The Perfect 7-10 Day Alaska Itinerary from Anchorage

If you’re looking for the perfect 7-Day Alaska Itinerary, this Alaska Road Trip through the Kenai Peninsula is for you! Starting and ending in Anchorage, this route takes you through some of Alaska’s most breathtaking coastal destinations, including Whittier, Seward, and Homer. You’ll cruise through the glacier-filled Kenai Fjords National Park, get close to brown bears in Katmai National Park, and hike scenic trails with stunning mountain and ocean views. Whether you’re planning just 7 days from Anchorage through the Kenai Peninsula or extending your trip and need a 10-day Alaska itinerary, this guide will help you experience the best of Alaska’s wild beauty.

Disclaimer: Some of the rentals and activities listed on this trip were hosted in exchange for honest social media and blog reviews. However, all opinions are my own.

Map of 7 Day Alaska Road Trip Itinerary

The 7-day Alaska road trip map above starts in Anchorage and stops in Girdwood and Whittier. It stays in Seward for 3 nights and Homer for 3 nights. In Seward, you can go on a wildlife cruise, hike in Kenai Fjords National Park, and photograph bears in Katmai National Park. You can extend your trip to a 10-day Alaska itinerary with 2 days in Hatcher’s Pass!

The entire 7-day trip will take around 540 miles and 10 hours of driving. Rent a car to ensure flexibility on your Alaskan road trip!

Renting a Car in Anchorage, Alaska

While it is possible to get around parts of Alaska without a car via train and buses, the itinerary listed below is easiest to do with your own car, so you can make your own schedule, stop at less touristy spots, and overall have a greater amount of flexibility on your trip! We rented a car through Hertz Alaska and had a great experience!

Book Your Alaska Rental Car Now!

Tips for Driving in Alaska

• Book your rental car early! (As soon as you have your trip dates) Rental car companies can run out of vehicles at peak times in Alaska.
• Alaska has some rough roads, and rental companies often restrict where you can drive cars (even if they have 4WD). None of the spots listed below should be an issue, but if you plan on extending your trip or have some remote places in mind, double-check your car restrictions.
• Watch out for wildlife! This is Alaska, so you may see deer, moose, or even bears on the side of the road. Always be on the lookout, especially near dawn and dusk.
• Be prepared for twisty and turny roads. Some of the trails and destinations below are in the mountains, and you may need to drive slowly up the mountain passes. This itinerary is also written for a summer or early Fall trip before there is snow. Snow on the mountains may impact the roads.

What to Pack for Alaska

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

It can be hard to plan what to pack for Alaska in Summer! Be prepared for sunny, warm days outside, chilly mornings and evenings, and a chance of rain at any time. This is a trip you will want many layers for!

• Raincoat- My rain jacket got a lot of use on our trip! Don’t visit Alaska without one (or two) – My Favorite Rain Jacket, Men’s Version
• Puffy Coat– Even in the summer, the temperatures can get cold at night or by the ocean. I’d recommend bringing a packable puffer you can take anywhere you go- Packable Puffy, Men’s Version
• Fleece- A fleece or mid-layer is great to have when hiking so you can easily take it off to cool down- Soft Fleece, Men’s Version
• Day Pack– Always bring a pack on any hike, no matter the length, to carry water and essentials- Recommended Osprey Day Pack
• Beanie or Hat- Bring something to keep your head warm if you are hiking in colder weather. If it’s warmer, consider a cap to keep the sun off you- Warm Beanie, Hiking Cap
• Waterproof Boots– We encountered a lot of muddy trails! Make sure to bring waterproof boots- My Favorite Hiking Boots, Men’s Version
• Hiking Socks– Wear good hiking socks to avoid blisters, no matter the trail length!- Women’s Hiking Socks, Men’s Version
• Moisture-Wicking Shirt- A quick-dry, active tee makes for a much more comfortable hike- My Favorite Hiking Tee, Men’s Version
• Moisture-Wicking Pants– While they do not need to be waterproof, you will likely want either moisture-wicking or quick-drying pants if the forecast calls for rain- Comfortable Women’s Hiking Pants, Women’s Hiking Leggings, Men’s Hiking Pants
• Water Bottle– Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated- Water Bottle
• Sunscreen– Make sure to wear sunscreen outdoors- SPF 50 Sunscreen
• Sunglasses– The weather can change quickly in Alaska, so bring these even on rainy days, especially when visiting glaciers and ice fields!- Sunglasses
• Bear Spray– Always have bear spray on you when hiking in Alaska! You cannot fly with it, so you will likely need to pick some up on arrival.
• Camera- Bring a camera to capture your memories!- Beginner Travel Camera
• Binoculars– Theres never a better time to have binoculars than in Alaska! Bring these on your hike and tours to get better views of wildlife safely- Compact Binoculars

7 Day Alaska Itinerary from Anchorage

This 7-Day Alaska road trip will take you from Anchorage through the best of the Kenai Peninsula. You’ll take a cruise from Seward through Kenai Fjords National Park, fly from Homer to Katmai National Park to walk with brown bears and hike to glacier lakes in the picturesque Kachemak Bay State Park.

