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Alaska’s Scenic National Parks Road Trip
INTRODUCTION
This epic Alaska road trip is comprehensive, wide ranging, and no holds barred.
A self drive that screams 'go big or go home,' you'll depart Anchorage for 15 days of exploring Alaska's most popular and accessible National Parks.
Embark on your choice of tours in Seward, plus see Homer, Cooper Landing and Talkeetna.
Enjoy your choice of tours once again at Denali National Park, then continue to Fairbanks, Chitina, McCarthy and Valdez with a cruise into Prince William Sound.
Itinerary at a Glance
MAP

DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 Anchorage to Seward | 204 km/127 mi This morning travel along the Seward Highway towards scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is a body of water featuring the world’s second highest tides at over 30 feet. Keep an eye out for Beluga whales chasing salmon in the bay or Dall sheep along the highway.
Day 2 Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure Resurrection Bay is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and home to several Alaska state parks that offer abundant opportunities to hike, sea kayak and explore! Option 2. Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip Kayak or canoe on this scenic local lake with fun-loving guides. Bear Lake is located just outside Seward, Alaska and normally offers flat calm waters, and a home for Sockeye salmon. On the way there is a stop to visit the salmon weir and learn about their life cycle. Eagles, loons, and bears are often seen while on this adventure Option 3. Wilderness Dog Sled ride Tour Visit the Seavey Family Homestead in Seward, and tour the beautiful tether free summer camp for Iditarod athletes! Meet the dogs, feel their excitement as teams are hitched to comfortable summer sleds, then mush for two miles through the scenic rainforest. Option 4. Exit Glacier Hike This moderate hiking adventure is great for viewing the jewel of the Resurrection River Valley - Exit Glacier. This massive wall of blue ice descends the mountainside from the Harding Ice Field, down to the Resurrection River. Option 5. Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 31/2 hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises & eagles.
Day 3 Seward to Homer | 270 km/168 miles Continue your journey and follow the Sterling Highway, a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular landscape. Along the way view snowcapped mountains, active volcanoes including Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Augustine, deep ocean bluffs, excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River, and a magnificent coastline.
Day 4 Homer | Day at Leisure Homer “Halibut Capital of the World” provides you with truly incredible panoramic views of mountain ranges, white peaks, glaciers and the famous Homer Spit. Use the day to explore the area - kayak to a remote cove, take a scenic cruise and spot wildlife including whales, seals, sea otters and many shorebirds. If you prefer to observe Grizzly bears up close, take an optional scenic flightseeing tour to the Katmai Coast.
Day 5 Homer to Girdwood | 297 km/185 mi This morning, drive north on the scenic Sterling and Seward Highways back towards Girdwood. Along the way we have included admission to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center which provides care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife. Here you can safely get close, observe, and photograph some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, muskox. Continuing to Girdwood, take an aerial tram up Alyeska Mountain for views of Turnagain Arm, up to seven “hanging” glaciers and the endless peaks of the Chugach Mountain Range. At the base of the tram is your overnight accommodation at Alyeska Resort.
Day 6 Girdwood to Talkeetna | 241 km/150mi Drive north from Girdwood along scenic Turnagain Arm, traveling through Anchorage and the agricultural region of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, to the small, picturesque town of Talkeetna. Talkeetna serves as a base camp for Mt. Denali climbers; the community of 857 residents is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining centre, the town has retained much of its early Alaskan flavour.
Day 7 Talkeetna to Denali National Park | 257 km/153 mi In the morning you have time to take a sightseeing flight to Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, before continuing north along the scenic Parks Highway. Your route will travel along the boundary of Denali State Park and Hurricane Gulch with massive peaks of the Alaska Range in view nearly the entire route. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure.
Day 8 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Option 1. Denali Backcountry Adventure Tour | Full Day Coach Tour Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience over 65 miles of wilderness and wildlife along the rugged Denali Highway. Flanked by snow-capped mountains, icy glaciers and panoramic vistas, local guides will ensure you have opportunities to view the region’s best landmarks while introducing you to a host of authentic Alaska activities. See Denali and the other giants of the Alaska Range (weather permitting) and enjoy a delicious lunch at Alpine Creek Lodge. (Lunch and snacks included) Option 2. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road and takes you off the beaten path with your guide in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife. (Snacks included) Option 3. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This shorter half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River.
Day 9 Denali National Park to Fairbanks | 198 km/123 mi | Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise Continue on the George Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes, you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester - an old mining camp. In the afternoon, climb aboard the Riverboat Discovery III for an unforgettable 3-hour cruise into the Alaskan Interior, traveling the Chena and Tanana Rivers on the only authentic sternwheeler riverboat operating in Alaska. This narrated tour provides background on the area’s natural history and the Athabascan Indian culture.
Day 10 Fairbanks to Chitina | 498 km/310 mi | Chitina to McCarthy | Flight Settle in for a day of driving through some of Alaska’s most diverse and dynamic landscapes. You’ll drive the Richardson Highway along the Tanana River through Delta Junction, home to the Delta Bison Sanctuary. Once you’ve reached Copper Center you’ll turn east to the small town of Chinitna. Flying from Chitina is the best way to get to McCarthy-Kennicott and the flightseeing that is included in the trip makes it a great value. On the way to McCarthy fly alongside 16,000’ Mt. Blackburn, over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers, past the Erie Mine and view the awe-inspiring Stairway Icefall. A flyby of Kennicott and McCarthy before landing will orient you to the area you are about to explore. Along the way your pilot will describe landforms, point out wildlife and fill you in on a bit of the human history of the area. (Please note: Flying has the added benefit of saving 4-5 hours of driving on the single lane, gravel surfaced McCarthy road)
Day 11 McCarthy | Kennicott | Root Glacier Hike Spend the morning exploring the dynamic features of nearby Root Glacier on a guided trail and ice hike. The afternoon is yours to visit the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark and the funky-rustic nearby enclave of McCarthy.
