Prince William Sound Things to Do
Discover all the exciting things to do in Prince William Sound. Explore picturesque trails in Whittier, Valdez, or Cordova. Or delight in day tours and attractions, such as thrilling Jet Ski and ocean kayak tours, intimate small glacier cruises, and fascinating marine wildlife expeditions.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails View All
One of the most visÂitÂed natÂurÂal attracÂtions along the RichardÂson HighÂway, this four-mile-long glacÂiÂer descends almost to paveÂment and is easy to approach on foot. The state recreÂation site feaÂtures parkÂing, pit toiÂlets, and a covÂered pavilÂion with a modÂel of the glacÂiÂer and interÂpreÂtive signs, all close to small lake.
6.2 round-trip easy hike through the Chugach NationÂal ForÂest to a glacial lake. PopÂuÂlar in winÂter for fat bikÂing and ice skatÂing. In sumÂmer, hikÂing and paddleboarding.
Bridal Veil Falls and the Valdez Goat Trail: This two-mile-long hike is a restored secÂtion of the Trans-AlasÂka MilÂiÂtary Pack-train Trail that was the first glacÂiÂer-free route from Valdez to the inteÂriÂor of AlasÂka. There’s a fanÂtasÂtic overÂlook about a mile down the trail.
Whittier’s newest trail is a gem — a genÂtle, ¾‑mile stroll that folÂlows WhitÂtiÂer Creek from the railÂroad crossÂing up to the waterÂfall. Locals love it: It’s right in the midÂdle of town, but the lush greenÂery makes you feel like you’re far from civilization.
This leisureÂly, 0.75-mile trail begins just south of WhitÂtiÂer, a litÂtle seaÂside town locatÂed some 2 hours south of AnchorÂage. The trail doesn’t climb much, but it will take you high enough to get an unobÂstructÂed view of numerÂous waterÂfalls, includÂing the long-dropÂping waters of HorseÂtail Falls as it sheets over the sheer rock face of BlackÂstone Ridge.
This 4.1‑mile trail starts through forÂest and muskeg meadÂows. You’ll cross a beauÂtiÂful bridge over a creek that in mid-July and August is full of spawnÂing chum salmon Then once you’re at the top take in views of CorÂdoÂva, NelÂson Bay, and Prince William Sound.
This 1.5‑mile hike is an easy stroll down to the lake that offers a great payÂoff in the form of a gorÂgeous glacÂiÂer. If you’re here in winÂter and the conÂdiÂtions are right, it’s a great spot for wilderÂness ice skatÂing, fat bikÂing, or cross-counÂtry skiing!
This is a very steep, 6.4‑mile round-trip trail that’s mostÂly unmarked and requires expeÂriÂence with scramÂbling and climbÂing over rocks. Your reward for the effort, though, is some very draÂmatÂic views of ShotÂgun Cove and the glacÂiÂers in BlackÂstone Bay.
This short day hike — with an easÂiÂly accesÂsiÂble trailÂhead a few hunÂdred meters from the Begich BogÂgs VisÂiÂtor CenÂter — offers you big views of the Byron Glacier.
This 2‑mile-long, famÂiÂly-friendÂly trail, which begins 90 minÂutes south of AnchorÂage at the far end of the WhitÂtiÂer TunÂnel, remains the only easy way to see Portage GlacÂiÂer on foot. And it’s has a specÂtacÂuÂlar conÂcluÂsion: After crestÂing Portage Pass, the trail drops through glacial scrub before popÂping out on the wide gravÂel shores of Portage Lake, directÂly across from the snout of gorÂgeous Portage Glacier.
This is a 6.6‑mile round-trip trail with very litÂtle eleÂvaÂtion gain, makÂing it a great option for the whole famÂiÂly. Along the way, you’ll glimpse amazÂing views of Prince William Sound. It takes about 90 minÂutes to hike halfway, out to the cove. And it’s worth the trip: Here you’ll find a lagoon fed by the tide and full of huge starfish.
Day Tours & Attractions View All
Faster than a kayak and more intiÂmate than a day cruise, the Jet Ski is a great way to get up close and perÂsonÂal with Alaska’s gorÂgeous scenery. Go with WhitÂtiÂer-based GlacÂiÂer Jet Ski AdvenÂtures and you’ll be takÂing your machine out on the water to explore the stunÂning glacÂiÂers and wildlife of BlackÂstone Bay. All equipÂment is proÂvidÂed and no expeÂriÂence is necÂesÂsary on this unique 4.5‑hour journey.
