Category: Alaska

Looking for the absolute best restaurants in Anchorage Alaska? We’ve narrowed down our favorites!

Anchorage, in Alaska, is a city with a reputation for extreme weather and a pioneer spirit due to its stunning natural scenery, short summers, and long, harsh winters. But did you know that many delicious restaurants sit in this far-flung city in the United States?

You can get locally produced kimchi, pho, a sushi roll, lumpia, or a poke bowl almost everywhere in downtown. These dishes all have strong Asian and Pacific Islander influences.

In many Anchorage restaurants, you can find Alaskan favorites like salmon and halibut, but you can also try a wide range of foods from other spots.

In this article, you’ll discover the best restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska, and learn what makes them stand out. Each of these eateries has a distinctive dish that will amaze you with its flavor.

So, whether you’re just passing through or you call Alaska home, check out some of these fantastic restaurants in Anchorage.

20. Kincaid Grill

6700 Jewel Lake Rd, Anchorage | American, Seafood, International | $20 – $50 | Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm – 9 pm

If you’re looking for high-quality cuisine and impeccable service, go no further than Kincaid Grill.

The relaxed atmosphere of Kincaid Grill’s West Anchorage neighborhood is perfect for enjoying the restaurant’s brand of down-home cooking.

The Alaskan regional food at Kincaid Grill is among the best in the Anchorage area. It emphasizes excellent ingredients and simple preparation for the finest eating experience.

You can start with an appetizer of fondue, and all you can say is wow! So, don’t miss out on this bit of heaven.

With roasted garlic, candied walnuts, fig spread, and crostini, the bubbling hot cheese dip is an excellent option too.

Another dish most women like is the shrimp and Gouda grits, but for men, they have the ribeye. Of course, to complete the experience, add crème brûlée, rhubarb coffee cake, and pot de crème for desserts.

If you have questions, ask the waitress, as she knows everything on the menu and is sure to help you.

Kincaid Grill is such a fun thing to do in Anchorage that you shouldn’t pass up the chance to treat yourself.

19. Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria

3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage | Italian, American, Bar | $10 – $25 | Monday to Friday 10:30 am – 11 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm

If you’re craving pizza in Anchorage, this is the place to go!

The Moose’s Tooth, since 1996, serves pizza, Broken Tooth Brewing beer, and tie-dye. They offer a genuinely gourmet pizza experience by focusing on creative, high-quality food in a casual setting.

In this restaurant, you can choose from various pizza choices. You can try Forager, Napoleon, and All-American. The famous Thai Pizza is another option that you can consider.

Aside from their renowned pizza, the ambiance and service are excellent here. Despite being extremely busy, the staffs were friendly, attentive, and prompt. This restaurant also serves delicious salads and beers that you should try!

However, keep in mind that this area is quite popular with travelers and locals, so wait times are often long but worth it.

You can usually sit at the bar, meet people, and not wait if you’re by yourself. The waiting time will be more significant if you have more companions.

So, if you are in the area, set aside a few hours to visit Moose’s Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, and we guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

18. Jens’ Restaurant

701 W 36th Ave Anchorage, AK 99503 American, Seafood, International, Contemporary | $17 – $62 | Tuesday – Saturday 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm

This restaurant is perfect for you if you’re seeking an elegant yet reasonably priced fine dining option in Anchorage with excellent service and fantastic food.

Jens’ Restaurant, located in a strip mall, is an excellent venue for your next private dining occasion.

The most extraordinary fresh Alaskan seafood has been available at this restaurant for over 30 years. Along with a variety of mouthwatering appetizers and salads, it also serves top steaks, lamb, and fresh pasta.

The grilled lamb lollipops are a must-try as an appetizer. It is tender and juicy, and the sauce adds terrific flavor.

There are three types of halibut available, but the Alaskan halibut—served with couscous and greens, tomatoes, pesto, and a big slab of seasoned butter on top—is a must-try!

Chocolate mousse, crème caramel, rich chocolate cake, and the one-of-a-kind Danish berry pudding are all excellent dessert options to round out your fine dining experience.

Hard liquor and cocktails are not available at Jen’s Restaurant, but its quaint wine bar serves the whole menu with more than 40 wines by the glass.

Therefore, if you are in Anchorage and don’t mind spending a hefty sum of money, you should check out this restaurant.

17. Haute Quarter Grill

525 W 4th Ave Anchorage, AK 99501 | Seafood, American | $31 – $50 | Tuesday to Thursday 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

If you’re looking for a location to unwind after work or have an early dinner before a show in downtown Anchorage, Haute Quarter Grill is the place to go!

Modern American food is the focus of Haute Quarter Grill. It has a full bar and a great wine list, and whenever feasible, it employs fresh Alaskan seafood and produces.

This restaurant is consistently busy, and there are several good reasons for this. The food is of the highest possible quality, and its service is unmatched.

If you decide to visit this restaurant, you should try the two most popular appetizers, the girlfriend bread, and the salmon dip.

All of the restaurant’s main courses were delicious as well! The halibut fish and chips were perhaps the most popular dish, while the clam chowder and blackened halibut are must-tries.

When you eat at this restaurant in Anchorage, make sure you call ahead and get a reservation. There is a parking street nearby, so parking is not an issue here.

So if you are searching for a new spot to go on a date, look no further than Haute Quarter Grill!

16. Snow City Café

1034 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-1919 | American, Cafe, Soups | $10 – $18 | Monday to Sunday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Are you looking for a spot to eat a tasty meal to start your day? Drop by the Snow City Café!

One of the few coffee shops and cafés in downtown Anchorage, Snow City opened in 1998.

This place is known for its all-day breakfast menu, including Eggs Benedict, smoked salmon cakes, made-to-order omelets, and a cold cereal bar.

It also offers a vegetarian menu that includes soups, sandwiches, international salads, smoothies, fresh-baked products, and local art.

You can order and try the Deadliest Catch Benedict, the café’s most popular item. The two components of this delicacy are house-smoked salmon and king crab.

Another choice worth considering is the Oscar Style Eggs Benedict, its current special.

Since it is a popular morning café in Anchorage, prepare to wait for your order. However, if you’re fortunate enough to find a bar stool, you can lessen your wait as you enjoy the place’s relatively fine coffee.

Therefore, if you are in Anchorage and looking for a location to eat breakfast, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting Snow City Café!

15. OEC Revolving Sushi Bar

1200 W Northern Lights Blvd Ste H, Anchorage, AK 99503-3652 | Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Fusion | $10 – $20 | Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm

As the only revolving sushi restaurant in town, OEC Revolving Sushi is a perfect place if you’re seeking an unforgettable meal in Anchorage.

This location is ideal for a quick lunch because you can enter, sit, and start eating immediately. To begin eating in this restaurant, you must take the rolls off the conveyor belt.

For each price tier, each roll is on a different colored platter. You can see the price for each roll in the chart, which is visible and simple to understand.

Aside from sushi rolls, there are beverages and desserts to pick from in this restaurant. They also have excellent, fresh kimchi, which you must taste.

OEC Revolving Sushi is the place to go whether you’re looking for an excellent setting for a more formal lunch date, a laid-back get-together with friends, or a brief business meeting.

It might also be suitable for a dinner party, but beware—the cost increases significantly for that last meal of the day.

Also, if you want to avoid having to pay an excessive amount for your meal, it is essential to make sure that you keep track of the number of plates while you eat.

14. Glacier Brewhouse

737 W 5th Ave Ste. 110, Anchorage, AK 99501-2129 | American | $30 – $34 | Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Friday 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am –10:30 pm

If you’re seeking food created with the freshest ingredients, including some local ones, Glacier Breweries is the place to go!

Glacier Breweries is a high-end brewpub that opened in 1996 in the heart of downtown Anchorage, Alaska.

The brewpub serves award-winning hand-crafted brews, wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood from the ocean, and rotisserie-grilled meats. They also have gluten-free, keto, and vegetarian alternatives, served by their cheerful, enthusiastic wait staff.

Everyone would agree that dining at this establishment is a must when visiting Anchorage. It has a hip environment and is a great spot to take the family or go on a particular date night.

This restaurant in town also serves delicious cuisine and drinks. The Herb Crusted Alaskan Halibut and a Moscow Mule are must-orders if you decide to dine here. This combination is fantastic!

It would be best if you also get their shrimp salad, calamari, seafood chowder, and salmon because these dishes are great options.

Remember, though, that there are always many people at this location. It is why making a reservation is preferable, especially if you have a big group.

If you are in Anchorage, stop by Glacier Brewhouse to sample the food and brews at this award-winning brewery and restaurant.

13. Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar

328 G St Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99501-2125 | American, Wine Bar, International, Contemporary | $8 – $23 | Tuesday to Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Whether you’re searching for a drink kind of night or a big occasion dinner, Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar is the place to be!

This place is, without a doubt, one of our top choices for restaurants in Anchorage. Not only does it have excellent and unique wines, with constantly changing and deep wine lists, but they also have incredible drinks and meals!

What is better? Their menu changes with the seasons as well!

Be sure to get some of their oysters and halibut if you visit this location. Their butter chicken, rigatoni, and pork belly are also must-orders!

This location features a wide variety of drinks! They have beverages for everyone, including rosé, red, and white wines.

Also, the staff is amiable and attentive. You can also see that its staff members are devoted to and professional at what they do.

Make sure to stop by Crust Wine Bistro & Cellar in Anchorage if you find yourself in the area. To get the whole experience, though, you should make a reservation because they are so well-liked by both locals and tourists.

12. Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill

1230 W 27th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503-2319 | American, Bar | $2 – $24 | Monday to Friday 11:00 am –10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am –10:00 pm

Do you want to eat while watching a movie? If this is the case, you are welcome to stop by the Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill!

Introducing a comprehensive menu of freshly cooked meals, this Anchorage restaurant has elevated the second-run movie concept to a new level. This location lets locals and visitors consume a complete meal while watching their preferred movies.

Every row in this place has tables in front, so guests can set a nice draft drink, enjoy their famous pizza or a house-made dessert, and stretch out.

There is also a dining area for people of all ages where they can enjoy everything except beer and wine, so you don’t need to worry if you are under 21.

The restaurant also has a dining room next door at the Bear Tooth Grill for people who prefer to eat early or want to enjoy the food without watching a movie.

This restaurant is superior to others in Anchorage because it offers a shorter wait time. However, as reservations are not accepted, arriving early at the spot is preferable.

11. The Crow’s Nest

4th at K Street at The Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK 99501 | American, French, Wine Bar, Seafood | $26 – $47 | Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Are you looking forward to a special dinner occasion? There is no need to look any further than the Crow’s Nest!

The Crow’s Nest is the only AAA-four-diamond fine dining restaurant in Anchorage. It serves French and New American cuisine and has a 10,000-bottle wine cellar with breathtaking views of Downtown, the Chugach Mountains, and Cook Inlet.

This outstanding restaurant offers a great assortment of cocktails in the bar, including some intriguing new ones. If you visit this excellent spot, you must sample their bison, served over a thin layer of mashed potatoes with demi sauce.

We also highly recommend their salmon, crab bisque, and cheese platter for a fantastic meal.

Aside from the top-notch food that this place offers, another thing that sets it apart is the breathtaking panorama visible from every seat on the premises.

They also have a friendly, competent crew that takes great pride in their work.

If you are unsure what to order, you can ask the restaurant staff, who are well-versed in the menu and can make excellent recommendations.

Lastly, it’s also critical to be aware of the venue’s dress code.

10. Lei’s Poke Stop

1142 N Muldoon Rd Ste 115 Tikahtnu Commons, Anchorage, AK 99504-6118 | Hawaiian | $3 – $20 | Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

For those who have been searching for authentic Hawaiian poke, your search ends here!

Lei’s Poke Stop is Alaska’s Hawaiian poke and snack business. This restaurant serves a selection of freshly cooked poke, authentic Hawaiian shave ice, Hurricane popcorn, crack seed, and more daily.

Every bowl served here is guaranteed to be freshly made. Since this restaurant makes each dish to order for their customer’s satisfaction, they only use the best ingredients and premium cuts of fish.

If you love spicy food, you can choose spicy masago, spicy furikake, and a sweet and spicy option. Alternatively, you can try its ahi and salmon poke if that is not the case.

In addition, this establishment has a wide selection of other types of seafood. They also sell malasadas from wiki on Fridays and various other Hawaiian food.

Another upside of this restaurant, it has the most pleasant customer service, as they genuinely bring “island hospitality” to the neighborhood.

If you are in Anchorage, Alaska, and searching for a place to get a flavor of the islands, then you need not look any further than Lei’s Poke Stop!

9. Spinz Pollo a la Brasa

3024 Mountain View Dr. Anchorage, AK 99501 | Peruvian | $12 – $35 | Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Curious about the taste of Peruvian chicken? Spinz Pollo a la Brasa got you covered!

In Alaska, Spinz Pollo a la Brasa is the sole establishment serving rotisserie chicken cooked over wood charcoal. This establishment is a new quick-service restaurant in Anchorage that serves whole rotisserie chicken with a Peruvian touch.

They marinade their chicken for 12 hours in robust flavors and roast it over wood charcoal to 185 ° in handmade Peruvian wood charcoal rotisserie ovens.

You have the option to order the chicken entire, half, or quarter in this establishment. The best thing about this chicken is its incredible variety of nutritious and original sides made with components from Latin cuisine. Each meal also includes a choice of two sides and a sauce.

It should be no surprise that this restaurant has swiftly become one of the most popular spots in town. If you plan on eating here in Anchorage, try the escabeche, plantain chips, yucca fries, and cilantro mojo chicken.

So, if you’re seeking an authentic Peruvian dish taste, go to Spinz Pollo a la Brasa.

8. 49th State Brewing – Anchorage

717 West 3rd Ave Anchorage, AK 99514 | Steakhouse, Brew Pub, American, Bar, Pub | $11 – $50 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

49th State Brewing in Anchorage is the place to go if you want a site that is welcoming to locals and visitors and has plenty to offer everyone.

This restaurant, which has an accessible downtown location, is well-known for its hearty brewpub fare, rooftop patio with views of the Alaska Range and the Cook Inlet, and award-winning craft beer.

Traditional American fare is on their menu, including steaks, burgers, and wings. Along with these, they sell elk, yak, king crab, salmon, halibut, and other specialties from Alaska.

There will likely be a wait time if you decide to eat at this restaurant, as it is popular with travelers and locals. However, the wait is worthwhile because the meal here is excellent and generously portioned.

If you’re unsure about what to choose in this restaurant, try the Alaska Seafood Chowder. This chowder is among the best in the area; it is complete with seafood and has the ideal consistency. It is also adequately creamed and spiced.

The restaurant’s best-selling yak burger is available if you want to try yak meat. But if you’re a vegan, you should try Vegan Tundra pizza. Many vegans consider this to be the finest pizza they’ve ever had.

Also, if you want to experience all of the beers available at this establishment, a beer flight is an attractive option to order.

So if you’re in Anchorage and looking for a fantastic place to relax with delicious food and a breathtaking view of the sunset, 49th State Brewing is an excellent option.

7. Biscuitclub

333 W 4th Ave Ste 117, Anchorage, AK 99501-2341 | American, Cafe | $8 – $20 | Tuesday to Friday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

This hidden treasure in Anchorage is the finest spot to go if you want to eat scratch biscuits and gravy with various exciting toppings. Located in the 4th Avenue Mall, Biscuitclub features a creative menu. A full espresso bar is also available at this establishment.

