Anchorage is a gateway to glaciers, mountains, wildlife and National Parks. Drive a hundred miles in three directions and you can enjoy easy day trips from Anchorage.
While there are plenty of things to do in Anchorage, the city also makes a perfect base for a day trip.
if you travel north on the Parks Highway, you’ll see quirky towns, glacial lakes and secluded valleys. Travel south on the Seward Highway and you’ll see incredible landscapes and the ocean. And drive east on the Glenn Highway to reach an incredible glacier.
Whether you are looking for Anchorage train tours, glacier hikes near Anchorage or day trips from Anchorage without a car, this post has you covered.
Read on to discover the best Anchorage day trips!
BEST DAY TRIPS FROM ANCHORAGE
There are some incredible Alaska road trips from Anchorage and this is how we explored Alaska. Therefore most of these day trips are accessed by car.
1. EAGLE RIVER
A popular and easy day trip from Anchorage is 28 miles north on the Glenn Highway to the community of Eagle River, in the mouth of Eagle River Valley.
While downtown provides the necessary services and eateries, it is scenic Eagle River Road you have come for, and the beauty of Eagle River Valley.
As you leave residential areas behind you will get your first breathtaking glimpse of glacially-carved mountains.
Enclosed by the Chugach Mountains, Eagle River Road winds itself 12 miles into the mountains through stunning scenery ending at a well-appointed Nature Center.
Over many years a valley has been cut through towering peaks by Eagle River. The result is a striking gateway into the heart of Chugach State Park.
Here are some favourite things to do:
- Visit Eagle River Nature Center located in the car park at the road end. Here you can join nature programs, guided walks and get advice trail updates from staff.
- Go Hiking: With several trails starting from the nature center, you will soon be enjoying great views from this stunning valley. Plus keep a look out for wildlife. We recommend the Rodak Nature Trail, a quarter of a mile loop leading to a Beaver Viewing Deck and Salmon Viewing Deck. Also in the surrounding area is the Rendezvous Peak Trail, providing fantastic views without the crowds.
- See A Waterfall: Head further up Glen Highway and access the trail for Thunderbird Falls, a 2 mile return walk.
- Bear Paw Festival: Visiting in July? Check out this annual four-day festival in downtown Eagle River.
- You can also visit Alaska Native Heritage Center on your way out of Anchorage
2. EKLUTNA LAKE
A scenic Anchorage day trip transports you to a turquoise glacier-fed lake with a mountainous backdrop.
Located inside Chugach State Park, and nestled in the Chugach Mountains there are lots of fun activities to enjoy at Eklutna Lake. You can bike, hike and kayak along this 7-mile stretch of water, while enjoying the sweeping views of this stunning valley. Here are some to choose from:
- Hike & Bike A Trail – For something flat, the Eklutna Lakeside Trail hugs the lakeshore for 12 miles with views of Eklutna Glacier at the end. If you are looking for a more strenuous hike, Twin Peaks Trail offers amazing views of the lake from above.
- Kayak & Canoe -Rentals are available near the shore.
- Camp Overnight -Eklutna Lake Campground has 50 first-come campsites nestled in the trees. We stayed here in an RV for $20 a night and bagged the last spot.
Returning along Eklutna Lake Road and exiting at Mile 26.5 of the Glenn Highway you will arrive at Eklutna Village Historical Park.
The Dena’ina Athabascan village of Eklutna is home to one of the most interesting cemeteries in Alaska.
The log church dates back to the middle 1800s and is the oldest standing building in the region. Nearby is the new Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church built in 1962.
After Russian Orthodox missionaries arrived in the 1840s, there was a blending of beliefs between Orthodox Christianity and native practices.
When a person died, spirit houses were built over the grave to provide shelter for the traveling spirit. Most of the spirit houses also include the traditional three-barred Russian Orthodox cross. Take time to wander around the churchyard to view the brightly coloured houses
This is one of the best day trips out of Anchorage if you want to spend a few hours in nature and explore some history.
3. TALKEETNA
You may not be able to visit Denali National Park in a day, but drive from Anchorage to Talkeetna and you my be lucky to glimpse Denali in all it’s glory.
The quirky, funky, rustic town of Talkeetna is fun and artsy. Originally established as a trading post and mining town, several of its buildings are historical landmarks.
Today, its main street is a myriad of unique gift shops, museums, art galleries, cafes and a micro-brewery. You can feel the rural community spirit in this bustling small town as you wander around. Here are a selection of things to do:
- Talkeetna Historical Society Museum portrays the area’s heritage and history through exhibits and restored buildings.
