The most beautiful places in Alaska

With mountains to climb, rivers to raft, glaciers to coo over, and a bevvy of bears to photograph, Alaska offers beautiful views and the ultimate wilderness. From the moment you arrive, the raw, unspoiled beauty of the USA's 49th state is almost overwhelming. So, where should you start to explore the most beautiful places in Alaska?

Denali National Park and Preserve

Encompassing six million acres of pure Alaskan interior wilderness topped by North America’s highest peak (Denali, 20,310ft), the Denali National Park and Preserve is Alaska’s ultimate scenic showstopper. Bisected by one solitary ribbon of road, this pristine ecosystem plays home to a menagerie of wildlife. Wolves, bears, caribou, and even Dall sheep – one can easily spot a plethora of fauna from a bus ride through the park, or on a ranger-led program.

The Inside Passage

The Inside Passage is a network of waterways stretching from Puget Sound to southeast Alaska. This route takes you through a maze of fjords, islands, and glacier-carved channels, and is one of the most scenic journeys in the world. Along the way, you might spot humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, and even bald eagles.

Glacier Bay National Park

Alaska is famed for its Inside Passage cruises, and for many visitors passing through the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park en route is the highlight of their trip. Here, you can watch in awe from a boat (or kayak) as the majestic Margerie Glacier calves 100-tonne icebergs into the tidewater while orcas, sea lions, seals and other marine animals frolic in the crystal-clear waters surrounding it. Bring your binoculars to spot bears on the shore, and mountain goats on the cliffs above.

Nome

Nome rose to fame during the Alaska Gold Rush. Today, it's a hub for Iditarod festivities and a gateway to exploring the wild Seward Peninsula. While here, visit the Nome Gold Rush History Center, try your hand at gold panning on the beach, or take a scenic drive along one of the region's three roads into the tundra. In winter, the frozen Bering Sea becomes a unique ice road connecting remote villages.

The Alaska Highway

Stretching 1387 miles from Delta Junction, southeast of Fairbanks, all the way to Dawson Creek in British Colombia, Canada, the Alaska Highway (also known as the ALCAN) is considered one of the world’s top scenic drives.

Constructed during World War II, this well-maintained road winds through some truly spectacular terrain. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, this drive offers excellent views of wildlife and countless other photo opportunities along the way.

Willow

Located on the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Denali, Willow is a fantastic place to retreat into the Alaskan wilderness. As the restart point for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, it's a great place to learn about dog mushing culture. In summer,  you can enjoy fishing in crystal-clear lakes, hiking through boreal forests, and spotting wildlife. The town's laid-back atmosphere will give you a genuine taste of rural Alaskan life.

Katmai National Park and Preserve

If you’ve seen one of those photographs of a brown (grizzly) bear perched on the edge of a waterfall snagging salmon in mid-air, there’s a good chance it was taken in Katmai National Park. Brooks Falls, to be exact – Alaska’s most famous bear-viewing area.

Unconnected to any town by road, the park – also famed for its fishing, hiking, rafting and kayaking possibilities – is most commonly accessed by floatplane, and is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska.

Wanting to explore more beautiful places? Check out our guide to the most beautiful state parks in the United States.

Girdwood

Once a gold mining town, Girdwood has transformed into a year-round resort community located in a glacier-carved valley. Home to Alyeska Resort, it offers world-class skiing in winter and hiking in summer, with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and surrounding mountains. Take a ride on the Alyeska Aerial Tram for panoramic vistas, or explore the northernmost temperate rainforest in North America on the Winner Creek Trail.

The Arctic Coast

Alaska is known as the Last Frontier, and nowhere does this seem more fitting than on its Arctic Coast. Here, along this starkly beautiful stretch of rugged tundra, Alaska Native communities live side by side with one of the world’s greatest predators: the polar bear. The Inupiaq village of Kaktovik, located on Barter Island just off the mainland, is one of the best places for these vulnerable mammals. In the summer, these animals congregate here in large numbers while they wait for the Beaufort Sea to freeze.

Utqiaġvik (Barrow)

The northernmost city in the United States, Utqiaġvik is where you'll have the chance to experience true Arctic living. From late May to early August, the sun never sets, while winter brings two months of polar night. Visit the Iñupiat Heritage Center to learn about local culture, or take a tour to see polar bears in their natural habitat. 

