You can go on many day trips from Anchorage. I have been there twice and will share the best ones.
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska (though not the capital!) and home to the largest and best connected airport in the country, which means you will spend at least a day there.
The city is fun to explore – there are some interesting museums and art galleries; a great food (and restaurant) scene; a coastal trail that you can bike or walk (or run) and along which you even get to see moose; lots of fun souvenir shops and events for all tastes.
My post The Best Things Do In Anchorage highlights all the unmissable activities in the city.
But there are more reasons to visit Anchorage! Indeed, you can go on may day trips from Anchorage to explore the beautiful surroundings.
While I didn’t get to spend much time in Anchorage on my first trip to Alaska, I had the chance to stay there longer (a week!) when I visited Alaska in the fall for my second time in the country. This time around, I explored the city more in depth and checked out the nearby regions too.
Curious to discover the best day trips from Anchorage? Continue reading as I will share the ones you should not miss, and share tips to help you plan.
These are the best day trips from Anchorage that can be booked online:
My post The Best Alaska Travel Tips has all the essential information that will help you plan your trip.
Best Day Trips From Anchorage
Bear viewing in Lake Clark National Park
Bear viewing is one of the best things to do in Alaska, and different species of bears (brown, black and polar bears) can be found in various regions of the country.
The easiest to spot are brown bears. You may be lucky enough to come across one or two as you go on a hike; but otherwise there are several places that can be reached on (expensive, but worth it) day trips from Anchorage, usually by floatplane (hence why they cost so much).
I went on a day tour to Crescent Lake, in Lake Clark National Park, with Rust’s Flying Service, one of the most reputable operators running this kind of experiences.
The tour starts in Lake Hood, Anchorage’s floatplane base, where you’ll board a small floatplane. The flight to Lake Crescent lasts about one hour and 10 minutes, and the views are incredible – we were lucky to have a clear day when we visited, but don’t take this for granted.
You’ll be offered a delicious lunch of freshly caught salmon (the same the bears eat!) upon arriving, and then you’ll board a boat to cruise around the lake in search for bears. Your guide will share lots of interesting information about the animals, and answer any question you may have.
When I visited, we got to see around 20 bears – it was quite a lucky day apparently. But since bears go to the lake to feed and rest, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll see some.
Another great bear-viewing spot in Alaska is Brooks Falls, in Katmai National Park. Much like Lake Clark, it can only be reached by floatplane. Compared to Lake Clark National Park, Katmai National Park is a much more popular place, so your experience won’t feel as intimate.
I highly recommend this Bear Viewing Excursion and Airplane Adventure Tour – it’s an action-packed bear-viewing tour from Anchorage. The tour includes a round-trip flight from Anchorage to Lake Clark, a few hours of bear viewing, and a secluded lunch right on the lake.
My post How To Visit Lake Clark National Park shares more tips that will help you plan your visit.
You should also read my post Where To Go Bear Viewing In Alaska for further information on places where you can admire these majestic mammals.
Dog sledding
Willow is a small town in Alaska that is associated with the Iditarod, a sled dog race that takes place every March and goes from Anchorage to Nome for about 1,100 miles (1,770 km) and that mostly follows the old Iditarod Trail dogsled mail route that connected Seward and Knik to the mines of northwestern Alaska in the early 1900s.
If you love dogs as much as I do, dog sledding in Willow is one of the unmissable Anchorage day trips and a great chance to learn more about mushing, the traditions of the Iditarod and to hear stories by actual participants.
I joined a tour with Alaskan Husky Adventures and I can’t speak highly enough about it. The tour starts with a visit to the kennel, where up to 50 Alaskan Husky dogs are kept.
You will be able to ask questions about this specific breed, their living environment (they have a double coat of fur, so they don’t do well in warmer climates) and their love (and need) to run. They are very loud and bark a lot – except when they run, which is what really makes them happy.
Finally, you will board one of the sleds (or a cart, depending on the season) and go for a ride in the company’s private land – a beautiful forest from where, on good days, you can see all the way to Denali. You may even have the chance to pet a puppy!
You can book this dog sledding experience with Alaskan Husky Adventures that includes transportation from Wasilla. It’s the same one I did. You will have to make your way to Wasilla independently – there’s a bus from Downtown Anchorage that drops you off at Meridian Park & Ride, from where you can take a taxi to Wasilla or Uber to Wasilla, but it’s probably just easier to drive.
Flattop Mountain Hike
Anchorage sits on what once was a massive glacier, with the Chugach Mountain Range at its back. With mountains at its doorstep, one of the things locals enjoy the most is hiking – and you should do the same.
For this, I recommend Flattop Mountain, which is one of the easiest (and closest) day trips from Anchorage. It takes about 30 minutes by car to get to Chugach State Park, where the Glen Alps Trailhead is located, and the trail that goes all the way to Flattop Mountain starts.
It’s not a long hike – just 3 miles (5 km) and 1,500 feet (455 meters) elevation gain, and most of the hike is easy, except when you get to the final bit which is steep and rocky, and you almost have to scramble to the top.
