Earth, Water, and Sky: Discovering Alaska's Five Regions

Few states are as shaped by their landscape as Alaska. Covering 350 million acres and boasting 6,640 miles of coastline, it stands as the largest state in the USA, embodying a rich history, diverse cultures, and countless activities.

To truly enjoy Alaska, it's essential to grasp its unique characteristics. From lush rainforests to majestic glaciers, this state offers adventures influenced by its distinct regions and the experiences they provide.

Exploring Alaska by Land

Regardless of your interests, Alaska offers numerous land-based adventures to satisfy your curiosity. Whether you plan to spend a few days or several weeks traversing its trails or highways, it’s wise to explore your options before crafting your itinerary.

For hikers ready to hit the ground, Alaska has something for everyone, regardless of skill level. If you're in the mood for a leisurely walk or a short guided hike, Southeast Alaska features fantastic day hikes that blend history, Native culture, and vibrant rainforests, all within easy reach of towns.

For those seeking significant elevation, the state and federal lands near Anchorage provide breathtaking views amidst the Chugach Mountains. Alternatively, head toward the Interior and Denali National Park, where hiking across the tundra allows you to encounter the local wildlife of this renowned preserve.

For seasoned backcountry adventurers looking to explore Alaska’s remote wilderness, consider embarking on a multi-day backpacking journey. Outfitters offer comprehensive services, including transportation and routes tailored to enhance your experience based on time, skill level, and interests. The Arctic, particularly the Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, showcases some of the most rugged and untamed landscapes on Earth.

While cycling may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Alaska, the state’s biking scene has flourished thanks to its diverse terrain. If you're eager to explore on two wheels, you'll find ample opportunities—ski trails transform into fantastic mountain bike routes during the summer and fall, with numerous single tracks available in places like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

If road biking is your preference, you can rent bicycles in Fairbanks or Anchorage to explore the paved paths favored by locals, providing a great way to experience Alaska’s largest cities up close. For those wanting to cover greater distances and conquer steeper inclines, consider renting an e-bike, which is now available in many Alaskan cities. Bringing the family? Inquire about tagalong bikes and trailers for young children—perfect for a few hours of riding to parks, playgrounds, and other attractions for a unique sightseeing experience. Even in snowy conditions, you can still enjoy biking; fat tire biking is offered on trails across the state, including the stunning Knik Glacier near Anchorage. Check with local tour operators for options.

With over five percent of Alaska enveloped in year-round ice, it’s no surprise that many find joy in strapping on crampons, wielding an ice axe, and crunching across the glacial terrain surrounded by magnificent blue ice formations. You can embark on glacier hikes in Juneau, Southcentral Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Valley, and within the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Some adventures are easily accessible by road, while others necessitate a helicopter or plane ride, adding to the thrill. Keep in mind your abilities, as ice trekking or climbing requires stable footing and attentive awareness.

With you on the land: Alaska is home to a diverse range of land mammals, from the minuscule to the massive, ensuring that visitors will share these wild environments with the animals that make the state renowned. Being vigilant and knowledgeable about animal behavior is essential. The main highlights are the 'Big Five': bears (including black, brown, and even polar bears in the Arctic), caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and wolves.

Alaska by water

The expansive shorelines of Alaska are rich with opportunities for water-based recreation, featuring the Pacific Ocean, coastal waterways, rivers, lakes, and streams. For paddlers, explore the tranquil nooks and bays of Southeast Alaska in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, or embark on an adventurous journey along Southcentral's Kenai Peninsula, near Seward or Homer.

If you're seeking thrills, dive into one of the Class II or IV rivers in Southcentral and Interior Alaska on a rafting expedition, whether it's a single day or a multi-day adventure that puts you against the cold waters and fast currents. Alternatively, enjoy a more serene experience by rafting on calmer waters in the Kenai Peninsula or Southeast Alaska from Skagway, Haines, or Juneau.

Sailing through Alaska’s Inside Passage is a popular way to experience the stunning panhandle region. You can board larger vessels departing from Seattle or Vancouver, or opt for a smaller, more personal boat from Sitka, Juneau, or Ketchikan, allowing you to escape the crowded routes and immerse yourself in untouched rainforests, diverse wildlife, and Alaska Native cultures.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries are the locals' top choice for traveling between coastal communities, offering scenic views and a relaxed vibe. Some trips, especially in Southeast Alaska, last just a few hours, while others, like the rugged journey along the Aleutian Islands, can take several days. It’s best to book in advance and remain flexible with your plans.

With you in the water: Alaska's marine life is renowned for its diversity, offering unmatched opportunities to observe humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, and seals up close. Communities in both Southeast and Southcentral Alaska provide excellent access to day tours for marine wildlife viewing. Sportfishers can explore a variety of salt and freshwater options, with numerous guiding companies leading anglers to prime locations for catching halibut, salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling.

Alaska by air

Aircraft have influenced transportation in Alaska for decades, with air travel being essential in nearly every community. There are numerous airborne options to explore the state, whether for reaching a remote lodge, spotting wildlife, or taking in Alaska’s vast landscapes from above.

For an unforgettable view of Alaska’s majestic glaciers, nothing beats flightseeing, which allows you to see these colossal rivers of ice up close. Southeast, Southcentral, and Interior Alaska are ideal for helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft tours that showcase glaciers and rugged mountains.

Accessing the more remote parts of Alaska for hiking, biking, fishing, and dog mushing often requires small planes or helicopters. In Southeast and Southcentral Alaska, helicopters can transport visitors to secluded icefields for dog sledding, while the Southcentral region is great for a day spent trekking in alpine meadows that can only be reached by air. During winter, small planes offer a quicker route to the northern latitudes, allowing for spectacular views of the aurora borealis in areas above the Arctic Circle.

In the skies with you: Alaska is a haven for birdwatchers in every region. Arctic terns undertake an incredible migration of 25,000 miles to their summer nesting sites in the far north, covering up to 1,000 miles daily. Additionally, around 50 percent of the nation’s shorebirds spend part of their time in Alaska, so be on the lookout for oystercatchers, sandpipers, plovers, and more darting along the beaches. Massive sandhill cranes also breed and nest here, migrating in flocks numbering in the thousands. When in Southeast, Southcentral, or Southwest Alaska, watch the treetops and skies for the magnificent bald eagle, commonly found wherever fish, particularly salmon, are abundant.

Alaska is a land of extremes, where you could dedicate years to discovering its diverse regions, activities, and wildlife, which attract over two million visitors annually. Whatever you can imagine, it’s achievable in the Great Land, regardless of how or where you wish to explore.