The 10 things to do in Alaska

Do you dream of visiting Alaska, its wild nature and its isolated territories? Here, in our view, are the 10 things to do in Alaska.

Peupled originally in its northern part by different tribes, Alaska was a Russian possession until 1867. If it has been redeemed by the United States However, it was only in 1959 that he joined the starry banner. A bird near Russia, of which he shares the Bering Strait, he is separated from the rest of the United States by more than a thousand kilometers of Canadian territory. It is the largest of the Union states, but one of the least populated. Bordered by four seas, it presents a wide variety of landscapes. Islands, beaches, tundra, high mountain ranges, volcanoes and glaciers are home to abundant and original fauna. Many places remain deserted and life is mainly concentrated on the Gulf of Alaska.

Juneau, the capital, is only accessible by plane or boat. Nestled at the foot of two mountains and surrounded by water, it is the starting point of superb hikes. With more than 400,000 inhabitants, the urban area of Anchorage concentrates more than half of the population of the state. At 600 kilometres north, Fairbanks, is the only large city in the interior. Indigenous communities live mainly in the Arctic.

What to do in Alaska? Here are 10 things to do when you want to visit Alaska.

1. Hiking in a national park

A country with unspoiled wilderness, Alaska has ranked eight national parks. Most are located in the South, except those of the Arctic Gates and the Kobuk Valley. Among the most spectacular are:

Denali Park

Also known as McKinley Park, it covers an area of nearly 25,000 km2. However, only one road crosses it: the George Parks Highway. Motorists can only borrow it on the first twenty kilometers. Buses allow you to reach its most mythical sites: Mont McKinley, the highest peak in the United States (6,194 metres), Lac Wonder, as well as a very varied fauna and flora. There are few marked hiking paths, get a good map to explore the trails.

Kenai Peninsula

It is mainly a marine park, with forty glaciers, fjords, cut bays and a very diverse fauna: penguins, macarous, seals... and even grey and humid whales.

Wrangell Saint-Elie

It is the largest park in the USA, with 53,321 km2. It concentrates many high peaks and the largest glacial area after those of the poles, spread over a hundred glaciers.

Glacier Bay

Accessible only by boat, this park is located 150 kilometers from the capital, Juneau. There is a wide variety of wildlife, both terrestrial (grizzlis, caribou, mouflons...) and marine.

The doors of the Arctic

The most northern American park, it can only be reached during a trek or by the river. Toundra, boreal forest and arctic desert are home to many species of birds.

2. Explore fjords

Are you dreaming of fjords? Alaska offers a good amount to discover. If there are many of them in Kenai Park, they are found everywhere in the country and they visit in different ways:

• College fjord, not far from Anchorage, is accessible mainly during a cruising stage. A dozen glaciers are in the forest. ♪
• Tracy Arms, near Juneau, is on a day cruise. Very narrow, it allows to see closely the cascades that flow along the granite mountains. Icebergs, whales and seals are also visible. ♪
• At the Misty fjord Monument, near Ketchikan, it is a seaplane overflight that is offered to you. ♪
• In Kenai, try kayaking exploration to get close to the glaciers. You can also opt for a half-day boat ride.

3. Take the measure of glaciers

Located on both sides of the polar circle, Alaska enjoys a climate conducive to glacier formation. It receives more snow in winter than it loses during the summer, leading to the accumulation of it. Over hundreds of years, this gives these formations always very impressive. This is where half of the world’s glaciers are concentrated. If you dream of contemplating these ever-changing masses and witnessing a calving, you only have the embarrassment of choice when you visit Alaska, especially in the southern region. The most spectacular are:

• Matanuska. It is one of the few that is accessible by car. At 160 kilometers northeast of Anchorage, you will have the opportunity to walk on the ice or to take a sled ride.
• Knick. Located 80 kilometres east of Anchorage, this large glacier served as a decor in a scene of Star Trek VI. Offer a top view during a helicopter trip.
• Many of the 40 glaciers bordering the Kenai Fjord can be approached during a one-day cruise.

4. Enter an ice cave

Always in the glacier field, you can experience an original experience at the Mendenhall glacier, 20 kilometers from Juneau. This one has the particularity of sheltering caves and ice tunnels open to the visit. The glacier, which falls in the lake of the same name, is majestic, but not as much as the caves it houses! This trip is absolutely made with a guide and requires a good physical condition. Inside, shapes and colors are striking, especially if you go there a day when the sky is covered.

5. Visit the Northern Museum

What to do in Alaska to learn more about the history and geography of this country? Visit the North Museum in Fairbanks. Second largest city in Alaska, it has a university, within which you can visit this museum. This modern building houses a very important collection of objects related to the natural, cultural and artistic heritage of Alaska. It is a very complete museum where archaeology and Aboriginal biology, history and art are treated.

6. Hide the aurora

A territory north of the hemisphere, Alaska is a land that is conducive to the observation of the Northern Lights. The vast spaces free of human activity offer a lot of opportunity to witness this phenomenon in the best conditions. You will be more likely to see it during the winter – between October and April – as nights are longer. However, it is quite possible to see it also at the end of the summer, even if you have to watch for longer! Of course, the sky is clear and the temperatures are fairly low. The surroundings of Fairbanks are known to be the best places of aurora appearances. Don’t hesitate to book a tour, professional guides will know when, and where, you’ll drive to the right spot.

7. Do a dog sled race

You can try your chance at the Iditarod race lottery, to have the privilege of travelling 18 kilometers in dog sled in Anchorage. However, you will be safer to live the experience by addressing a local provider or agency for a walk. These include Fairbanks, Skagway, Anchorage or Juneau.

8. Fishing by river

What would you say to enjoy a good fish caught by your care during your visit to Alaska? You don’t need to spend a week there, as the fish bites do, but you can quite make a half-to-one day out. Near Fairbanks, for example, on the Chena River or Delta Clearwater Creek, you will be able to fish and taste the arctic shadow. In the north of Ketchikan, it is salmon and halibut that should be at the rendezvous.

9. In a spring of thermal water

Ranked among the most beautiful sources of hot water in the world, especially because of the breathtaking landscapes surrounding it, Chena is a hundred kilometres from Fairbanks. Ideal place to decompress after a hike, you could also have the chance to contemplate boreal lights from your bath.

10. Cruise along the coast

Another way to visit Alaska is to do it from a cruise ship. All major specialized companies offer services from one to two weeks. Most of them leave Vancouver or Seattle and go along the Alaska Gulf to Juneau or Anchorage. A good way to discover these two cities and their surroundings, as well as fjords, glaciers and marine animals.

How do I get to Alaska?

It must be borne in mind that visiting Alaska means visiting a state of the United States. You must therefore be in possession of a valid ESA until the end of your stay. Based on the distance, the only way to reach Alaska from France involves taking the plane. Whatever your destination in Alaska, you will need to make at least one stopover to reach it. The country is well equipped at airports, which often replace roads to connect one city to another. Your final destination can be Juneau, Anchorage, Ketchikan or Fairbanks, to name only the cheapest routes. You can also stop in Seattle or Vancouver and reach Alaska by train and ferry. This last step will take you about two days and you will enjoy the landscapes of the "internal passage".

Do not hesitate to use the flight comparison Ulysses , to choose the one that best suits you.

Where to stay in Alaska?

The hotel offer is quite limited outside the cities, but you will find the usual large American chains. Bed & Breakfast is very numerous and is a good way to meet the local population. If you make a road trip, you have any interest in renting a campervan or a small motorhome.

The country is very well equipped in camping pitches, often located in beautiful places. You can consult them offers for hotels via our Compare .