The easiest way to get to Chugach State Park from Anchorage is by car, but there’s also a shuttle service from downtown Anchorage, departing from 4th Avenue between C and D.
Otherwise, you could consider this Chugach State Park Nature Walk that includes transportation and a guide. You’ll be on a small group and your guide will share information about the wildlife and plants you will see along the trail.
Hatcher Pass
If you are into hiking as much as I am, head out to Hatcher Pass – a mountain pass near Palmer where you’ll find some of the best hiking trails in Alaska.
I have hiked several trails here, many of them in the Independence Mine State Historical Park which is interesting to visit to learn more about the mining past (and in some cases present!) of Alaska.
One of the most popular hikes in Hatcher Pass is the Gold Cord Lake Trail. It’s a relatively short hike – 1.5 miles (2.4 km) with 472 feet (144 meters) elevation gain, along an out and back hike trail, and the trailhead is located close to the Independence Mine State Park. You’ll walk past a historical mining hut and reach a pristine lake surrounded by snow capped mountains.
Another hike I recommend is the lesser known Lane Basin Loop trail, a moderate 3 miles (4.8 km) hike with 643 feet (196 meters) elevation gain that is well marked and easy to follow, though the terrain can be quite boggy, especially after heavy rain.
Other hikes include the Apri Bowl/Hatch Peak trail, and the Skyscraper Peak which is a 2.2 miles (3.5 km). The first one goes to April Bowl, where you get to see a number of small lakes; whereas the Skyscraper Peak also goes to a small lake surrounded by mountains.
You’ll need a car to get to Hatcher Pass, which is about one hour and 15 minutes drive from Anchorage. You’ll have to drive past Palmer and then follow the Hatcher Pass Road (or Fishhook Road).
On the way back from Hatcher Pass, you could stop by Palmer, a small town that was established as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression. Here, you can visit the Reindeer Farm, join this 60-minute helicopter tour with glacier landing, and dine at Feather and Flour, a farm-to-table restaurant that offers delicious food in a classy but easygoing setting.
Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise
Located in the Gulf of Alaska, on the south coast of Alaska, Prince William Sound is made of 10,000 square miles of protected islands, waterways, more glaciers than you can count. The best way to explore it is on cruises, and the best option if you wish to visit on a day trip from Anchorage is a cruise that departs from Whittier.
Whittier is only about one hour and 20 minutes drive from Anchorage, but to get there you have to cross a single-lane tunnel – the historic Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a 2.5-mile (4 km) long tunnel from the World War II era – that works on a strict timetable, which means you need to arrive at the crossing a good 20 to 30 minutes in advance.
There are two main kinds of Prince William Sound Glacier cruises that depart from Whittier. One lasts about 3 hours, and the other lasts 6. If you have the time and budget, I recommend opting for the 6-hour one – which is the one I did.
The cruise sails along Prince William Sound and your captain and other staff on board will be searching around for wildlife as you go along. We were extremely lucky when we visited as we saw orcas, sea otters and harbor seals among the rest. And of course you’ll see the glaciers (as many as 26!).
The cruise includes lunch (typically salmon chowder or a vegan chili) and snacks, and you can also get all sorts of drinks onboard, including the Glacier Margarita signature cocktail.
It’s exciting and yet relaxing at the same time.
I joined this Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise that includes transportation from Anchorage. The 26-glacier cruise glides through the world’s largest concentration of tidewater glaciers. I recommend wearing layers for this tour as you’ll be going in and out of the boat all the time, and it’s cold outside!
Portage Pass Hike
Whittier has more to offer other than the Prince William Sound Cruise. This is where you’ll find Portage Pass which – you’ve guessed it – is best seen on a hike.
It’s a 4 miles (6.5 km) out-and-back hike with 750 feet (228 meters) elevation gain, and while it’s moderate for the most part, there’s an initial part of about 0.6 miles (1 km) that is entirely uphill, and very steep.
Once you reach Portage Pass, you’ll have stunning views of Portage Lake, which you can also reach during the walk. It’ll take you a few hours to complete this hike.
The trailhead is less than 5 minutes drive from town, and you’ll find the road leading to it on your right almost as soon as you cross the Whittier tunnel. To get there from Anchorage, you’ll have to drive along the Turnagain Arm – it’s one of the most scenic drives in Alaska.
If you don’t feel like driving or hiking, you can consider this Anchorage Wilderness Wildlife Glacier Experience. It’s a bear viewing tour that stops near Portage Glacier. It also goes through Chugach National Forest and Beluga Point.
If you opt for a day trip from Anchorage to Portage Pass or Prince William Sound, you may as well explore the town of Whittier a bit. It’s actually tiny – no more than 300 people live there throughout the year. It is also known for the Begich Towers, an apartment complex where all residents live, and most offices (including the post office) are located. You’ll also find a nice café on the waterfront, and a few souvenir shops.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Another place that’s easy to visit on day trips from Anchorage, and which is perfect for the whole family and for wildlife lovers, is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This is a rescue center near Portage Valley, and not far from Girdwood.