- Talkeetna Riverfront Park at the end of Main Street provides great panoramic views of the Alaska Range. If you are lucky (we weren’t!) you may get to see Denali.
- Take a Flightseeing Tour of Denali (Mt. McKinley) – Get an up-close view of North America’s highest mountain. Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2 Aviation Talkeetna offer a selection of short tours.
- Have a drink in the Fairview Inn – President Harding enjoyed a tipple here during his 1923 tour of Alaska.
- On The Water Activities include rafting, fishing, and wildlife spotting. Sitting at the confluence of three rivers, Talkeetna is a perfect spot for adventurous pursuits.
- Go Hiking on the loop around town or head to Talkeetna Lakes and explore the quiet Alaskan forest and serene lakes just outside of Talkeetna.
4. PALMER AND MAT-SU VALLEY
Palmer is a small town nestled at the foot of the Matanuska and Knik Valleys, founded in 1935 by a New Deal Program. Farm families from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan were relocated here to form Alaska’s first, and only farming colony.
Here are some ways to enjoy your time in Palmer, famous for its giant vegetables!
- Hike the Butte: From the top of the 900-foot Butte, you are rewarded with 360-degree panorama views of the Chugach Mountains, Knik River Valley, Pioneer Peak and lush farmlands below. Park at Mat-Su Borough lot off Mothershead Lane. ($5/car)
- Explore Hatcher Pass: Hatcher Pass Road, a 49-mile loop road to the pass is lined with mountainous scenery. Cutting through the Talkeetna Mountains in the Mat-Su Valley, you can hike fantastic trails and visit Independence Mine.
- Tour An Animal Farm: See moose, reindeer, musk and ox at the Reindeer or Musk Ox Farm.
From Palmer continue along the Glenn Highway as it twists east along the Matanuska River Valley, sandwiched between coastal and interior mountains. Matanuska Glacier spills from mountains that rim Prince William Sound to the head of the Matanuska Valley.
Matanuska Glacier makes for a great day trip from Anchorage, because there’s lots to see and do in the area, including:
- Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive: Stop off at several marked scenic points.
- Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site provides a free view of the glacier, together with a interpretive signs and access to the easy one-mile Edge Nature Trail. (Mile 101)
- Take a Matanuska Glacier Tour: walking on the largest road-accessible glacier in Alaska. A 3-hour tour costs $95pp through NOVA Alaska Guides.
5. TURNAGAIN ARM
One of the most impressive Anchorage day trips by car is driving south along the scenic Turnagain Arm. The Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway follows the shorelines and offers incredible landscapes, wildlife spotting, hiking trails and fun activities.
Take your time along this dramatic stretch of highway with the 3000-foot mountains of Chugach State Park on your left. With plenty of pull-ins to stop at, you can easily fill a day with things to see and do. Some popular sights include:
- Potter Marsh (Mile 117) – A fabulous opportunity to walk the boardwalk and read about the occupants of this 564-acre fresh water marsh. Keep an eye out for gulls, grebes, songbirds, ducks, geese and browsing moose. A large parking area is located at the southern end of the marsh off Potter Valley Road.
- Turnagain Arm Trail (Mile 115) – A mainly flat hike contouring the mountainside for 11 miles. Walk as far as you want before turning around.
- Beluga Point (Mile 110) – The highway juts into the Cook Inlet offering great sweeping vistas. Scan the mountains for Dall Sheep and use the viewing scope to spot beluga whales and the bore tide.
- Bird Ridge Trail (Mile 102) – This popular steep path is well-marked and reaches an overlook (3500ft) after 2 miles.
- Bird Point (Mile 99) – A great point to see the bore tide, a rushing wall of water reaching up to 6 feet high. Offering stunning views and the chance to spot beluga whales.
6. GIRDWOOD
The resort town of Girdwood is edgy, arty with a tight, close-knit friendly community. Close to Chugach National Forest, the town offers several great trails to hike. Located near the base of Mount Alyeska, the resort atmosphere draws visitors year-round.
- Ride Alyeska Resort Aerial Tram – Enjoy panoramic views from Alyeska Tram as it makes its way up the mountain. After admiring sweeping views of Turnagain Arm from the top, enjoy a bowl of Alaskan clam chowder from Bore Tide Deli.
- Hike Winner Creek Trail – Mostly flat, the looped 5.5-mile trail guides you through mossy forest to a rushing glacial stream.
- Pan For Gold – Just outside town is family-run Crow Creek Mine. Explore the historical outbuildings, try your hand at gold panning or take a tour to learn about the life of a miner.
- Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – Located just 11 miles from town is this awesome wildlife refuge where you can get your bear viewing quota!
