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- First Trip to Alaska?
  
  Best Time to Visit Alaska?
  
  Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain
  
  Best Way to See Alaska?
  
  Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. Which one is right for you?
  
  How Many Days Do You Need?
  
  7-10 days is the most common. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska.
  
  How to Plan & Book?
  
  Overwhelmed by choices? Let us simplify it for you
  
  How Much Does an Alaska Vacation Cost?
  
  How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Use our calculator to find out
  
  What to Wear in Alaska?
  
  Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear
  
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Destinations
- Southcentral & Interior (Road & Rail)
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  Anchorage
  
  Seward & Kenai Fjords
  
  Denali National Park
  
  Talkeetna
  
  Fairbanks
  
  Whittier
  
  Girdwood
  
  Homer
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  Cooper Landing Area
  
  Soldotna
  
  Kenai
  
  Copper Center
  
  Cordova
  
  Delta Junction
  
  Glacier View
  
  Hope
  
  McCarthy-Kennicott
  
  Palmer / Wasilla Area
  
  Seldovia
  
  Tok
  
  Valdez
  
  Chitina
  
  Willow
  
  View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map
  Southeast (Cruise & Ferry)
  Most Popular
  
  Juneau
  
  Ketchikan
  
  Sitka
  
  Skagway
  
  Haines
  
  Glacier Bay National Park
  
  Hoonah / Icy Strait
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  Angoon
  
  Tenakee Springs
  
  Elfin Cove
  
  Kake
  
  Craig
  
  Pelican
  
  Petersburg
  
  Port Protection
  
  Wrangell
  
  Yakutat
  
  View All Southeast Towns On a Map
  Southwest (Air & Ferry)
  Most Popular
  
  Kodiak
  
  Katmai National Park & Preserve
  
  Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  Unalaska
  
  King Salmon
  
  Aniakchak National Preserve
  
  View all Southwest Alaska Towns on a Map
  Arctic (Air)
  Most Popular
  
  Nome
  
  Gates of the Arctic
  
  Utqiagvik (Barrow)
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  Arctic Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
  
  Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
  
  Cape Krusenstern National Monument
  
  Kobuk Valley National Park
  
  Kotzebue
  
  Noatak National Preserve
  
  View All Arctic Towns On a Map
  National & State Parks
  National Parks on the Road System
  
  Denali National Park
  
  Seward & Kenai Fjords
  
  Wrangell St. Elias National Park
  
  National Parks by Cruise or Air
  
  Glacier Bay National Park
  
  National Parks by Air
  
  Katmai National Park & Preserve
  
  Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
  
  Gates of the Arctic
  
  Kobuk Valley National Park
  
  State Parks & National Forests
  
  Chugach State Park
  
  Denali State Park
  
  Chugach National Forest
  
  Tongass National Forest
  
  Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
  
  Sitka National Historical Park
  View All Destinations
  
  Maps
Things to Do
- Tours & Activities
  Best of Alaska
  
  Day Cruises
  
  Glacier Tours
  
  Bear Viewing Tours
  
  Flightseeing Tours
  
  Dog Sledding Tours
  
  Fishing Charters
  
  Sea Kayaking Tours
  
  Rafting Tours
  
  Guided Hiking & Hiking Lodges
  
  Jeep & ATV Tours
  
  City Sightseeing Tours
  
  Jetboat & Riverboat Tours
  
  Northern Lights Tours
  
  View All Things to Do
  Winter Tours & Activities
  Alaska Winter Tours & Activities
  