This modest restaurant has tables in the corridor, but the food and ambiance are lovely, and the business is doing what it should: making people smile with a full belly and great breakfast alternatives.

If you’re visiting for the first time, we recommend the hot-blooded biscuit, which includes cheddar, hot link sausage, jalapenos, and gravy. Even though it costs extra, adding an egg is well worth it!

Likewise, you can try their white chocolate mocha, reindeer sausage, and single biscuit with gravy. The biscuit was warm and delicious, and the sauce complemented it well.

So, if you enjoy biscuits and want a one-of-a-kind experience, Biscuitclub is the place to go!

6. White Spot Café

109 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-2509 | American, Café, Diner | $3 – $26 | Monday to Saturday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

The White Spot Café is the ideal place to visit if you want an outstanding breakfast prepared in the style of a traditional American household.

Since 1946, this legendary diner in Anchorage has been providing meals to generations of Alaskans. As one of the top restaurants in town, they consistently impress their patrons with their reasonable prices, friendly staff, and hearty American breakfast.

Although the restaurant is modest, it is efficient and offers excellent dishes at affordable costs. In a tiny cooking area, the staff members get along well with one another.

You can also watch their staff preparing your meal, and you will notice that the ingredients they use are all fresh and comes in generous servings.

If you’re in Anchorage for breakfast and decide to eat at this restaurant, you must get the halibut sandwiches. You can try some of their delicious reindeer sausages as well!

5. El Green-Go’s

390 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501-1923 | Mexican, American, Street Food, Food Trucks | $9 – $16 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

If you are looking for a Tex-Mex restaurant in Anchorage, look any further than El Green-Go’s!

El Green-Go’s is a simple food truck offering organic, locally sourced breakfasts, burritos, plus vegan meals. This restaurant uses fresh Alaskan produce to boost local agriculture and elevate food quality to the next level.

This spot is also the go-to Tex-Mex restaurant for a wide variety of tasty foods, including tacos, chilaquiles, and more!

One thing that sets this restaurant apart is its workers’ warm and welcoming customer service. When we visited this location, we noticed how committed their team was to providing their consumers with authentic Mexican flavors.

This restaurant’s food is hygienic and will not leave you feeling sluggish or gross afterward.

We had their huevos rancheros, which come with a tortilla base, pico de gallo, eggs, queso cotija, and a corn mixture. Along with your selection of protein, this dish also comes with rice, black beans, green chili, cilantro crème, and crema.

If you are hunting for the best place to find delightful, gratifying, and flavorful dishes for any occasion, visit El Green-in Go’s in Anchorage, Alaska. You won’t be disappointed!

4. Club Paris

417 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501-2309 | American, Steakhouse, Bar, Grill | $40 – $45 | Monday to Friday 11:O0 am – 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 4:O0 pm – 11:00 pm

If you enjoy life’s finer things, visit Club Paris for a large, delicate, flavorful steak charbroiled to perfection.

In Anchorage, Alaska, Club Paris serves various French and American dishes with international influences. The place is also known for its fresh Alaskan seafood, like Halibut and Red King Crab, the best crab available in town!

Unlike most steakhouses in town, Club Paris does not require a pretentious atmosphere. To give customers the impression that they are receiving a pleasant dining experience, the establishment doesn’t need to have a dress code, a ten-page wine list, or serve sides family-style.

The decorations in this restaurant are all about Alaska and Anchorage, and the servers only wear t-shirts. They do this so that the food and service, which are both excellent, can speak for themselves.

Try the escargot or the spicy fried zucchini to start your dinner if you decide to visit this restaurant once you are in Anchorage. For your main course, we suggest the prime rib of beef, the scallop sauté, or the chicken teriyaki.

For a memorable dessert to round out your meal, you should consider Steve’s New York Cheesecake or Jeff’s Crème Brûlée.

Club Paris is indeed a must-visit restaurant in Anchorage, whether for lunch or dinner.

3. Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop

718 K St, Anchorage, AK 99501 | American, Cafe | $2 – $18 | Wednesday to Sunday 7:O0 am – 4:00 pm

If you’re looking for the best spot to get a savory or sweet bite in Anchorage, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop is one of the top options.

When it comes to sweet treats, travelers and residents flock to Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop. One of Anchorage’s oldest downtown districts, South Addition, is home to this little artisan bakery, which opened its doors in 2009.

The cost of baked items is relatively affordable here. The open kitchen, where we could observe people baking the bread and pastries behind glass, is another one of the elements that people adore about this restaurant.

If you are undecided about what to have at this restaurant, try their focaccia made with sourdough that is not highly sour. The bread itself is surprisingly moist and fluffy. The egg is also still tender and cooked to perfection.

So, if you’re searching for a quick breakfast in Anchorage, give the Fire Island Rustic Bakery a try!

2. Charlie’s Bakery & Chinese Restaurant

2729 C St Anchorage, AK 99503 | Chinese, Asian | $13 – $46 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:30 pm

If you’re looking for authentic Chinese food or baked products, Charlie’s Bakery and Chinese Restaurant is the place to go!

This restaurant offers a distinctive fusion of famous Chinese cuisine and baked pastries in a casual setting. This establishment prides itself on providing delicious food at prices that are affordable to all.

When you visit this place, you should get some of their perfectly cooked Mongolian meat, steamed pork, and steamed buns.

They also have delicious rice cakes, Boston cream pies, and cheesecakes that you can order.

This restaurant is well-known not only for the delectable authenticity of its Chinese cuisine and baked products. It is also known for its excellent service and welcoming staff members who are always prepared to assist customers.

Furthermore, you will undoubtedly enjoy the gorgeous ambiance, decorations, and vibe of the location.

Charlie’s Bakery and Chinese Restaurant is, without a doubt, the finest Chinese dining establishment in town.

1. Spenard Roadhouse

1049 W Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage, AK 99503 | American, Bar, Breakfast, Brunch| $16 – $250 | Monday to Sunday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

Spenard Roadhouse is a restaurant and bar serving wholesome comfort food in a relaxed, unique atmosphere in the center of Anchorage, Alaska.

It offers Alaska’s incredible range of small-batch bourbons, fantastic food, local draft beers, and a neighborhood gathering spot where families and friends are welcome.

To keep things interesting, their bar team frequently creates brand-new inventive cocktails and switches out the local beers on tap.

When you go here, check out their excellent assortment of bottled beers and comprehensive wine list. This restaurant also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and offers many vegetarian options.

Do not worry about finding parking when you visit Spenard Roadhouse. Parking is no problem in this place, and it is a comfortable location to escape the chilly weather and snow.

If you’re in the mood for something hearty and enjoy gourmet burgers, try their Bacon Jam Burger with sweet potato fries and a Denali Brewing Chuli Stout. The sweet potatoes were the ideal balance of sweet and salty, and this burger is excellent with all the extras.

Stop by this restaurant in Spenard in the Anchorage area if you want a truly unforgettable experience.

In Closing

So there you have it! The top 20 best restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska! After reading this post, our sincere goal is that you have a more distinct idea of where you will want to dine once you get into the town.

However, regardless of which restaurant you select from this list, you will undoubtedly enjoy your meal, as Anchorage has an abundance of excellent restaurants serving fantastic food.

What restaurant in Anchorage is your top pick after reading this list? Post your thoughts in the space provided below!

Looking for the best breweries in Anchorage Alaska? You’ve come to the right place!

Anchorage (and the entirety of Alaska) are home to the eighth most breweries per capita in the nation. And it’s only growing!

Anchorage breweries offer a wide range of beers and tap rooms. Several breweries have food trucks and have outdoor seating, while others offer full menus.

If you are wondering which Anchorage Alaska breweries you should visit, we’ve put together a guide of our favorite best breweries in Anchorage. Read on for small breweries, large breweries, spots with food, spots with outdoor seating, food trucks, live music, and more!

17. Midnight Sun Brewing Company

8111 Dimond Hook Dr, Anchorage, AK 99507, United States | +1 907-344-6653

Since 1995, Midnight Sun has produced robust beers inspired by the Last Frontier’s natural energy and rugged scenery.

The brewery creates more than 60 varieties of beer every year. These beers are bold, accessible, and well-known all over the world.

At The Loft restaurant, you’ll find genuine, locally sourced ingredients and daily discounts, weekend brunch, and pleasant and knowledgable service to make your stay at Midnight Sun even more enjoyable. This restaurant also provides beer tasting opportunities!

Midnight Sun Brewing Company enjoys brewing unique year-round brews for its customers while expanding its seasonal and specialty brews’ repertory. The company aims to produce dependable, high-quality beers that fulfill consumers’ thirst while providing a refreshing beverage option.

There are four popular 12-ounce cans available and the draft kegs and 22-ounce bottles that most of the company beers come in. They have 16 beers and two sodas on tap daily, all of which they brew in the company.

Choose from drinks such as their Wolf Pack Pilsner, Arctic Devil Ale, Meltdown Double IPA, Kodiak Brown Ale, etc. You can also partner your glasses with Loft’s snacks and meals. The Beer-B-Q sauce topped with marinated chicken is worth trying.

Midnight Sun is a great place to hang out. It’s one of our favorite breweries in Anchorage for group outings. You can enjoy some of their exciting brews and savory foods. If you plan on visiting this place, we recommend going on Thursdays because, at 6 pm, the company also offers a free public tour of the brewery!

16. 49^th State Brewing Company

717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States | +1 907-277-7727

At the 49th State – Anchorage, you’ll be immersed in Alaska’s rich history and traditions.

Thanks to its warm atmosphere and extensive cuisine, there’s something for everyone at this restaurant and brewery. While tasting locally sourced meals and rich beer, you can overlook Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range.

Residents and guests alike feel at home in this establishment. Because of the generous meal sizes, you won’t have to worry about going home hungry.

This restaurant is one of the few in Alaska that serves farm-raised yak from Alaskan farms. Other Alaskan specialties, such as elk and reindeer, are available, with outstanding meals like buffalo loaf and homemade Bavarian pretzels.

For beer enthusiasts, the 49th state is an absolute must-see. The Solstice IPA and the Belgian-inspired Golden Dall have won gold medals, and we highly recommend them.

There is also a children’s menu, including mac and cheese and PB&J sandwiches, so it’s not only a place for grownups!

15. Girdwood Brewing Company

2700 Alyeska Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99587, United States | +1 907-783-2739

Girdwood Brewing Company is a great place to sample some Alaskan craft beer while taking in the stunning scenery of the Chugach Mountains. Native art and ski memorabilia decorate the rustic, timber-framed pub.

A great beer garden featuring fire pits and plenty of seating awaits those who prefer the great outdoors.

The company has four core brews and a changing selection of taps. Cold brew coffee, root beer, and kombucha are some alcohol-free options.

Taproom patrons can enjoy tastes and 12-ounce pours of their favorite beers. Growlers, kegs, and cans of 16 ounces with a label designed by Alaskan artists are all available for take-out at the establishment (for sale in the taproom only).

In addition to a daily rotation of tasty food trucks, the company has a gift shop that offers various unique items for sale.

It’s easy to see that Girdwood Brewing Company is a part of the neighborhood. A variety of nonprofit and adventure-based groups get donations from the company. At the same time, the company employs around one dozen locals full-time, year-round, in their brewery.

The brewery has excellent beers, various seating options indoors and out, and beautiful vistas to enjoy while sipping on their brew. Although they don’t provide meals, a food truck that offers a variety of Japanese food is available nearby.

This friendly place is excellent to hang out. Don’t forget to try their Down the Chute Kölsch and other specialty beers while you’re there. They also offer private tours of the brewery and tastings for affordable prices!

14. Anchorage Brewing Company

148 W 91st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99515, United States | +1 907-677-2739

Brewer Gabe Fletcher founded the Anchorage Brewing Company, one of the state’s newest breweries. In barrel fermentation, they use souring cultures and Brettanomyces. They go to great lengths to create several of the most distinctive beers by fusing old and new brewing techniques.

Walking inside Anchorage Brewing, you will notice immersive works of art. The cans and bottles they sell are art pieces created only by local artists. Fortunately, the beer within is just as good.

In addition to being among the significant microbrews in Alaska, they also export domestically and abroad. But outside of Alaska, their drinks are hard to acquire, and fans scramble to get their hands on bottles of the most sought sippers, like Time Waits for No One, Endless Ending, and Deal with the Devil.

With breweries like Mikkeller, Hill Farmstead, and Monkish on its roster of collaborators, Anchorage Brewing is a must-visit for craft beer fans.

This brewery is considered the best in Alaska and one of the best breweries in America specializes in sours and stouts. Their IPAs and other experimental crafts keep visitors coming back.

Besides the tasty drinks and delicious foods, the whole place is clean, and the staff is welcoming. The new back patio with firepits and seating is an excellent addition to the activity you can do in this top-class brewery.

Although prices are steep, you can get more than what you pay!

13. King Street Brewing Company

9050 King St, Anchorage, AK 99515, United States | +1 907-336-5464

King St. Brewing Company is a local craft brewery. Since the taproom opened in 2011 in a tiny industrial area, it has been a popular destination for residents who appreciate fine beer. While many other breweries focus on big, bold standouts, KSBC offers a terrific variety that focuses on more classic European beer varieties.

Seasonal and barrel-aged beers round out the collection King Street which includes APA. Bavarian hefeweizen, Czech Pilsner, Irish Stout, IPA, and Blonde Ale. Brew-on-the-go options are available in the company’s new tasting room, including kegs, cans, and beer bottles.

Although no food is available in the brewery, you can bring your food or buy it on the food trucks surrounding it.

You can also buy the fine beers created in this taproom in various restaurants, pubs, and specialty liquor stores around Alaska.

The woodland walking and bike lanes of Kincaid Park, only steps from KSB’s downtown Anchorage location, are ideal for sweating off those beer calories.

Alaskan law mandates that all breweries close at 8 pm, making it the perfect place to stop for happy hour. It’s also one of our favorite breweries in Achorage AK to check out during weeknights!

We recommend choosing from one of their unique brews or sticking to a traditional Czech pilsner. Remember to stock up on a 4-pack of IPA cans for your next excursion!

12. Double Shovel Cider Company

502 W 58th Ave C, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States | +1 907-562-1100

Those who enjoy cider should check this out! The original and most delicate micro-cidery in Alaska is Double Shovel cider. The company uses apples, berries, and other locally grown components to create its ciders.

This Alaskan-based cider company dedicates to reviving the craft of American hard cider in Anchorage by handcrafting high-quality, naturally gluten-free hard cider using locally sourced ingredients.

Visit this place for various ciders, from dry to semi-sweet, to please your palate. More than one type of cider is available: extra dry, semi-dry hopped, sour, Cider-Mosa, cranberry, and more. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available in this establishment.

From May through September, there is also an outside patio. Take a growler or a can of cider with you and relax in the outdoor ambiance.

The company also has a ton of great gear to show your support, including shirts, tanks, hoodies, crewnecks, glasses, hats, etc.

If you’re hungry, try something from one of the food trucks that park outside daily. Food and cider go hand in hand!

You can also eat al fresco on their terrace during the warmer months. The goal at Double Shovel Cidery is to make you fall in love with cider, too!

We recommend their Pineapple IPC (hopped pineapple), one of their excellent products. If you visit this place with a company, you can also mix your cider!

11. Cynosure Brewing

144 E Potter Dr unit e, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States | +1 907-563-2966

Cynosure Brewing emphasizes Lager and Belgian styles and creates well-balanced, subtle, and welcoming beers. The brewery’s goal is to produce beers that are easy to drink, eliciting a sense of eagerness for the next sip or glass.

