4 Incredible Alaska Itineraries for Unforgettable Summer Adventures

In a state where the journey can be just as captivating as the destination, crafting an exhilarating, action-packed Alaska itinerary is hard to resist. The routes here showcase everything from lush Panhandle forests to the stark beauty of the Arctic tundra.

However, with a road network that’s only slightly larger than Rhode Island’s, there’s a limit to how far you can drive. Thankfully, many of Alaska’s more secluded areas can be reached by plane, train, or ferry.

Keep in mind, Alaska is two-and-a-half times the size of Texas. If it were a standalone country, it would rank as the 17th largest in the world. Even a two-week visit provides just a glimpse of this vast, pristine wilderness, but what an experience it is!

Explore these four engaging itineraries that lead you to Alaska's most breathtaking sights and experiences.

5-Day Itinerary: Journey from Fairbanks to Seward by Train

This land-focused itinerary makes the most of the beautifully maintained Alaska Railroad. Begin your adventure in Fairbanks, the northernmost endpoint of the railroad, where you can spend a day exploring local museums and a night marveling at the incredible phenomenon of a sun that barely sets.

Board the train to Denali National Park, where you can enjoy a refreshing day hike along the Triple Lakes Trail. The following morning, embark on an extraordinary eight-hour journey to Anchorage. During this stretch, the tracks veer away from the road, venturing into untouched wilderness and paralleling rivers, all while offering potential views of the majestic 20,310ft Denali.

Spend two nights and a full day in Anchorage, taking advantage of its surprisingly vibrant shopping and dining scene. Visit the world-renowned Anchorage Museum, or gear up for a salmon bake paired with a bike ride along the Coastal Trail. Then, prepare for another breathtaking train ride to Seward.

Once again, the train diverts from the road, taking you 10 miles into the Chugach Mountains. Seward marks the southern terminus of the railroad, culminating at the stunning Resurrection Bay. Don’t miss the chance to tour Kenai Fjords National Park to spot sea lions, sea otters, and whales before you depart.

10-Day Itinerary: From Katmai National Park to Anan Creek

Bear watching has quickly become one of Alaska’s most popular activities, and with plenty of bears and eager tourists hoping to witness them—especially as they catch and devour salmon—there’s no shortage of opportunities. Visit at least one of the following locations, and you’re likely to spot these magnificent creatures.

One of the top bear-viewing locations is our starting point: Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park & Preserve. Here, you can capture the quintessential Alaskan photograph: numerous grizzlies lining the waterfall, snatching salmon from mid-air as they leap upstream. In July, there are so many bears that upon arriving at Brooks Camp by floatplane, you'll be directed to the national parks office for a mandatory bear orientation, likely passing a grizzly or two along Naknek Lake's shore on your way.

More accessible than Katmai is Denali National Park, reachable by road after flying into Anchorage. Here, you can hop on a park shuttle bus and eagerly search the expansive landscapes for both brown and black bears. Not only will you likely encounter these iconic animals, but you might also see caribou and moose as well (keep in mind that the 92-mile road is only open up to mile 43 until summer 2023).

To glimpse a polar bear at the top of the world, you’ll need to take another flight to Utqiaġvik and Point Barrow. Capturing an image of these majestic white predators in their natural habitat is a rare opportunity. A guided tour will take you beyond the town, where you may also spot walruses near the coast.

For a more urban bear-watching experience, continue on to Juneau. Here, you’ll find the most budget-friendly options for observing bears, as you won’t need to venture far from the city to see black bears indulging in salmon. Simply visit Steep Creek near Mendenhall Glacier. If time allows, consider a quick seaplane trip to Pack Creek on Admiralty Island.

Conclude your adventure in the southern panhandle at the Anan Creek Wildlife Observatory, located 30 miles southeast of Wrangell. This unique spot is one of the few in Alaska where black and brown bears coexist. You can reach it by air from Juneau.

