Exploring Alaska is a heart-stopping adventure through amazing natural surroundings and unique moments of pleasure. This state is known for its beautiful landscapes such as tall mountains, large glaciers, and different animal species. For tourists who need to know the finest spots to visit in Alaska, this is the place to be. I can’t explain how beautiful it is with this blog if you haven’t been to Alaska.
In Alaska, you can see exciting cultural discoveries along with exciting outdoor sporting events. It is like a gold mine – many locations that are still waiting to be visited by travel enthusiasts. These are some of the stunning spots and some of the original adventures that make Alaska so unique.
Today let me try you a complete travel guide about the top 20 places in Alaska through my Tale of Journey.
Best 20 Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
I have given a complete guideline of 20 places to visit in Alaska below
1. Denali National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Are you looking for an adventure? Give Denali National Park and Conservation Area go. The scenery is absolutely stunning. The ice on the top of the mountains is amazing. Great place to enjoy natural beauty, wildlife, solitude, and excellent hikes. The park isn’t as busy as most national parks in the lower 48, so less waiting and more enjoying the park! The park is open 24/7, so you can start later in the day and hike into the evening if you want even quieter hikes.
Hop on a public bus and travel deeper into the park than cars can reach to see all kinds of stunning scenery and animals in their natural habitat. Be sure to spend a few days in the park to get the full experience.
Best places to visit Denali National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Denali National Park and Conservation Area
- Denali (Mount McKinley)
- Wonder Lake
- Polychrome Pass
- Savage River
- Talkeetna
- Horseshoe Lake
2. Katmai National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Katmai is a breathtaking place. If you’re a nature and animal lover, this is the place for you. Bears are abundant as well as other wildlife truly everywhere and the lakes and rivers make for gorgeous views. The staff is super friendly. Awesome place.
There aren’t a ton of established trails but the ones they have are very enjoyable. I really recommend hiking to the summit of Dumpling Mountain if it’s a clear day. The trail is long and steep in some places but the view is worth it. Brooks Camp turned out to be a great place to camp and the nearby lodges were nice if you wanted a small break from outdoor life. At the lodge, they had showers, flushing toilets, a small store, and daily buffets all available to buy.
Best places to visit Katmai National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Katmai National Park and Conservation Area:
- Brooks Falls
- Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Novarupta Dome
- Naknek Lake
- Redoubt Volcano
- Kukak Bay
- American Creek
- Katmai Crater and Mount Katmai
3. Skagway
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Skagway is a bustling town where almost all boats stop. It can be overwhelming to spend just a day in Skagway. This old Wild West town is buzzing with energy. In town, you can visit the Klondike Visitor Center to learn more about the Gold Rush that drew people to this part of the world. Step back in time with a visit to Skagway National Historic Site. Located in the town of Skagway, Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park features intact old buildings from the Gold Rush era.Just walking through downtown Skagway will make you feel like you have traveled back in time to when searching for gold and grabbing a pint afterward was all in a day’s work.
Best places to visit in Skagway
Here are some best places to visit in Skagway:
- White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
- Chilkoot Trail
- Yakutania Point & Smuggler’s Cove
- Jewell Gardens
- Laughton Glacier
4. Glacier Bay National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park is one of the most popular places in the world. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and rightly so, with history packed into every single molecule of its ancient glacier history. The Grand Pacific Glacier was more than four thousand feet thick just two centuries ago but has since shrunk significantly.
Today, the glacier has been divided into many smaller ones, and many of them are still calving. This means that huge chunks of ice can fall at any time and many glaciers can only be admired from afar. The glaciers themselves and the landscapes they occupy are true natural beauty. I am so grateful I got to see these impressive landforms in person and even get to see some calving of the ice.