When you visit Cynosure, you’ll see the work of local Alaskan artists and a rotating selection of beers on tap and non-alcoholic options. You can order or carry your food from one of the many food trucks that park outside. Restaurants and pubs across the state also provide Cynosure beers!

At Cynosure, a hidden gem in Anchorage, you’ll find a broader range of beers than you’ll find at most of the city’s other brewers. They usually have a few good seasonals in addition to their regular offerings. Their Saison is out of the ordinary, but it tastes great.

Among the other beers in this taproom is Black Lager, Clouds Dry Hopped Pale Lager, Double, Fest, Potter’s Beer, Powerful Pils, Raspberry Sour, Triple, and Wit.

Couches line the narrow but cozy tasting room, where guests may relax and catch up with old friends over a glass of wine.

This ever-improving brewery is an excellent stop in Anchorage. The open, comfortable, and airy taproom, combined with its super lovely and welcoming staff, makes it one of the best pubs in the town.

10. Turnagain Brewing

7920 King St, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States | +1 907-646-2337

Turnagain Brewing commenced production on June 9, 2018. Its tasting facility has 11 beer taps supplied by a 10-barrel brewery. While it provides predominantly Belgian-style and Sour Beers, they offer selections most beer (and wine) drinkers can enjoy.

Brew geeks, beer novices, and those who want something pleasant to drink after a long bike or ski ride will all find something they like.

Turnagain Brewery, a small, family-owned firm in Alaska, is a quality place for beer lovers. Brewery tours would be incomplete without a stop at this one. Its staff is warm, courteous, and happy to share their stories and samples with visitors.

Besides the massive selection of beer, their upstairs seating is top-notch. You can oversee the industrialized place while enjoying local music in their classical atmosphere.

This brewery’s famous brews are Imperial Stout, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Guile, Taiga Tripel, Dubbel Tap, Framb Was, Atlantic Haze, etc. Although not offering food, you can still buy some at food trucks in the surrounding place or bring them alone.

Despite being small, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The focus of the establishment is, after all, on the beer. When it’s not too packed, the location is okay.

This place is a must-visit to experience some of the most incredible beers in the region. With affordable prices and friendly staff, this will definitely be one of your favorite breweries in Anchorage Alaska!

9. Alpenglow Brewery

3024 Mountain View Dr #106, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States | +1 907-602-3103

Resolution Brewing in Anchorage opened its doors in 2015, intending to bring something fresh and exciting to Mountain View. As the companies faced different challenges, a new owner took it over and later renamed it Alpenglow Brewery.

This taproom, a short distance from Glenn Highway Intersection, continues the award-winning history of Resolution Brewing. It creates brews made from even higher-quality ingredients.

As a craft brewery, Alpenglow focuses on traditional beers like Saison and Tripel while also exploring the rich cultural legacy of the Mountain View community with unique beers like Cerveza De Los Muertos chile and cocoa spiced black imperial stout.

This seemingly small brewery near a shopping mall holds a combination of tasting and brewing on a single floor. With it, you can observe the making process and share a pint with the brewmaster and the crew in their taproom.

The brewery also offers free WiFi access with plenty of available seating, making it a perfect place to chill and sample uniquely delicious beers.

Being Belgian-inspired, we recommend their Tent City Saison and Ixelles Belgian Tripel. Their other beers are worth trying, and you will not go wrong with them.

While this is one of the smaller breweries in Anchorage Alaska, it’s also one of our favorites! The beer is just so delicious.

8. Glacier Brewhouse

737 W 5th Ave #110, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States | +1 907-274-2739

Glacier Brewhouse is not your ordinary brewpub, and you’ll notice as soon as you step inside. An oak wood grill, oven, a fiery demonstration cooking line, and an inviting brewery light all give off a really woodsy vibe.

Rotisserie grilled meats, fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, and award-winning handcrafted brews are all on the menu at the BrewHouse. It’s more of a restaurant than just a brewery!

There’s a reason why this portion of downtown Anchorage is usually buzzing with activity, excitement, and smiles. Enjoy a beer, a meal, and the buzz of the city at this popular hangout.

Craft beers and oak-aged beers are the specialties of the Glacier BrewHouse. The IPA and the Hefeweizen are local favorites, and in addition to the seven distinctive beers, a seasonal menu includes anything from an oak-aged stout to cherry wheat.

You can see the brewing apparatus through a glass wall and ensure they create the beers onsite from your seat.

Though it’s only across the place from the performing arts, The BrewHouse is ideal for grabbing a drink before or after the act. There is also a regional Alaskan art gallery and a few excellent stores to peruse if there is a wait for meals between the two restaurants.

The brewpub offers a vast selection of food and drinks. The drinks listing includes Margarita Cocktail, Lemon Drop Cocktail, Whiskey Flights, and many more. Flagship beers of the house include Blonde, Amber, India Pale Ale, Bavarian Hefeweizen, Oatmeal Stout, Raspberry Wheat, and Imperial Blonde.

7. Magnetic North Brewing Co.

8861 Golovin St, Anchorage, AK 99507, United States | +1 907-891-7406

To comply with local emergency laws, MNBC could only sell to-go cans during the stay-home period. As a result, owner and brewer Jeremiah has refined his brewing technique, created a taproom, upgraded his brewing equipment, and begun providing individual seminars on brewing.

The taproom and brewery of Magnetic North Brewing Co. are both educational establishments. Private classes in homebrewing are available at MNBC, in addition to the frequently changing tap selections of beers and seltzers.

MNBC’s fully functioning brewery and tap room offer dozens of brews. Included in its current tap list is Imperial Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Kolsh, Coffee Oatmeal Stout, Vanilla, Peach, Tangerine, Milkshake, Wheat Ale, Pink Lemonade Hard Seltzer, Pale Ale, Session Hazy IPA, and Double IPA.

This reasonably young brewery has already made a name for itself. Every Sunday, regulars show up as the brewery does a unique “infusion” in its drinks to provide a different flavor. This pub also has great seating in its primary area, with locally created artworks as its décor.

Another reason why customers return to Magnetic North because they offer cheap beer flights making it an excellent destination for beer enthusiasts.

6. Onsite Brewing Company

3211 Denali St, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States | +1 907-310-2337

Anchorage, Alaska’s Onsite Brewing Company, is a neighborhood nano-brewery emphasizing the local community. Located in Midtown, it is one of the smallest pubs in the state of Alaska with a 1bbl brewhouse and the first to open.

Small batches of high-quality, meticulously made brews are its specialty. You can unwind with a beer at the taproom while plotting your next excursion or celebrating your most recent one. You will love the outdoors, gain new experiences, and taste great beer here.

The brewery got its name from the rock climbing term “Onsite,” which refers to completing a climb on your first attempt. The passion and inspiration for the climbing community and delicious beer made the owners consider this phrase for their brewery’s identity.

This small, dog-friendly brewery is comparable to Cynosure Brewing but has a great parking area. Large, clean, and with an industrial feel, the inside of the building is ideal. You can adore the various daring works of art hanging on the room’s walls.

The rotating food truck lineup also makes this a better place to visit in Anchorage.

Although smaller than other breweries in Anchorage, Onsite still offers some tasty beers. Their IPAs are an absolute must-try! Additionally, you will love it here if you are a rock climbing fan!

5. Matanuska Brewing Company

2830 C St, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States | +1 907-677-2531

Matanuska Brewing Company is a diner, bar, and pub now available in three locations at Eagle River, Palmer, and Anchorage. Each branch provides a unique food menu and brews from the tap.

In Anchorage, the restaurant offers a variety of foods such as cheese bread, pizzas, salads, nachos, pretzels, tacos, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, and soups. People of all ages can enjoy the delicacies here. Moreover, vegans will find this place friendly as it has vegetarian dishes.

Matanuska Brewing in Anchorage provides a vast selection of liquors and tap beers. Cider, Hoppy Beers, Fruit Forward Beers, Light and Refreshing Beers, Dark Beers, Hard Seltzer, and Bottled Small Batch Beers contributes to their plenty of beer list that you can try.

Almost everything in this restaurant/brewery is a treat. Each combination of food and drink you order will always be excellent. The unique fare flavor and the aroma of beers make it a memorable stop in Midtown, Anchorage.

The place has incredibly spacious seating, both indoor and outdoor. Inside, you can experience a casual atmosphere and watch sporting events on their vast TVs. Outside, you can savor the taste of cold beer while engaging in a fun, lively atmosphere.

We recommend trying their Prime Rib Tacos, a grilled prime rib with southwestern sauce, black beans, tomato, lettuce, onion, cheddar, and cilantro.

4. Brewerks

625 W 59th Ave, Units A/B, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States | Not Available

Brewerks is a startup brewery in Midtown, Anchorage. Owner Chad Ringler has singlehandedly managed everything for the brewery to operate. Before opening its services, this startup is pretty known to many residents of Rural Alaska as the 49th state’s 52nd brewery.

Relatively new to the brewing world, this brewery is now considered one of the favorite new breweries in Anchorage Alaska.

The place is low-key and often compared to Odd Man Rush. Brewerks has an upstairs place to enjoy its original creation of unique beers. Softwood and metal make up most of the freshly made beer destination furniture. As decoration, local photographs also hang on the walls of the establishment.

The staff of Brewerks makes the brewery an excellent place for Anchorage residents and visitors alike. Their friendly attitude and splendid service make a visit to the new beer hotspot worthy.

Some of the customer famous beers in this discreet place include Wick’d Pissah, Shake the Frost, Flattop Flyer, From the Briny Deep, Blacksmith’s Breakfast, Stone Sour, Tundra Harvester, Always Late To The Party, Right On Time, The Ex, etc.

The addition of Brewerks is fantastic in the brewery scene of Anchorage. If you are tired of crowded pubs, you can visit this new one. You can guarantee a unique newfangled experience in this place without paying a fortune.

We recommend trying their Oktoberfest beer which has a fruity note to it. The Hazy IPA is also great for its crisp bitterness.

Overall, Brewerks is a solid addition to the lineup of the top breweries you can visit while exploring Anchorage!

3. Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co.

5000 W International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502, United States | +1 907-248-1048

Located near Fox, Alaska, approximately 10 miles north of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway, Silver Gulch Brewing and Bottling Co. has been in business since February 1998.

Silver Gulch Brewing has grown from brewmaster Glenn Brady’s 5-gallon amounts to its current capacity of 24-barrel (750-gallon) homebrewing batches.

The founders’ and local artisans’ hard work has gone into building the brewery facilities, completed during the 1997 season. The outcomes are self-evident. The 12,000 square-foot brewery, part of a recently restored pub and dining complex, is a marvel of modern process technology.

The brewing vessels were purchased from the Conner’s Brewery in St. Catherines, Canada, and have 375 barrels. From start to finish, the brewing takes one long day with up to an additional 6+ weeks for fermentation and aging.

After conditioning the beer, it is cold-filtered through a state-of-the-art German system and then bottled on the 200 bottle-per-minute bottling system. This system cleans, fills, caps, labels, and repacks the bottles in their cases.

The Anchorage branch of this company opened in 2012. It has 104 seating capacity for dining and bar services. Since it is not fast food, expect to wait for sufficient time as all meal orders are hand-prepared in this establishment. Nonetheless, it is worth the wait as the food served here is pretty delicious.

Brews in this brewery are available year-round for the beer connoisseur or not, both in a bottle or a draft. We recommend trying specialty beers such as Old 55 Pale Ale, an American Pale Ale, and an Alaskan Classic expressing a fruity and malty character.

This Anchorage brewery is a go-to stop if you want both quality taste and service!

2. Zip Kombucha

3404 Arctic Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States | +1 907-351-7821

Located in the center of Anchorage, Alaska, Zip Kombucha is a local kombucha brewery creating the best tasting and refreshing probiotic iced tea.

The brewery worked hard to keep the price of its refreshing drink low so that everyone could enjoy it. Alternatively, you can find its drinks in a wide range of establishments throughout the state, including local grocery stores, eateries, and breweries.

This distillery is the first kombucha brewer and taproom in Alaska. Arctic Avenue in Midtown Manhattan is home to this establishment. It has 11 varieties of kombucha on tap, including complex and standard types, so stop by and sample some or take some home.

The Zip is also responsible for producing Alaska’s first locally made Hard Kombucha. It takes kombucha to a different level by launching its new product Black Label Booch.

Zip is an excellent place to sample kombucha for the first time, especially if you’ve never tried it with alcohol. The company offers a superb selection of locally brewed kombucha and alcoholic ones.

The classic flavors Plain Jane, Blueberry Mary, Mandy Mint, and Ginger Rogers are some local kombucha in the brewery. Besides these drinks, they also offer hard seltzer and beers, expanding as a sole brewery in Anchorage with kombucha in its listings.

The Black Label Booch is what we recommend for alcoholics. This excellent drink has an extraordinary taste that you will genuinely enjoy. The Blueberry Mary, on the other hand, is also worth a try.

1. Broken Tooth Brewing 

2021 Spar Ave Anchorage, AK 99501, United States | +1 907-278-4999

Moose’s Tooth, the original home of Broken Tooth Brewing, has the most extensive selection of the brewery’s beverages. It has the Bear Tooth Thearepub & Grill that offers Classic Beers and monthly beer specials.

Dating its first operation back in 1996, Broken Tooth Brewing is the same brewery with the same “Tooth” affiliations. All favorite local brews, such as the Fairweather IPA, are still being brewed at the production brewery and are available in growlers, tiny bottles, and six-pack cans.

Broken Tooth brews numerous classic beers in its brewery. Rock Paper Citrus APA, Yelloweye PA, Wild Country Raspberry Wheat, and Northern Lights Amber are just some of the traditional beers of the brewpub.

Enjoy specialties in its revolving taps, including Anchorage Premium Pilsner, The Trip Belgian Tripel, Bouquet APA, Area 52 Session IPA, and many more.

You can also choose their canned and bottled beers if you still want other drinks. You will not run out of beer choices in this Anchorage brewery!

We recommend their Wild Country Raspberry for its deliciously unique taste! In addition, you can also sip their famous Fairweather IPA.

A trip to any of the “tooth” places is a worthwhile experience. If you are around or near Anchorage, you should not miss a beer from Broken Tooth! It’s one of the most popular breweries in Anchorage Alaska for a reason.

In Closing

The brewery scene in Anchorage, Alaska, is in a league of its own. With plenty of brew places available, some are still appearing and developing in this state in the Last Frontier. Each of the pubs offers distinctive experiences both in beers and food.

Anchorage makes a fantastic drink journey thanks to its wide range of breweries. Although there are several to visit, each stop will undoubtedly be worthy.

We genuinely hope you enjoyed reading about the best breweries in Anchorage Alaska, that you can check out. The immersive choices of top breweries contribute to a healthy beer industry in Alaska and the whole of America.

If you are in Anchorage and want to start your trip to some of the state’s top breweries, consider checking the places on our list for a memorable brewing experience!

Next: 8 Breathtaking National Parks In Alaska To Visit

While cities in Alaska have a variety of sites and activities to see, the state (often dubbed The Last Frontier) is also recognized for its vast outdoors, particularly the enormous gleaming glaciers that captivate the imagination and are a highlight of any journey to the far north. Some of the glaciers in Alaska are the most beautiful in the world!

The state has over 100,000 glaciers covering an area the size of South Carolina. Many terrestrial glaciers are reachable with a short walk or drive. And don’t forget all of the Alaska glaciers you can check out by air charters or mountaineering treks. Trust me: there are plenty of options to see glaciers in Alaska!

