Summary
Highlights
Alaska, the Last Frontier, is a vast wilderness, twice the size of Texas with fewer than 750,000 people. Roads are scarce, making it ideal for adventurers. This video offers a 10-day road trip itinerary based in Anchorage, drawing from three years of personal experience. Key tips for an Alaskan road trip include being prepared for remote stretches, carrying extra food and water, monitoring gas, and accounting for potential road closures. Weather changes rapidly, so pack layers. Be cautious around mud flats and wildlife, carrying bear spray when hiking. June is recommended for warm weather and extended daylight.
Upon arriving at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, enjoy views of snowy mountains from the plane. Rent a car, possibly through Turo to save money, and check into accommodation. Explore downtown Anchorage, starting with food. Recommendations include 49th State Brewing for Alaskan Yak Burgers and rooftop Denali views, reindeer sausage stands, and Wild Scoops for homemade ice cream. For outdoor activities, hike the Chugach Front Range, with Flat Top Mountain or Little O'Malley offering panoramic city views. Always carry bear spray. For a relaxed option, visit Potter Marsh for bird watching and potential moose sightings.
On Day 3, head south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway, stopping at Beluga Point for views of Turnagain Arm and potential mountain goat sightings. Further down, Bird Point offers more scenic views. Arrive at Girdwood, a mountain retreat. Hike Virgin Creek Falls Trail, an easy path to a waterfall. Consider staying at Alyeska Resort, a year-round destination for hiking/skiing with amenities like restaurants, gift shops, and a saltwater pool. Day 4 in Girdwood involves taking a tram ride up Mount Alyeska for panoramic views and dining. For relaxation, visit the Alyeska Nordic Spa, a new wellness retreat with Scandinavian features, hot/cold pools, saunas, and a peaceful forest walkway with hot tubs. Explore Girdwood's town, shops, restaurants, and other hiking trails like Winner Creek Trail.
Start Day 5 by gassing up in Girdwood, as it's the last station for 60 miles. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see native animals like moose and bears in spacious enclosures. Continue to Portage Glacier Road towards Whittier. Explore the Trail of Blue Ice, a walk along an icy blue lake. At Portage Lake, the glacier has receded, but the visitor center offers views. Drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, North America's longest highway tunnel. Check the schedule as it's single-lane and shared with trains. Whittier is a picturesque town and gateway to Prince William Sound, with most residents living in one building. Enjoy the harbor or watch salmon at Lu Young Public Beach during salmon season. Hike the Portage Glacier Trail for closer views of the glacier. Stay in Whittier or return to Girdwood for more accommodation options.
On Day 6, drive 3 hours to Seward, passing through Turnagain Pass and Kenai Lake. In Seward, explore the harbor, local shops, and restaurants like Ray's Waterfront, where you can watch fishing charters. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, an aquarium with marine life encounters (admission is $30). Drive along Resurrection Bay to Miller's Landing for views and a bite. The Tonsina Trail, starting at Lowell Point, is an easy hike along Resurrection Bay. Spend the night in Seward. Day 7 begins with coffee at Resurrect Art Coffee House. Embark on a whale watching boat tour to see humpback whales, orcas, and other marine life amidst stunning fjords and glaciers. Visit Exit Glacier, with an easy Overlook Trail or the challenging 8.6-mile Harding Icefield Trail (5-6 hours) for breathtaking icefield views. Consider a horseback riding tour along Resurrection Bay. Spend a second night in Seward.
On Day 8, drive 3 hours to Homer, known as the halibut fishing capital. The scenic Sterling Highway offers views of the Kenai River. Explore the Homer Spit, a peninsula with shops, restaurants (Salty Dog Saloon), and a hidden swing. Grab a treat at Two Sisters Bakery or a tasting at Bear Creek Winery. Stay overnight at a campsite or Airbnb. Day 9 offers various adventure options: halibut fishing, sea kayaking, or bear viewing flight tours to Katmai or Lake Clark National Parks. The video highlights a multi-species fishing charter for king salmon and halibut, with the option to have the catch prepared at a local restaurant and shipped home.
On Day 10, drive 4.5 hours back to Anchorage for your flight or to continue your adventure. The video then offers alternative options for customizing your trip. The first is fly fishing at the remote Alaska Trophy Adventures Lodge on the Alagnak River in Bristol Bay, accessible by a six-seater plane from King Salmon, offering pure wilderness, salmon/trout fishing, bear viewing, and visits to Katmai National Park. The second alternative involves flying to Southeast Alaska, starting in Juneau. Enjoy king crab legs at Tracy's Crab Shack and hike to Mendenhall Glacier. Then fly to Ketchikan for sea kayaking, exploring history, and fresh seafood at the Alaska Fish House (try salmon bagels). Both Juneau and Ketchikan showcase rich Native history. The third alternative is a 5.5-hour scenic drive from Anchorage to Valdez, passing Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and waterfalls. Valdez, in Prince William Sound, offers wildlife viewing at Solomon Gulch Hatchery (sea otters, seals), boat tours to glaciers, and kayaking at Valdez Glacier Lake. The video also suggests winter activities: dog sledding in Wasilla/Palmer, guided glacier hikes/ice climbing at Matanuska Glacier, and skiing/snowboarding at Alyeska Resort. Budgeting depends on excursions; food can be pricey, so stock up on groceries in Anchorage.
Instead of the long drive to Denali National Park, which is often cloudy and has limited access, head north for a scenic day trip to Hatcher Pass, just an hour from Anchorage. Stops along the way include Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park for hiking, biking, and kayaking (beware of cold water). The Twin Peaks Trail offers stunning lake views. Further on, visit the Eklutna River, a channel of turquoise water popular for fishing and walks. Continue to Hatcher's Pass, known for hiking and scenic red cabins. Visit Hatcher Pass Lodge for refreshments and explore Independence Mine State Historical Park, a former gold mine. The Gold Cord Lake Trail leads to an alpine lake. For adventurous travelers, drive higher into the mountains (4WD recommended in summer) to Summit Lake for views of Archangel Valley. The Reed Lake Trail is a favorite for immersing in the Alaskan wilderness and offers backpacking options.