Best Alaska Vacations for 2026

Alaska begins where the crowds end.

Despite being a part of the same great nation, Alaska feels worlds away from the rest of the ‘Lower 48.’ Here you’ll find mountains that tower above all else, silent fjords rivaling those in Europe, and miles upon miles upon miles of unspoiled wilderness.

All without needing a passport.

This officially begins our new tradition: a yearly curated list of Alaska vacations for the year to come, selected by our in-house travel experts. These are our top three trips for 2026, each designed with you, the traveler, in mind.

Looking to visit Canada? See our partner brand Canada By Design’s list of top tours in Canada for 2026.

Summary

If you’re short on time, here are our 3 recommendations for your 2026 Alaska vacation:

• A first-time introduction
• A road trip through Alaska’s national parks
• A winter train trip and Northern Lights viewing

Now, let's get into the details and discover where 2026 may take you.

Credit: Tia Froehle

Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers | First-time Favorites

There’s no time like the present to discover your new favorite destination. And, for anyone taking their first trip to Alaska in 2026, this is where you should start.

Across six days, you’ll get the perfect introduction to the state’s glacier-studded fjords, iconic mountain parks, and truly wild wildlife; each step of the journey connected by scenic train trips on the Alaska Railroad.

At each stop, we’ll arrange for you to embark on excursions into the wilds: glacier cruises, fly-in bear viewing, and 4x4 Jeep tours are waiting wherever you go.

This trip combines once-in-a-lifetime experiences with slow travel to find the perfect balance. You’ll leave Alaska feeling refreshed, ready to rejoin the modern world, and with more than one story to tell about your time in the Last Frontier.

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Best of Alaska Rail & Glaciers | First-time Favorites

The perfect 6-day introduction to Alaska.

Credit: Joris Beugels

Alaska National Parks Self-Drive Explorer

Mountain destinations are set to see even more travelers in 2026. But as their popularity increases, the peace travelers hope to find amid the mountains is increasingly uncommon.

Luckily, as the peaks and parks in the Lower 48 are filling up, Alaska’s towering National Parks will stay delightfully quiet.

On our 12-day adventure through Alaska, you’ll visit three of the least-visited national parks in the country, and yet some of the most beautiful.

You’ll visit:

• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Denali National Park & Preserve
• Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve

This is our favorite road trip to recommend to people collecting national park stamps, or those who just want to connect with nature as it's meant to be seen, with excursions arranged at each park.

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Alaska National Parks Self Drive Explorer

Mountain travel at its most exclusive.

Credit: 1st Alaska Tours

Alaska Aurora Rail Adventure | Bettles Lodge

As 2026 is the tentative final year of the extraordinary Aurora Borealis displays we have been experiencing, there is no better time to soak in the last of the solar storm far above the Arctic Circle.

Northern Lights viewing is immensely popular and has proven to be one of our best-selling vacations in Alaska. And, while Bettles Lodge (our stay of choice for Northern Lights viewing) sees Northern Lights all through the year, 2026 promises more frequent, vibrant displays.

We can never guarantee that the Aurora Borealis will show during your visit, but we can put you in the best place for it to happen. And that, to us, is Bettles Lodge. Connected to your point of entry by the Aurora Train, you’ll have scenery and lights to boot.

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Alaska Aurora Rail Adventure | Bettles Lodge

Take the train to the Arctic Aurora Borealis.

Credit: Alaska By Design

Book Today with Alaska By Design

To begin planning your 2026 adventure, reach out to one of our Travel Designers. Or, to stay in touch, subscribe to our newsletter.