If visiting glaciers in Alaska up close and personal is on your dream list, then keep reading! Here are some of the most stunning glaciers in Alaska (and our favorites!) that you shouldn’t miss.

18. Exit Glacier

You can drive to certain glaciers, but only a few are accessible by foot. BUT you can hike straight up to the Kenai Fjords National Park’s Exit Glacier, only a 10-to-15-minute drive from Seward.

Exit Glacier, one of the world’s most popular glaciers, was named after grateful backcountry visitors. It drops 3,000 feet in a few miles, creating a beautiful natural ramp for climbers leaving the massive Harding Icefield. Its grooved and crevassed hard ice sits near a visitor center Kenai Fjords National Park.

You can hike the trails, get close to an active glacier or join a ranger-led hike. It’s a site where you can see Alaskan glaciers reshape a landscape up close and discover how plant life reclaims barren rocky ground revealed by a glacier’s retreat.

The most impressive time to visit the Exit Glacier Area is during the winter when outdoor activities such as cross-country skiing, fat bike riding, and snowmobiling are available.

This Alaskan glacier is easily accessible, with a 30-minute trek to the lookout and a 1.5-hour hike to its edge. If you have never seen a glacier,  try this to get to see one. It’s one of our favorite glaciers in Alaska for a reason!

We especially recommend visiting this glacier if you are traveling from Seward to Anchorage.

17. Matanuska Glacier

This massive Alaskan glacier is the largest vehicle-accessible glacier in the United States. The Matanuska Glacier, one of Alaska’s most navigable glaciers, is a stable 27-mile-long river of ice that flows almost to the Glenn Highway from the Chugach Mountains.

This Alaskan glacier is the most renowned attraction between Anchorage and Glennallen, with a broad terminal visible from one of Alaska’s major highways.

Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area is south of Glacier Park at Mile 101 of the Glenn Highway. This state site offers some of the best views of the Matanuska Glacier and the river’s headwaters, including a 12-site campground.

Another popular destination in this tourist attraction is the Glacier Park at Mile 102 of the Glenn Highway. A private road leads to a parking lot at the terminal moraine where guided treks begin. These tours are accessible year-round and last 1-2 hours.

We found this glacier unforgettable. No amount of images is enough to depict the beauty you see. While there’s tons of beauty within this state, this is certainly one of the most beautiful glaciers in Alaska.

The guide was highly informative and gave us time to explore the caverns and different areas. You’ll want to go prepared because there are many choices here!

The actual glacier trek is somewhere between simple and moderate. Despite the cleats, we were more concerned about the icy patches. Overall, it took us 1 hour, but if you walk there and back, plan for at least 2 hours.

16. Worthington Glacier

Worthington Glacier is a small valley glacier with accumulation areas and terminal moraines. While it’s not as large or impressive as some of these other glaciers in Alaska, it’s really beautiful and is often extremely quiet since it’s not the most popular.

This State Recreation Site is home to one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. Tourists can park near the glacier and stroll it. In 1968, it was designated as a National Natural Landmark, covering 5,744 acres.

You can find this 1.6-kilometer out-and-back track near Valdez, Alaska. It takes 35 minutes to accomplish this route, which is rated difficult. This track is ideal for hiking and rock climbing, and you won’t run into many other people while exploring it due to its challenging itinerary.

The ridge trek is challenging and risky, but it’s also a lot of fun. You can go so high up that you couldn’t even stand on the trail. The view is breathtaking, but the steep and narrow pathways are a trade-off.

Pets are also permitted, provided they are leashed no longer by 9 feet. The glacier is rapidly receding, and each year the glacier’s face grows taller and steeper, so you’ll need to be well-prepared.

Worthington Glacier is a pleasant location to stretch your legs and observe a glacier. The landscape is well-kept, and the concrete route leading to a lookout is spotless, contributing to a pleasant walk. There is even a little store with a few souvenirs and extraordinary beverages.

15. Mendenhall Glacier

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of several largest glaciers in Alaska that connect to the massive Juneau Ice Field, a 1,500-square-mile remnant of the last ice age sheltered high in the peaks of the Coast Mountains.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center lets you take in the beauty of Mendenhall Glacier. You can see the views of Mendenhall Lake’s 13-mile-long ice river, blue icebergs, and southeast Alaska’s Coast Mountains here.

Stairs, elevators, and a gentle slope lead from the parking lots to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center making it one of the easiest and most accessible Alaska glaciers for just about everyone to visit. Rangers from the United States Forest Service are on hand to answer inquiries and explain the landscape.

Multiple trails of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty lead to cascading waterfalls and salmon streams. Expect to see black bears, porcupines, beavers, bald eagles, arctic terns, waterfowl, sockeye, Coho salmon, and other species.

We highly suggest the well-planned canoe tours that are very doable, even for novices. The guide is well organized. Before starting, everyone got a full safety briefing, and during the trip, many details were given. There is also good equipment provided for you to return dry.

If you’re just starting out on your adventure journey, then this is one of our most-recommended glaciers in Alaska! It’s SO accessible and is really fun with lots of attractions and options.

14. Hubbard Glacier

At 7 miles broad, 76 miles long, and 30 stories in height above the waterline, this is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. While most glaciers are receding, Hubbard Glacier has grown.

Hubbard Glacier is one of Alaska’s most fascinating natural wonders. On a Hubbard Glacier tour, you’ll see this magnificent ice mountain from every perspective.

In an Alaskan voyage to Hubbard Glacier, you will witness a beautiful snowy landscape as your ship navigates freezing waters moving from Yakutat Bay into Disenchantment Bay. Strong currents and riptides between Gilbert Point and the glacier induce daily calving throwing ice chunks into the bay.

No words can explain the trip we experienced on this glacier. It was incredible and was a highlight of our entire Alaskan trip. It was thrilling to watch the ice shatter and fall into the lake with a resounding boom – seriously, nature is just so incredible!

The cruise is about 4 hours so you’ll need to block out half a day.

Witness this awe-inspiring spectacle in the Gulf of Alaska’s mist. You can also spot whales, harbor seals, and otters in the Disenchantment Bay. The sound of ice cracking over the sea will send shivers down your spine—an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

13. Portage Glacier

Portage Glacier is among the most accessible glaciers in Alaska, having many access points, including Portage Pass and Portage Lake. It is just a short distance from Anchorage, the gateway to Alaska for many tourists, and getting there is one of the most beautiful picturesque drives in all of Alaska.

There are several options for viewing this glacier. Day cruise, paddling opportunities, hiking options, and winter options – each provides a unique experience of the place. You’ll want to choose depending on the season you visit and your level of adventure.

The 80-foot MV Ptarmigan carries most summer guests. It’s a family-friendly boat ride with colorful guides.

You can also paddle kayaks from the north Portage Lake. Boats must stay on the north side of the lake and land at Portage Pass. The south side of the lake and glacier are off-limits. You must be very cautious of the hazardous waves and harsh winds.

If you want to hike, there is a short, steep trek to Portage Pass on the Whittier side of the tunnel, which offers a spectacular front-row view of the glacier and its ascent into the mountains. The pass is 2 miles long and 750 feet high. Be on the lookout for black bears and dress for wind and rain.

The winter experience is unique. When Portage Lake freezes, people ski, trek, ice skate, or bike three miles to Portage Glacier. From glare ice to heavy snow to sloppy overflow, conditions can vary greatly. Seeing the gleaming, beautiful glacier face on a sunny winter day can be exhilarating!

12. Columbia Glacier

The Columbia Glacier is a massive tidewater Alaskan glacier that flows south from Alaska’s Chugach Mountains to Prince William Sound. Its terminus has retreated 20 kilometers since 1980, making it one of the world’s most quickly moving glaciers.

This 550-meter-deep, 400-square-mile glacier is stunning from a boat or airplane. If you’re considering taking an airplane tour of Alaska glaciers we highly recommend this one!

We strongly recommend taking the tour to get up on the ice field on land. You can hike it alone or with a group, although it is pretty tricky.

You could ride in an “Ice Explorer” at the Glacier Experience. This truck boasts some of the largest tires you will ever see, crucial for driving down steep ice sheets. It’s definitely an extreme adventure.

A tour boat from Valdez can bring you near (or close enough) to the face of the Columbia Glacier. Watch out for the chunks of ice that the glacier loses, approximately 13 million tons of ice per day! These enormous chunks of ice will fall from the glacier into the lake below every day, meaning you’ll definitely get to witness this.

It was exciting to slip all-around ice and see everyone snapping photos. We recommend you check it out.

11. Holgate Glacier

The Holgate glacier runs through Kenai National Park for three miles. It began in the Harding Icefield, covering 300 square miles (770 square kilometers), and is the United States’ largest icefield.

This coastal glacier is a favorite location for visitors looking for a beautiful ice adventure. It is a day’s trip from the city of Seward. Its calving events reverberate like distant thunder of the sheer fjord walls, blanketing the surrounding seas with brash jewel ice.

Seals and seabirds frequently hunt among the ice sheets for their next meal in the nutrient-rich seas.

Kayaking from a safe distance of this Alaskan glacier will give you an awesome experience of its natural scenery. The sight of glacial calving or the process in which enormous sections of the glacier fall into the water is just insane.

We loved the stunning view and the crew we had on the tour. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks were available for purchase. We also recommend bringing binoculars to enjoy the scenery to the next level.

10. Ruth Glacier

With ice up to 3,800 feet thick, the Ruth Glacier fills the bottom of the mile-wide gorge. The glacier drops from 5,200 feet to 3,200 feet in the 10-mile gorge, moving at a glacial rate of 3.3 feet per day.

One of the most magnificent canyons on the planet is the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier. This gorge is flanked on both sides by massive granite cliffs that rise 5,000 feet above the glacier’s surface, is beautiful, and offers world-class mountaineering opportunities.

The Great Gorge’s walls are lined with several mountains: Mount Barrile, Mount Bradley, Mount Church, Mount Dickey, Mount Grosvenor, Mount Johnson, Mount Wake, Peak 9100, Bear Tooth, Broken Tooth, Eye Tooth, Sugar Tooth, Wisdom Tooth, The Shield, and Rooster Comb.

You can adore these in the comfort of Air Taxi, which is the most popular mode of transport for visiting the Great Gorge. We definitely recommend this Alaskan glacier if you want to visit by air! Year-round, mountaineering rangers with firsthand knowledge of the national park are ready to assist visitors with trip planning and route selection.

Camping is also an option here, unlike many other Alaska glaciers. Remember to choose your campsite carefully, as icefalls and avalanches are common in the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier.

9. Byron Glacier

A short day trek provides expansive views of the Byron Glacier and begins just a few hundred meters from the Begich Boggs Visitor Center. The glacier is just beyond the terminus of a level, well-maintained trail that ascends a short, glacier-carved valley south of Portage Lake.

Byron Glacier originates from the same ice field that supplies Portage Glacier and Blackstone Glacier.

The trail is a living example of how an ecosystem recovers from the glacial period, with large trees and yielding forest way to alder thickets. The retreating ice has only recently been revealed.

The upper valley is harsh and untamed, with silt-blackened detritus covering the ice, evoking a sense of adventure amid Alaska’s coastal interior.

It is an ideal trail for families! Anyone of any age may attend. It is a short, easy, and level dirt walk. We observed senior persons, children, pets, etc., sharing this walk with ease. It’s one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska for those who do want to walk.

Plus, it’s entertaining to have an impromptu snowball fight in snowfields left behind by winter avalanches or to follow one of the numerous side trails that will lead you to the edge of the valley, where bouldering opportunities exist.

We find the trek here easy. The average individual can complete the three-mile trail in approximately thirty minutes round. We suggest taking your time to do the walk to enjoy the landscape.

This valley is notorious for trapping clouds that generate everything from steady drizzles to less frequent (but pelting) rainfalls. Don’t forget your rain gear and you are good to go!

8. Castner Glacier

Castner Glacier is one of several accessible glaciers along the Richardson Highway. It is also a rare location where you can climb gigantic ice caves!

Around 2.5 hours away, Fairbanks is the nearest major city to the glacier. Take the Richardson Highway to mile marker 217, where the entrance to the glacier and its ice caves is located.

The Castner Glacier is approximately a 2.2-mile round-trip hike with breathtaking mountain views.

Be cautious when approaching the ice caves! You should only enter if you are accompanied by expert mountaineers or park personnel, as it might be pretty dangerous.

It was quite a spectacle to reach the ice caves. You can see many hues of blue ice accumulated on the top of the cave, like gemstones.

The difficulty of getting there, the frosty weather, and the fact that we had to walk back was forgotten entirely when we reached it. Every struggle to get to these caves is worth it because they’re incredible.

7. Margerie Glacier

Margerie Glacier is located near the northernmost tip of Tarr Inlet, at the end of the Glacier Bay canal. The glacier is situated in a spectacular location, creating a steep valley through high mountain peaks and abruptly ending at the sea’s shore.

Since it reaches the ocean, Margerie Glacier is a tidewater glacier, described as a glacier that interacts with salt water from the sea.

From its beginning in the Fairweather Mountain Range at altitudes greater than 9000 feet, the Margerie Glacier is approximately 21 miles long. Due to mountain snowfall and slope steepness, Margerie Glacier is expected to flow 6 feet each day.

This glacier is best observed by boat. A trip to the glacier’s face offers spectacular views of the blue ice, which floats on the lake despite a 100-foot foundation.

The Margerie Glacier is located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It is one of just eight glaciers in North America that is actively advancing, rather than retreating, at 30 feet per year!

The view of this massive glacier was so worth it! You can spend hours gazing at and shooting several photographs of it. Ensure that this is an integral component of your voyage!

6. Aialik Glacier

Aialik Glacier is the biggest glacier in Aialik Bay and sits in Kenai Fjords National Park. While very steady, the glacier is most active during May and June.

Take a cruise from Seward to Aialik, or paddle your way through! Watch for whales, porpoises, and seals while you are there. You can even spot bears on the beach.

The glacier is an excellent location for kayaking, whale watching, and cruises! A two-hour cruise lets you observe the glacier and migratory humpbacks and orcas. It’s a terrific addition to your Alaskan itinerary if you’re not up for kayaking.

A full-day excursion in this glacier can feature different activities such as iceberg-filled fjords, breathtaking scenery, majestic alpine and tidewater glaciers, towering waterfalls, and world-class wildlife. It is one of the most popular single-day sea kayaking adventures among tourists.

The trip to this glacier can begin with a water taxi ride close to Aialik Bay. You can encounter incredible wildlife, including humpback whales, stellar sea lions, tufted puffins, seagulls, harbor seals, etc. It is a stellar opportunity to see not just stunning landscapes but also to observe wildlife!

Aialik Glacier was calving during our tour, and we will never forget the sound of that white thunder as the ice chunks plummeted into the lake. Plus, we encountered an entire pod of orca whales. The experience was literally insane!

5. Spencer Glacier

Spencer Glacier climbs 3,500 feet from a lagoon of royal-blue icebergs 60 miles to the south of Anchorage. This ice-age setting has mile-high peaks, vertical headwalls, waterfalls, and braided rivers.

The site offers lodging, hiking, glacier exploration, ecological hikes, paddling, and sightseeing.

An entire rail ride takes you from Turnagain Arm to Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. A roofed shelter, facilities, and the trailhead for a 1.3-mile well-maintained path to the Spencer Glacier viewpoint on the Shore of Spencer Lake are all available at the Whistle Stop.

