Alaska National Parks Tours: Day & Multi-Day Tours
Alaska boasts 8 gorgeous national parks—and since each is uniquely Alaskan in its own way, all are worthy of a visit. You can experience some of them like any other preserve in America: Drive in, get a map at the visitor center, then motor or hike to the most popular viewpoints. But Alaska’s parks have some significant differences: They’re generally much larger and, more importantly, you can only reach the highlights in some of them by taking a tour. Fortunately, these backcountry experiences—like a guided kayak tour in Kenai Fjords National Park or a bus tour through Denali National Park—are easy to find and book.
See our complete list of tours below. First, a breakdown of the parks:
Jump to our list of recommended tours
Denali National Park and Preserve
The most famous of Alaska’s national parks is Denali National Park, thanks to towering Mount Denali (North America’s highest peak) and a wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou. The 90-mile Park Road is the only way to explore this natural treasure, but since private vehicles aren’t allowed to travel past Mile 15, seeing the rest of the park requires taking a bus tour or the park shuttle.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Home to glaciers and fjords, as well as marine wildlife like sea lions, seals, and porpoises, Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most popular parks in Alaska. While one of its main sights, Exit Glacier, is accessible by road and trail, the only way to really experience the rugged landscape is on the water, by taking a day cruise or kayak excursion.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
The largest national park in the United States, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park encompasses more than 13 million acres of diverse and stunning wilderness. In a park this size, where do you even begin to explore? It’s best to let the experts show you: Drive or fly into the park on a day or multi-day tour.
Glacier Bay National Park
A stunning landscape of glaciers, fjords, and wildlife makes Glacier Bay National Park one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. But since about 20% of this preserve is made up of marine waters, hitting the highlights means going out on a boat or kayak excursion, or passing through as part of an Inside Passage cruise.
Katmai & Lake Clark National Parks
Home to an active volcano, as well as wildlife like brown bears and coastal wolves, Katmai National Park is not only gorgeous but also offers some of the world’s best bear viewing. While you can’t drive to remote Katmai National Park or its bear-viewing cousin, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, you can experience their magic on a tour from Anchorage, Homer, or Kenai that flies you in for a day.
Remote Parks
Other national parks in Alaska include Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Kobuk Valley National Park. Since both are remote, the only way to see them is by flying in on a tour from either Fairbanks or Kotzebue. Take a day trip to Gates of the Arctic or stay at a wilderness lodge. Reach Kobuk Valley by flying from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Kotzebue and spend the day on a flightseeing tour or hiking the park's sand dunes with a guide.
If you’re looking for a multi-day itinerary, our suggested route includes a stop in 5 of Alaska’s national parks.
Want to stay in style at one of Alaska’s national parks? Check out our list of recommended wilderness lodges.
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National Park Tours
Denali National Park View All
Tours from Denali, and winter tours from Fairbanks
The best way to get an overview of Denali National Park is aboard one of the park buses, which feature a trained naturalist who both drives and provides narration. Available tours include the Natural History Tour (4−5 hrs), and the Tundra Wilderness Tour (5−5.5 hrs).
Traverse Alaska can craft fully-guided custom adventures, or set you up on a trip into the Alaska wilderness arming you with some know-how — and providing you with the independence to freely explore. Excursions include private day hikes, rafting and packrafting, and multi-day backpacking.
A guided day trip out of Fairbanks reveals the quiet winter landscape of the Tanana Valley and Denali National Park. Walk or snowshoe on picturesque trails through the boreal forest, deep in the heart of the Alaska range.
If you want to experience Denali National Park, Bike Denali has a fun, unique way to do it — on two wheels! Options include afternoon rentals to ride around the park entrance, full-day rentals to the explore the Denali Park Road to multi-day rentals for bike camping. Opt for a mountain bike, or eBike.
Gates of the Arctic National Park View All
Fly from Fairbanks or Kotzebue
Experience the thrill of flightseeing in areas that most tours can’t reach. Go with Golden Eagle Outfitters and enjoy fully customized flightseeing tours from Kotzebue or Delta Junction — or take advantage of their air-taxi drop-off and pickup service to access some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Alaska.
Northern Alaska Tour Company offers several tours that transport visitors to the Arctic Circle. You can fly, drive, or do a combination of the two, depending on your travel preference and how much time you have. The most popular tour is the fly-and-drive excursion, which gives you incredible views from the air and a tour of the town of Coldfoot, followed by a drive back to Fairbanks.
