Top Activities for Adventure Seekers in Alaska
- Angie - Your Guide
- 6 hours ago
- 9 min read
Alaska isn't just a destination; it's a call to the wild, a vibrant invitation to explore a land of immense beauty and untamed spirit. For those with a heart for adventure, the Last Frontier offers a spectacular playground of towering mountains, colossal glaciers, and abundant wildlife. Every corner of this vast state hums with the promise of an unforgettable experience. Let's embark on a journey through Alaska's most exhilarating activities, a guide for every soul seeking a true, heart-pumping adventure.
Adventurous Activities in Alaska:
The Wonders of Southcentral Alaska
This region, home to Alaska's largest city and some of its most accessible natural wonders, is a perfect starting point for your grand expedition.
Anchorage: Your Urban Basecamp
While Anchorage is a bustling city, it sits on the edge of pure wilderness, making it a unique hub for adventurers. Before you venture further out, you can get a taste of the wild right here. If taking a cruise, most people fly into Anchorage and get transportation by taking a train ride on the Alaska Railroad or by car to Seward or Whittier Alaska. Due to this many people don't plan much extra time in Anchorage or the surrounding area to explore the adventures that are close by. Even just walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail can be adventurous.
Hiking Flattop Mountain: Just a short drive from downtown, the trail up Flattop Mountain in Chugach State Park offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the Cook Inlet, and the surrounding mountain ranges, including Denali on a clear day. It’s a local favorite and an energizing climb that rewards every step.
Salmon Fishing at Ship Creek: You don't have to go far for world-class fishing. Ship Creek runs right through Anchorage, offering a fantastic opportunity to reel in king and coho salmon. It’s a surreal experience to be casting a line with the city skyline in the background. It is amazing to fish from here, but always watch the tide currents. When the tide goes out the water is a lot lower, but during the salmon run you will have many still trying to swim upstream even in the low water levels. If you prefer more water just wait till the tide rolls back in and the creek is full of water again.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Rent a bike, take a stroll or a long walk on this coastal trail can be adventurous. It is 11 miles long and absolutely beautiful, wrapping around the end of the city by the coast, giving you many places to get on and off the trail if you like. My time on the trail was special as I saw a moose. For me, having to watch where I walked to avoid getting too close to the moose was an adventure for me.
Seward: Gateway to Glaciers and Marine Life
Nestled on the shores of Resurrection Bay, the charming port town of Seward is your gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, a wonderland of ice and ocean. Personally, I love coastal towns, they give you access to the waters and views of incredible landscapes of mountain views nearby. This is an embarkation point for many cruise ships.
Sea Kayaking in Resurrection Bay: There's nothing quite like paddling your own kayak through the pristine, turquoise waters of Resurrection Bay. Glide past puffin rookeries, sea lions, and hidden coves. You might even have a curious sea otter pop up beside you. The sheer scale of the surrounding fjords, viewed from water level, is truly humbling and magnificent.
Glacier Hiking on Exit Glacier: Ready to walk on ancient ice? Exit Glacier is one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers. You can hike trails that lead to stunning viewpoints or, for the ultimate thrill, join a guided trek onto the glacier itself. Equipped with crampons and an ice axe, you'll explore the mesmerizing blue ice, crevasses, and meltwater pools of this frozen river. It’s a chance to connect with the powerful forces that shaped this land.
Mount Marathon Race: If planning a visit to Seward around the 4th of July, you may want to enter the Mount Marathon Race. Register early as space is limited. This 3.1 mile race goes up the mountain and then back down, making it a true test for people. From Sea Level to an elevation of over 2900 feet. It has been said that this race started as early as the year 1908, so people have been running the route for a very long time.
Whittier: A Tunnel to Adventure
Accessed by a one-of-a-kind, 2.5-mile single-lane tunnel that passes through a mountain, Whittier is a portal to the dramatic landscapes of Prince William Sound. This is also an embarkation point for many cruise ships. So if you are interested in combining your Alaska Adventure with an Alaska Cruise this could be a place you visit.