Before boarding the train back to civilization, travelers are open to exploring on their own or participating in one of the many guided excursions provided at Spencer Glacier. Staying overnight is also possible at the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, which has campsites and a public use lodge.

Hiking, guided and unguided at Spencer, is common along with kayaking. There is a 9-10 hour adventure with guided hiking that includes a helicopter trip, an alpine trek, a glacier lake tour, river rafting, and a train ride! It’s an extensive, bold tour de force from Alaska for those of you who want the full experience.

Independent travelers with advanced glacier travel skills may venture up the glacier to an ice field at a higher elevation. The same accumulation zones feed the spectacular tidewater glaciers of Blackstone Bay in Prince William Sound as Spencer.

On Spencer Lake, you can witness the floating icebergs left behind by the retreating glacier or camp in the Chugach National Forest backcountry for a more adventurous time!

4. Twin Sawyers Glacier

One of the most popular destinations on many Alaska cruise itineraries is the Tracy Arm Fjord. Scenic cruising through the area, which is known for its brilliantly blue icebergs, waterfalls, and the Sawyer Glaciers, is something you’ll want to include in your cruise itinerary.

Tracy Arm is the heart and most frequented fjord of the 653,000-acre Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, located 45 miles south of Juneau.

North Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier, otherwise known as Twin Sawyers Glacier, are about 30 miles long and are located in the fjord named after Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Franklin Tracy, who served under President Harrison.

Migratory orcas and sea lions are frequently sighted at the Sawyer Glaciers, which are twin glaciers. Harbor seals have been reported to rear their young pups in the region throughout June.

Mountain goats, black and brown bears, and bald eagles can also be seen exploring the shorelines when cruising there.

The Tracy Arm Fjord contains the Twin Sawyer Glacier is 23 miles long, with two large chunks creeping over the surface and calving at their ends.

Calving made the river change hues at least three times and was so calm that you could see the neighboring mountains reflected in it when we visited. Simply stunning!

3. Kennicott Glacier

Kennicott Glacier is an ice badland with silt mounds, visible fins, lateral moraines, odd landforms, and exposed ice patches. This glacier dominates all views west of Kennecott, a historic mill town in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (essentially “across the street” from the Kennicott Glacier Lodge).

Due to the town’s placement halfway up the mountainside above the glacier, virtually every location in Kennecott offers a view of Kennicott Glacier.

From McCarthy, walk, ride a bicycle, or take a shuttle approximately five miles up the road to the Kennecott town and tourist center; then, seek out any vantage point with a view to the west.

The ice will yawn beneath your feet! A second alternative entails a 1.5-mile hike from McCarthy to the glacier’s toe, not far upstream of the Kennicott River crossing.

The Wrangell St. Elias National Park is huge. 13.2 million acres in size, to be precise! Taking a supervised aerial hike to the Kennicott Glacier is the best way to appreciate the unspoiled natural splendor of this fantastic park.

An aerial trip will enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the spectacular Kennicott Glacier and the blue pools. You can observe the glacial scenery, Donoho Peak, and the ancient Erie Mine Bunkhouse.

Besides the scenery, the actual cabins were attractive and brimming with intriguing documents and antiques from the old mill. The entire crew was courteous and helpful. We were astounded that they could provide such fresh and varied cuisine in such a distant place.

The accommodations were adequate, but we spent as much time outdoors as possible and explored the surroundings. This is the perfect way to connect with nature and have a break from the technology-driven world.

2. Taku Glacier

A tidewater glacier along the rugged Southeast Alaska coast, 30 kilometers northeast of Juneau, has generally defied global trends by gradually advancing for most of the last century while most glaciers on Earth retreated.

Taku Glacier is a 55-kilometer-long and almost 1,500-meter-thick tidewater glacier that has been the subject of ongoing scientific analysis for over 70 years. Some records date back to the mid-eighteenth century.

Taku provides an unparalleled location to study tidewater glaciers and their response to Earth’s fast-changing climate, thanks to its lengthy observation record, year-round accessibility, and closeness to Juneau and nearby research facilities.

With one of the top Juneau helicopter tours, you can explore Juneau’s largest glacier by helicopter, airboat, and foot all at once!

An exhilarating airboat trip along the Taku River and right up to the face of the glacier is included in the Taku Glacier Adventure by Air, Water, and Ice. This three-part journey consists of a glacier hike and a breathtaking helicopter flight over the Icefield.

The trip here is truly fantastic and is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime chance worth it. After flying over the glaciers and landing at the lodge, a meal was served, and everything about it was delicious! Plus, there is an excellent short hiking route with a waterfall and a couple of local bears.

We highly suggest this Alaskan glacier if you want the full experience in less time. It’s great for tourists who are semi-adventurous but not too athletic.

1. Knik Glacier

25-mile-long Knik Glacier flows out of the Chugach Mountains and into an iceberg-studded lake that feeds Knik River. With a 5-mile-wide front and regular calving, the glacier is a stunning sight. 400-foot-tall ice walls emerge from a lake where icebergs float, spin, and break apart.

This glacier used to cause havoc in the Mat-Su Valley by damming a lake that flooded each summer which was considered a National Natural Landmark. But the glacial recession has stopped the floods and produced a 6-square-mile lake at the glacier slope.

The Knik Glacier is an easy excursion from Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley (90-minute round-trip flights), and there are beautiful tours to get you close to sight. You can enjoy the scenery here by land or by air.

Also known as Alaska’s “sunny glacier,” its peculiar microclimate or “rain shadow” has generated a remarkably diversified environment. A northern desert surrounded by snow-capped peaks, hanging glaciers, and waterfalls awaits!

The tour is great for people of all ages. The experience was entertaining without being dangerous at ALL. Try this one with your kids and loved ones if you want an awesome excursion to one of the top glaciers in Alaska.

Alaska has so many beautiful glaciers to offer. Whether you want to sightsee by land, sea, or air, there are plenty of options that you can choose based on your preference.

RELATED: Alaska Northern Lights: How To See Them (The Ultimate Guide)

Visiting the “last frontier,” the 49th state of the union, is an adventure. Alaska is untouched by man in ways that few places in the world are, so there’s no shortage of breathtaking landscapes, breathtaking glaciers, and an abundance of wildlife. And of course, that means that Alaska also has some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the world!

The best part is that many Alaska waterfalls don’t require overnight journeys or extensive hikes. If you’re visiting Alaska, you definitely need to check out at least a fall falls.

Here are the 15 most incredible waterfalls in Alaska that should be on your bucket list.

15. Virgin Creek Falls

Closest Town: Girdwood | Height: 15 feet | Hike Time: 5 minutes

Visit this gorgeous and active waterfall in the Girdwood region rain forest (on the same mountain as the Alyeska Ski Resort) if you’re in the mood for lush vegetation. You’ll experience “old growth:” Devil’s ferns, mossy logs, and towering spruces.

These Alaska waterfalls themselves are around 15 feet tall and quite noisy. The falls are encased in ice during the winter, making for a spectacular picture year-round. The trek up to the falls takes about five minutes trek, so it’s suitable for children of all ages. Plus, these falls are located super close to other attractions.

The Lower Virgin Creek Falls path is one of Girdwood’s most accessible treks. The round trip distance is roughly 1/2 mile, with an elevation gain of 180 feet. The track is well-marked and winds through an enchanting forest, but watch out for tree roots and the steep embankment along the river’s side.

To reach this stunning waterfall, take Timberline Drive (the first road after crossing Glacier Creek while going toward the resort) until it stops from the Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. The unmarked route to the falls follows the stream upward for approximately 150 yards.

At the end of Timberline Drive is a trailhead sign. There is no parking lot, so park in front of houses/on the street. Because it is a temperate rainforest, carry a light rain jacket.

Once you’ve arrived at the falls, follow the short route down to the pool and waterfalls. Expect to see other people in the neighborhood since this is a popular spot and is busy on weekends (sometimes you’ll even see a wedding).

14. South Fork Eagle River Falls

Closest Town: Anchorage | Height: 25 feet | Hike Distance: 1/2 mile

South Fork Eagle River Falls is about a half-mile walk on ancient roads from the end of Ken Logan Circle in a subdivision off Hiland Road overlooking Eagle River Valley. A modest South Fork bridge is a few hundred yards upstream from the falls.

As it fills its narrow canyon with a roar that can be heard throughout the approach, this secluded, seldom visited waterfall seems enormous. The Alaskan waterfalls break into two channels as they tumble over a massive granite outcrop and are incredibly beautiful.

They are tucked within a canyon where the South Fork of Eagle River makes a 25-foot-plus plummet. The Eagle River Greenbelt system includes the surrounding access routes, although private land is nearby.

13. Thunderbird Falls

Closest Town: Anchorage | Height: 200 feet | Hike Time: 50 minutes

Thunderbird Falls is one of Alaska’s most famous waterfalls, falling 200 feet down a gap in the Chugach State Park foothills. You can see the falls from a viewing platform, located up a short (and occasionally steep) one-mile hike through a beautiful birch woodland beside the Eklutna River.

You can approach the canyon bottom through an access route and make your way upstream to the base to feel the icy spray of Thunderbird Creek on your face. During the winter, the falls generally freeze and create ropey ice columns. After the temperature drops, make sure your shoes have ice grippers.

Parents should be cautious of the canyon lip in all seasons and keep youngsters far away. While this is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Alaska, it’s also one of the most dangerous!

To reach Thunderbird Falls, take the Glenn Highway north of Mirror Lake to the Thunderbird Falls exit around Mile 25, the first exit. Exit at Eklutna, head toward the mountains and travel south on the Old Glenn beyond the Eklutna Lake turnoff. On the Old Glenn Highway, the trailhead is located less than a mile north.

12. Pitchfork Falls

Closest Town: Skagway | Height: 2,100 feet | Hike Time: 10 minutes

Pitchfork Falls is a waterfall with a reputation that is definitely justified – this is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Alaska. The falls are located approximately 6 miles north of Skagway, on the other side of the valley from the Klondike Highway, on the unnamed discharge stream of Goat Lake.

It is one of the best-kept mysteries of the U-shaped A fjord valley. The route leading to these falls is extremely short, and even first-time visitors will have no trouble finding their way here.

Because it may be difficult to see the entire waterfall from the path or the gravel parking lot, you will need to walk to the middle or lower area of the fall.

According to several sources (though some measurements are imprecise because these falls are DIFFICULT to measure), these Alaskan waterfalls drop approximately 2,100 feet as the water flows down the slope, putting it on various World’s Tallest lists in the past.

11. Brooks Falls

Closest Town: King Salmon | Height: 88 feet | Hike Time: 1.25 hours

Brooks Falls is one of the more popular waterfalls in Alaska on the Brooks River.

Sockeye salmon migrate up the Brooks River to breed every summer. To get to their spawning site, they’ll have to swim upriver and overcome a few additional obstacles, making this a prime bear-sighting spot. And these bears come in droves – they’re hungry creatures!

Between 200,000 and 400,000 salmon migrate upriver each year, sot he bears aren’t the only ones that go salmon fishing in the Brooks River. This river is a well-known fly-fishing hotspot. Brooks Lodge was explicitly created to accommodate visitors on fly fishing expeditions.

Later, it was discovered that this is also a fantastic wildlife viewing location. Hundreds of tourists visit Katmai every day during the summer months to witness brown bears, thanks to the construction of viewing platforms.

10. Blackstone Falls

Closest Town: Whittier | Height: 500 feet | Hike Time: N/A (visit by boat)

For Blackstone Glacier in Prince William Sound, this 500-foot cascade cascades into a cove encircled by massive rocks along the northwest edge of the inner fiord.

The Alaskan waterfall is one of the most photographed areas, and it is readily seen on maritime cruises. It is just about a mile from the active face of the glacier and approximately a mile within the fiord.

Kayakers, both self-directed and guided, will enter the cove’s entrance to immerse themselves in the roar and spatter of falling water and feel the vastness of the landscape. It’s only one of the numerous Alaskan waterfalls at Blackstone Bay’s head.

You’ll need a boat to go around and fully experience these falls. Most visitors take a marine cruise from Whittier to Blackstone Bay or organize a guided or self-directed kayaking experience. Entering the cove and looking up at the cascade—with a sight of the Northland Glacier dangling from the rock face—can be an incredible peak moment. Seriously – this is Alaskan nature at its finest.

Do not approach the pouring water shower under any circumstances. Always maintain a distance of several hundred yards – this is another one of the more dangerous waterfalls in Alaska. Northland Glacier chunks have been reported to fall into the ocean unexpectedly, so most boats prefer to stay a good distance away. Several decades ago, a kayaker was killed while attempting to fill a water bottle at the foot of the falls; it really pays to be cautious. But don’t let that scare you: these Alaska waterfalls are incredible and are certainly not to be missed.

9. Russian River Falls

Closest Town: Cooper Landing | Hike Distance: 2 miles

The Russian River is teeming with thousands of green-headed, red-bodied sockeye salmon between mid-June and late July. Hike out and see the giant runs rush upstream in the solid water for their native spawning places.

The Russian Lakes Trail starts at milepost 52 on the Sterling Highway, off the entrance road to the Russian River Campground at Cooper Landing. The route to the falls is two miles long and broad, with just minor elevation changes. It’s a short trek that seems more like a stroll, making it ideal for families and hikers of all abilities.

The trailhead starts with a woody entrance and ultimately leads to a clearing where the sun may shine through. Get off the usual road and stroll two miles to the falls, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning salmon views and the possibility of seeing bears.

Although the salmon flow is a natural spectacle near the falls, travelers should be aware of bear activity. Both black and brown bears dwell in this area, and they sometimes emerge on the river to scoop fish out of the water. There isn’t as much bear activity as some of the more popular waterfalls in Alaska but it’s definitely a possibility. There is an observation platform that offers a view of the falls but it’s sort of a hike-at-your-own risk situation.

This is definitely one of the more fun hikes where you can also check out waterfalls, plus there’s camping and fishing areas if you want to turn this waterfall visit into a full-on vacation. Since there isn’t much nearby, we recommend staying at these Alaskan waterfalls for a few days to get the full experience.

8. Horsetail Falls

Closest Town: Valdez | Height: 300 feet | Hike Time: 2 minutes

A few yards from a vast, paved pullout, the magnificent cascade plunges over a 300-foot rock within Keystone Canyon near Valdez. Horsetail is one of the numerous snow-fed cascades inside the three-mile-long canyon, just up the Richardson Highway from town, along with Bridal Veil Falls, which is just a few hundred yards away.

Horsetail Falls, which only flows throughout the winter and early spring, is fed by snow and ice melt and serves as the focal point for seeing multiple waterfalls.

The stunning waterfall cascades in two streams and sits immediately next to the road, making it the region’s most prominent feature.

Horsetail Falls, which sprawl out a little over the bedrock at more significant flows, is accessible on foot. These falls freeze into massive ropey curtains in the winter, attracting ice climbers from all over the globe. The trail leading to Horsetail is a treasure trove of incredible sights for intermediate and expert hikers. Despite the area’s steep slopes, beginners can give it a shot if they’re athletic (it isn’t too hard).

To reach Horsetail Falls, drive east from Valdez to the start of Keystone Canyon, which is around Mile 13 on the Richardson Highway. Drive 180 miles northeast of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway to Glennallen, then 100 miles south on the Richardson Highway to the canyon.

7. Nugget Falls

Closest Town: Juneau | Height: 377 feet | Hike Distance: 1 mile (with more advanced trails available)

This stunning waterfall plunges roughly 377 feet down the steep slope into Mendenhall Lake, about a three-quarter mile south of the active face of Mendenhall Glacier, and is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena around Juneau.