This family-owned, fly-in luxury wilderness lodge is 200 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. Stays are all-inclusive and exclusive — they only accept one group at a time. Go dogsledding, snowshoeing, or scan the skies for the northern lights. The lodge’s huge picture windows make it easy to keep a lookout for the aurora from a warm, comfortable interior.
Glacier Bay National Park View All
Sail or fly from Sitka and Juneau or inside Glacier Bay National Park
Guided sea kayaking in Alaska’s Southeast opens up the magical world of water-based touring. Glide through a marine environment with gorgeous views in every direction, and many opportunities to spot wildlife – from eagles and salmon to bears, whales and sea lions. Options include day tours for busy schedules and multi-day immersions, all under the expert guidance of naturalists who help you understand the complex workings of a unique and amazing ...more
Katmai National Park & Preserve View All
Tours depart from Anchorage, Homer, Kenai/Soldotna, and Kodiak
Take off by seaplane for an all-day bear-viewing expedition. Fly past glaciers and volcanoes to the brown-bear country of southwest Alaska. Your Seaplane Bear Safari will take you to Brooks River Falls in Katmai National Park, home of the world ’ s largest salmon run. You can also fly 70 miles southwest of Anchorage to Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve for amazing bear viewing and luxurious accommodations at the Redoubt Bay Lodge. Rust’s, which has ...more
Viewing brown bears in their natural habitat is one of the most amazing things you can do in Alaska. If it’s high on your list, book a flight-seeing/ bear viewing trip with Trail Ridge Air, knowing that personable pilots will take you to where bears splash and fish, and where visitors run out of words to describe their amazement.
Brooks Lodge offers their own bear viewing tours which are less expensive than most, and give you more time at Katmai National Park to watch bears feasting on sockeye salmon from several viewing platforms. A commercial flight from Anchorage takes you to King Salmon where you’ll switch to a small float plane for a quick 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. After a brief safety orientation, you can watch bears from several viewing platforms, join the ...more
Fly from Anchorage by seaplane to the Northwest Odyssey, anchored off the coast of Katmai National Park. This luxurious yacht will be your home base for spectacular bear viewing and fishing in uncrowded waters.
Spend several hours or a full day watching bears in the wild on a quintessential Alaskan adventure with a family-run company. Start with a scenic flight out of Homer over Kachemak Bay and into Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Once you land, your pilot/guide will take you to an optimal spot to watch and photograph these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, hunting, playing, and relaxing. Spend anywhere from 1.5 to 9 hours on the ...more
Hop aboard one of Regal Air’s planes departing from Anchorage and after a short, scenic flight you can be watching enormous brown bears swat salmon from Alaska’s rushing waters. Tours visit one of two destinations: Lake Clark National Park or Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.
Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young – all in a short flight from Homer to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Smokey Bay’s bear tours last about five hours total — including flights and about three hours on the ground. On any given day there will always be a morning outing (leaving at 8 a.m. at the latest) and possibly one that leaves around 2 p.m.
For many Alaskan travelers, bears are the ultimate highlight. Pair a magnificent sighting with a gorgeous helicopter flightseeing ride and you’ll have an unforgettable experience. On this unique tour from Homer, you’ll take a helicopter ride out into one of Alaska’s gorgeous national parks to witness these spectacular creatures in the wild.
Kobuk Valley National Park View All
Fly from Kotzebue
Experience the thrill of flightseeing in areas that most tours can’t reach. Go with Golden Eagle Outfitters and enjoy fully customized flightseeing tours from Kotzebue or Delta Junction — or take advantage of their air-taxi drop-off and pickup service to access some of the most beautiful and remote parts of Alaska.
Kenai Fjords National Park View All
Tours depart from Seward
This veteran tour operator runs a a fleet of fast, modern boats in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll visit tidewater glaciers as you watch for puffins, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, sea lions, and more. Some tours are designed to please birders or shutterbugs, while others are perfect for families.
Start with a dramatic flightseeing trip in either a helicopter or ski plane and then get out onto an ancient river of ice for a thrilling glacier exploration either hiking or climbing.
Members of 1% For The Planet, Kayak Adventures Worldwide strives to fulfill their mission to inspire an active stewardship of our natural world. Through small group sea kayak tours in Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park, they focus on safety, education, and connecting guests with the unique and fragile ecosystems you’ll visit.
Take a boutique, small-group kayaking trip with experienced guides at Liquid Adventures and get close to glaciers in kayaks or paddleboards while looking for whales and other marine mammals. You can even combine your adventure with a jetboat, helicopter, or wildlife cruise. There’s nothing quite like it in all of Alaska!