Day 1- Anchorage to Seward

• Anchorage to Seward Distance:  149 miles
• Drive Time: 3 hours

On Day 1 of your Alaskan Kenai Peninsula Road Trip, you’ll head down from Anchorage to Seward, with a detour to the small town of Whittier. In total, this will be about 3 hours of driving, but you’ll make lots of stops along the way! The itinerary below includes three stops at Girdwood, Whittier, and hiking Portage Pass! You can also modify this to add or swap out some of the stops with the stops mentioned on Day 7!

Girdwood

Girdwood Tram

The main thing to do in Girdwood is ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram! The tram runs from 10 AM to 5 PM in the summer, and tickets are $48 per adult and $38 per child. You can save $5 if you book online in advance. The tram ride takes about 7 minutes, and at the top, you get stunning mountain views across the valley!

At the top, you can find a small museum and gift shop, several restaurants, and plenty of room to take in the views! If you want a splurge on your trip, book a night at the Alyeska Resort and Spa and reserve dinner at the high-end Seven Glaciers Restaurant for dinner with unforgettable views.

Other Things to Do in Girdwood

• Hike Virgin Creek Falls– 0.4 miles, easy- This is a short, quick hike through the rainforest to a pretty waterfall.
• Veilbreaker Skybridges– If you want to do something more adventurous, add the Veilbreaker Skybridges tour to your itinerary! This takes you up the tram and across two high-elevation suspension bridges while harnessed in!
• Take a helicopter tour of a glacier! This is one of the most exciting things you can do close to Anchorage. Add a helicopter tour and glacier landing to your trip! Alpine Alaska Air is located in Girdwood and offers Helicopter Glacier Tours and Helicopter Tours with Dog Sledding on a Glacier!

Where to Eat in Girdwood

• The Bake Shop– a cafe for breakfast or lunch
• Basecamp– a cozy spot for lunch or dinner
• Girdwood Brewing Company– a great spot for food and beer

Whittier, Alaska

Whittier Tunnel

To reach Whittier, you must cross through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel! At 2.5 miles long, this is the longest highway tunnel, but it only has one lane that services trains and cars going to and from Whittier. Because of this, the tunnel is open only once an hour for those going to Whittier and once an hour for those leaving Whittier.

You can find an up-to-date tunnel schedule on Alaska’s Department of Transportation website. Plan on arriving at the tunnel about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. Driving through the tunnel takes around 10 minutes and costs $13 each way for an average car.

The town of Whittier is pretty small, so it doesn’t take much time to explore it! Plan for around 1-2 hours to explore the town and grab some lunch. You can spend more time with a cruise, kayaking tour, or hike, as described below!

Things to Do in Whittier

• Glacier Cruise– Take a cruise out of Whittier that passes by the scenic glaciers and mountains in the Prince William Sound!
• Guided Kayaking Tour– Take a guided kayaking excursion to Beloit Glacier!

Where to Eat in Whittier

• Swiftwater Seafood Cafe
• Wild Catch Cafe
• Whittier Oceanfront Cafe
• Whittier Fudge– Don’t visit Whittier without picking up some fudge!

Portage Pass Hike

• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1463 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Portage Pass Trail is the best thing to do near Whittier! The trailhead is located right after the Anton Anderson Tunnel! This trail is very steep at the beginning, gaining around 700 feet in 0.7 miles until you reach the Portage Overlook! You can turn around here or continue on to Portage Lake.

At Portage Lake, there is a great view of Portage Glacier! In the summer, you will also often see wildflowers on this trail. Like all trails in Alaska, make sure to bring bear spray and know proper bear safety precautions.

Seward, Alaska

After spending time in Whittier, continue down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward, Alaska. Here, you will spend the next two days and three nights taking a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park and hiking to the Harding Icefield Glacier!