The cascade descends in two tiers (99 feet and 278 feet) before spilling into the frigid, turquoise sea, powered by meltwater flow from hanging Nugget Glacier. Before the glacier receded in recent decades, the falls splashed into the ice, though the picture is a bit different today.

The falls are only one feature of the Mendenhall leisure area, which include spectacular vistas of the receding Mendenhall Glacier and a lake where royal blue icebergs are visible. The visitor center has many museum-quality displays, and there are several hiking routes, including a mossy rainforest trek to the foot of Nugget Falls.

Hike to a sand-and-gravel flat at the foot of the falls that stretches out along the shoreline and let the tremendous foamy awe and noise wash over you. A new, low-grade route runs about one mile from the visitor center to the falls, making it a reasonably pleasant stroll for families with children.

Before you witness the falls, you’ll hear them!

6. Liberty Falls

Closest Town: Anchorage | Height: 20 feet | Hike Time: Variable (a short walk is available)

With snow-capped mountain ranges and beautiful wildlife and flora, this gorgeous setting is a nature lover’s dream.

A rushing, white waterfall bursts from a crevice in the rocks and plunges about 20 feet into Liberty Creek. The relentless noise permeates the rural campsite. The falls are visible from the Edgerton Highway on the route to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which is a popular place for tourists to camp.

To access the modest recreation area and campground, use the gravel road that loops from two exits off the Edgerton Highway, about 24 miles east of the Richardson Highway.

Immediately downstream of the falls, the access road crosses the creek on a bridge. You may want to park at the bridge and stroll upstream to the foot of the falls to enjoy the mist and fresh air. You can spend the night at one of many campsites or tent platforms and fall asleep to the whoosh of the falls.

To get to these Alaskan waterfalls, from Anchorage, go 180 miles northeast on the Glenn Highway to Glennallen, then 32 miles south on the Richardson Highway to the Edgerton Highway intersection. (It’s about 82 miles north of Valdez.) Mile 23.5 is the location of Liberty Falls. The settlement of Chitina is seven miles away, and the Copper River bridge into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is one mile farther.

5. Rudlestone Falls

Closest Town: Valdez | Height: 869 feet | Hike Time: 2 minutes

Travelers heading east in Alaska toward the vacation destination city of Valdez will enjoy seeing Rudleston Falls, a stunning but unexpectedly accessible Alaskan waterfall situated just off Richardson Highway.

These lovely falls, which are located across from a well-known Old Railway Tunnel, tumble slowly and generously over a rock face, surrounded by lush foliage and wildflowers in the summer. It’s a popular spot for people to snap photographs, whether for special events or fill up their Instagram grid! This is definitely one of the best Alaskan waterfalls for photos because it’s so easy to get to and is in just the perfect place to actually capture a human in front of the falls.

Valdez is an excellent spot to stay if you’re searching for a home base to explore Chugach National Forest and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, yet this is a genuinely wild area, so be prepared.

4. Serenity Falls

Closest Town: Eklutna | Height: 1,200 feet | Hike Distance: 13 miles

In Chugach State Park, this typical mountain waterfall cascades down a massive wall in the valley beyond the head of Eklutna Lake. The free-fall drop is hundreds of feet—some say 700 feet—but the beautiful strand of whitewater cascades more than 1,200 feet from the alpine realm and makes for a spectacular shot across the valley.

In addition to being a popular ice climbing location in the winter, Serenity Falls is perhaps most stunning in the early summer when snowmelt increases the volume. The terrace of the Serenity Falls Hut, a multi-party public use hut administered by state parks, has excellent views.

Reaching the falls on a backcountry bike can be an all-day experience on relatively flat routes and jeep roads. An overnight stay at the Hut lets you take in the autumn scenery as the canyon dims in the twilight light. This is one of the best waterfalls in Alaska to visit if you plan to spend at least a few days in the area.

To get to the falls, leave the Glenn Highway at Eklutna (Mile 26.5) and drive ten miles to the state campground and day-use facilities at the end of the road.

The Eklutna Lakeside Trail requires 13 miles of biking, hiking, or vehicle transportation. Continue beyond the lake’s head at Mile 8 until you reach the Serenity Falls Hut turnoff at Mile 12. Continue another mile or two across the bridge until you see and hear the falls a few hundred feet into the woods.

3. Winner Creek Gorge

Closest Town: Anchorage | Height: 10 feet | Hike Distance: 3 miles

In Girdwood Valley, a journey through a foggy rain forest of tall trees leads to a tiny wooden bridge that spans the spectacular canyon where Winner Creek roars over steep rock walls. This site is unusual and even otherworldly, offering a deep-woods, high-adventure vibe, and an almost fairy-like vibe.

Making your way down the stream on the west/north bank, you can sit on stones below the falls, next to the rolling water, for the best views. The adventure, however, isn’t over yet. Go another 0.2 miles to the hand tram and trolley across Glacier Creek for some seriously incredible views. You can either visit the viewpoint, return the same way you came, take the tram over the creek, or go to Crow Creek Mine. There’s clearly lots to do here!

The track, which is part of the famous Iditarod system and is managed by Chugach National Forest, is generally level and family-friendly, rare for an adventure in the deep outback. You and the whole family will love this place.

2. Bird Creek Falls

Closest Town: Anchorage | Height: 20 feet | Hike Distance: 1.2 miles

This vast, high-volume waterfall lurks in a difficult-to-find valley about 1.2 miles up Bird Creek from its mouth on Turnagain Arm.

The falls drop roughly 20 feet into a pool, with the whole volume of Bird Creek blasting through a rocky cleft barely a few yards wide. The falls freeze into a magnificent ice curtain in the winter (seeps on a nearby rock wall also create a fantastic ice mural.)

It’s not a tourist-friendly attraction: you’ll have to descend slick slopes and crawl through the bush to get your waterfall fix. If you’re ready for an adventure, hiking to these falls is a blast, and you can manage route finding and some steep trekking descents since there are a few various options for paths. You’ll feel like you’ve been through hell and back and finally discovered the prize.

Indeed, this Alaskan waterfall is a hidden treasure in Chugach State Park.

1. Reid Falls

Closest Town: Skagway | Height: 15 feet | Hike Distance: 5 miles roundtrip

The spectacular Reid Falls, named after Frank Reid, who dedicated his life (and his family jewels) for the glory of Skagway, features two falls.

The first waterfall is around 100 feet up the mountain, whereas the second is roughly 800 feet up. Named after Frank, these two falls were known as Lower Reid Falls and Upper Reid Falls, respectively.

There is no way to trek to both waterfalls on the same path. It’s much too high. Before starting any trek, you should acquire a route map at the Visitor’s Center and read it.

Lower Reid Falls is reachable by almost anybody who is moderately athletic. The path is well marked – it would be difficult to get lost on this hide

Upper Reid Falls is more complicated. It would be best to trek up to Lower Dewey Lake and continue north until the trail’s end. The round trip distance is around 5 miles.

The Upper Reid Falls Trail does not go to Upper Reid Falls, making it one of its most misnamed hiking routes. The route ends at a lovely site along Reid Creek, where you’ll probably see other visitors stumbling about in hopeless attempts to find the waterfall.

Alaskan Waterfall Safety Tips

We always recommend caution around large waterfalls, but we can’t stress safety enough for some of these waterfalls in Alaska. Insane views = dangerous!

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots.
• Always stick to well-maintained paths. Do not wander from viewing decks and platforms.
• Don’t ignore a warning notice or regulation put near a waterfall.
• Never climb on or near waterfalls.
• Never leap from waterfalls or dive into plunge pools.
• Supervise youngsters and pets carefully.
• Never play in the stream or river above a waterfall, or try to shoot photographs at the top of a waterfall.

The natural beauty of Alaska waterfalls just can’t be overstated! If you haven’t explored these waterfalls yet, you should include them in your itinerary.

Next: The Top National Parks In Alaska To Visit

Alaska is home to the most magnificent national parks globally. And some of them are massive: if Alaska’s National Parks formed a state, it would be the 14th biggest state in the country, ahead of Utah.

Alaska’s national parks contain some of the most spectacular natural beauty featuring gigantic glaciers, jaw-dropping mountain ranges, vast herds of caribou, grizzly bears, bald eagles, wild salmon, etc.

There are 17 national parks in this Alaska and hundreds of smaller National Park Service locations, monuments, and state parks. With so much to select from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Even for the most experienced explorer, finding out where to go, what to do, when to do it, and how might seem like a lot.

But don’t worry: we’ve provided you with a list of Alaska’s most beautiful national parks, with various activities to do in each one and all the information you’ll need. Some of these are the most popular while others are our favorites!

8. Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park, outside of Seward, was established in 1980 to safeguard some of Alaska’s most magnificent and inaccessible nature.

Snow and ice dominate 60% of the park, with the huge 936-square-mile Harding Icefield bordering the park’s perimeter. Countless tidewater glaciers stream down from the enormous icefield, creating valleys that fill with saltwater to produce magnificent fjords. The water views are incredible!

The Exit Glacier, the Harding Icefield, and the shoreline are the three primary regions of Kenai Fjords National Park. The park’s most accessible portion is Exit Glacier, a half-mile-wide river of ice. The 700-square-mile Harding Icefield is one of the few remaining icefields in the United States, and it’s also the country’s largest.

You can find beautiful tidewater glaciers and abundant marine life throughout the park’s rocky coastline.

How To Get There

Seward is 130 miles south of Anchorage, and you can access it year-round through the Seward Highway or during the summer months by the Alaska Railroad.

From the Exit Glacier region in Seward, travelers can enter the park by tour boats, water taxis, air taxis, and foot. Seward is also a popular stop for cruise ships.

What To Do

Take a Hike on the Harding Ice Fields Trail: In Kenai Fjords National Park, the Harding Ice Fields Trail is the most popular hiking route. Over 4000 feet of elevation rise makes this 8-mile round-trip climb a challenge.

Explore Exit Glacier: Alternatively, you can go up to exit Glacier, which is a straightforward climb but still provides stunning views of a natural glacier from the comfort of your camp.

Take a Ferry Ride: Take a day to see the park in the best manner possible: by ship! This is ideal for viewing the park since you cover a lot of land and get up close to some fantastic species and scenery.

Paddle a Kayak: Water taxis and guided tours from Seward are available for kayaking in Resurrection Bay.

Wildlife Viewing: A varied range of flora and fauna call the craggy coastline and magnificent fjords home. Black and brown bears, mountain goats, lynx, porcupines, moose, wolverines, and marmots are among the land animals found in the region. Orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, minke whales, fin whales, Dall’s porpoises, sea otters, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals make their homes in the nutrient-rich glacial waters.

The park also provides a haven for migratory and resident birds. Puffins, common murres,  cormorants, kittiwakes, pigeon guillemots, and eagles are among the over 190 species present in the region.

Where To Stay

Exit Glacier Campground:  Only one developed campsite is available near Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. This campground offers 12 walk-in tent-only sites on a first-come, first-served basis.

Backcountry Camping: Most people who camp in the Kenai Fjords’ backcountry choose to kayak down the shore.

There are various backcountry choices to consider (even on the Harding icefield). Anyone traveling into the woods should be highly cautious of bears and consider hiring a guide.

Holgate Cabin and Ailiak Cabin are two public-use cottages in Kenai Fjords National Park that you can reserve during the summer and are only accessible by boat.

When the Exit Glacier road shuts for the winter, another cabin, the Willow Cabin, becomes accessible for public use.

The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is the only lodge on the Kenai Fjords Coast. You can only access it by boat. Alternatively, you can find various lodges and hotels in the Seward.

When To Visit

Summer is the most incredible season to explore Kenai Fjords National Park since the days are longer. Temperatures in the summer vary from 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Exit Glacier’s road typically opens in May and shuts when the first snow falls (around October). However, the park itself is open year round.

For the most excellent possibilities of clear days, we recommend July and August. There’s just so much to see at this Alaska national park in the summer!

7. Wrangell-St Elias National Park

With its towering peaks and enormous glaciers, Wrangell-St Elias National Park is the most extensive and most magnificent unit of the United States National Park System. Wrangell-St. Elias spans from Mount St Elias (18,008 feet), one of North America’s highest peaks, to the Gulf of Alaska’s ocean.

The Chugach, Wrangell, and St. Elias Mountain Ranges meet in a region the size of six Yellowstone National Parks, earning it the nickname “the mountain kingdom of North America.”

The Copper Center Visitor Center, located near the hamlet of Copper Center at Mile 106 of the Richardson Highway, is the park’s primary visitor center. A theater, natural history displays, a bookshop, and a giant interactive map display are all available at the center.

The Ahtna Cultural Center, located next to the tourist center, has exhibits, a museum, and information on the Ahtna Athabascan people. A short nature walk outside the visitor center leads to stunning views of the Wrangell Mountains.

How To Get There

The Copper Center Visitor Center is 190 miles on the Glenn Highway from Anchorage, 250 miles from Fairbanks, and 110 miles on the Richardson Highway from Valdez.

This vast park is only accessible through two dirt roads. The 42-mile Nabesna Road connects to the park’s northernmost point, while the 60-mile McCarthy Road leads straight into the park’s core. Air taxis and flightseeing tours into the park are available from Glennallen, McCarthy, and Chitina airstrips.

What To Do

Discover the Kennecott Mine: Wrangell St. Elias National Park is famous for its old Kennecott Mine, shown prominently in many of the park’s photographs.

Make Your Way Up the Root Glacier Trail: The Root Glacier can be found just beyond the Kennecott Mine. We highly recommend taking the picturesque route to and from the Glacier!

Drive the Nabesna Roador or McCarthy Road: We strongly suggest driving down one or both of the park’s roads if you have the appropriate (4WD) vehicle. There are few other people, so there is plenty of wildlife, camping, beauty, and hiking in private.

Embark on a Beautiful Flight: Flying above the park is ideal for experiencing its splendor and making the most of your stay there. Wrangell’s flightseeing is spectacular, though not super affordable.

Wildlife Viewing: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Dall sheep and mountain goats in the alpine, caribou in the Wrangell Mountains to the north, and moose in the bogs and brushy parts of the lowlands.

The park is also home to both brown and black bears. Bison herds were released in the Copper River Valley in 1950 and along the Chitina River in 1962, and remnants of both herds can still be seen today.

Where To Stay

McCarthy Road and Nabesna Road are two sites in Wrangell St. Elias that provide many camping opportunities. Along these routes are various roadside camping spots that offer picnic tables and pit or vault toilets.

Wrangell St. Elias National Park also offers a variety of backwood camping possibilities. Even wilderness lodges are available! Visit the park service’s backcountry website for more information about backcountry camping.

The picturesque Kennecott Glacier Lodge, situated inside the park overlooking the Root Glacier, is highly recommended. Ma Johnson’s Historic Hotel, Currant Ridge, Blackburn Cabins, and Kennecott River Lodge are a few more places to stay in and surrounding McCarthy.

When To Visit

The most fantastic time visiting Wrangell-St Elias National Park in Alaska is from June through August, when temperatures are pretty cold, but there is minimal rainfall. In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park’s highest average temperature is 13°C in July, and the lowest is -10°C in December.

If you want to visit in May/June, keep in mind the passes may still be snowy. By September, it’s normal to have freezing temperatures at night. I definitely suggest that you take advantage of the short summer window!

6. Gates of The Arctic National Park

The Arctic Divide of the Brooks Range, America’s northernmost series of mountains, is crossed by the Gates of the Arctic National Park. It stretches from the Brooks Range’s southern foothills, past its craggy peaks, and onto the North Slope.