Take a spectacular private guided hiking tour in Seward — where the mountains meet the ocean — to explore glaciers and alpine ridges. When you go with Seward Wilderness Collective, you get a great tour plus a dialogue with their knowledgeable guides about the impacts of climate change, with living examples right in front of your eyes.
$4,000 Day Cruise, 8 Hrs Up To 6 Guests | $8,000+ Multi-Day, Up To 6 Guests
Cruise Ship Type: Small Ship Cruises
Ship Name: M/V Caroline
Spend the afternoon, or a few days exploring the waters of Resurrection Bay and Prince William Sound aboard the M/V Caroline, a beautiful custom-built yacht set for adventure! It’s the perfect setting for a family or small group vacation. Fill your days lounging on the flybridge, fishing, kayaking, strolling beaches and cruising to your next fantastic destination.
Get up close to the Alaskan glaciers and wildlife you came to experience by taking a cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park on a custom-built catamaran out of Seward. The difference from other cruises, is that you’ll then get off the boat and into a kayak, paddle around icebergs, and watch for wildlife from your own vessel.
For a closer, quieter, and more peaceful version of the Alaskan glacier and wildlife cruise, travel by sea kayak. Paddle the shoreline of Resurrection Bay, where encounters with sea otters, seabirds, and spawning salmon are common. Choose from a variety of three-hour excursions or take a full-day trip.
Traverse the majesty of Exit Glacier by ice hiking or ice climbing, or opt for a nature hike in the gorgeous terrain around Seward, Alaska. Never ice climbed or hiked on a glacier? Not a problem. All trips include instruction to get you started.
Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords are great places to see wildlife and glaciers. And Major Marine’s vessels, which have cozy heated cabins and an outdoor viewing area, can take you out to see both. This family-owned tour operator has gone above and beyond to give guests an amazing day on the water since 1990.
$5,850+ (Inside Passage $2,650+)
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 adventure cruising in Prince William Sound, Kenai Peninsula or along the Inside Passage. The well-appointed yacht accommodates just 12 guests, allowing for a personalized experience where you are the explorer! Unplug from day-to-day life and soak up the wonders of Alaska’s amazing coastline. All meals prepared by an on-board chef and featuring fresh local ...more
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve View All
Tours depart from Anchorage, Homer, and Kenai/Soldotna
Fly out of Soldotna with Natron’s owner and pilot, Tim. You’ll soar over the Cook Inlet towards Mt. Iliamna Volcano and land on a beach, right where the bears are. You’ll watch them playing and clamming and be close enough to take amazing photos.
Viewing brown bears in their natural habitat is one of the most amazing things you can do in Alaska. If it’s high on your list, book a flight-seeing/ bear viewing trip with Trail Ridge Air, knowing that personable pilots will take you to where bears splash and fish, and where visitors run out of words to describe their amazement.
Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young – all in a short flight from Homer to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Smokey Bay’s bear tours last about five hours total — including flights and about three hours on the ground. On any given day there will always be a morning outing (leaving at 8 a.m. at the latest) and possibly one that leaves around 2 p.m.
You’ll spend either 4 or 7 days sailing around Lake Clark, experiencing all the natural majesty this national park has to offer, with its many craggy mountains set close to the water. Anchor each night in a new location. Look for wildlife, hike, explore with kayaks and paddleboards, and enjoy bonfires on the beach.
In the best way possible. you’re outnumbered by bears during your stay at this private fly-in wilderness camp. Fly by chartered plane from Homer to Alaska Bear Camp on a 5‑night, 6‑day all-inclusive package. This deluxe backcountry camp accommodates just 14 guests in some of the best bear habitat in the world. In contrast to day trips catering to dozens of visitors at a time, Bear Camp offers a rare and exclusive wilderness immersion.
For many Alaskan travelers, bears are the ultimate highlight. Pair a magnificent sighting with a gorgeous helicopter flightseeing ride and you’ll have an unforgettable experience. On this unique tour from Homer, you’ll take a helicopter ride out into one of Alaska’s gorgeous national parks to witness these spectacular creatures in the wild.
You’ll take off from Anchorage, and Alaska will open up for you as you appreciate its vastness from the air. Where will you go? That’s up to you! Choose from a variety of tours. Take one of the classics, like flightseeing to Denali, or opt to explore one of the state’s hidden gems. You can also fly to see glaciers, go bear viewing in Lake Clark National Park, or work with the pros at Alaska Air Service to create your own custom itinerary.