Girdwood is one of the popular day trips from Anchorage by car as it offers scenery, hiking and great dining. Plus you get to drive along the stunning Turnagain Arm.
7. PORTAGE VALLEY & WHITTIER
Located at the head of Turnagain Arm, southeast of Anchorage, is stunning Portage Valley and the small town of Whittier. This rates as one of the best day trips in Anchorage, as you can view a glacier and ride through the longest road tunnel in North America.
Things to see in Portage Valley include the following:
- Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – Check out wildlife such as moose, musk ox and bears at this center on your way.
- Moose Flats Wetland Trail – Beginning at Mile 1.0 of the Portage Highway, this short easy boardwalk trail passes several ponds and is a great place to spot waterfowl and moose.
- Begich, Broggs Visitor Center – Packed with interesting displays about the valley’s ecosystem, Prince William Sound and glaciers. Some trails start from here plus there are amazing views from large picture windows.
- Take A Cruise To Portage Glacier – Enjoy a one-hour cruise during summer season and see the largest glacier in the valley. You can also get an Anchorage to Portage Glacier tour if you need transport.
- Hike A Trail – Try the Trail of Blue Ice or Byron Glacier Trail (1.4 miles)
- Drive Along Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel – The one-way tunnel is shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, so check the timetable. At 2.5 miles long the tunnel runs under an entire mountain to and from Whittier.
- See Cold War Military Installations – Established as a military supply in World War II, Whittier has two large buildings. Buckner building is lying in a ruined state and Begich Towers houses the majority of the towns population.
- Take a Historical Walk – This marked walk depicts the town’s Cold War history.
- Cruise Prince William Sound – Anchorage glacier tours are extremely popular to see spectacular coastal scenery and tidewater glaciers. Phillips Cruises offer a glacier quest cruise down Passage Canal, while the 26 glacier cruise takes you past a profusion of glaciers.
8. SEWARD
The drive from Anchorage to Seward will take you 2.5 hours without stops. If you are looking for overnight trips from Anchorage, Seward ticks the boxes as you will have more time to explore.
While there are numerous things to do in Seward, if you only have a day then we suggest a cruise into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Alternatively, you could do some hiking and sightseeing in downtown Seward. Here are our suggestions:
- Northwestern Fjord Cruise – Enjoy a 7-hour tour travelling into Kenai Fjords. Home to three tidewater glaciers, and wildlife at every turn, this is a day you won’t forget in a hurry, trust us!
- Visit Alaska SeaLife Center – A fun day out for all the family at this world-class research and rehab facility. See a variety of marine wildlife swimming the other side of glass as they swim in front of you.
- Stroll Around Town – With its scenic location and friendly feel, the town is a pleasure to explore on foot. Check out the many murals telling the history of the town, browse art and enjoy views while sipping coffee at a local cafe.
9. KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
Looking for great hiking and the chance to see a massive Ice Field? Day trips from Anchorage Alaska can transport you to the incredible wilderness of Kenai Fjords National Park.
- Explore Exit Glacier – Read our guide on how to hike Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers you can walk right up to in Alaska.
- Hike Harding Icefields Trail – The dazzling Harding Ice Field feeds over 30 glaciers including Exit Glacier. If you are reasonable fit, this strenuous 8 mile round trip trail offers spectacular views. While it is a challenging day hike you are rewarded with an overlook of the Harding Icefield!
- Exit Glacier Nature Center – includes exhibits about the Exit Glacier area.
10. ALASKA RAILROAD & DAY TOURS FROM ANCHORAGE
Connecting communities along Interior and South Central Alaska is 470 miles of rail track. Completed in 1923, the main line of Alaska Railroad stretches from Seward to Fairbanks and opens up endless day trip opportunities.
Ride Glacier Discovery Train to Girdwood, Whittier and Spencer Glacier for a day of breathtaking scenery. Or take the Coastal Classic Train from Anchorage, winding along Turnagain Arm and through the Kenai Peninsul,a passing massive glaciers and towering waterfalls along the way to Seward.
If tours are more your thing, Anchorage day tours include the following:
- Katmai National Park – A 2.5 hour scenic flight from Anchorage takes you to Brooks River Falls. In early June, the salmon run flooding the river can draw up to 15 bears at a time.
- Dog Sled Tour – Experience the excitement of racing champion sled dogs at the Alaska Mushing School, 75 minutes from Anchorage on this full day tour.
With so many day trips from Anchorage AK available, you now know the best day trips Anchorage has to offer. Which ones are on your wish list? If you have any questions please leave in the comments below.
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