  Northern Lights Tours
  
  Winter Dog Mushing
  
  Snowmobiling Tours
  
  Ice Fishing
  
  Fat Bike Tours & Rentals
  
  Winter Sightseeing Tours
  
  Winter Multi-Day Adventures
  
  Ski Areas
  
  Cross Country Skiing
  
  Ice Skating
  
  Winter Vacation Advice
  
  Alaska Winter Vacation Tips
  
  What to Wear in Alaska in Winter
  
  The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage
  
  How to Travel to Alaska in November
  
  How to Travel to Alaska in December
  
  How to Travel to Alaska in January and February
  
  How to Travel to Alaska in March
  
  Visiting Alaska in April
  Backcountry
  Backcountry
  
  National Park Tours
  
  Guided Camping & Backcountry Adventures
  
  Arctic Tours
  
  Public Use Cabins
  
  Alaska Float Trips
  
  Alaska Fishing Spots
  
  Sea Kayaking Trips In Alaska
  
  Hiking Trails
  
  Backcountry Advice
  
  Alaska Camping & Hiking Tips
  
  Alaska Sea Kayaking Tips
  
  Advice For Alaska Float Trips
  
  Alaska Fishing Tips
  
  RV Parks & Campgrounds
  View Activities by Town
  Self Drive & Railbelt Towns
  
  Anchorage
  
  Fairbanks
  
  Girdwood
  
  Talkeetna
  
  Kenai / Soldotna
  
  Cooper Landing
  
  Homer
  
  Palmer / Wasilla Area
  
  Kenai / Soldotna
  
  National Parks
  
  Denali National Park
  
  Seward & Kenai Fjords
  
  Wrangell St. Elias National Park
  
  Lake Clark National Park
  
  Katmai National Park
  
  Glacier Bay National Park
  
  Gates of the Arctic National Park
  
  Kobuk Valley National Park
  
  Cruise Ports & Inside Passage
  
  Juneau
  
  Ketchikan
  
  Skagway
  
  Haines
  
  Sitka
  
  Whittier
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  McCarthy / Kennicott
  
  Glacier View
  
  Valdez
  
  Tok
  
  Kodiak
  
  Kotzebue
  
  Port Protection
  Trip Ideas & Itineraries
  Trip Ideas by Length
  
  3 Day
  
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  12 Day
  
  14 Day
  
  21 Day
  
  Trip Ideas by Theme & Season
  
  National Parks
  
  Winter & Northern Lights
  
  Fall
  
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  The Inside Passage
  
  Off-The-Beaten-Path
Cruise & Land Packages
- Land Tours
  
  Independent Driving Tours
  
  Independent Railroad Tours
  
  Large Group Escorted Tours
  
  Small Group Adventure Tours
  
  Wilderness Lodge Vacations
  
  Photography Tours
  
  Guided Backcountry Adventures
  
  View All Land Tours
  Land Tour Tips
  Getting Started
  
  How to Plan & Book
  
  How Many Days You Need
  
  Must See In Alaska
  
  Land Tour Tips
  
  Escorted or Independent?
  
  Booking Your Land Tour
  
  Best Alaska Excursions
  
  Nine Trip Planning Pitfalls to Avoid
  
  Why to Honeymoon in Alaska
  
  The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska
  
  View All Expert Advice
  Small Ship Cruises
  
  View All Small Ship Cruises
  
  Inside Passage (UnCruise Adventures)
  
  Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage
  
  Prince William Sound (Discovery Voyages)
  
  Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. 2-5 day small ship explorations
  
  Sailing & Private Yacht Cruises
  
  The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka.
  
  Large Ship
  
  Alaska Large Ship Cruises
  
  The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise.
  
  Shore Excursions
  
  Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise.
  Cruise Tips
  Getting Started
  
  Best Time To Cruise Alaska
  
  What Size Ship for Your Alaska Cruise?
  
  Which Departure Port?
  
  Cruise or Land Tour First?
  
  Cruise Only or Cruisetour?
  
  More Cruise Tips
  
  Choosing Your Cabin or Stateroom
  
  Best Alaska Family Cruises
  
  How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!)
  
  The Best Shore Excursions
  
  View All Cruise Tips
  
  View All Shore Excursions
  View All Cruises
  
  Cruise + Land Packages
Getting Around
- Car Rental
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  By Location
  
  Anchorage Car Rental
  
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  Seward Car Rentals
  
  Denali National Park Car Rental
  
  Car Rental Advice
  
  Compare Alaska Car Rental Companies
  
  Railroad vs Car Rental
  Alaska Railroad
  
  Motorcoach & Bus
  
  Ferry
  
  RV & Campervan
  
  Scheduled Airlines
  
  Water Taxis
  
  Air Taxis & Charters
  
  All Transportation
  Transportation Advice
  Car Rental
  
  Railroad vs Car Rental
  
  Compare Alaska Car Rental Companies
  
  Railroad
  
  Alaska Railroad Map
  
  Alaska Railroad Schedule
  
  Alaska Railroad Reservations
  
  Motorcoach
  
  Alaska Bus Schedules
  
  Air Travel
  
  Flights to Alaska
  
  Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines
  
  Ferry
  
  Alaska Marine Highway Overview
  
  Marine Highway Fares
  
  Traveling Between...
  
  Anchorage to Denali
  
  Anchorage to Seward
  
  How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse!)
  