Where to Stay in Seward, Alaska

Luxury Glamping in Seward, Alaska

If you have extra time and are looking for a truly unique experience while visiting Alaska, spend a few days at Orca Island Cabins!

We spend two full days and three nights at these glamping yurts, a short boat ride from Seward! The cabin will pick you up in Seward and ferry you to your stay, where you will have access to kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and anything else you need to relax with amazing views of the Alaskan coast!

While staying at the cabins, you will not be able to easily access Seward, and there is so much to do on the property, so these days would be in addition to the itinerary below!

Hotels in Seward, Alaska

• Seward Adventure Lodge– We stayed at this converted Ranger Station, turned hotel! You do share a bathroom with one other room, but the whole place was very clean, and we had no issues with it!
• Harbor 360 Hotel– This hotel is conveniently located on the harbor, where most tour boats leave
• Seward Gateway Hotel– A 3-star hotel that provides breakfast in Seward

Where to Eat in Seward, Alaska

Below are some of the best restaurants in Seward! In summer, Seward can get crowded, so it’s recommended that you make reservations in advance!

• The Cookery– This is one of the best restaurants in Alaska and a must-visit in Seward! Make sure to create a reservation before your visit!
• Flamingo Lounge– A cocktail lounge and restaurant with a unique aesthetic
• Primrose Provisions Wine Bar– A wine bar with sandwiches and light dishes
• Resurrect Art Coffee House– This chapel was renovated into a coffee house, and they have the best lattes!

Day 2- Kenai Fjord National Park Cruise

You can’t visit Seward without going on a cruise to Kenai Fjords National Park! We went on a cruise with Major Marine Tours, which was amazing! They have several different lengths of tours depending on what you want to see and how long you want to be on the water!

Below are the different cruise lengths and what to expect to help you pick the right tour for you!

• 4-Hour Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise– This tour will take you around Resurrection Bay looking for wildlife! A shorter cruise might be better if you are a family visiting with children or are prone to getting seasick.
• 4-Hour Orca Cruise– This cruise operates during peak orca time, increasing your chance of seeing orcas and whales on the water!
• 6-Hour Kenai Fjords Cruise– The slightly longer tour takes you to one of Alaska’s amazing tidewater glaciers while still allowing you to see plenty of wildlife! This and the 7.5 and 8.5 tours include lunch.
• 7.5-Hour Kenai Fjords Tour– This tour includes much of the 6-hour route but detours to an additional magnificent tidewater glacier.
• 8.5-Hour Kenai Fjords Tour– The longest tour is the only one that reaches the Northwestern Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. This also gives you the most time on the water, increasing your likelihood of seeing wildlife! This cruise is also on a slightly smaller boat, which may be a positive or negative depending on your likelihood of seasickness.

We chose the 8.5-hour Kenai Fjords tour, as it takes you the deepest into the National Park, visits one of the most impressive tidewater glaciers, and gives the longest time on the water, meaning more time to spot and photograph wildlife! We visited outside of peak whale season and still saw humpbacks and orcas, as well as seals, sea lions, puffins, mountain goats, sea otters, and bald eagles!

Tips for an Alaskan Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

No matter what you choose, you are sure to have a great time! Below are a few tips to make your Alaska cruise experience even more enjoyable!

• Bring layers! Even if it is warm in Seward, it can be much colder on the water, especially if it is windy and while the ship is moving.- Packable Puffy
• If you are susceptible to sea sickness, consider taking a motion sickness medicine before your cruise.
• Bring ginger chews to snack on onboard. Every time I started to feel even the slightest bit nauseous, I would chew on one of these, and it instantly helped relieve the symptoms.
• If you are hoping to photograph wildlife, you will need a telephoto lens. I brought a 200-600mm lens to capture the photos above! These lenses are pricey, but you can rent one for your Alaska trip! Shooting on a ship is a challenge, so make sure to keep your shutter speed high!
• Bring rain gear and waterproof shoes! Water can splash up and soak you, especially if you are on a smaller boat.- My Favorite Rain Jacket

Day 3- Kenai Fjord National Park Hikes

On Day 3, it’s time to see more of Kenai Fjords National Park- this time on foot! Below are long and shorter hike options in Kenai Fjords National Park. If you choose not to spend the entire day hiking, you can spend the afternoon exploring more of Seward!

Harding Icefield

• Distance: 8.6 miles (potential to shorten to 5.6 miles)
• Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet (shortened hike is 2000 feet)
• Difficulty: Difficult

By far, the best hike in Kenai Fjords National Park is Harding Icefield Trail! The entire trail is 8.6 miles and will likely take you most of the day to complete. Black bears are known to frequent this trail, so bring bear spray and know proper bear precautions. Read recent trail reviews to check conditions and if the trail has snow.