Best places to visit in Glacier Bay National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Glacier Bay National Park and Conservation Area:
- Margerie Glacier
- Reid Glacier
- Johns Hopkins Glacier
- Bartlett Cove
- The Beardslee Islands
- Muir Inlet
- Mt. Fairweather
5. Ketchikan
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Ketchikan, the southernmost city in Alaska, is a scenic spot that serves as the first port of call for many cruise ships going north along the coast. It is located at the base of Deer Mountain and has plenty to offer visitors. Creek Street, which lies only a hop away from where the cruise ships drop anchor, is the most beautiful downtown area. Formerly an unruly red-light district, it now has more respectable businesses but still retains its quaint old-fashioned appeal.
Best places to visit in Ketchikan
Here are some best places to visit in Ketchikan:
- Misty Fjords National Monument
- Creek Street
- Saxman Native Village
- Tongass National Forest
- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary
6. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
One of the favorite national parks so far! Incredible views, active wildlife, and beautiful trails throughout the park! Combining great access with the amazing Alaskan landscapes, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park offers many special experiences, including a breathtaking concentration of the highest peaks in the United States spread across a national park larger than the state of Connecticut, which connects with Glacier Bay to form a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike Glacier Bay, you’ll have an easier time exploring the park’s immense glaciers, with easy access to various adventures, including ice climbing.
Best places to visit in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Conservation Area:
- Malaspina Glacier
- Hubbard Glacier
- Mount Wrangell and Mount St. Elias
- Chitina River
- McCarthy and Kennecott
- The Copper River
- Skolai Pass
- Root Glacier Trail
7. Kenai National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Kenai is one of the most beautiful national parks. I visited Kenai during the spring season when this entire region turned into heaven. A magical experience was made by the snow-capped mountains and a turquoise blue river, both of which are situated in a lush green wilderness. We saw different types of animals such as whales, sea otters, and puffins walking freely as if they were in an aquarium.
There are several lovely hikes, fishing spots, places where you can kayak from, and just some places to eat out. Kenai Fjords National Park is a real gem that nature enthusiasts must visit! From the magnificent glaciers to the leafy forests, the stunning landscapes provide picturesque views at every corner. We had a wonderful time in Kenai.
Best places to visit in Kenai National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Kenai National Park and Conservation Area:
- Exit Glacier
- Harding Ice Field
- Kenai Lake
- Russian River
- Skilak Lake
- Kenai Fjords
- Bear Glacier
8. Tongass National Forest
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
The Tongass is the country’s largest national forest, spanning much of southeast Alaska and encompassing the famous Inside Passage, offering unique opportunities to see eagles, bears, spawning salmon, fish, and more the breathtaking vistas of “wild” Alaska. Hike or take a sled-dog ride on a glacier, or stroll along boardwalk trails. Great place to visit or explore. You may not believe that there are rainforests in Alaska, but the Tongass National Forest is the largest functioning temperate rainforest on Earth.
Best places to visit in Tongass National Forest
Here are some best places to visit in Tongass National Forest:
- Mendenhall Glacier
- Misty Fjords National Monument
- Baranof Island
- Tracy Arm Fjord
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- Ketchikan
9. Chugach National Forest
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
The largest National Forest absolutely beautiful part of Alaska! Mountains, rain forest, ocean! The Seward Highway is a beautiful stretch of road. Along the highway, you can see bears and moose as well as different seabirds. Don’t forget your bear spray or gun. You are allowed to carry a gun. If you look high up in the mountains you can sometimes see Dali Sheep. From Berry picking to Ice fishing and white water rafting many hiking trails in the area. Beautiful scenery in the mountains and rivers. Lots of gold mining in the area. Found a mine shaft near Manitoba Cabin dug into the rock next to the river. Great for photos! Beware of single-lane muddy trails.
Best places to visit in Chugach National Forest
Here are some best places to visit in Chugach National Forest:
- Girdwood
- Matanuska Glacier
- Trail of Blue Ice
- Portage Glacier
- Eklutna Lake
- Seward
- Valdez
10 Fairbanks
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Fairbanks this town is awesome. Visit Alaska in the summer and you’ll be in the land of the midnight sun. There are so many things to do in Fairbanks, from learning about Native American culture and exploring the Shanna River to relaxing in the Shanna Hot Springs. At seven, the Northern Lights are a natural spectacle. They don’t get much better than the surreal, solar-powered jig that is the Northern Lights. One of the more interesting places to visit is the Yukon Quest Alaska headquarters. This is where the Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race originated and you’ll get to learn about the famous mushers and teams that have competed over the years.
