Beyond Anchorage: Epic Day Trips For Scenery And Outdoor Fun

Nestled between mountains and sea, Anchorage makes an ideal base for exploring Alaska’s natural wonders. When embarking or disembarking on an Alaskan cruise, spend a few days in Anchorage to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier. 

While Anchorage offers lots to do, we recommend exploring beyond the city limits. Around Anchorage, we’ve witnessed majestic glaciers, observed wildlife, and explored hiking trails on numerous day trips.

Adventure seekers can hike scenic trails in Chugach State Park or kayak in the pristine waters of Turnagain Arm. Nature enthusiasts may view wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center or marvel at the tidal changes along the Cook Inlet.

These day trips perfectly balance outdoor adventure and cultural exploration. They are ideal for guests on a cruise and land tours or those docking in the Anchorage port.

Planning Your Day Trip From Anchorage

Successful day trips from Anchorage require thoughtful preparation. Consider the season and available transportation options.

Best Time Of Year For Day Trips

Summer offers long daylight hours and milder temperatures, ideal for outdoor activities. June through August provide optimal conditions for hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives.

Spring and fall present unique opportunities with fewer crowds. May brings emerging wildlife and blooming wildflowers. September offers fall colors and potential aurora sightings.

Winter day trips focus on snow activities, so many of these activities will not be available during colder months.

Transportation Options

To create your own schedule, rent a car to explore at your own pace. Major rental companies operate at Anchorage International Airport and downtown locations. For a day trip, we rented a car through Turo, which was inexpensive and allowed us to use the savings on excursions.

The Alaska Railroad offers scenic day trips to destinations like Seward and Talkeetna. Trains feature panoramic views and onboard dining. Check departure and return times, as there is often one daily train.

Shuttle services run to popular spots such as Whittier and Girdwood. These are cost-effective options for those who prefer not to drive.

Guided tour companies offer day trips with expert narration and convenience. They are best for glacier adventures, as operators provide safety equipment and knowledgeable guides.

For adventurous travelers, float planes provide access to remote locations unreachable by road. Helicopters are also an excellent choice for seeing the landscape by air.

Popular Destinations Nearby Anchorage

Anchorage’s surrounding area offers diverse attractions, from pristine lakes and glaciers to wildlife centers and adventure activities. The following activities require a commitment of a few hours to half a day.

Shorter day trips can be combined with other activities in the same region to provide a whole day trip.

Eklutna Lake

Eklutna Lake, located just 26 miles northeast of Anchorage, is a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The lake stretches for 7 miles and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains.

Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are offered here. The surrounding forests feature hiking and biking trails that offer jaw-dropping views of the lake and mountains.

Fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden attracts avid anglers, with permits available on-site.

Glacier Quest Cruise

A Glacier Quest Cruise offers a unique way to experience Alaska’s glaciers up close. Phillips Cruises offers this excursion, departing from Whittier, which is about an hour’s drive from Anchorage. There’s an option to purchase with coach transfer, for those without a rental.

This cruise takes you through Prince William Sound in under four hours, showcasing its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife. The highlight is viewing Beloit and Blackstone Glaciers in Blackstone Bay, where calving events are expected.

The cruise also includes onboard commentary about the glaciers, wildlife, and the Sound’s ecosystem.

Marine life sightings are common: we saw sea otters, seals, and various seabirds. For an all-day cruise option, consider the lengthy 26 Glacier Cruise instead.

Eagle River

Eagle River, north of Anchorage, offers a unique blend of natural beauty. This region offers numerous hiking and biking trails suitable for various skill levels. Popular easy-to-moderate hiking trail options include:

• Albert Loop Trail
• South Fork Falls
• Rodak Nature Loop
• Mt. Baldy Loop

The Eagle River Nature Center provides educational programs to learn about local flora and fauna while exploring the surrounding wilderness.

During the salmon spawning season, the viewing platforms along Eagle River offer opportunities to observe these fish making their annual run. Wildlife sightings, including moose and bears, are also possible.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Anchorage, is a must-visit. Located 45 miles south of the city, the center provides conservation, education, and quality care to injured and orphaned wildlife.

While we like to see larger animals in their natural habitats, we observed bears up close in a safe environment. We also saw moose, foxes, coyotes, bison, and wolves housed in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural environments.

The center also participates in species restoration projects, contributing to preserving Alaska’s biodiversity. We suggest combining this day trip with a visit to Portage Glacier, which is nearby.

Dog Sledding On A Glacier

Dog sledding on a glacier provides an exhilarating Alaskan adventure. This activity typically involves a helicopter ride from Anchorage or Girdwood to an icefield, offering breathtaking aerial views.

Upon landing at Punchbowl or Troublesome Glacier, visitors meet professional mushers and their dog teams. While the tour included the history and techniques of dog sledding, the highlight was mushing my dog team across the glacier.

The experience offers a unique perspective on Alaska’s winter sports culture and the bond between mushers and their dogs. Tour operators provide glacier boots and pants; wear layers and bring your sense of adventure.

Portage Glacier

Southeast of Anchorage, Portage Glacier is one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center provides information about the area’s geology and ecology.

Visitors can take a boat tour of Portage Lake for up-close glacier views. We found the one-hour tour inexpensive, got close to the glacier, and included commentary on the Portage Valley.