This trail is not easy and requires decent fitness and hiking ability. The first half of a mile is fairly flat, and with a small detour, you can see Exit Glacier! After Exit Glacier, the trail becomes quite steep as you ascend 2000 feet to a magnificent view of the Harding Icefield! The Icefield is one of only four in the United States and feeds many of the tidewater glaciers that you will have seen on the previous day’s tour!
If you are short on time, you can turn around after the first viewpoint and still have completed a great 5.6-mile round-trip hike! If you keep going, you will continue to see more of the icefield until, towards the end, you reach the Harding Icefield shelter.

Whichever route you choose, hike prepared with plenty of food and water, good hiking shoes, and know how to Leave No Trace!

Leave No Trace Considerations in Alaska

• Pack out ANYTHING you bring in. This includes biodegradable food waste, as it can attract animals that may be unable to process it right.
• Never approach wildlife, particularly potentially aggressive wildlife like bears and moose. View them from an appropriate distance while on the trail, back up if they approach you, and give plenty of space- Bear Precautions
• Stay on trail, and don’t wander through meadows even if it looks like just grass. Alpine meadows are extremely delicate, and only a few footsteps can cause damage that takes many years to repair, including trampling wildflowers that have yet to spring up.

Exit Glacier

• Distance: 2.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 314 feet
• Difficulty: Easy

If you are looking for an easier hike than Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjord National Park, take the shorter trail to view Exit Glacier. This is an offshoot of the Harding Icefield trail and can easily be added on if you are tackling the longer trail, or you can opt to just hike to the Exit Glacier Overlook for a short day hike.

Other Things to Do in Seward

If you opted for one of the shorter hike options in Kenai Fjords, you can spend the rest of your day exploring Seward! Or spend more time in Seward on the morning of Day 4 before driving to Homer.

• Seward Sea Life Center– This is a must-visit in Seward! The Sea Life Center is not just an aquarium but an active rescue and rehabilitation center for marine mammals. You can see a wide variety of fish and meet some of the center’s temporary and permanent residents, such as sea lions, puffins, and seals.
• Kayaking Tour- A guided kayaking tour just a short drive from Seward
• Rafting Tour– A 4-hour rafting tour down the Resurrection River!
• Exit Glacier Guides– Exit Glacier Guides offers both hike-in and fly-in glacier hiking and ice-climbing tours.

Day 4- Seward to Homer

• Anchorage to Seward Distance:  169 miles
• Drive Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

On Day 4 of your Alaska road trip, head from Seward to the small town of Homer at the bottom of the Kenai Peninsula! This day is intentionally left light on activities, so you can add more time to explore either Seward or Homer, or add an additional activity or hike, such as the kayaking and rafting tours mentioned above.

If you prefer, you can also sleep in and relax after several high-energy days in a row!

Tern Lake

On your way to Homer, stop at this quick viewpoint with a beautiful view of Tern Lake and the surrounding mountains!

Homer, Alaska

Homer is a small fishing village at the South end of the Kenai Peninsula! The Homer Spit consists of boardwalks full of restaurants and galleries catering to tourists, but you don’t have to look far to see this town’s active fishing scene.

Where to Stay in Homer, Alaska

Hotels in Homer, Alaska

• Lands End Resort—We stayed at this Inn at the end of the Homer Spit. It was about a 20-minute walk or short drive from the restaurants and main attractions on the spit.
• The Shack Inn– A condo hotel located on the Spit with amazing views
• Homer Inn & Spa– A boutique spa with a hot tub for guest use and a day spa

Rentals in Homer

• 5 Bed Rental on the Spit– 2 bedrooms, five beds rental perfect for a large family, located near restaurants and tours on the Homer Spit
• Cottage with Hot Tub– A cute getaway cottage with great views and a hot tub
• House Next to the Water– House with direct beach access and views of Kachemack Bay

Where to Eat in Homer, Alaska

Most of the restaurants below are located on the Homer Spit, with the exception of Two Sister’s Bakery.

• Johnny’s Corner– This is a poke lunch spot with a walk-up window and some of the BEST fish I’ve ever had. A place that is open until they sell out
• Swell Taco– This little spot has fantastic fresh fish tacos
• Kachemak Shellfish Growers – Known for being some of Alaska’s best oysters, you can buy bulk oysters to go or have a meal and some beer and wine at the attached oyster bar
• Carmen’s Gelato– Award-winning gelato, a must-try dessert
• Two Sister’s Bakery– Cute bakery and cafe for breakfast or lunch
• Salty Dawg Saloon– This is an iconic bar for both locals and tourists. The walls inside are covered with dollar bills!