Whale Watching & Glacier Cruises: The Sound is a haven for marine wildlife and tidewater glaciers. Board a day cruise from Whittier to witness massive chunks of ice calving from glaciers like Blackstone or Beloit, crashing into the sea with a thunderous roar. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback and orca whales, Dall's porpoises, and countless seabirds. The sheer density of glaciers and wildlife makes for a spectacular day on the water.
The Inside Passage: A Coastal Paradise
Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage is a breathtaking maze of islands, fjords, and lush rainforests, home to vibrant coastal communities and incredible wildlife encounters.
Juneau: Glaciers and Government
Alaska's capital city is uniquely situated, with no roads connecting it to the rest of the state. It's cradled between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts, and the Gastineau Channel, with the massive Juneau Icefield at its back.
Helicopter Tour and Glacier Landing: For a truly epic perspective, take to the skies! A helicopter tour from Juneau will whisk you over the sprawling Juneau Icefield, a sea of jagged peaks and deep blue crevasses. The highlight is landing on a remote glacier, like the Mendenhall, Taku, or Herbert Glacier. Stepping out onto the silent, icy expanse is a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime moment that fills you with awe.
Hiking to Mendenhall Glacier: While visible from town, getting up close to the Mendenhall Glacier is a must. On my visit I started taking pictures of the glacier views from the entrance at the visitor center, but during the hike you get a lot closer. The Nugget Falls Trail is a relatively easy walk that leads to a powerful waterfall beside the glacier's face. For a more challenging adventure, hike the West Glacier Trail through the beautiful Tongass National Forest for more intimate and less crowded views of the ice. This can be a great way to diverse wildlife. I spotted my first Banana Slug on the hike to Nugget Falls, plus tons of bald eagles, and a sea otter
Ketchikan: The Salmon Capital of the World
This colorful town, built on stilts over the water, is a bustling hub of activity and the first port of call for many visitors.
Salmon Fishing Adventures: True to its nickname, Ketchikan offers some of the best salmon fishing on the planet. Charter a boat and head out with an experienced guide to try your luck at catching Pacific salmon. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a first-timer, the thrill of the catch in these rich waters is an experience you won't forget.
Exploring Tongass National Forest: Ketchikan is enveloped by the Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. This temperate rainforest is a wonderland of towering Sitka spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees. Hike the many trails, look for black bears foraging along streams, and breathe in the fresh, moss-scented air. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in a truly magical ecosystem.
Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour: Neat experience to see how they catch crabs and you will see variety of animals caught in the cages.
Hoonah & Icy Strait Point: A Cultural and Wildlife Hub
Hoonah is the largest Tlingit village in Alaska, and nearby Icy Strait Point offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and high-adrenaline fun.
Unrivaled Bear Viewing: This area is famous for its dense population of brown bears. Join a guided tour that takes you to prime viewing areas where you can safely watch these magnificent animals as they fish for salmon and roam through their natural habitat. It's a powerful and humbling sight. This was one of my favorite things to do when I visited the area. I spotted a young bear, referred to by the guide as a rebellious male teenager, as he ran across the road about 250 feet from our tour group, before entering the trail. The wilderness area we stopped in along the way was unlike anything I have ever seen, and the boardwalk trail by the river was the perfect viewing point for watching bears catch salmon.
Whale Watching at Point Adolphus: The waters of Icy Strait are a critical feeding ground for humpback whales during the summer. The nutrient-rich currents create a "whale soup" that attracts dozens of these gentle giants. A whale watching tour here almost guarantees spectacular sightings of whale's bubble-net feeding, breaching, and tail-slapping.
The Interior & Far North: Wild and Untamed
Venture into Alaska's heartland and beyond, where the landscapes become even more vast and the adventures more extreme.
Fairbanks: Land of the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights
Fairbanks is a vibrant city in the Interior, known for its extreme temperatures and celestial phenomena.
