Can You Base Your Alaska Vacation in One Town? Yes—Here’s How to Do It Right

We get this question all the time: “Can I just stay in one place in Alaska and do day trips from there?”

The answer is yes, you can absolutely basecamp as long as you know what to expect.

Most visitors move around the state, and there’s a good reason for that: Alaska is huge. Driving from Anchorage to Denali takes 4.5 hours. The train? About 8. You just can’t see everything in a day.

But if you’re short on time, don’t want to repack every couple of nights, or just like the idea of coming back to the same hotel bed, a basecamp-style trip can be a great way to experience Alaska.

You’ll trade breadth for depth, but you’ll still see glaciers, mountains, wildlife, and maybe even bears—without hopping towns every night.

Here’s how to do it right.

Anchorage Basecamp (5–7 Days)

Anchorage is Alaska’s biggest city and one of the most flexible home bases. You’ve got glacier hikes, day cruises, flightseeing, and wildlife tours all within a few hours.

Sample 5-Day Anchorage Basecamp Itinerary

• Day 1: Explore Anchorage—bike the Coastal Trail, visit the Anchorage Museum, or dine downtown.
• Day 2: Day trip to Girdwood or Whittier by car. Take the tram up Mt. Alyeska, go flightseeing by helicopter, or take a day cruise in Prince William Sound.
• Day 3: Head to Seward for a day trip by train or car. Take a day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park or visit Exit Glacier and the Alaska SeaLife Center.
• Day 4: Go north to Matanuska Glacier for a guided ice trek or visit sled dogs in Willow.
• Day 5: Take a flightseeing tour around Denali or fly to Katmai or Lake Clark for bear viewing

See the full Anchorage Basecamp itinerary

Other Day Trip Ideas from Anchorage:

• Spencer Glacier: Board the Glacier Discovery train and raft among floating icebergs. You can plan the whole experience with Chugach Adventures.
• Eklutna Lake: Just 45 minutes north—rent bikes or kayaks, hike local trails, or book a guided outdoor tour. Here’s our full Eklutna Guide.

Fairbanks Basecamp (5-7 Days)

Fairbanks has a slower pace, family-friendly experiences, and great access to Denali, the Arctic, and (seasonally) the Northern Lights. It’s an especially nice base for summer trips with young kids.

Sample 5-Day Fairbanks Basecamp Itinerary

• Day 1: Visit Creamer’s Field, Pioneer Park, and local museums.
• Day 2: Tour a working sled dog kennel and go for a short ride (even in summer!).
• Day 3: Cruise the Chena River on the Riverboat Discovery and learn about Alaska Native life, aviation, and mushing.
• Day 4: Pan for gold at Gold Dredge 8 and walk with reindeer at Running Reindeer Ranch.
• Day 5: Make a day trip to Denali National Park—explore the visitor center or take a short shuttle tour

See the full Fairbanks Basecamp itinerary

Other Day Trip Ideas from Fairbanks:

• Chena Hot Springs: Soak in natural thermal pools and visit the on-site ice museum.
• Northern Lights viewing: From late August to mid-April, Fairbanks is one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora. See our recommended tours.
• Arctic Circle Adventures: Take a guided van or flight tour to cross the Arctic Circle.
• Flightseeing: Tour over Gates of the Arctic National Park or the Brooks Range or the Brooks Range for a truly wild experience.

Girdwood Basecamp (4 Days)

Just 40 minutes from Anchorage, Girdwood is a charming resort town that’s big on adventure and scenery. You’ll have access to glaciers, fjords, rail trips, and wildlife—without big crowds or city buzz.

Sample 4-Day Girdwood Basecamp Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive and explore—ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram or pan for gold at Crow Creek Mine.
• Day 2: Take the Alaska Railroad to Spencer Glacier. Hike or kayak among icebergs at this remote, stunning spot.
• Day 3: Ride the train to Seward and cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. Return to Girdwood by train.
• Day 4: Drive back to Anchorage. Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and explore Anchorage before flying home.

See the full Girdwood itinerary

Soldotna Basecamp (5 Days)

If you love rivers, fishing, and exploring at a slower pace, Soldotna is a perfect base on the Kenai Peninsula. It’s more local, less touristy, and offers incredible access to outdoor adventures.

Sample 5-Day Soldotna Basecamp Itinerary

• Day 1: Drive from Anchorage (2.5–3 hours). Stop at scenic overlooks and stretch your legs along the Kenai River boardwalk. Check into your Soldotna accommodations.
• Day 2: Take a day trip to Seward for a cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. Option to hike to Exit Glacier.
  
• Day 3: Go fishing, flightseeing, bear viewing, or biking on local trails. Or relax and explore Soldotna’s shops, museums, and parks.
• Day 4: Head south to Homer (1.5 hours). Kayak, fish, explore tidepools, or take a water taxi to hike in Kachemak Bay State Park.
• Day 5: Return to Anchorage. Optional stops in Portage Valley or Girdwood along the way.

See the full Soldotna Basecamp itinerary