Day 5- Katmai National Park Bear Tour

If you only do one thing in Alaska, make sure it’s this! Spend Day 5 viewing coastal brown bears in Katmai National Park! The only way to visit Katmai is by float or bush plane, so you will need to book a tour for this Alaskan experience.

Many tour companies offer Katmai trips, so do your research and book with a reputable one. We went with Emerald Air Service and couldn’t have had a better experience! The company tells you everything you need to know and bring for your bear tour, and you can choose either a self-guided trip to Brooks Falls or a guided bush experience.

Brooks Falls is the most popular spot in the park, with viewing platforms overlooking the bears’ favorite fishing waterfalls. Despite its popularity, this is still an incredible spot to visit with the most bears in mid-July. If you will be visiting significantly outside this time, consider the guided expedition instead.

The guided expedition will take you to where the bears are currently feeding- either Hallo Bay or Moraine Creek. We visited in early September, so we took a guided tour to Moraine Creek. After landing in Katmai, we spent 8 hours exploring the park, seeing over 20 bears throughout the day! On the way back out, the pilot took us by some of the most scenic spots in Katmai, which would have been worth the money on its own!

Day 6- Grewingk Glacier

• Distance: 5.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 400 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

Grewingk Glacier is a stunning glacier hike in Kachemak Bay State Park! However, the only way to get there is by water taxi. There are several water taxi services in Homer; we booked with Coldwater Alaska, which has two time slots to start your hike! Make sure to clarify you are booking for the Grewingk Glacier hike and book in advance to secure your spot. Most taxis will give you 4-5 hours to complete the hike.

It is about a 30-minute water taxi ride from Homer to Grewingk Trailhead, where you start your hike. Try to book your taxi for high tide because, at low tide, you will have to start a little further down the beach. After 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the turn-off for Grewingk Lake. It’s about 0.5 miles from there to the lake. Relax at the lake for a bit and have a snack or lunch. Across the lake, you can see the magnificent Grewingk Glacier and watch the chunks of ice calved from the glacier float across the lake.

After spending time at the lake, you’ll head down via the Saddle Trailhead. This route is steeper, with switchbacks to help with the descent. Give yourself enough time to hike to the bottom to meet your taxi back to Homer!

Other Things to Do in Homer

If you want an alternative to hiking Grewingk Glacier, check out one of these other half-day or full-day activities near Homer, Alaska!

• Take a Fishing Charter– Get your fishing license and charter a Halibut or Salmon fishing trip out of Homer
• Grace Ridge Trail– 8.9 miles, difficult– If you are looking for a harder hike, this is one of the other hikes in Kachemak Bay! Like Grewingk Glacier, you will need a water taxi to get to and from the trailheads.
• Tidepool Hunting– Stroll Bishop’s Beach looking for tidepools
• Visit Seldovia– Seldovia is a small historic community primarily accessible by the 45-minute ferry ride from Homer. The town is a small boardwalk community where you can find some coffee shops, a visitor center, and a few restaurants.

Day 7- Homer to Anchorage

• Homer to Anchorage Distance:  223 miles
• Drive Time: 4 hours

For the last day of your 7 days in Alaska, drive up from Homer back to Anchorage for a late flight out or early flight the next day. On your way up, stop by a few last-minute must-sees on your Alaska road trip!

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a must-visit! It is only an hour from Anchorage and costs about $27 per person. I had only planned to spend an hour here but ended up spending several hours watching the many rescued animals. The Conservation Center hosts both animals in the process of being rehabilitated and permanent rescues who can’t be reintroduced into the wild. This includes brown bears, wolves, bison, and reindeer.

Portage Lake

Just 13 minutes from the Wildlife Conservation Center is Portage Lake. You also may have seen this on your way to Whittier on Day 1 of your Alaskan Road Trip. You can see the lake right from the parking lot and spend some time at the nearby Visitor Center learning more about the geography and wildlife in the area.

Bryon Glacier Hike

• Distance: 2.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 400 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Byron Glacier hike is a short and easy walk to view Byron Glacier and the snowfield below it. You can walk closer to the snowfields, but be careful underneath and on top of the snow, as it can suddenly fall through and be dangerous!