Best places to visit in Fairbanks
Here are some best places to visit in Fairbanks :
- Northern Lights
- North Pole
- Denali National Park
- Chena Hot Springs Resort
- Chena River State Recreation Area
- Museum of the North
- Tanana River
11. Juneau
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Many cruise ships also begin and end their trips in Juneau, Alaska. Juneau is indeed ranked as the state’s fourth most incredible place to live. Juneau has many great nature tours. Exploring Mendenhall Glacier, enjoying a boat journey to Tracy Arm Fjord, and taking an easy hike to Nugget Falls are all highlights. It’s also one of the best places in the world to see bald eagles.
Best places to visit in Juneau
Here are some best places to visit in Juneau:
- Mendenhall Glacier
- Mount Roberts Tramway
- Douglas Island
- Juneau Icefield
- Nugget Falls
- Funter Bay State Marine Park
12. Anchorage
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
No visit to Alaska is complete without seeing Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city and international hub for accessing the Alaskan interior and coast, where you can board the Alaska Railroad and explore the vast frontier. With cafes and restaurants, it has all the amenities of a big city. A highlight to visit is the ultra-modern Anchorage Museum at the Rasmussen Center and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, exploring the life and culture of Alaska’s indigenous people.
Best places to visit in Anchorage
Here are some best places to visit in Anchorage:
- Flattop Mountain
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Chugach State Park
- Kincaid Park
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- Portage Glacier
- Potter Marsh
13. Homer
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Homer must necessarily be included if you want to engage in nature-related activities such as fishing. Positioned on the Kenai Peninsula, it is considered the fishing hub for Alaska and also provides access to various national parks. While you’re in Homer, you can walk along the beach to the iconic Homer’s Spit, drive up Skyline Drive for fantastic views, or spot wildlife in Kachemak Bay State Park, where you’ll find mountain goats, bald eagles, sea lions, humpback whales, and black bears.
Best places to visit in Homer
Here are some best places to visit in Homer:
- Homer Spit
- Kachemak Bay State Park
- Anchor River State Recreation Area
- Homer Harbor
- Bald Mountain
- Seldovia
14. Seward
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Seward is a small town on the Kenai Peninsula with plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield into the coastal fjords. There are plenty of things you can do in Seward, including boat tours to Kenai Fjords National Park or visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center, which is a great place to learn more about Alaska’s marine life and get up close and personal with sea lions, puffins, and other animals.
Best places to visit in Seward
Here are some best places to visit in Seward:
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Exit Glacier
- Resurrection Bay
- Hubbard Glacier
- Seward Waterfront Park
- Mount Marathon
- Bear Glacier Lagoon
- Lowell Point
- Tonsina Creek Trail
15. Lake Clark National Park and Conservation Area
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Comprised of 4 million acres in southwest Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is one of the nation’s most remote national parks. Winter conditions pose additional challenges for those wanting to explore this beautiful and diverse landscape, but as you will see, the backcountry scenery is worth the cold. Winter has arrived at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska, blanketing it in white and blue. Everything is covered with snow and frost, except the water and the sky, shrouded in a thin mist and low-hanging clouds. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and cold enough to make your teeth chatter.
