Far North · Denali to the Inside Passage · Statehood 1959
Alaska
State
Field Guide
North America's tallest peak, glaciers that reach the sea, and fjords you can only see by boat. Alaska is larger than the next three largest states combined. These are the reasons to make the trip.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Interior Alaska · Denali National Park
SeeDenalifrom the Park Road
Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, and the national park around it holds about six million acres of tundra, taiga and glaciers. A single 92-mile road runs into the park, with private vehicles allowed only for the first miles and park buses carrying visitors the rest of the way. Grizzlies, caribou, moose and Dall sheep are regular sights along the road. The mountain itself is often hidden by clouds, so allow more than one day.
02.
Kenai Peninsula · Seward
CruiseKenai Fjords
Seward sits at the head of Resurrection Bay, roughly 125 miles south of Anchorage by road. Day cruises head into Kenai Fjords National Park to see tidewater glaciers calving into the water, along with sea otters, puffins and, with luck, humpback whales and orcas. On land, the trail to Exit Glacier is one of the few places in Alaska where you can walk to the edge of a glacier. The Harding Icefield feeds the park's glaciers.
03.
Southeast Alaska · Juneau
Walk toMendenhall Glacierin Juneau
Mendenhall Glacier is a 13-mile river of ice that ends in a lake about 12 miles from downtown Juneau. The U.S. Forest Service visitor center has views of the face, and trails lead to Nugget Falls, which drops beside the lake. The glacier has been retreating for decades, so what you see changes from year to year. Juneau cannot be reached by road, so most visitors arrive by plane or ship.
Little-Known Gem
Turnagain Arm: theDrive Between Mountains and Tide
Seward Highway · Southcentral Alaska · Girdwood
Most visitors drive the Seward Highway only to reach Seward. The stretch along Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage is a scenic highway in its own right, with mountains rising straight from a wide tidal inlet. Turnagain Arm has one of the largest tidal ranges in North America, more than 30 feet at the biggest tides, and a bore tide can send a wave up the inlet. Beluga whales are sometimes seen from the road, and there are pullouts and trails along the route.
Alaska Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Alaska?
Three classics are Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau. A lesser-known stop is the Turnagain Arm stretch of the Seward Highway. Denali and Kenai Fjords each need a full day, while Mendenhall Glacier fits into a port day or an afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
June through early September has the longest days, the most open tours and the mildest weather. Many lodges, cruises and park services close in winter, though winter brings northern lights viewing in the Interior.
How do I see Denali without a car?
Park buses travel the Denali Park Road and let you get on and off along the route. Reserve a seat before you arrive in summer. Private vehicles can drive only part of the road, so plan for a long day on the bus.