Don’t think of this as a zoo! The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center was created to to help preserve Alaska’s wildlife and all animals there are rescued from dangerous situations. When you visit, you will learn about the animals that live there and how they were rescued.
The center does its best to rehabilitate animals so that they can be released back into the wild when it is safe, but some of them end up being permanent residents for a variety of reasons.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is about 50 miles (80 km) from Anchorage – just about one hour drive.
You can get tickets to visit ahead of time online or directly once you get there.
If you don’t have a car, there are also a few good guided tours that depart from Anchorage and include transportation. I recommend this From Anchorage: Turnagain Arm and Wildlife Center Tour – it also goes to Chugach National Forest.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
The Prince William Sound cruise is hard to beat to be honest, but another cruise you may want to consider that is fairly easy to do on a day trip from Anchorage is the one in Kenai Fjords National Park, which departs from Seward.
As you cruise along the park, you will see glaciers and have the chance to spot lots of wildlife including whales, sea lions, sea otters, puffins. I honestly wasn’t so lucky and didn’t see so much when I visited, because it was pouring, but my friend who did it at a different time saw loads – I guess it is a matter of luck.
Seward is one of the farthest places mentioned in this post: it’s 127 miles (204 km) from Anchorage and it takes about 2.5 hours to drive there, so you’ll want to leave nice and early, especially if you are opting for one of the longest cruises.
The best cruise is this Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with Lunch which lasts 7.5 hours. You’ll see glaciers, mountains, and fjords on a large catamaran boat, and spot lots of wildlife along the way. It departs at 9:30 am from Seward, so perhaps you may want to opt for this other well-reviewed cruise that lasts a bit less (6 hours) and departs at 11:30 am, giving you more time to get to Seward.
Need inspiration for more activities in Seward? My post The Top Things To Do In Seward is what you need to read.
Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier
The Harding Icefield hike is one of the most exhilarating and challenging in Alaska. Most people tackle this trail when in Seward, but it can also be done from Anchorage if you prefer.
The hike affords you views of the Exit Glacier and then reaches the Harding Icefield. Stops along the way include Marmot Meadows and Top of the Cliffs – but the finishing point is marked as “End of Trail”.
It’s a 8.5 miles (13.8 km) hike with a 3,199 feet (975 meters) elevation gain, and while the trail is easy to follow and well marked, this should be considered a difficult hike. It’s a solid uphill hike to the End of Trail, and a downhill walk on the way back.
You will need a car to get to the trailhead, which is located in the carpark by the Exit Glacier Nature Center. You really don’t need a guide for this hike – as I have said, the trail is well marked. Just keep your eyes open for wildlife as bears and moose are a common sight along the way!
Read my post How To Hike The Harding Icefield for more information on how to tackle this challenging hike.
Matanuska Glacier
There aren’t many accessible glaciers in Alaska, but Matanuska Glacier is one of them. So, if you are interested in a glacier hike, this is the place to go – and it’s great news that it is easily reached from Anchorage.
This river of ice stretches for 27 miles (43.4 km) and is backed by the Chugach Mountain. The views there are seriously impressive.
If you are worried that walking on a glacier will be freezing, let me assure you that it isn’t. Of course, you need to be geared up (layers are key) but having done several glacier hikes in Alaska and elsewhere, I have learned it’s warmer to be ON the glacier than in front of it. Indeed, glaciers normally send warm air upward – and it often ends up being sunny too.
Matanuska Glacier is about 93 miles (150 km) from Anchorage, and it takes about 2 hours to get there by car. Most people who visit will stop for lunch at the Long Rifle Lodge – it mostly serves burgers, sandwiches and salads. Other than the good food, the main perk of Long Rifle Lodge is the impressive view over the glacier!
In case you don’t want to drive, there are are full-day trips from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier. For example, there’s this Matanuska Glacier full-day tour from Anchorage that includes transportation, crampons to walk on the glacier, snacks, and drinks. It also stops for lunch (which however is not included).
Final Considerations
Anchorage is a great base to further explore Alaska. It has all the perks that a larger city offers – lots of good accommodation options and a thriving restaurant scene. And while there’s an abundance of things to do within the city, it’s very easy to get out of town too.
In this post I have shared some of the places that are easy to visit on day trips from Anchorage. I have given you options of day tours that also include transportation – so that you don’t have to worry about any travel arrangements.
If you wish to be a bit more independent, the only other option you have is to rent a car. Indeed Alaska is very big, but public transportation doesn’t work very well.
I recommend Discover Cars as the best comparison site for car rental. I have used it in many places in the world and have always found good deals – plus they have an excellent customer service.
Legal Disclaimer: I was a guest of Travel Alaska on my latest trip to Alaska, and wish to thank them for the fantastic experiences. Regardless of that, the views expressed in this post remain my own.
Further Readings
These posts will help you plan your Alaska trip:
- How To Visit Denali National Park
- How To Hike The Savage Alpine Trail
- How To Hike The Harding Icefield
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