The Top Regions to Visit in Alaska
Discover the sites and places to visit
Interactive Map of Alaska
Anchorage and the surrounding area
There’s a gentle feeling of being at the end of the world when you arrive in Anchorage, Alaska’s economic capital. There, you’ll run into seasoned backpackers planning their trip to the far north, Native Alaskans who’ve come to try their luck in the city, businesspeople taking a “salmon fishing” break and heading back with fresh fish to last them the next few months, gold prospectors with their heads full of dreams… all gathered in a city laid out like a spreadsheet. It may not seem very charming at first glance, but it’s a great base from which to set out and discover Alaska’s wilderness!
Kodiak Island and the Aleutian Islands
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a wild world far from tourist areas, then Kodiak Island or the Aleutian Islands will undoubtedly offer a complete change of scenery. Here, you’re not looking for comfort, but for adventure and the experience of connecting with nature. Kodiak Island boasts 9,500 km² of wilderness, where the local population makes its living from fishing; you’ll enjoy observing grizzly bears in their most pristine habitat. Even less touristy, the volcanic chain of the 300 Aleutian Islands is difficult to access due to its rugged terrain, but offers a few opportunities for exploration, particularly around Unalaska.
Inside Passage
In southeastern Alaska, on the border with Canada, there is a wild region that is still home to forgotten villages on islands battered by winds and tides. Whales, orcas, and bears are part of everyday life for the lucky few who travel this isolated waterway. Take your time when traveling through the Inside Passage… the experience will be all the more memorable!
The Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula, a place of rare beauty, is a premier destination for nature observation in Alaska. Numerous day trips and multi-day expeditions explore its parks and glaciers, offering activities such as kayaking, rafting, and hiking… Cruises sail through the fjords, while other boats set out for sport fishing (including halibut), whale and sea lion watching, and seaplanes take you to remote lodges. Just a few hours from Anchorage, it would be a shame to miss it.
The Katmai Region
Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, this 20,000-square-kilometer national park is renowned for its brown bears, as it is home to the world’s largest population. It’s no wonder—there’s no shortage of food! Thousands of migratory salmon struggle to swim upstream, and the giant clams found there are the perfect food source for these mammals! This is nature in its raw form—not for the faint of heart—and it’s sure to take your breath away. Guaranteed.
The Valdez Area
The Valdez region, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and Prince William Sound are among the most captivating places in Alaska. Here you’ll find a distillation of off-the-beaten-path adventure: scenic roads, abandoned mines, glaciers stretching as far as the eye can see, and national parks of rare beauty. In the far southeastern corner of the state, the possibilities are endless, and time seems to stand still. It’s the perfect stop to enhance a trip filled with adventure and new encounters.
Denali National Park & Surrounding Area
Denali National Park is the ultimate destination for experiencing nature in the wild. Almost entirely protected, the park offers the opportunity—on foot or by bike—to observe numerous mammals, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou, as well as many species of flowers. In addition, the summer landscapes boast magnificent colors—ranging from pink to green—against a backdrop of glaciers and tundra. All of this is crowned by Mount Denali, which rises to an elevation of 6,194 meters. To reach the parks in Alaska’s interior, an adventure by train or along scenic highways is sure to delight all adventurers.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the province’s second-largest city after Anchorage. The city lies at the crossroads of various routes that traverse Alaska: the one coming from the neighboring Yukon, the one heading far north for polar expeditions, and the route toward Denali and the south. Commonly known as the “Golden Heart of Alaska,” the region attracts visitors with its mix of wilderness, historic sites, and dog sled races, and is a premier destination for viewing the Northern Lights.
Matanuska Glacier & the Surrounding Area
Welcome to the Matanuska Valley, a striking landscape where Alaska reveals all its raw power. Dominated by the impressive Matanuska Glacier, which stretches over 40 kilometers, this stretch of wilderness is one of the most accessible in the state. From the scenic Glenn Highway, the views of ice fields, rugged mountains, and dense forests are breathtaking.
It’s an ideal playground for adventure seekers: glacier hiking, crevasse caving, zip-lining, backcountry hiking, or simply taking in the scenery. In every season, the region offers a unique spectacle, from the golden light of summer to the frost-covered landscapes of winter.
Less crowded than the major parks, the Matanuska Glacier area charms visitors with its authenticity and peaceful atmosphere. It offers an easy and spectacular immersion into the heart of Alaska, just a few hours from Anchorage.
Mount Elias / St. Wrangell National Park
Welcome to a world of grandeur! As the largest national park in the United States (nearly 54,000 km²!), Wrangell-St. Elias is a world apart, where mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, and wild valleys come together to form a spectacular and virtually untouched landscape. Here, nature reigns supreme, dominated by Mount St. Elias, North America’s second-highest peak (5,489 m), which seems to rise straight from the Earth’s core. Seasoned hikers, mountaineers in search of unclimbed peaks, or simply lovers of the great outdoors will find their paradise in this rugged and remote region, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accessible mainly from the villages of McCarthy and Kennicott, this region offers a journey back in time, amid the ruins of copper mines and the vastness of glaciers. A distillation of Alaska in all its power and beauty.
Talkeetna & South Denali
Welcome to Talkeetna and the South Denali region, the true gateway to one of Alaska’s wildest areas. The village of Talkeetna, with its remote, end-of-the-world feel, offers exclusive access to Denali National Park and its legendary peak, Mount Denali (6,190 m), the highest mountain in North America.
Here, nature reigns supreme: boreal forests stretching as far as the eye can see, imposing glaciers, powerful rivers, and breathtaking panoramas unfold one after another. Whether it’s scenic flights, hiking, fishing, or simply taking time to reflect… there are countless ways to immerse yourself in this vast expanse.
Anchorage and the surrounding area
Kodiak Island and the Aleutian Islands
Inside Passage
The Kenai Peninsula
The Katmai Region
The Valdez Area
Denali National Park & Surrounding Area
Fairbanks
Matanuska Glacier & the Surrounding Area
Mount Elias / St. Wrangell National Park
Talkeetna & South Denali
Other travel ideas
Tour of Remote Regions of Alaska and Canada
A Winter Getaway in the Wilds of Alaska
Alaska with the Family: On the Road to the Wilderness
Alaska in All Its Glory
A Journey to the Heart of the Yukon and Alaska