Gates of the Arctic National Park, which stretches 13,238 square miles and is north of the Arctic Circle, is only second in size to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

In its most basic form, the Gates of the Arctic is an immense wilderness the size of Switzerland with no National Park Service services, visitor centers, or campsites. The park is devoid of highways, except the Dalton Highway (renowned for its portrayal in Ice Road Truckers), and has just one hamlet, which is the Anaktuvuk Pass. Eight other Alaska Native settlements dot the outskirts, although each has less than 400 permanent people.

This is certainly one of the most rural national parks in Alaska!

How To Get There

Most travelers fly from Fairbanks to Anaktuvuk Pass, Bettles, or Coldfoot on a scheduled or charter flight. Bettles and Coldfoot provide bush charters into the park’s limits.

The Dalton Highway, which is accessible all year, is just 5 miles from the park, and some travelers choose to trek in from there, usually starting in Wiseman or Coldfoot.

What To Do

Wilderness Adventure: The Gates of the Arctic is one of the world’s few actually wild regions. You can travel through broad valleys and gaunt mountains of austere beauty on an adventure, exploration, and solitude excursion and see intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for thousands of years.

Explore the Brooks Range: The Brooks Range’s isolated location, harsh climate, and terrain require visitors to have the knowledge and abilities to be genuinely self-sufficient. Those who visit will discover several chances for leisure, natural calm, isolation, and wilderness pleasure, but make sure you know what you’re doing/what time of year to go.

Backcountry Camping: Backpackers have access to 8.4 million acres of magnificent wilderness where they may roam at their leisure. You can find camping areas around lakes and gravel bars surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. There are many rivers to float, including six classified as Wild Rivers.

Flightseeing: You can have flightseeing tours, day outings, and overnight camp-outs in distant areas via local air taxis. Visitors can also take air taxis to the nearby Kobuk Valley National Park to explore the dunes or the Noatak Preserve. The Bettles Visitor Center at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center in Coldfoot are where visitors may receive their National Park Service passport stamps for those places.

Wildlife Viewing: Grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, moose, and wolverines can all be found in the park and preserve. The park’s sole paths are those created by the Western Arctic caribou herd, one of Alaska’s most prominent, with over 200,000 animals. Grayling and Arctic char fishing are excellent in the clear streams, while lake trout fishing is excellent in the more significant, deeper lakes.

Where To Stay

Gates of The Arctic National Park isn’t the place for you if you’re searching for a lodge or an established campsite. Campgrounds and hotels in Gates of the Arctic aren’t a thing; there are no pre-existing facilities.

The only option is to camp in the wilderness.

When To Visit

Summer is the best time of year to explore Lake Clark National Park. The months of July and August provide the highest chances of seeing clear skies. Regardless of the weather prediction, rain is almost sure to fall throughout your getaway.

5. Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park is one of Alaska’s most magnificent locations with lofty mountain peaks, ice-sculpted fjords, various marine animals, and large tidewater glaciers. Every cruise ship passing through the Inside Passage must stop at the 3.3 million-acre park for a reason.

Glaciers still cover around a quarter of the park today. More than 50 glaciers have been named, with seven active tidewater glaciers that calve icebergs into the sea. The Fairweather Range, at 15,000 feet, encircles the park to the west, making it the world’s highest coastal mountain.

How To Get There

Most Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve tourists come by cruise ship and do not disembark during their stay. By plane or passenger ferry, you can reach the adjacent town of Gustavus. Alaska Airlines flies from Seattle and Anchorage to Juneau daily, connecting to Gustavus via various carriers.

Several air taxi firms fly small planes to Gustavus all year from several locations in southeast Alaska. The park headquarters at Bartlett Cove is 10 miles from Gustavus airport. A passenger ferry connects Juneau to Gustavus/Bartlett Cove on a restricted timetable.

This is one of the more difficult national parks in Alaska to actually get to, but trust me: the views are worth it.

What To Do

Boat Tour: Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska is best seen by boat. While the trip might be pricey, it’s well worth it if you have the funds.

Kayaking: You can find some of the best kayaking in the world at Glacier Bay, which is surrounded by gigantic glaciers and magnificent coastline scenery.

Hiking: Glacier Bay’s Bartlett Cove has multiple routes with boardwalks along the shore, making it the most popular place to trek in the region.

Wildlife Viewing: Glacier Bay is home to humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and porpoises, which make up almost one-fifth of the park’s marine waters. Glacier Bay is also home to a significant bear population, both brown and black, and the blue glacier bear, a unique color phase of the black bear. The park is also home to wolves, moose, mountain goats, Sitka blacktail deer, and bald eagles.

Where To Stay

Glacier Bay National Park has only one developed campground, Bartlett Cove. Visitors must get a free permit from the ranger station to camp in this area.

Glacier Bay is a popular destination for kayak-based backcountry camping. It’s one of the more rural national parks in Alaska.

Campers must first complete a park service-required backcountry camping orientation and permit application.

The Glacier Bay Lodge is an excellent choice for your accommodation. Glacier Bay Country Inn and Bear Track Inn are two more accommodation alternatives in Gustavus.

When To Visit

Summer is the perfect time to explore Glacier Bay National Park. If you want the highest possibility of rain-free days, we recommend July and August as the ideal months, like most other Alaska national parks.

Regardless of the weather prediction, the rain will fall throughout your vacation, and there will be a lot of it, so bring your rain gear!

4. Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park is a real wilderness destination located about 260 miles southwest of Anchorage. The park is home to over 2,200 brown bears, many of which cluster on the Brooks River to feast on summer salmon runs, making it one of Alaska’s most fabulous bear-watching places.

Some visitors come for the valley of 10,000 Smokes’ unearthly volcanic environment, but most come for the bears. This is one of the best national parks in Alaska to see wildlife up close and personal!

How to Get There

The park is accessible all year, although concessioner services are only available from June to mid-September at Brooks Camp, the park’s central entrance point.

Brooks Camp, 30 miles distant, is only accessible by tiny floatplane and can only be accessed by commercial airplane from Anchorage. From Kodiak, Homer, and Anchorage, bear-watching tour packages, including one-day trips, are available.

What To Do

Bear Watching at Brooks Falls: Brooks Falls is home to the world-famous Katmai National Park bear cam. Once you arrive, you can enjoy the most extraordinary bear watching on the globe from a protected platform.

Fishing: Because the Brooks River is home to world-class fish, bears assemble in such large numbers near Brooks Falls. You will have a world-class fishing experience at this location alongside some furry friends.

Observe the Valley of 10,000 Smokes: Volcanic vistas of Katmai National Park include the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, possibly the most renowned and stunning. From Brooks Camp, you can take a bus excursion to this breathtaking valley. This is one of the coolest national parks in Alaska to see volcanos.

Flightseeing Katmai National Park:  The best way to appreciate Katmai National Park’s magnificent volcanic terrain is to fly above it. The trip has an hour of flying time to enjoy the superb view of the park.

Where To Stay

At Katmai National Park, Brooks Camp is the only established campsite. You’ll need to take a little aircraft ride to get to the campsite.

Instead of defined campsites, the campground has a 60-person capacity quickly booked through recreation.gov.

The Brooks Lodge, situated near Brooks Falls, a well-known spot for observing bears, comes highly recommended.

When To Visit

The most excellent time to see bears in Katmai National Park is from late June to September, and that’s why most people come. During this period, there are possibilities to see bears.

The salmon runs at Brooks Falls in late June, July, and September. However, like most Alaska national parks, you’ll be limited in September since the temperatures majorly drop.

3. Kobuk Valley National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park is a 1.7 million-acre park in Arctic Alaska that encompasses a vast valley where the Baird and Waring Mountain ranges surround the middle segment of the Kobuk River. This semi-enclosed basin, 75 miles east of Kotzebue, preserves numerous unique geological features and lies on the Western Arctic caribou herd’s migratory path.

The Kobuk Valley is at the crossroads of the boreal forest and the treeless Arctic tundra that stretches westward to the Chukchi Sea. The boreal forest is open woodland with few trees in a layer of thick tundra at its northernmost point.

The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which comprise 25 square miles, the Little Kobuk Sand Dunes at Onion Portage, and the Hunt River Dunes occupy a large portion of the southern Kobuk Valley. These are the Arctic’s most fabulous active dunes. These wind-sculpted dunes reach up to 100 feet and are stabilized by the area’s flora. Despite 40 miles above the Arctic Circle, summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees. The dunes are accessible through a challenging hour-long climb down Kavet Creek from the Kobuk River.

How To Get There

Kobuk Valley is not accessible by road. The majority of people fly in either Kotzebue or Bettles to get to the park. Regular flight service is provided throughout the summer from Anchorage to Kotzebue and Fairbanks to Bettles.

The park is only accessible by aircraft, snowmobile, or dogsled in the winter. While it’s one of the tougher national parks in Alaska to access, the views and activities are incredible.

What To Do

Kobuk River: The Kobuk River is a slow-moving river that provides incredible wilderness float trips through magnificent boreal woods surrounding animals. Boaters can reach the Salmon River’s headwaters by loading their boats from high mountain airstrips.

Wilderness Adventure: The finest wilderness trekking is done in the mountains, where there are more wide vistas and firmer footing than on the mushy lowland tundra. The Onion Portage and the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, where the Western Arctic caribou herd crosses the Kobuk River twice a year, are popular camping and hiking destinations.

Flightseeing: Another excellent method to experience the park’s distinctive sights and fauna is flying above it. Flightseeing trips over the park are available from Kotzebue and Bettles, with the possibility to land in the area for up-close exploration.

Wildlife Viewing: The Western Arctic caribou herd, one of Alaska’s largest with roughly 200,000 animals, travels through the park from calving grounds north of the Brooks Range to winter grounds south of the range.

This 600-mile trek is one of the world’s last extensive animal migrations. Thousands of migrating birds, including arctic terns, swans, cranes, geese, and ducks, spend the summer months in the park. Moose, grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, foxes, and porcupines are among the park’s other land wildlife.

Where To Stay

Within Kobuk Valley, there are no roads, campsites, or maintained trails. However, you can do backcountry camping here. The Onion Portage and the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are popular backpacking destinations. The park’s information is available through the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center, Kotzebue.

While we personally think this is one of the best national parks in Alaska, don’t plan a trip lightly: you ned to know what you’re doing to survive.

When To Visit

The ideal time to visit Kobuk Valley National Park is during the summer. The days are long (the sun doesn’t set from roughly June 3 to July 9), and temperatures in many regions may reach the 80s or higher. The best time to see wildflowers is from mid-June until late July. The Kobuk River ice breaks up in May and starts to rebuild by mid-October.

2. Lake Clark National Park

This park is an undiscovered gem, with gorgeous scenery, near access to Anchorage and Homer, and less than 20,000 people visiting each year.

Lake Clark National Park is about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage and has some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery, including mountains, glaciers, granite spires, thunderous waterfalls, wave-washed beaches, and the state’s biggest lake.

The 5,625-square-mile park runs from the Cook Inlet coastlines to the tundra-covered highlands of Southwest Alaska, passing via the Chigmit Mountains. Lake Clark, a 42-mile-long turquoise body of water surrounded by mountains, is the park’s showpiece. Mount Iliamna, at 10,016 feet, and Mount Redoubt, at 10,197 feet, are active volcanoes that erupted in 1990, throwing ash to Anchorage, in the Chigmit Mountain, where the Alaska Range meets the Aleutian Range.

The valleys, lakes, and foothills on both sides of the Alps indicate glacially changed topography. The lowest areas of the park’s southwest region are covered with boreal forest, with white and black spruce accounting for the majority of the coniferous trees. Tundra dominates the farther north and west areas.

How To Get There

The only approach to get to Lake Clark is via a small charter plane from Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer, which takes about an hour. Small aircraft that fly guests into the park for day excursions land on lakes, gravel bars, or beaches where they can spend the day fishing or observing bears.

You can only reach the majority of isolated lodges by air taxi from Port Alsworth, located on Lake Clark’s south side.

What To Do

Bear Watching: Brown bears congregate along the shore, lakes, and streams to eat salmon and clams, making bear watching a highlight of Lake Clark National Park. Visitors can fly into the park on guided day trips from Anchorage, Kenai, and Homer to spend time seeing these beautiful creatures.

Canoeing and Kayaking: You will find some of the world’s most breathtaking water sports in Lake Clark National Park. Experience it firsthand by paddling a canoe or kayak on Lake Clark.

Wildlife Viewing: You can find a diverse range of subarctic fauna in Lake Clark. Some land animals include brown and black bears, moose, the more than 100,000-strong Mulchatna caribou herd, Dall sheep, and wolves. Also, you can witness harbor seals, beluga whales, Steller sea lions, and sea otters along the coastline.

Day Hikes:  From Port Alsworth, you may take a leisurely walk through some of the most magnificent landscapes in Alaska.

Fishing: This world-class fishing destination is known for its abundant wild salmon and beautiful trout.

Where To Stay

For those searching for a pleasant multi-day vacation into the wilderness, Lake Clark boasts numerous isolated lodges accessible from Port Alsworth. There is one primary camping area and two public-use cabins on Lake Clark.

Priest Rock Public Use Cabin and Joe Thompson Public Use Cabin are the two public-use cabins that you can reserve.

The Farm Lodge, Chulitna Lodge, Redoubt Lodge, and the Silver Salmon Creek Lodge are just a few Lake Clark hotels and lodges.

When To Visit

Early summer is the perfect time to visit Lake Clark National Park to enjoy the sun and beautiful weather. However, many people claim that the park is gorgeous in August, with many visitors flocking to the park to take in its natural beauty.

Obviously, this is one of the most rural national parks in Alaska, so you should only visit if you’re ok with roughing it.

1. Denali National Park

This world-famous national park is known for its pristine landscapes, spectacular wildlife, and the towering Denali.

Denali National Park encompasses 160 miles of the Alaska Range, featuring granite spires and snowy peaks occasionally buried in clouds. North America’s tallest mountain dominates the skyline.

Denali rises magnificently to 20,310 feet, making it one of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring spectacles. Around 400,000 adventurous visitors visit Denali National Park every year, mostly between late May and early September.

The Eielson Visitor Center is Denali National Park’s newest and most spectacular interpretive center. The 7,400-square-foot structure has natural history exhibits, a giant Denali model, and panoramic views of North America’s highest mountain.

How To Get There

The Parks Highway provides easy access to the park’s entrance (120 miles south of Fairbanks; 235 from Anchorage). It’s one of the easier national parks in Alaska to access, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. There are many ways to get to Denali!

What To Do

Bus Tour: Ride the bus deep into the park to look at America’s last frontier.

Bike Tour: Rent a bike and pedal it beyond where the private automobiles can go witnessing all of the park’s amazing beauties in the open air.

Hike the Savage Alpine Trail: To test your mettle, we suggest a hike up the Savage Alpine Trail, which is 8 kilometers round trip and gains 1500 feet in altitude. This trek is often cited as one of the park’s best and is accessible through the Savage River area.

Wildlife: In addition to the beautiful golden eagle, the park is home to 37 other animal species, including lynx and marmots. On the other hand, most tourists are interested in seeing Alaska’s “Big Five” animals: moose, caribou, wolf, Dall sheep, and brown, or grizzly, bear. Grizzlies are the most common bears observed by park visitors along Park Road. Black bears live in Denali’s forested areas, whereas grizzly bears prefer the tundra’s open expanses.