Take off by seaplane for an all-day bear-viewing expedition. Fly past glaciers and volcanoes to the brown-bear country of southwest Alaska. Your Seaplane Bear Safari will take you to Brooks River Falls in Katmai National Park, home of the world ’ s largest salmon run. You can also fly 70 miles southwest of Anchorage to Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve for amazing bear viewing and luxurious accommodations at the Redoubt Bay Lodge. Rust’s, which has ...more
Hop aboard one of Regal Air’s planes departing from Anchorage and after a short, scenic flight you can be watching enormous brown bears swat salmon from Alaska’s rushing waters. Tours visit one of two destinations: Lake Clark National Park or Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park View All
Fly from Glennallen, Copper Center, or tours from McCarthy / Kennicott
A third of Wrangell — St. Elias National Park is covered in glacial ice, making it one of the easiest places to access a glacier in Alaska. Strap on the provided crampons and explore the stunning features of the glacier with expert guidance — rivers and waterfalls, crevasses and blue pools wait to be discovered. Or, take on the challenge of scaling the dramatic icy walls of a glacier on an ice climbing trip.
Taking to the rivers is such an excellent way to explore Wrangell St. Elias National park, and this operator out of McCarthy offers day trips that let you embrace the wonders of the park in a comfortable, hands-on, way. Both day trips are four hours. One allows you to paddle around a glacial lake, relax, and take in the scenery. The other takes it up a notch by floating downriver through class 2 and 3 rapids after a brief paddle around the lake. ...more
Experience the thrill of trying out a new sport: packrafting. Led by expert guides, you’ll leave from the town of Kennicott out to the Alaskan backcountry, then strap a raft to your back (it’s under 9 pounds) and set off on an interpretive walk down to a lake. Then unpack the raft and put in the water. You’ll learn how to use and maneuver these unique boats in Class I‑II water, and even have the possibility of taking on some Class III rapids. ...more
Explore the Alaskan wilderness while carrying your pack and camping out — it’s a way to truly get in touch with nature. Choose a 1‑night or 2‑night trek leaving from the town of Kennicott — your expedition will be led by expert guides, who will take you on hikes that can wind past gorgeous lakes and stunning waterfalls. Work with your guide to personalize your adventure — they know the must-see highlights of this area and can fill you in on the human ...more
Year-round air service from Glennallen, Alaska. Short on time? Check Alaska’s largest national park off your list with a flightseeing tour that includes a landing in the wilderness of the park. Traveling to McCarthy / Kennicott? Travel like the locals and hop on a mail plane flight. See how backcountry mail is delivered and enjoy speedy transportation to McCarthy. Or, opt for their scheduled air service. Both have departures from Anchorage and ...more
If you want to get a true sense of the 13 million acres within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — which has a mere 100 miles of roadways — start with an aerial view. Since 1992, Wrangell Mountain Air has been offering safe and fascinating tours of this remote kingdom, which boasts North America’s largest assemblage of glaciers as well as its largest collection of peaks above 16,000 feet. Choose from three main tours.
Exploring the rivers of Copper Center, around 4 hours from Anchorage and right on the edge of gorgeous Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, brings opportunities for everything from mild floats to Class III and IV rapids. Since the Copper River Basin is a little more remote than other areas, you’ll be able to truly appreciate the wilderness as you enjoy a relaxing day on the water.
If you’ve never walked on a glacier, this is your chance. Going with experienced guides, you’ll leave from Kennicott, hike two miles, and spend the next several hours on the Root Glacier, safely exploring the blue ice, blue pool, canyons, and moulins of this extraordinary natural phenomenon. Choose a half- or full-day tour and learn all about natural and human history from your expert guides along the way. Or ramp up the excitement by going ice ...more
The wilderness town of Kennecott — once home to a bustling mining operation — was suddenly abandoned in 1938 when the Kennecott Copper Corporation ceased operations. Now you can tour the ghost town with an expert: St. Elias Alpine Guides was granted special permission as the only concessionaire with the National Park Service to take travelers not only around the town, but also inside the buildings.
Experience a full- or half-day sport-fishing trip the way it was meant to be: with a relaxing visit to an uncrowded fishing hole. Depending on the season, you can try for kings, sockeye, trout, or Arctic grayling, as you angle with fishing guides who know the ins and outs of these cold, glacial drainages.
Fly in and out of remote locations in the gorgeous Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and experience the true wilderness of the Alaskan backcountry. Keeping it minimal and unplugging completely, you’ll sleep in a tent and wake up refreshed and exhilarated by the sights and sounds of these raw wilds. Moderate mini-Backpacking excursions for beginners, or point-to-point hikes for experienced backpackers that match your abilities.