  All Transportation Advice
  Alaska Road Guides
  Alaska Road Guides
  
  Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map
  
  Anchorage to Seward (Seward Highway)
  
  Anchorage to Fairbanks (Parks Highway)
  
  Anchorage to Talkeetna Driving Map
  
  Anchorage to Homer Driving Map
  
  Anchorage to McCarthy-Kennicott
  
  Anchorage to Valdez Driving Map
  
  Scenic Day Drives
  
  Turnagain Arm Drive
  
  Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive
  
  Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive
  
  Glenn Highway
  
  Eklutna Lake Area Guide & Scenic Drive
  
  Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive
Where to Stay
- Lodging by Type
  Lodging by Type
  
  Hotels & Lodges
  
  Wilderness Lodges
  
  Roadside Adventure Lodges
  
  Cabin & Vacation Rentals
  
  Bed & Breakfasts
  
  Special Interest Lodging
  
  Fishing Lodges
  
  Bear Viewing Lodges
  Lodging by Town
  Most Visited
  
  Anchorage
  
  Fairbanks
  
  Seward & Kenai Fjords
  
  Denali National Park
  
  Girdwood
  
  Homer
  
  Off the Beaten Path
  
  McCarthy - Kennicott
  
  Cooper Landing
  
  Delta Junction
  
  Copper Center
  
  Palmer / Wasilla
  
  Soldotna
  
  Southeast (Inside Passage)
  
  Juneau
  
  Skagway
  
  Sitka
  
  Ketchikan
  
  National Parks
  
  Denali National Park
  
  Gates of the Arctic National Park
  
  Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
  
  Glacier Bay National Park
  
  Katmai National Park & Preserve
  
  Seward & Kenai Fjords
  
  Wrangell St. Elias National Park
  Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins
  By Type
  
  RV Parks & Campgrounds
  
  Public Use Cabins
  
  By Park
  
  Denali State Park
  
  Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks
  
  Chugach State Park
  
  Chugach National Forest
  
  By Town
  
  Seward
  
  Kenai Peninsula
  
  Talkeetna
  
  Anchorage
  
  Cooper Landing
  
  Fairbanks
  
  Homer
  
  McCarthy
  
  View All
Blog

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Expert Advice
Destinations
- Destinations
- Southcentral & Interior (Road & Rail)
- Southeast (Cruse & Ferry)
- Southwest (Air & Ferry)
- Arctic (Air)
- National & State Parks
- View All Destinations
- Maps
Things to Do
- Things to Do
- Tours & Activities
- Winter Tours & Activities
- Backcountry
- View Activities by Town
- Trip Ideas & Itineraries
Cruise & Land Packages
Getting Around
Where to Stay
- Where to Stay
- Lodging by Type
- Lodging by Town
- Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins
Blog

Blog

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

Name: Alaska.org
Price range: $

Glacier Glamping with MICA Guides

Land on a glacier, go ice climbing, and then spend a night on the glacier in a luxurious tent with delicious food!

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

Exploring McCarthy with Explore McCarthy

A two-night adventure with Explore McCarthy, which offers accommodations, rafting, glacier trekking, and even on-site places to eat, making for a super-convenient getaway in Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

Driving to McCarthy with Alaska 4x4 Rentals

Follow along on our 300-mile drive from Anchorage to McCarthy, in the heart of Wrangell St. Elias National Park

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

My First Trip to Alaska: 2 Weeks in Southcentral & Interior Alaska

It was my first time visiting Alaska and I wanted everything to surprise me, so I didn’t do any research before I went. But my wife, Mary Beth, had first-hand experience—she lived in Alaska for 3 years in the 1990s and had always wanted to go back.

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

A Day in Kenai Fjords: A Wildlife Lover's Dream

First, we heard it—an unmistakable gushing sound. Then we saw it, backdropped by the rocky coastline: a massive humpback whale, surfacing and diving, surfacing and diving. And every time it came up, its spout gushed water into the air, with the sun creating a rainbow through the mist.

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

Seeing Mount Denali on a Clear Day

Mountains are like a magnet for my soul—drawing me in, begging me to stay a little longer.

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Alaska.org Traveler Stories

An Inside Look at McCarthy’s Famous July 4th Celebration

Scott Adams recalls his experience at McCarthy, Alaska's famous 4th of July Celebration.

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

My Magical First Iditarod Experience

Snow tumbled from the sky, creating a snow-globe-like setting—perfect for the Ceremonial Start of Alaska’s iconic Iditarod Race. We were the first ones there, but it wasn’t long before fans in colorful tutus and checkered patterned dress suits were lining the trail, sharing hot cocoa and cider.

Alaska.org Traveler Stories

A Fall Weekend Driving the Nabesna Road

In mid-September, I drove the rugged Nabesna Road. It was the beginning of my two-week trip around the interior of Alaska, chasing the aurora

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The Highlights Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Car, train, or group tour.

Winter Escape Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights

Off the Beaten Path Highlights plus less visited destinations.

Alaska Cruise Big ship or small ship? Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise.

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