8 of the best places to visit in Alaska

Alaska: the name is a symbol of wild, untamed, natural beauty and expansive, seemingly never-ending landscapes yearning to be explored. "The last frontier" isn’t simply a license plate motto, it's a way of life in North America’s crown jewel of wilderness. For those seeking to reconnect with nature through epic hikes and outdoorsy fun, there are few comparisons. Given how big Alaska is, a few journeys by land and sea are part of the experience in this most mighty of wild places. Start planning your travels with our pick of Alaska's best places to visit.

1. Denali

Best for epic scenery and hikes

The High One is North America’s highest peak, grandest of grand and tallest of tall. The name Denali refers to the peak itself, the region and one of the grandest set of parks in the world. There's good reason the peak itself is the stuff of legend, most notably its height. At 20,310ft, starting at almost sea level, Denali is the tallest mountain in the world, measured from its base to summit. On a clear day – or even a foggy one – the backdrop of this peak, and the surrounding wildlife-filled Taiga northern boreal forest through the Alaska Range, makes for an explorer’s paradise.

There are countless hikes and journeys awaiting the well-equipped traveler here. The park’s bus system is a great option especially for families – making for an interpretive wildlife safari in the shadow of the park’s namesake mountain. Give yourself multiple days to ensure mountain views; the peak can be elusive due to the weather. For backpackers, check out the backcountry office and plan well for a memorable trip in the national park.

Local tip: Another less crowded option is to use the trail system of Denali State Park next door, which has more easy-access campgrounds for those using vehicles.

2. Wrangell-St Elias National Park

Best for a wilderness experience

Grand and expansive, Wrangell-St Elias is the nation's largest wilderness preserve. Far less developed or visited than other iconic wilderness parks, it's home to the mountain folk town of McCarthy. With remnants of the bygone century’s homesteading and copper mining history, this wild park provides countless opportunities for exploration.

Local tip: Bring a tire kit and pay attention to your rental car policy. If it says you cannot drive here it's because the road is littered with nails from its days as a railroad track.

3. Glacier Bay National Park

Best for glacier views

Accessible on land by small expedition ships and independent boats, Glacier Bay provides mysterious and wondrous views of the frosty forested world of ice. Explorer and writer John Muir said it best in his 1915 book Travels in Alaska: "To the lover of pure wildness Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world... it seems as if surely we must at length reach the very paradise of the poets, the abode of the blessed."

Planning tip: On the 2nd floor of Glacier Bay Lodge, the national park visitor center is a good first stop for perusing exhibitions on the park, chatting with a ranger, and finding out about talks and guided activities while you’re in the area.

4. Gates of the Arctic National Park

Best for treks above the Arctic Circle

Arguably the most difficult national park to reach in the US, Gates of the Arctic is the home of masses of migrating caribou. This is the ultimate off-grid destination for those with time to face the elements and explore after a relatively short flight in a bush plane – the difficulty in reaching it is half the reward for the experience of being so far above the Arctic Circle.

Planning tip: This is typically not for first-time Alaska travelers. The most efficient and safest way to
travel through Gates of the Arctic is with a reputable guide company that provides transportation, gear, food and expertise. Alaska Alpine Adventures, based in Anchorage, is a longtime purveyor of park expeditions, and offers backpacking, packraft and float/rafting trips.

5. Katmai National Park

Best for bear viewing opportunities

Alaska's most iconic species is the coastal brown bear. Katmai is home to the famed Brooks Camp, host of Fat Bear Week, when the world votes on their favorite bear as they prepare for the harsh winter ahead. Many bars around Alaska show livestreams of the bears feasting in the late summer, but what's even better is getting up close on a ranger-guided hike just above the bears on the boardwalks – it rates as a fondest memory among many a photographer and wildlife lover.

Planning tip: All travelers to the park between mid-June and October 31 must apply for a Brooks River Corridor Permit. Valid for 7 days for groups of up to six people, the permit is required for any activities along the Brooks River (namely viewing bears from the platforms). Reserve a permit online through recreation.gov.

6. Talkeetna

Best for mountain scenery

Famed, frigid in winter and warm in every way in summer, Alaska’s coolest little village of Talkeetna doesn’t disappoint, serving as a basecamp of scenic flights up around Denali and the logistics-ville for expedition climbers. Denali Brewing Company, one of the most popular breweries in the state, is the place to go after a day hiking, biking, or enjoying the mellow convergence of several rivers that give scenic float trips a whole new meaning under the shadow of the mighty interior mountain range.

Planning tip: Time your visit to coincide with the many community events. There’s a "Live at 5" concert series every Friday in the Town Pavilion park, and live music each weekend at Fairview Inn. The Denali Arts Council and Denali Chamber of Commerce have lists of events to suit all tastes.

7. Ketchikan

Best for fjords and indigenous culture

Ketchikan, the southernmost entrance for the Inside Passage, might be one of the wettest towns in North America, but it doesn’t disappoint. A stone’s throw away from Misty Fjords National Monument, this seaside town is surprisingly mild. Surrounded by lush coastal temperate rainforests, striking granite cliffs and mystic journeys deep into winding, rocky fjords with skyscrapers of stone above, this is a perfect place to start a kayaking, climbing or small-boat trip into the surrounding wilderness. Totem poles dominate throughout the town and make a great walkable tour to see a classic example of indigenous Tlingit culture.

Planning tip: The Ketchikan Visitor Information Center on Berth 2 dock has a whole wing devoted to local tour providers who tout their services. Time your visit for the Ketchikan Blueberry Arts Festival (end of July/early August) for a plethora of fine arts, entertainment and blueberry-themed menus.

8. Petersburg

Best small coastal town

A Viking longboat in the middle of this quaint fishing port says it all. Petersburg is by several straits and ideally placed to see migrating humpback whales up close and personal. Accessible by sea via the Alaska Marine Highway or as a stop on a small ship expedition-style cruise, this town boasts fishing possibilities that rival more well-known or road-accessible places.

Planning tip: Petersburg is also a memorable place to hike with an appealing range of trails, some of which lie within fairly easy reach of the main waterfront.