Hiking trails offer additional perspectives of the glacier and surrounding landscape. In the winter, the lake freezes, allowing access to the glacier by hiking across the ice.

Wilderness ATV tour

Exploring Alaska’s rugged terrain on an ATV is a thrilling adventure. These tours travel through the wilderness of Knik River Valley or Hatcher Pass.

Participants can choose between a single-rider ATV and a multi-rider vehicle. While we chose single options, you might prefer to be a passenger in a side-by-side vehicle.

These adrenaline-rush tours navigate through forests, riverbeds, and mountain trails. Be prepared to get dirty, dusty, or muddy depending on weather and trail conditions.

Experienced guides lead the way, providing safety instructions and sharing information about the area’s natural history. Tours in Knik River Valley include distant views of Knik Glacier.

Glacier Helicopter Tour

While not budget-friendly, a helicopter tour to a nearby glacier provides a unique aerial perspective of Alaska’s stunning landscapes. Flights typically depart from Anchorage, Palmer, or Girdwood.

Passengers soar over the Chugach Mountains, and depending on the excursion chosen, they could include a glacier landing. The highlight is often the walkabout on the ice itself.

With a glacier landing, you can explore the ice formations and drink water from an icefield stream.

Alyeska Nordic Spa

The Alyeska Nordic Spa and Tram, located in Girdwood, about 40 miles from Anchorage, offers a blend of relaxation and adventure. The aerial tram ride provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Turnagain Arm.

The peak offers hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a chance to enjoy an intimate dining experience at Seven Glaciers Restaurant.

At the tram’s base, the Nordic Spa features relaxation lounges, hot and cold plunge pools, saunas, and massage services. It’s one of the best day spas near Anchorage.

In winter, Alyeska Resort offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Full Day Trips From Anchorage

Further afield, several full-day excursions offer unique experiences within a few hours’ drive or flight from the city.

Matanuska Glacier

About 100 miles northeast of Anchorage, Matanuska Glacier is the largest car-accessible glacier in the United States. This colossal body of ice stretches 27 miles long and 4 miles wide.

The drive to Matanuska Glacier along the Glenn Highway is scenic, with stunning mountain vistas and potential wildlife sightings. Visitors without a vehicle can purchase tours with transportation from Anchorage.

The Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site begs for exploration and rewards visitors with breathtaking views. Choose from activities based on your skill level, ranging from supervised ice hikes to exploration of its deep crevasses.

26 Glacier Cruise

Departing from Whittier, about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, the 26 Glacier Cruise offers a spectacular journey through Prince William Sound. This 5-1/2-hour cruise showcases abundant marine life and more than two dozen glaciers.

While Phillips Cruises markets this excursion as a glacier tour, the highlight for me was the abundance of wildlife. Imagine dozens of seals, sea otters, and sea lions, all within short reach of your vessel.

Even though I’ve taken numerous large ship cruises to College Fjord, this smaller catamaran gets much closer. It’s a chance to witness the breathtaking calving up close.

My cruise was narrated by a National Forest Ranger, enhancing the educational experience.

Brooks Falls

A day trip to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park is an unforgettable experience for bear enthusiasts. While it requires a short flight from Anchorage, the journey is well worth it to witness one of nature’s most impressive spectacles.

During peak salmon runs (typically July), dozens of brown bears gather at Brooks Falls to feast on migrating sockeye salmon. Elevated viewing platforms allow visitors to safely observe the bears fishing and interacting.

Most day tours include round-trip flights, park fees, and guided walks. This day trip has become so popular that visitors must sign up for a spot at the prime viewing platforms. While expensive, this trip offers a unique opportunity to see Alaska’s famous brown bears in their natural habitat.

Talkeetna

The charming town of Talkeetna, located about 115 miles north of Anchorage, offers spectacular views of towering Denali. This quirky community blends history, outdoor adventure, and stunning mountain views.

Visitors can explore the town’s historic district, enjoy local cuisine, or take a flightseeing tour for breathtaking views of Denali (formerly Mount McKinley). Adventure seekers can try river rafting, ziplining, or hiking in the surrounding wilderness.

While there’s an option to reach Talkeetna by train, driving is the quickest option, taking under 2-1/2 hours. It’s also very scenic, traveling through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Kenai Fjords

Arise early for a day trip to Kenai Fjords National Park. The drive to Seward takes 2-1/2 hours without scheduled stops. Once in Seward, you’re steps away from exploring the rugged coastline of the Kenai Peninsula.

Exit Glacier provides an option to explore the park by land. Alternatively, tour operators offer boat excursions through the fjords. Tidewater glaciers, rugged coastlines, and diverse wildlife like puffins are viewable from the sea.

While the drive to Seward is scenic, some visitors opt for organized tours that provide transportation from Anchorage. These full-day packages often include the boat tour and sometimes a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass, 60 miles north of Anchorage, offers a mix of history, scenery, and outdoor recreation. This alpine area is home to the abandoned Independence Mine, now a state historical park.

Visitors can explore the old mine buildings, hike scenic trails, or enjoy berry picking in late summer. In winter, the area transforms into a popular destination for skiing and snowshoeing.

The drive to Hatcher Pass is picturesque, winding through the Talkeetna Mountains. Some tour operators offer guided trips that combine transportation with activities like gold panning or guided hikes, making it an educational and scenic day trip from Anchorage.

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