Day 12 McCarthy to Chitina | Flight | Chitina to Valdez | 194 km/120 mi Today fly back to Chitina by bush plane while enjoying great views of the Wrangell Mountains. From Chitina continue south where you will begin to enter the Chugach Mountains that ring the coast of Alaska from Prince William Sound. At Thompson Pass you may wish to stop at one of the pullouts for the scenery and views of Worthington Glacier before you begin the descent into Valdez.
Day 13 Valdez | Prince William Sound Columbia Glacier Cruise with lunch Discover the magic of Alaska on this 7-hour Columbia Glacier cruise from Valdez. A local captain and crew will guide you through the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South Central Alaska. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters among other creatures. (Lunch included)
Day 14 Valdez to Sheep Mountain Lodge | 309 km/192 mi Today you will drive back north on the Richardson Highway with great views of the Wrangell Mountains as you return to Glennallen (weather permitting).Here you follow the Glenn Highway towards Palmer/Anchorage until you reach Sheep Mountain Lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the scenic mountain views or recreational activities in the area. There are over 20 km/12 mi of trails near the lodge perfect for exploring. Birds and wildflowers abound. Maps are provided in each cabin for self-guided hiking.
Day 15 Sheep Mountain Lodge to Anchorage | 172 km/107 mi Drive the Glenn Highway south to Anchorage. Highlights on this part of today’s trip include the Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass and the many communities in the Mat-Su Valley. This valley contains many farms and offers beautiful views of the Chugach Range. Upon arrival in Anchorage your incredible Alaska self drive adventure comes to an end.
INCLUDED
Package Includes:
- Accommodation including taxes for 15 nights
-
Seward | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 5 Excursions
- Tonsina Point Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure
- Bear Lake Kayak | Canoe Trip
- Wilderness Dog Sled ride Tour
- Exit Glacier Hike
- Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise
- Admission to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Alyeska Scenic Tram Ride
- Talkeetna Wilderness Adventure Jet Boat Tour
-
Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions
- Denali Backcountry Full Day Adventure Tour
- Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Reduced Price
- Tundra Wilderness Tour | Reduced Price
- Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery Cruise
- Scenic Return Flight Chitina - McCarthy
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour
- McCarthy | Kennicott Morning Glacier Hike
- Prince William Sound Columbia Glacier Cruise with lunch
- Meals as per itinerary
Hotel Information | Moderate Grade
- Seward - Seward Windsong Lodge | Standard Room
- Homer - Land’s End Resort | Midship Bay Room
- Girdwood - Alyeska Resort | Deluxe Room
- Talkeetna - Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Guest Lodge Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Denali Cabins | Standard Cabin
- Fairbanks - Rivers Edge Resort | Garden Cottage
- McCarthy - Ma Johnson Hotel | Standard Room
- Valdez - Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn | Standard Room
- Sheep Mountain - Sheep Mountain Lodge | Premier Cabin
Hotel Information | Superior Grade
- Seward - Seward Windsong Lodge | Standard Room with Deck
- Homer - Land’s End Resort | Stateroom
- Girdwood - Alyeska Resort | Deluxe Room
- Talkeetna - Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Mountainside Lodge Room
- Denali Park Entrance - Grande Denali Lodge | Standard Room
- Fairbanks - Rivers Edge Resort | River Cottage
- McCarthy - Ma Johnson Hotel | Standard Room
- Valdez - Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn | Standard Room
- Sheep Mountain - Sheep Mountain Lodge | Premier Cabin
Homer, McCarthy & Valdez accommodation is the best available in the area and considered lower end of 3 star.
Not included:
- Gratuities
- Activities other than specified
- Portage fees
- Rental car
- Road and tunnel tolls
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Arrange a call with an Alaska Travel Designer and bring your vacation to Alaska one step closer!
DATES & PRICING
Departs from Anchorage: Daily(Tour Code: SDA27)
Date | Twin | Single | Triple | Child |
---|---|---|---|---|
Moderate Grade | ||||
20 May 22 - 31 May 22 01 Jun 22 - 10 Sep 22 |
$4,202 $4,330
| $6,949 $7,203
| $3,382 $3,467
| $1,172 $1,172
|
Superior Grade | ||||
20 May 22 - 31 May 22 01 Jun 22 - 10 Sep 22 |
$4,226 $4,409
| $6,996 $7,361
| $3,401 $3,523
| $1,172 $1,172
|
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REVIEWS
1 of 2
"Alaska By Design was very helpful and had a quick turn around on price quotes."
Alaska By Design was very helpful and had a quick turn around on price quotes. My clients enjoyed their trip thanks to the arrangements made by Alaska by Design
Tracey Los Angeles, CA
2 of 2
"I enjoyed working with Alaska by Design"
I enjoyed working with Alaska by Design, I was introduced to them by Debra Roberts and Karen did a great job for me with a couple of my reservations
Haleh M California, USA
Alaska’s Scenic National Parks Road Trip
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