Phillips 26 GlacÂiÂer Cruise, out of WhitÂtiÂer, will take you to 26 difÂferÂent glacÂiÂers in just 5.5 hours. Enjoy cozy comÂforts on the high-speed cataÂmaÂran and wanÂder its outÂdoor decks as you come withÂin 300 feet of masÂsive tideÂwaÂter glacÂiÂers. In addiÂtion to glacÂiÂers, the capÂtain will be on the lookÂout for wildlife like otters, whales, harÂbor seals, and marine birds. The trip takes place in the afterÂnoon, and a hot lunch is includÂed in your tour. ...more
Lazy Otter offers guidÂed kayak tours and transÂportaÂtion to secludÂed areas of Prince William Sound. The calm waters have a gorÂgeous backÂdrop of the Chugach MounÂtains’ serÂratÂed peaks. Keep an eye out for the creaÂtures that walk the shores and swim in the sea: orcas, humpÂback whales, sea lions, puffins, seals, sea otters, eagles, goats, and bears.
ThroughÂout the decades, Anadyr has careÂfulÂly taiÂlored its trips to offer an option for just about anyÂone. NevÂer kayaked before? Try the Valdez GlacÂiÂer Tour for a relaxÂing padÂdle on a lake with an easy hike to the glacÂiÂer. You’ll explore iceÂbergs and even kayak into a glacial cave. Got a six year old that can’t wait to get out there? At 3 – 4 hours, the Duck Flats tour offers a mix of wildlife (sea lions and otters are comÂmon) and Valdez history. ...more
Immerse yourÂself in a mulÂti-day Alaskan advenÂture that promisÂes incredÂiÂble views and jaw-dropÂping bear viewÂing in KatÂmai NationÂal Park, along with a warm camaÂraderie that only a small group expeÂdiÂtion can creÂate. Explore from your home base on the Island C, a research vesÂsel that gets you close to the action while proÂvidÂing comÂfortÂable lodgÂing and deliÂcious meals.
$5,990+ (Inside Passage $2,400+)
5 days / 4 nights
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Sea Star
Set sail for 5 days and 4 nights with the crew of the M/V Sea Star for small ship advenÂture cruisÂing in Prince William Sound, Kenai PeninÂsuÂla or along the Inside PasÂsage. The well-appointÂed yacht accomÂmoÂdates just 12 guests, allowÂing for a perÂsonÂalÂized expeÂriÂence where you are the explorÂer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonÂders of Alaska’s amazÂing coastÂline. All meals preÂpared by an on-board chef and feaÂturÂing fresh local ...more
TourÂing the specÂtacÂuÂlar tideÂwaÂter glacÂiÂers of Prince William Sound is even more excitÂing when you do it on a Jet Ski. Go with AlasÂka Wild Guides out of WhitÂtiÂer to expeÂriÂence the area’s unique sights and sounds while skimÂming across the top of the water on your own perÂsonÂal watercraft.
This famÂiÂly-run comÂpaÂny operÂatÂing out of Valdez will show you the best glacÂiÂers, with great cusÂtomer serÂvice along the way. On any givÂen day trip you’ll likeÂly see huge rafts of sea otters, horned and tuftÂed puffins, corÂmorants, humpÂback whales, or even bald eagles. Stan Stephens offers two daiÂly tours, one of which feaÂtures ColumÂbia GlacÂiÂer, the largest tideÂwaÂter glacÂiÂer in SouthÂcenÂtral Alaska.
Lazy Otter offers clasÂsic tours, but this is a water taxi, so they’ll also take you anyÂwhere you want to go withÂin Price William Sound — or just cusÂtomize a tour to whatÂevÂer you want to see. Maybe that’s glacÂiÂers, or whales, — or maybe it’s quiÂet time on a secludÂed beach. Lazy Otter can also help facilÂiÂtate takÂing you and your famÂiÂly on a campÂing trip. You’re not held to any strict schedÂule, either: if, on a day tour, you can spend more time in one ...more