Best places to visit in Lake Clark National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Lake Clark National Park and Conservation Area:
- Lake Clark
- Twin Lakes
- Turquoise Lake
- Mount Redoubt
- Chinitna Bay
- Silver Salmon Creek
- Tuxedni Bay
- Tanalian Falls
16. Alaska Highway
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
In case you want to have a genuine adventure, then make sure that you drive the Alaska Highway beginning from Dawson Creek, British Columbia. This is an amazing road trip through Southeast Alaska that will show you another face of this state. I am telling you nothing can compare to it on earth. The Alaska highway is a 1,400-mile journey that ends at Fairbanks, in Alaska. While driving along the road you will meet glaciers, mountains, grizzly bears, and many others- surely one of those trips you cannot erase from your mind
Best places to visit in Alaska Highway
Here are some best places to visit in Alaska Highway:
- Dawson Creek, British Columbia
- Muncho Lake Provincial Park
- Whitehorse
- Kluane National Park
- Pink Mountain
- Denali National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
17. Sitka National Historic Park
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
What a lovely park! It felt as if I was entering Jurassic Park, only that I was passing through the rainforest. The trees and vegetation were gigantic and the totem poles were unique. Every towering totem pole that lines the forested trail of the park tells an intricate story about the Tlingit and Haida people who carved them. One can take nice photos while on a cool bridge, and when you leave you will find yourself at the edge of an ocean. With its combination of historical depth and natural beauty, Sitka National Historic Park is one destination no visitor to Alaska should miss.
Best places to visit in Sitka National Historic Park
Here are some best places to visit in Sitka National Historic Park:
- Totem Trail
- Russian Memorial Trail
- Sitka Spruce Trees
- Indian River
- Sheldon Jackson Museum
18. Kodiak Island
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Kodiak is the land of humongous brown bears and lucrative crab fishing, where verdant mountains shelter quiet crescent-shaped bays, and the people of the eponymous main town grin contentedly in their daily lives. Rarely visited by big cruise ships, the US’s second-largest island is Alaska at its most authentic. You’d be mad to miss the bear viewing and the phenomenal fishing potential, but reserve extra time to investigate Kodiak’s less-heralded attractions, including World War II military batteries and rugged day hikes on the cusp of an ethereal wilderness.
Best places to visit in Kodiak Island
Here are some best places to visit in Kodiak Island:
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
- Fossil Beach
- Afognak Island State Park
- Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park
- Shuyak Island State Park
- Pillar Mountain
- Pasagshak Bay
- Near Island
- Anton Larsen Bay
- Alutiiq Museum
19. Gates of the Arctic National Park
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Conservation Area is the northernmost of the US national parks, located in the northern part of the state of Alaska in the United States and entirely within the Arctic Circle; Covering the Brooks Range; It is a national park managed by the US National Park Service, which is the second largest US national park. There are almost no words to describe the majesty of this place. Extremely wild place.
The lack of trees makes the geology and plant life pop out of the scenery and allows for unobstructed views all around. Even if just driving the haul road north, it’s easy to see the abundant natural beauty present here Bear spray, a large caliber rifle, and a GPS messenger/transponder are highly recommended. Do not go here unless you have serious wilderness training or are going with someone who does.
Best places to visit in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Conservation Area
Here are some best places to visit in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Conservation Area:
- Arrigetch Peaks
- Alatna River
- Walker Lake
- Bettles
- Oolah Valley
- Koyukuk River
- Mount Igikpak
- Anaktuvuk Pass
- Noatak River
20. White Pass Railway
*Famous Places to Visit in Alaska
The vintage locomotive takes you along the Chilkoot Trail, where prospectors risked their lives in search of gold. If you are walking around town, make your way to Pulling Creek Stream Walk to see the salmon run. Stunning views from this historic train tour! The tour guides were knowledgeable about the railroad’s history and even the trail predating the railroad to support the gold rush. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of vistas, waterfalls, bridges, wildlife, and scenic landscapes. The best location for photos is between cars.
Best places to visit in White Pass Railway
Here are some best places to visit in White Pass Railway:
- White Pass Summit
- Skagway, Alaska
- Tormented Valley
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Dead Horse Gulch
- Lake Bennett
- Carcross
Above all, if you have a passion for outdoor activities and the aesthetics of nature in its best form, then Alaska is your go-to place. It is a destination that you must try out on your own. My visit to Alaska will forever remain etched in my memory, and I am certain that yours will as well. You can follow Tales of Journey for more of such travel blogs while ensuring that you share with me some of your experiences with the best places to visit in Alaska as well.
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