Ketchikan

It’s known as the salmon capital of the world, but Alaska’s southernmost city Ketchikan is also an attraction in itself (Creek Street in particular). The city faces the buzzing Tongass Narrows waterway and is backed by the scenery of the lush, forested slopes of Deer Mountain.

The picturesque Ketchikan hugs the shoreline of Revillagigedo Island for 30 miles, with many businesses located in pastel-hued overwater bungalows accessed via suspended walkways- offering beautiful and unique Alaska scenery.

Native Haida, Tlingit, and Tsimshian arts are visible everywhere throughout the city – from museums to totem parks – adding to its cultural appeal.

Homer

The "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," Homer is known for its stunning location on Kachemak Bay. The Homer Spit, a narrow strip of land jutting into the bay, is lined with shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants. Artists and nature lovers are drawn to the town's creative vibe and outdoor recreational opportunities, including kayaking, fishing, and bear viewing across the bay in Katmai National Park.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

The lush, green hills and mountaintop vistas that give Kodiak its 'Emerald Isle' nickname are pretty enough, but the island’s key draw is a brown bear subspecies that live nowhere else. Spanning parts of the Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak islands, the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge offers unparalleled wildlife-watching opportunities. This area offers views of brown bears, puffins, red foxes, sea lions and more- as well as some of the best salmon fishing in Alaska.

The North Pole

This small city near Fairbanks embraces its namesake with gusto. Streets are candy cane-striped, and the Santa Claus House is open year-round. While it may not be the geographic North Pole, the town's festive spirit and charming Santa-themed attractions make it a unique destination. In winter, it's also an excellent spot for viewing the northern lights away from city lights. 

Kenai Fjords National Park

The idyllic Kenai Peninsula is considered ‘Alaska’s Playground’ and its main attraction – Kenai Fjords National Park – is a glacial wonderland popular with hikers, kayakers, and wildlife watchers. The magnificent Exit Glacier, just a 10-minute drive north from Seward, is the park’s most popular and accessible highlight. From the visitors' center, keen hikers can tackle the Harding Icefield Trail for breathtaking views of the largest ice field contained within the USA.

Valdez

Known as "Little Switzerland," this town offers spectacular hiking, kayaking among icebergs in Columbia Glacier, and some of the best heli-skiing in the world. The drive to Valdez along the Richardson Highway is itself a scenic wonder, passing by Thompson Pass and the impressive Worthington Glacier. Surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and situated on a deep fjord, Valdez is not to be missed.

The northern lights of Coldfoot

While the town of Coldfoot itself is little more than a Dalton Highway truck stop – the world’s northernmost, in fact - its strategic position under the Aurora belt in Alaska’s ruggedly beautiful Arctic Circle makes it one of the best places on Earth to view the northern lights. Rather than drive around looking for the lights as is typical of many Aurora-viewing destinations, Coldfoot Camp runs a brilliant night tour to an original miner’s hut in nearby Wiseman where you can view the spectacle at its finest.

Dreaming of gazing upon the Aurora? Don’t miss the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Anchorage

Alaska's largest city, and the one place on this list we're sure you've already heard of. Anchorage is full of beautiful sights. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail provides 11 miles of scenic biking and walking along the Cook Inlet, with views of Denali on clear days. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about indigenous cultures, or head to the nearby Chugach State Park for hiking and wildlife viewing.

The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Punctuated by wild, icy rivers and glacier-carved valleys, this remote Arctic Circle national park offers a raw, untouched wilderness area the size of Switzerland. A sanctuary for many animals, including 145 bird species, the park was named for the two dramatic mountains that frame the Koyukuk River.

The mountains form something of a gateway for visitors to enter. With no road access, services or campgrounds (visitors fly in on air taxis, or hike in from the Dalton Highway with all their supplies), it’s an adventure just to get here.

Sitka

Sitka, on Baranof Island, is a city of Tlingit and Russian heritage. St. Michael's Cathedral, with its onion domes, contrasts beautifully with towering totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park. The town's stunning setting, surrounded by ocean and mountains, is one of Southeast Alaska's most picturesque spots. While here, keep an eye out for wildlife like whales and bald eagles in the area.

Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve

Wrangell-St Elias is big. Not only is it the largest national park in the USA, but it’s one of the largest protected areas of wilderness in the world. Hugging the Canadian border, the park contains nine of the tallest 16 mountains on the continent (including Mount Wrangell, a 14,163ft stratovolcano).

Some of its glaciers are larger than half a dozen South Pacific island nations combined. Whichever way you visit it (a scenic flight is a great option), the awe factor when experiencing this beautiful and iconic Alaskan scenery is guaranteed to be high.

Talkeetna

This quirky small town, situated at the base of Denali, serves as a jumping-off point for mountaineers attempting to summit North America's highest peak. Talkeetna's historic main street, lined with log cabins and colorful shops, offers a glimpse into Alaska's gold rush era. On clear days, the town provides stunning views of the Alaska Range, including Denali itself. 

The Eastern Aleutians

Sweeping west of the Alaska Peninsula like a jagged line of braille towards Russia, the barren, windswept Aleutian Islands – home to 27 of the 46 most active volcanoes in America – are as dramatic as they are remote. The jewel of the archipelago is its East Borough, where intrepid travelers will be rewarded with miles of raw, untamed Alaskan scenery, smoking volcanic craters, ancient Aleut village sites, and an array of birds and marine life.

The Hubbard Glacier

Hubbard Glacier is a must-see, stretching 76 miles long and 7 miles wide at its oceanfront. Unlike many of Alaska's glaciers, Hubbard is actually advancing, making it one of the most active glaciers in the state. Here you can catch sight of massive chunks of ice calving into Disenchantment Bay, creating thunderous sounds and impressive waves. The glacier's blue ice and towering face make it one of Alaska's most photogenic natural wonders.

Seward

Downtown Seward, located at the head of Resurrection Bay, is a charming area filled with historic buildings, local art galleries, and waterfront views. Stroll along the small boat harbor, where you might spot playful sea otters, or visit the Alaska SeaLife Center to learn about local marine ecosystems. With the Kenai Mountains in the background, it's a fantastically beautiful small town. 

Chugach Mountains

Rising up on the eastern fringes of Anchorage, the stunning Chugach Mountains is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Alaska- but also act as Alaska’s most accessible wilderness area. Plenty of walking and biking trails within the State Park and National Forest boundaries preserve this mountain range; take the 1.5-mile hiking trail to the football field-sized summit of Flattop Mountain for views from Denali to the Aleutian Islands.

Planning your trip to Alaska? We recommend booking Alaska accommodations here.

Totem Heritage Center

Located in Ketchikan, the Totem Heritage Center houses one of the world's largest collections of 19th-century totem poles. These intricate works of art, rescued from abandoned Tlingit and Haida village sites, offer a fascinating glimpse into the indigenous heritage of Southeast Alaska. The center also features exhibits on traditional Native Alaskan arts and crafts.

The Chilkoot Trail

A major transportation route during the Klondike Gold Rush, this 33-mile hiking trail connects the village of Dyea, near the pretty southeastern cruise port of Skagway, with Bennet in British Colombia, Canada. 

But the Chilkoot Trail isn’t just famous for its historical relics (look out for the tramway boiler); the scenery, from coastal rainforest to alpine views, glaciers to suspended river crossings – is just superb.

Juneau

Alaska's capital city, Juneau, is how to one of the state's most accessible and stunning glaciers. The Mendenhall Glacier, just 12 miles from downtown, gives you a chance to witness a massive river of ice up close. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a great stop for excellent views and informative exhibits, while those feeling adventurous can kayak on Mendenhall Lake or hike to hidden ice caves beneath the glacier for a truly unique experience.

Haines

One of the most scenic – and sunniest – villages in Alaska’s Inside Passage, this quaint, artsy town isn’t just popular with humans. Thousands of bald eagles congregate each autumn in Haines to feast on a late run of salmon. 

So many of them in fact, that they inspired the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival held here each November. The salmon also lure brown bears, which can be viewed in large numbers on the Chilkoot River. Come winter, heli-skiers arrive in search of the lightest powder on Earth.

Ready for a trip to one of the most beautiful places in Alaska? Check out the Rough Guide to the USA for more tips about the Alaskan Wilderness, or the Rough Guide to Canada for more places to visit in Northern North America.

If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Alaska without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.