands.
- The Largest Rainforest In The U.S. – Tongass National Forest
Flickr - Joseph Sweet, pristine southeast Alaska has a hold of our hearts! Spend the day hiking or backpacking overnight in the Tongass and you’ll see exactly what we mean.
- The Most Amazing Winter Park On Earth – Fairbanks
Facebook - Ice Alaska Ice Alaska is a perfect blend of spectacular natural beauty and world-renowned craftsmanship. This is a family friendly event that everyone needs to experience at least once in their life.
- The Historic Train Ride That Will Lead You To Another Country – Skagway
Flickr - DJHeini Hop aboard this historic train ride and get ready to fill your eye-holes full of panoramic views from Alaska all the way into the Yukon.
- The Most Easily Accessible Glacier Hike In Alaska – Kenai Fjords National Park
Courtney Stanley Exit Glacier in the town of Seward on the Kenai Peninsula is one of the most popular hikes in the Last Frontier. Just a few miles and you’ll be up close and personal with one of the most epic landmasses in the world.
- The Largest National Park In America – Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Flickr - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Go off the beaten path and experience the raw, rugged natural beauty that Alaska is known for. This highly underrated National Park will blow your mind.
- Hidden Resort Retreat on Apple Island – Sitka
Facebook - Talon Lodge and Spa - Alaska’s Luxury Private Island Resort Reward yourself with an exclusive trip to the private Apple Island and spend your days fishing, eating gourmet cuisine or being massaged while staring out at the open water.
- The Charming Coastal Town Where You Can Completely Unwind – Seldovia
Flickr - Andrea Pokrzywinski This idyllic getaway on The Kenai, Alaska’s Playground offers lovely restaurants, charming lodging options and tons of outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.
- The Most Unique Arctic Desert In The World – Kobuk Valley National Park
Flickr - Western Arctic National Parklands Go far north of the Arctic Circle and experience one of the most unique places in the world. This trip will change your life and all of your perspectives about the Last Frontier.
- Lost Lake – Chugach National Forest
Flickr - Dan Logan Located near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula, this 13 mile hike offers so much natural beauty that it is undoubtedly worth the trip. Make it a backpacking excursion and spend the night lakeside underneath the midnight sun.
- The Most Charming Ski Town In The World – Girdwood
Flickr - Lynn D. Rosentrater There is so much to love about Girdwood. It’s easily accessible to the largest city in Alaska (Anchorage) plus the town offers gems such as Alyeska Resort, Double Musky, Jack Sprat, The Bake Shop and so much more.
For more incredible trip ideas, check out these 16 amazing places you can go on one tank of gas in Alaska. You might also enjoy this Northern Lights road trip in Alaska that’s downright magical.
Flickr - Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Alaska’s grandest of all canyons is located in one of the snowiest regions in the last frontier - Valdez. Take a summertime floating trip down the river or spend the day hiking around the canyon and experiencing epic waterfall views.
Courtney Stanley
Head to Halibut Cove out of Alaska’s ‘halibut fishing capital of the world’ of Homer and eat at the renowned Saltry Restaurant or time your trip to catch the Halibut Cove Live music series on the most incredible floating amphitheater that you’ve ever seen.
Flickr - Scott McMurren
Head to the Mat-Su Valley once the snow clears and spend the day hiking, biking, berry picking, gold panning and more. This outdoor playground is one of Alaska’s most sought after destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Facebook - David Little Photography
Whether you’re visiting to fish the prolific salmon streams of the Copper River or you’re just coming to soak in the views, this charming mountain town offers natural beauty that is simply unmatched.
This glacier fed lake in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula is one of the most awe-inspiring sights that you’ll ever witness. Get out on the water and spend the day fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, wildlife viewing or birding.
YouTube - GoPro
It doesn’t get more Alaskan than hiking inside some crystal blue/turquoise glacier caves in the middle of the largest national forest in the U.S. This experience takes a bit of a trek to accomplish, but the reward is so worth it once you arrive.
Facebook - Alaska Horse Adventures LLC
This is a seasonal delight but it’s also an excellent activity to enjoy any month of the year. Load up your sweetheart or your whole family and let the beautiful horses take you out into Alaska’s promise lands.
Flickr - Joseph
Sweet, pristine southeast Alaska has a hold of our hearts! Spend the day hiking or backpacking overnight in the Tongass and you’ll see exactly what we mean.
Facebook - Ice Alaska
Ice Alaska is a perfect blend of spectacular natural beauty and world-renowned craftsmanship. This is a family friendly event that everyone needs to experience at least once in their life.
Flickr - DJHeini
Hop aboard this historic train ride and get ready to fill your eye-holes full of panoramic views from Alaska all the way into the Yukon.
Exit Glacier in the town of Seward on the Kenai Peninsula is one of the most popular hikes in the Last Frontier. Just a few miles and you’ll be up close and personal with one of the most epic landmasses in the world.
Flickr - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Go off the beaten path and experience the raw, rugged natural beauty that Alaska is known for. This highly underrated National Park will blow your mind.
Facebook - Talon Lodge and Spa - Alaska’s Luxury Private Island Resort
Reward yourself with an exclusive trip to the private Apple Island and spend your days fishing, eating gourmet cuisine or being massaged while staring out at the open water.
Flickr - Andrea Pokrzywinski
This idyllic getaway on The Kenai, Alaska’s Playground offers lovely restaurants, charming lodging options and tons of outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.
Flickr - Western Arctic National Parklands
Go far north of the Arctic Circle and experience one of the most unique places in the world. This trip will change your life and all of your perspectives about the Last Frontier.
Flickr - Dan Logan
Located near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula, this 13 mile hike offers so much natural beauty that it is undoubtedly worth the trip. Make it a backpacking excursion and spend the night lakeside underneath the midnight sun.
Flickr - Lynn D. Rosentrater
There is so much to love about Girdwood. It’s easily accessible to the largest city in Alaska (Anchorage) plus the town offers gems such as Alyeska Resort, Double Musky, Jack Sprat, The Bake Shop and so much more.
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