This is a good place to stretch your legs before continuing on back to Anchorage for your flight home!

10 Day Alaska Itinerary

If you have more than 7 Days in Alaska, here’s how you can extend your trip to a 10-Day Alaska Itinerary! Go north from Anchorage to Hatcher’s Pass and to Matanuska Glacier to see more of Alaska’s best sites!

Day 8 & 9- Hatcher’s Pass

Spend two days in Hatcher’s Pass exploring the nearby trails and park! If you’re short on time, you could also spend just one day, but I’d recommend two to relax and give yourself flexibility if there is bad hiking weather!

Ideally, spend a day on a longer hike, such as Upper and Lower Reed Lakes, and the next day, visit Independence Mine Historical Park and Gold Cord Lake near Hatcher’s Pass Lodge.

Where to Stay & Eat in Hatcher’s Pass

The best place to stay in Hatcher’s Pass is Hatcher’s Pass Lodge. This lodge is historic and iconic, with its bright red cabins sticking out on the green hillside!

The cabins are rustic, with no running water and marine-style toilets in each of the 11 cabins. However, from any of the cabins, it is a short walk to the main building, where you can access a standard bathroom and shower.

Even if you decide not to stay at the cabins, stop by for lunch or dinner and eat on the deck or by the large windows with an unbeatable view! Some nights, the lodge even has live music for a classic pub feel.

Hikes Near Hatcher’s Pass

The main benefit to staying in Hatcher’s Pass is access to some of Alaska’s best trails nearby!

• Lower Reed Lake– 6.7 miles, 1729 feet, Moderate– Don’t miss this bright blue alpine lake in Hatcher’s Pass!
• Upper and Lower Reeds Lakes Hike– 8.6 miles, 2283 feet, Difficult– If you have time, extend your hike from Lower Reed Lake to Upper Reed Lake as well!
• Gold Mint Trail– 6.3 miles, 761 feet, Moderate- Gold Mint Hut is one of Alaska’s most popular overnight trails. If you don’t have the gear for a full overnight, just hike this first part of the trail.
• Marmot Mountain– 2.6 miles, 1,948 feet, Difficult- This is a short but steep trail to take you up above Hatcher’s Pass

Independence Mine State Historical Park

You can’t visit Hatcher’s Pass without stopping at the iconic Independence Mine Historic State Park! If you are staying at Hatcher’s Pass Lodge, it is a short drive up from the lodge.

Here, you can take either a self-guided or ranger-guided tour of the abandoned gold mine that makes up the State Park! Learn about how gold was mined and how miners lived, and walk up the short trail to the top of the mine, where you get a great view of the park!

Gold Cord Lake

• Distance: 1.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 528 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate

From the same parking lot as the mine buildings, you can hike to Gold Cord Lake. This is a relatively short hike with sweeping Alaska views from high up! We also saw so many pikas on this trail, which is always a highlight!

Day 10- Matanuska Glacier

You can’t visit Alaska without visiting and walking on Matanuska Glacier! Matanuska Glacier is unique because of its size and accessibility. You must have a guided tour to view and walk on Matanuska Glacier, but unlike other Alaska glaciers, you don’t need a helicopter or plane to get close, making it one of the most affordable glaciers to visit.

We toured with Nova Guides and had a great experience! They offer three ways to explore the glacier, ranging from a half-day ice-walking tour to an all-day ice-climbing adventure.

• 3-Hour Guided Glacier Walk– This is the most basic guided tour and is suitable for most ages 10-75. You will be provided with microspikes and a helmet for your ice walk and spend about 2 hours exploring the glacier and tasting ice-cold glacier water
• 6-Hour Adventure Glacier Trek– If you want a slightly more adventurous trek, take this 6-hour tour. You will go further into the backcountry of the glacier and hike six or more miles in smaller groups
• Matanuska Ice Climbing– The most adventurous way to see Matanuska Glacier is to try out ice climbing! This tour doesn’t require ice climbing experience, and you’ll be provided with the equipment you need!

When to Take an Alaskan Road Trip

The best time to visit for a 7 or 10-Day Alaska Itinerary is during the summer when the weather is warmest, wildlife is most active, and most tours are operating. July and August are best for wildlife tours and long sunny days. However, mosquitos are also out in abundance in July and early August. Late August and early September give fewer mosquitos, but it’s a bit chillier. Most tours and many seasonal restaurants close down around Labor Day, so make sure to check what is open if you plan to visit near the end of the season. We visited in late August into early September and had a great time, but we did have quite a few chilly, rainy days.