2-week itinerary: Cruising Southeast Alaska

One of the most thrilling adventures is taking the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, Washington to Skagway. This well-organized journey meanders through stunning Alaskan landscapes, but be sure to book your cabin on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry in advance.

Step aboard the ferry in Bellingham and take in the coastal beauty of Canada, featuring solitary lighthouses, for a couple of days before landing in Ketchikan for two nights. If the weather is clear, consider hiking Deer Mountain and enjoying lunch at the summit with breathtaking views of the Inside Passage.

Visit Totem Bight State Park to admire intricately carved totems and a vibrant Indigenous community house. If rain is in the forecast, consider booking a flightseeing tour over Misty Fjords National Monument, where steep fjords and cascading waterfalls create an almost magical scene against the backdrop of misty green mountains.

Take the ferry to Wrangell and embark on a thrilling jet-boat tour along the Stikine River, North America’s fastest navigable river. Don’t miss Petroglyph Beach, where ancient rock carvings of faces and spirals become visible at low tide. Continue your journey on the ferry to Sitka for an afternoon at Sitka National Historical Park and enjoy a whale-watching cruise.

Travel to Juneau and sign up for a walk across the stunning ice of Mendenhall Glacier. The next day, hike up Mt Roberts, followed by a refreshing local beer (or two) before taking the Mt Roberts tramway back to the city. In the evening, savor one of the city's salmon bakes and revel in the lively atmosphere of the Red Dog Saloon, a popular tourist spot.

Hop aboard the speedy Fjord Express catamaran for two days in Skagway, the historic gateway to the Klondike gold rush. Take a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad for a scenic two-hour journey to the summit of White Pass, and later enjoy the lively Days of '98 Show back in Skagway.

If you can spare an extra day, catch the fast ferry to Haines, a charming Alaskan town favored by locals, known for its excellent hiking and a fantastic brewery. After your return to Skagway, you’ll have to retrace your steps to Juneau to fly home, or you can hop back on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Auke Bay.

2-week itinerary: Exploring Alaska’s less-traveled roads

Driving along expansive roads amidst such breathtaking scenery is the essence of a road trip. Rent a vehicle, crank up some Springsteen, and prepare for an unforgettable journey across Alaska.

Fly into Anchorage to pick up your rental car (be sure to reserve it well in advance). Stop at one of the city's large grocery stores to stock up on road-trip snacks and beverages before hitting the open road.

Travel north on the George Parks Highway through Wasilla. Take a turn onto the Talkeetna Spur Road and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Talkeetna, a favorite among climbers. Spend the day on the Hurricane Turn Train, the last flag-stop train in the US. In the evening, don’t miss the lively atmosphere at the historic Fairview Inn’s bar.

Return to the Parks Highway and continue north to the Denali Highway. This 134-mile dirt road, open only in summer, winds through the foothills of the Alaska Range. Take your time—the drive is rough, but the views are spectacular. Set up camp wherever feels right, ideally beside a flowing stream, and continue east in the morning until you reach the Richardson Highway.

Head south and then take McCarthy Road east toward the Kennicott River, 127 miles from Glennallen. Dedicate the next day to exploring the charming village of McCarthy and the impressive mining ruins at Kennecott. Afterward, return to the Richardson Highway and continue south and then west.

Make your way into Valdez and consider spending an extra day indulging in a Columbia Glacier cruise. Drive onto the Alaska Marine Highway ferry (make sure to book this ahead of time) and sail across Prince William Sound to Cordova. Spend 24 hours exploring this picturesque town and its free-spirited locals, including a hike around the Copper River Delta, known for its diverse bird species.

From Cordova, take a ferry to Whittier. On the same day, drive 90 miles to Seward, passing through the 2.5-mile Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. Spend two days in Seward; book a boat tour or kayak in Resurrection Bay, but be sure to make your way back to Anchorage (127 miles) on the afternoon of the second day to return your rental car before the dealership closes.