The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Alaska

With mountains to climb, rivers to raft, glaciers to admire, and bears to photograph, Alaska is the ultimate wilderness. The sheer scale of its raw, unspoiled beauty is almost overwhelming. So, where should you start? Here are some of the most breathtaking places to explore in the USA’s 49th state.

1. Denali National Park and Preserve

Spanning six million acres of untamed Alaskan wilderness, Denali National Park and Preserve is a scenic powerhouse. At its heart stands Denali, North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet. A single road cuts through this vast landscape, offering access to rugged terrain and incredible wildlife. 

Wolves, bears, caribou, and Dall sheep roam freely here. Whether you take a bus ride into the park or join a ranger-led program, chances are you’ll spot some of them against a backdrop of towering mountains and sweeping tundra.

2. Glacier Bay National Park

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a bucket-list cruise route, and for many, the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park is its crown jewel. Here, you can watch from a boat — or paddle in a kayak — as the towering Margerie Glacier sheds massive chunks of ice into the sea. Meanwhile, orcas, sea lions, and seals navigate the frigid waters, while bears patrol the shoreline and mountain goats cling to the cliffs above. Bring binoculars — you won’t want to miss a thing.

3. The Alaska Highway

Spanning 1,387 miles from Delta Junction, Alaska, to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, the Alaska Highway (ALCAN) is one of the world’s great road trips. Built during World War II, this historic route cuts through vast wilderness, offering sweeping mountain views, remote lodges, and plenty of chances to spot wildlife. Moose, bears, and bison are common sights along the way — just keep your camera ready and your gas tank full.

4. Katmai National Park and Preserve

If you’ve seen a photo of a grizzly bear catching salmon mid-leap at a waterfall, chances are it was taken at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This remote, roadless wilderness is one of the best places in the world for bear viewing, especially during the summer salmon run. Accessible only by floatplane, Katmai also offers incredible opportunities for fishing, hiking, rafting, and kayaking — if you don’t mind sharing the scenery with a few hundred bears. 

5. Girdwood

Once a gold mining town, Girdwood is now a year-round adventure hub set in a glacier-carved valley. Home to Alyeska Resort, it boasts world-class skiing in winter and scenic hiking in summer, all with sweeping views of Turnagain Arm and the surrounding peaks. Take the Alyeska Aerial Tram for a bird’s-eye perspective or wander through North America’s northernmost temperate rainforest on the Winner Creek Trail.

6. Ketchikan

Known as the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan is more than just a fishing hub — it’s a destination packed with character. Historic Creek Street, once a red-light district, now features colorful stilted buildings lining the water’s edge. The city sits on Revillagigedo Island, squeezed between the bustling Tongass Narrows and the forested slopes of Deer Mountain. Many businesses perch over the water on pastel-hued pilings, connected by wooden boardwalks.

Beyond the scenery, Ketchikan is a center of Native Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian culture. Totem poles stand tall in parks and museums, offering a glimpse into Alaska’s rich Indigenous heritage.

7. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Kodiak’s lush green hills and rugged peaks have earned it the nickname "Emerald Isle," but its biggest claim to fame is the massive Kodiak brown bear — a subspecies found nowhere else. Spanning parts of Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak islands, the refuge is a wildlife-watching paradise. Brown bears roam the salmon-rich rivers, while puffins, red foxes, and sea lions add to the spectacle. If you're into fishing, this is also one of the best places in Alaska to reel in a trophy catch.

8. Kenai Fjords National Park

Nicknamed "Alaska’s Playground," the Kenai Peninsula is home to one of the state’s most spectacular landscapes — Kenai Fjords National Park. A paradise for hikers, kayakers, and wildlife watchers, the park is a maze of towering glaciers, deep fjords, and rugged coastline. 

Exit Glacier, just north of Seward, is the most accessible highlight, where you can walk right up to its icy face. For a bigger challenge, the Harding Icefield Trail rewards hikers with sweeping views of the largest ice field entirely within the U.S. Keep an eye out for whales, sea otters, and puffins along the way.

9. Seward

Tucked at the head of Resurrection Bay, Seward is a small town with big scenery. Historic buildings, local art galleries, and a bustling harbor set the scene, while the Kenai Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop. Walk along the waterfront to spot sea otters and harbor seals, or visit the Alaska SeaLife Center for a closer look at the region’s marine life. Whether you’re setting off on a glacier cruise or just soaking in the views, Seward is a gateway to some of Alaska’s most stunning landscapes.

10. The northern lights of Coldfoot

Coldfoot might be little more than a truck stop on the Dalton Highway — the northernmost in the world — but its location under the Aurora Belt makes it one of the best places to witness the northern lights. Unlike other destinations where you chase the lights, here you can settle in and watch the show. Coldfoot Camp offers a night tour to a historic miner’s cabin in nearby Wiseman, where the Arctic sky comes alive with swirling greens and purples. Bundle up — it’s worth the cold.