Raft the gorgeous glacier-fed rivers and iceberg-filled lakes of the Alaskan backcountry out of McCarthy, an historic town in the heart of America’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. Going with St. Elias Alpine Guides — the park’s longest-operating rafting company — is a great way to experience the wilderness on everything from half-day outings to 15-day expeditions. No experience is required, and all food and gear are provided!
Sprawling Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has huge mountains, North America’s largest concentration of glaciers, and thousands of rivers — but just two roads. That’s why taking to the local rivers is such an excellent way to explore the park: this operator out of McCarthy offers multi-day adventures that embrace the rugged wonders of the park, while keeping you comfortable enough so that you relax and enjoy it.
Wilderness Lodges in National Parks
Stay overnight in a national park in style, book your stay at a Wilderness Lodge
Whether you’re looking to take your family off-grid for a bit of Alaska Adventuring, or for a great fishing spot with your buddies with incredible bear-viewing — or if you’re even an artist looking for inspiration — this lodge made up of newly renovated log cabins offers a customized ideal of bliss. It’s about 180 miles from the nearest road and offers an idyllic perch for exploring both the wilderness of Lake Clark National Park, as well as other ...more
Outside of pitching a tent on a beach with the bears, you can’t stay any closer to the heart of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. The Glacier Bay Lodge, with its massive timbers, huge stone fireplace, network of boardwalks and rooms tucked into the trees, is the only lodging available within park boundaries. Fabulous views, a full-service restaurant, trails through the rainforest, camping and kayak drop-offs, mountain-bike and ...more
For a lot of travelers, exploring deep into Denali National Park, far from the crowds, sounds like the ideal way to experience the famous park. But not everyone wants to rough it out there — which is why this lodge is the perfect balance, a comfortable perch in seriously remote wilderness.
In the best way possible. you’re outnumbered by bears during your stay at this private fly-in wilderness camp. Fly by chartered plane from Homer to Alaska Bear Camp on a 5‑night, 6‑day all-inclusive package. This deluxe backcountry camp accommodates just 14 guests in some of the best bear habitat in the world. In contrast to day trips catering to dozens of visitors at a time, Bear Camp offers a rare and exclusive wilderness immersion.
At Camp Denali, you’ll immerse yourself in a remote backcountry, but with a cozy bed to settle into each night. Take in the quiet of the surrounding wilderness and enjoy the simple, sustainable amenities for around 38 guests. Here, the balance of “light touch on the land” and providing a comfortable stay is perfected. Refined rustic guest cabins, each of which claims a unique view of Denali, sleep from two to six people.
This family-owned, fly-in luxury wilderness lodge is 200 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. Stays are all-inclusive and exclusive — they only accept one group at a time. Go dogsledding, snowshoeing, or scan the skies for the northern lights. The lodge’s huge picture windows make it easy to keep a lookout for the aurora from a warm, comfortable interior.
Remote, exclusive, and all-inclusive, this family-owned lodge located north of the Arctic Circle on the edge of Gates of the Arctic National Park caters to independent travelers looking for comfort off the beaten path. The summer season offers hiking for all fitness levels, fishing, boating, and canoeing under the Midnight Sun. Only one group is booked at a time, and a ‘concierge guide’ is included for the duration of your trip.
The Ultima Thule Lodge offers you two extremes — though extremes of the best kind possible. This unique and private lodge is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Alaska — they’ve hosted both the rich and famous — but it’s also tucked inside the vast wilds of the nation’s largest, and most remote, national park. Second generation hosts, Paul and Donna Claus (he an internationally revered bush pilot, she a retired ski racer and first class chef) ...more
The Alaskan Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a replica of one of the historic copper-mining buildings. It’s a luxurious property that sits in the heart of the ghost town and the center of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, surrounded by spruce and mountains. Curl up by the fireplace with a book, enjoy the home-cooked meals, and linger with a glass of wine on the deck that nearly juts out over the Kennicott Glacier. Choose from either the ...more
Stonewood Lodge is a high-end, year-round, all-inclusive getaway to wild Alaska located on the shores of 50-mile long Lake Clark within the Bristol Bay Watershed. Summer activities include prime bear viewing and trophy fishing as well as snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing in the winter.
The Kantishna Roadhouse is an indigenous owned and operated, all-inclusive backcountry lodge in the heart of Denali National Park. Accessible only by air, experience the wilds of Kantishna with just a handful of other guests and experienced staff. They limit the number of guests on property in order to provide you with a unique, intimate experience.
Located within a 1700 acre native-owned wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park, the central lodge and 16 guest cabins of Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge have full views of Pedersen Glacier and easy access to wildlife-viewing adventures. The elegantly rustic lodge and secluded guest cabins pair modern comfort and environmental stewardship.