Dog Sledding: Experience Alaska's official state sport! In the winter, mush your own team of excited sled dogs through snowy forests under the crisp arctic sky. It’s an exhilarating feeling to glide silently through the winter wonderland, powered only by the strength and spirit of these incredible canine athletes. Many kennels offer summer tours on wheeled carts, so you can enjoy the fun year-round.
Snowmobiling: When the snow falls, Fairbanks and its surroundings transform into a paradise for snowmobilers (or "snowmachiners," as Alaskans say). Ride through pristine powder, explore vast networks of trails, and feel the rush of adrenaline as you speed across frozen landscapes. It’s a fun and fast-paced way to explore the winter wilderness.
Denali National Park: The High One Beckons
Home to the tallest peak in North America, Denali National Park and Preserve is six million acres of raw, subarctic wilderness.
Hiking in an Untracked Wilderness: Denali offers a unique hiking experience. While there are a few marked trails near the park entrance, the true adventure lies in off-trail hiking. The park encourages visitors to choose their own path across the open tundra. This freedom allows for an intimate and personal connection with the landscape. Hike along braided riverbeds, climb rolling hills for panoramic views, and feel the immense scale of this incredible place.
Wildlife Viewing: The single road into Denali is a lifeline for wildlife viewing. Take a park bus tour deep into the wilderness for the best chances of spotting the "Denali Big 5": grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. Seeing a grizzly bear ambling across the tundra with the backdrop of the Alaska Range is a quintessential Alaskan moment.
The Great National Parks: Monuments to Nature
Beyond Denali, Alaska hosts a collection of national parks that are staggering in their size and beauty.
Glacier Bay National Park: A Living Laboratory
A highlight of the Inside Passage, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a dynamic landscape of glaciers, mountains, and temperate rainforest.
Kayaking and Glacier Calving: The best way to experience Glacier Bay is from the water. A boat tour will take you deep into the fjords to witness tidewater glaciers like Margerie and Grand Pacific. The sound of ice calving is a raw display of nature's power. For a more personal adventure, arrange for a multi-day kayak trip, camping on shore and paddling amongst icebergs in the quiet solitude of the bay.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: A Kingdom of Mountains
This is the largest national park in the U.S., a staggering 13.2 million acres where four major mountain ranges converge. It's a place of superlatives, with 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the country.
Ice Climbing on the Root Glacier: From the historic mining town of McCarthy, you can easily access the Root Glacier. Strap on your crampons, grab your ice axes, and learn to climb vertical walls of ice under the guidance of an expert. Ascending a frozen waterfall or the side of a moulin is an intense, rewarding challenge that offers a completely new perspective on the power and beauty of a glacier.
Flightseeing over a Sea of Peaks: The sheer size of Wrangell-St. Elias makes it impossible to grasp from the ground. A flightseeing tour is essential. Fly over the Bagley Icefield, the largest subpolar icefield in North America, and weave through valleys surrounded by an endless sea of snow-covered peaks. It’s an experience that will redefine your concept of "big."
The Far North: The Ultimate Frontier
For the truly adventurous, the journey to Alaska's Arctic coast offers a glimpse into a different world.
Polar Bear Viewing in Kaktovik: On the edge of the Arctic Ocean, the village of Kaktovik on Barter Island has become a key location for viewing polar bears in the late summer and fall. As the sea ice recedes, the bears congregate on land. Guided tours take you out on small boats to safely observe these magnificent predators along the shoreline. It is a profound and unforgettable wildlife encounter at the top of the world.
Alaska is more than a trip; it's an awakening. It's about feeling small against the backdrop of colossal mountains, feeling the thrill of a salmon on your line, hearing the thunder of a calving glacier, and locking eyes with a bear across a rushing river. It’s a land that challenges you, inspires you, and fills your soul with a sense of wonder. So pack your spirit of adventure, and get ready to answer the call of the wild. Your greatest story is waiting to be written in the heart of Alaska.
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