11. Anchorage

Alaska’s largest city — and the one place on this list you’ve definitely heard of — Anchorage offers a mix of urban comforts and stunning scenery. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail stretches 11 miles along Cook Inlet, offering prime biking and walking with Denali visible on clear days. For a deep dive into Indigenous cultures, the Alaska Native Heritage Center showcases traditions, storytelling, and dance. If you’re craving the wild, Chugach State Park sits just outside the city, with endless trails, rugged peaks, and plenty of moose sightings.

12. Chugach Mountains

Towering over Anchorage, the Chugach Mountains offer some of the most accessible wilderness in Alaska. Within Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest, countless trails wind through rugged peaks and alpine meadows. For a quick but rewarding hike, take the 1.5-mile trail to the summit of Flattop Mountain, where you'll be treated to sweeping views — from Denali to the Aleutian Islands on a clear day. Whether you're hiking, biking, or just soaking in the scenery, this mountain range delivers.

13. Valdez

Nicknamed "Little Switzerland," Valdez is a paradise for outdoor lovers. Kayak among icebergs at Columbia Glacier, hike trails surrounded by towering peaks, or take on some of the best heli-skiing in the world. Even getting here is an adventure — the drive along the Richardson Highway winds past the dramatic Thompson Pass and the sprawling Worthington Glacier. Nestled in a deep fjord and framed by the Chugach Mountains, Valdez delivers stunning scenery at every turn.

14. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Remote, wild, and spectacular, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets. With no roads leading in, most visitors arrive by small plane, touching down near turquoise lakes, steaming volcanoes, and sprawling tundra. The park is a haven for outdoor adventure — hike through alpine valleys, kayak across glacial waters, or watch brown bears fishing along the shores. If you’re looking for raw, untamed Alaska scenery without the crowds, this is it.

15. Sitka

Nestled on Baranof Island, Sitka blends Tlingit and Russian heritage against a backdrop of ocean and mountains. St. Michael’s Cathedral, with its distinctive onion domes, stands in contrast to the towering totem poles of Sitka National Historical Park, where you can walk through lush rainforest while learning about Indigenous history. The surrounding waters are prime territory for spotting whales, sea otters, and bald eagles — just one more reason Sitka is one of Southeast Alaska’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations.

16. Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias isn’t just big — it’s massive. The largest national park in the U.S. and one of the world’s biggest protected wilderness areas, it stretches from towering peaks to sprawling glaciers along the Canadian border. Nine of North America’s 16 tallest mountains rise here, including Mount Wrangell, a 14,163-foot active volcano.

Some of its glaciers are larger than entire Pacific island nations. Whether you explore by scenic flight, rugged backcountry trek, or a drive to the historic mining town of McCarthy, this park delivers pure, untamed Alaska on an epic scale.

17. The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Wild rivers, glacier-carved valleys, and rugged peaks define this remote Arctic Circle wilderness — an untouched expanse the size of Switzerland. Named for the two towering mountains that frame the Koyukuk River, the park is a sanctuary for wildlife, including 145 bird species.

With no roads, services, or campgrounds, getting here is an adventure in itself. Most visitors fly in on an air taxi, while the truly daring hike in from the Dalton Highway, carrying everything they need. This is Alaska at its most raw and untamed.

18. Talkeetna

This quirky little town at the base of Denali is the launching point for climbers aiming to conquer North America’s highest peak. Talkeetna’s historic main street — lined with log cabins, local breweries, and artsy shops — feels like a step back into Alaska’s gold rush days. On clear days, the views of the Alaska Range, including Denali, are nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re here for a flightseeing tour, a river adventure, or just a slice of famous Talkeetna Roadhouse pie, this town is well worth a stop.

19. Juneau

Alaska’s capital may be remote — accessible only by boat or plane — but it offers one of the state's most stunning and accessible glaciers. Just 12 miles from downtown, Mendenhall Glacier is a massive river of ice you can admire from the visitor center or explore up close. Paddle across Mendenhall Lake for a front-row view, hike scenic trails to roaring waterfalls, or, for the truly adventurous, venture into the hidden ice caves beneath the glacier. With dramatic scenery at every turn, Juneau delivers classic Alaska wilderness with a dose of history and culture.

20. The Hubbard Glacier

At 76 miles long and 7 miles wide at its oceanfront, Hubbard Glacier is a sight to behold. Unlike many of Alaska’s shrinking glaciers, Hubbard is actually advancing, making it one of the most active in the state. Massive chunks of ice regularly break off into Disenchantment Bay, sending thunderous booms across the water and creating dramatic waves. With its towering ice face and striking blue hues, Hubbard Glacier is easily one of Alaska’s most photogenic natural wonders.

Ready to Explore Alaska?

If Alaska’s wild landscapes are calling, check out The Rough Guide to the USA for more tips on exploring its vast wilderness. Looking to venture beyond? The Rough Guide to Canada has plenty of inspiration for northern adventures.

Want to skip the hassle of planning? Let our local travel experts craft a trip that matches your dream Alaska experience — so you can focus on the adventure.