You don’t need to be a traveler to witness this wildlife—people who never sleep in a tent have a fantastic opportunity to get a close look at these beautiful species grazing free in their native environment, unlike most wild places in the nation.

Camping: Take the bus to a tent and spend the night in Alaska’s premier national park on a bucket list trip.

Where To Stay

Denali National Park has six constructed campsites accessible from the park’s main road.

Denali campsites do not need reservations in advance. However, reservations are recommended since space may be limited. Denali is definitely one of Alaska’s most popular national parks.

The campgrounds accessible to tourists are Riley Creek, Savage River, Sanctuary River, Teklanika River, Igloo Creek, and Lake Campground.

Except for Riley Creek, all campsites are only available during the summer. Those who dare can camp for free in the winter.

While Denali National Park lacks official park lodges, there are plenty of fantastic lodging options, most of which are expensive.

Most visitors choose to remain outside the park; however, there are four choices on privately owned property inside the park’s limits. You’ll find skyline Lodge, Kantishna Roadhouse, Camp Denali, and Denali Backcountry Lodge at the end of the park’s main road. We recommend reserving your accommodations as early as possible since they tend to sell out well in advance.

When To Visit

Summer is the greatest time to visit Denali National Park because of the longer days and milder temperatures. The longer, brighter summer days are perfect for those who want to glimpse the big mountain’s summit. As a result, the weather prevents most tourists to this Alaskan national park from seeing Denali’s pinnacle.

August is the best month to visit Denali since it has fewer insects and nicer weather than July. In Denali National Park, the month of August has the best sunshine.

Things To Know Before Visiting an Alaska National Park

Have Bear Spray: Grizzly bear encounters in Alaska National Parks are significantly more likely than in parks in the lower 48 states, so bring bear spray. Even if you don’t need bear spray 99 percent of the time, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Bring Insect Repellent: Alaska is notorious for its craziness when it comes to mosquitoes. Insect repellent is a must-have for everyone visiting coastal parks, regardless of the season or time of year. Mosquito net hats, trousers, and top covers are more options.

Verify If You Can Bring Your Dog: Dogs aren’t permitted on the trails in many national parks because their presence might harm the natural environment. Before bringing your pup to the park, double-check to see whether they’re allowed where automobiles are.

Protect Living Trees and Plants: Instead of securing your tarp to a tree, use tent stakes to hold it to the ground.

Keep Your Distance From Wildlife: Keep a safe distance from animals and allow them the right of way. Camping near denning sites, food caches, and alder or birch thickets is not recommended.

Leave Natural and Cultural Items Where You Find Them: All of Alaska’s parks and preserves have a rich human history, and evidence of these civilizations can be discovered all around the state. Read the rules for locating natural and cultural things in each park before going.

Wanderlust and an ever-growing bucket list? We’ve all seen the stunning photos and movies of dancing green lights in the sky, and wow are they amazing. Most of us want to experience the Northern Lights someday for one reason or another! And if you happen to be in the vicinity of the Alaska Northern Lights, then this is definitely a sight you shouldn’t miss.

Seeing the magical Northern Lights is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. These kaleidoscopic ribbons of brilliant light illuminate the night sky during the year’s coldest months.

Many Americans mistakenly believe they must fly to Norway or Iceland to see the solar-powered event when encountering the Northern Lights, but this is not true. You can see it right here in the United States. In inland Alaska, the multicolored lights are visible on 80% of clear evenings during optimal viewing season!

In this article, you’ll find all of the information and travel advice you need to maximize your chances of seeing the Alaska Northern Lights any time of year.

First Off: What Causes Northern Lights?

It’s helpful to know what actually creates the Alaska Northern Lights in order to figure out how you can easily see them.

The lights seen in the night sky are caused by activity on the sun’s surface.

Solar storms on our star’s surface spew forth massive clouds of electrically charged particles. Some of these particles may crash with the earth if they travel for millions of miles.

However, some become caught in the earth’s magnetic field and speed up their descent to the poles, where they burn up in the atmosphere. This explains why the magnetic equator has the greatest concentration of auroral activity.

The atoms and molecules in the earth’s atmosphere are heated when these particles collide. Excitation is the scientific term to describe this process, although it’s more like heating a gas and making it light.

So when we’re looking at the Northern (or Southern) lights, we are witnessing atoms and molecules in our atmosphere interacting with particles from the sun. The lines of force in the earth’s magnetic field generate the aurora’s distinctive wavy patterns and light “curtains.”

Typically, the aurora’s lowest point (closest to the earth) is roughly 80 miles above the earth’s surface. The top of a display, or the lights that are furthest away from the earth, can reach several thousand miles above the planet.

What Produces The Aurora’s Many Colors?

When heated, many gases emit a variety of colors. It’s nitrogen and oxygen, the two most abundant elements in the earth’s atmosphere, that create the aurora’s colorful light show.

The green in the aurora is typical of oxygen, whereas tints of purple, blue or pink are created by nitrogen.

Oxygen at extreme altitudes interacts with sun particles to produce a beautiful ruby red color that we sometimes glimpse. This only happens when the aurora is exceptionally intense.

When Do The Northern Lights Appear In Alaska?

So now let’s get down to it: how to see the Northern Lights in Alaska!

Observing the Northern or Southern Lights with your bare eyes will be tough if you don’t have a clear night. You’ll definitely want to leave a few nights available based on the weather since a cover of clouds will hurt visibility.  must be at a clear night sky. Additionally, rural locations are superior to cities since they don’t suffer from light pollution.

Because the sun is now at solar minimum, we are less likely to see full-blown auroral events than when the sun is at a solar maximum. There will, however, be nightly displays of the northern lights until maximum solar returns in 2024.

The typical aurora season runs from August 21 to April 21 each year.

However, because of the earth’s tilt relative to the sun, displays of the northern lights tend to increase around the equinox months of September, October, and March, when the earth’s magnetic field is in sync with the solar wind.

March is considered the best time to observe the northern lights since clear skies are more common in Alaska during spring. Note that the best time to see the full-blown dancing lights can vary depending on your location.

If you can locate a dark and clear sky, stay on the lookout from sundown onwards, and you could get to witness an aurora. According to the Geophysical Institute, the ideal time to observe the aurora is at approximately midnight, give or take an hour. But they can occur at any time.

And don’t worry if you’re not specifically in Alaska during March. You can still have a chance to see the Northern Lights, especially if you head to a good location.

Where To See Northern Lights?

While the Fairbanks Alaska Northern Lights seem to be the most common, there are actually a few different places in Alaska to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.

In Alaska, you can see the northern lights almost anywhere. However, they are more visible farther north.

This list is updated for the 2022/2023 season — we’ve compiled a list of the best sites based on frequency, quality, and accessibility to guarantee you have a good chance of seeing the celestial ballet.

1. Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is one of the most incredible spots to observe the northern lights since it’s positioned just beneath the Auroral Oval. This ring-shaped zone extends above the earth’s geomagnetic north pole, the epicenter of aurora activity.

However, Fairbanks Alaska is also a great option to see the Northern Lights because there are so many different hotels and tours that cater specifically to viewings. It’s definitely the best place for a novice to head!

During the aurora season (August 21 to April 21), visitors can expect to view the lights on around four out of every five clear evenings. Taking a trip on the Riverboat Discovery or gold panning are two more options for tourists in the late summer.

For a joyful Christmas experience (if it happens you come in December), visit the Santa Claus House in the North Pole (about 13 miles southeast of Fairbanks). Visitors can take in the unique ice sculptures at the World Ice Art Championships in February and March and a dog sledding excursion.

Reserve lodgings at the luxury Aurora Villa for good odds of aurora viewing. This is a great place to spend a week if you want the maximum chance possible to catch a glimpse of the Fairbanks Alaska Northern Lights!

Keep in mind: Fairbanks isn’t technically the best place to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, but it’s a good option. Fairbanks seems to be much more accessible than other spots in Alaska which is why it’s so popular with tourists who want glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.

2. Far North, Alaska

Despite its remoteness, the Alaskan Arctic is worth a trip to experience the seascapes, tundras, and mountains of the Brooks Range.

Nome is the closest city to the area where you can see the Alaskan Northern Lights. With a rich history dating back to the days of the Gold Rush and amazing scenery, Nome is a coastal town located along the Bering Sea.

You can also travel to Utqiagvik, the northernmost town in the United States. Visit Utqiagvik to learn about the traditional culture of the indigenous I*upiaq, who make up the majority of the town and operate the I*upiaq Heritage Center.

Take the 414-mile Dalton Highway from Fairbanks, or fly into Fairbanks and connect on to Nome or Utqiagvik.

A Railway Adventure in Alaska

If you’d rather travel while viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska then consider the Railway Adventure. It’s a ton of fun!

Vacations by Rail’s six-day excursion explores the rough and expansive grandeur of The Last Frontier aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train. From your seat or the Vista Dome Car on the train traveling between Anchorage and Fairbanks, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

This vacation package offers overnight stays in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the isolated Bettles Lodge. The Bettles Lodge, located 35 miles above the Arctic Circle, provides visitors with some of the most incredible views of the aurora borealis anywhere.

During the daytime hours, try out other Alaskan activities such as exploring the area by snowmobile or gear up and go ice fishing. You can even try your hand at dog mushing with your team of Alaskan huskies. This adventure is offered between October and April.

Two nights at Bettles Lodge, five meals, Arctic apparel, and equipment, plus additional activities like cross-country skiing and guided snowshoe expeditions are all included in the price.

Tips For Chasing Northern Lights

After narrowing the list of prospective sites and determining the optimal time to visit, it’s time to learn about the best methods to watch the Northern Lights, including how to maximize your chances of viewing them.

The Alaska Northern Lights are pretty unpredictable. You can barely foresee when and where they will occur. Here are some tips to help make sure you get a solid viewing!

1. Regular Weather Checks

You can count on two things to see the northern lights: the weather and your luck. The weather can be your savior or worst enemy. There are two significant players here:

– Solar Activity

You can only witness the Northern lights when there is solar activity in your location, which means that the solar particles impact the atmosphere and produce light effects. Scientists use real-time data on solar winds to develop an Ovation Map for this purpose, and they update it regularly (thanks to advancements in technology).

With this map, you can monitor places from where the aurora can be visible during a period. The model’s Kp measure also informs us how powerful the anticipated aurora will be. If the sky is clear and Kp> 2 is present, you have a good chance of seeing auroras.

The Kp index, used by scientists to gauge the overall chance of visibility, ranges from 0 to 9. The bigger the number, the better the probabilities (anything over a four is considered “high activity”).

– Cloud Coverage

There must be clear, non-cloudy skies to view the lights with the naked eye since they are located well above the cloud cover. Even if the sun is shining brightly, clouds will obscure your vision. therefore you will also need some Cloud-God benediction

There’s no need to be put off by the difficulty of becoming an astronomer or a weather specialist; there are apps for both.

2. Use Aurora Forecast

Aurora hunters rely on SolarHam’s three-day geomagnetic forecast. You can use the Aurora Forecast app to determine whether or not they will see the Northern Lights based on their location relative to the Arctic Circle (red means the Northern Lights are almost certainly happening directly above you).

The interface of the app is straightforward. You can specify your location, and it gives you the cloud covering and sun activity in a specified region. It indicates the Kp value, cloud coverage, and viewing likelihood. It works super well!

The Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is also an excellent source for short-term forecasts of Northern Lights activity. There is even a 27-day aurora borealis prediction at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks.

3. Book A One Week Stay

Try to remain in these destinations for a week to optimize your chances and eliminate bad-weather days. Typically a week is excellent, with at least three days devoted to viewing the lights directly.

4. Examine Hashtags and Photo Sources

We spent some time looking at the best Aurora photographs posted on Facebook by travel firms that provided Northern Lights viewing trips and tracked the location of their pictures.

Tracking photos submitted by top photographers on 500pix.com will help you locate potential places. The Instagram hashtags #aurora or #northernlights can also be checked, but notice that they often feature the prominent city name.

It’s best to look a week or two before you’re trying to spot the Alaska Northern Lights since the variables change super often. In my opinion, this is one of the quickest ways to stay informed in real-time!

5. Find A Good Tour Operator

The most significant suggestion for someone who wants to go on a road trip by yourself is to pay for the agencies if you can afford it.

These agencies have so many distinct aurora viewing camps in various places surrounding a city, and they have their agents continually scanning the sky. This network makes it simple for them to communicate if the Northern Lights are observed in one area, and they will swiftly drive you to the proper spots.

Alaska Northern Lights Excursions:

Think of it as a mission. It is one of nature’s most spectacular events that you are attempting to watch. To find the aurora, one must be persistent and relentless. It’s a great experience! It’ll be worth it in the long run.

You’ll have to stay up late. The hours of 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. are the most popular for tours. Tour operators often provide oversized parkas, bunny boots, warm drinks, and little food. You can request a wake-up call in a lodge if you can’t keep your eyes open. You’ll get a good night’s sleep the following day, as the sun doesn’t rise until 10 or 11 a.m. in the winter. Dog sledding or snowmobiling could be a pleasant afternoon winter sport for you. Return to your lodge or hotel for an early nighttime snooze, and then get ready for more!

The following are some of the best excursions in Alaska to view the aurora borealis:

Lodges and Overnight Tours

Far beyond the Arctic Circle, Northern Alaska Tour Company provides 3-day/2-night (and longer) excursions from Fairbanks to Coldfoot Camp. It is a great place to get a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Resort, a fly-in luxury wilderness lodge within Gates of the Arctic National Park, provides one of Alaska’s most unique opportunities to watch the northern lights.

One hour from Fairbanks is Borealis Basecamp, where you can reserve an overnight stay in a transparent igloo.

Once you reach Fairbanks, you’ll continue north, stop at Talkeetna along the route, and watch for the aurora borealis. From Anchorage, Salmon Berry Tours provides six-day/five-night trips. Wild Journeys Alaska offers unique, private multi-day trips lasting three or more nights from Anchorage.

Enjoy three nights of aurora watching as well as entertaining daytime activities. Each day has an aurora prediction, so you can choose which three nights you want to follow the lights.

Tour in the Evening

From Fairbanks: A northern lights viewing area called Aurora Pointe is about 15 minutes from downtown Fairbanks. While waiting for the lights to come on, you can relax in a lovely, warm room with complimentary coffee, tea, and locally-sourced snacks.

With Alaska Wildlife Guide, you can depart from Fairbanks and enjoy a dip in Chena Hot Springs while searching for the aurora borealis.

With Northern Alaska Tour Company, you can witness the Aurora Borealis in the furthest reaches of the Arctic Circle. Make your choice between driving and flying.

Get out on the ice with Rod’s Alaskan Guide Service for a memorable night of fishing. You can cast your line from a cottage overlooking the lake while sipping on a cup of coffee or tea. If the aurora happens to occur, the wide-open perspective is ideal.

From Anchorage: On Alaska Photo Treks’ Anchorage Aurora Quest, you’ll photograph snow-capped mountains, frozen landscapes, animals on snowy pathways, city lights reflecting on water at dusk, and maybe the Northern Lights!

Leaving Anchorage (or Wasilla/Palmer) between 9 and 11 p.m., you’ll spend the following seven hours searching for the aurora borealis.

Final Thoughts

Northern light viewing is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those not fortunate enough to reside close to its regions. We hope that this guide will be helpful to you.

We have no control over the weather factors, so you can only pray that the weather cooperates on the day of your visit. Given this, you still can increase your chances if you remain in these regions for a more extended amount of time to discover some lovely weather days.