7 Most Scenic Small Towns In Alaska For Nature Lovers

You don't have to search far into the backcountry to see some of Alaska's most remarkable landscapes. Close-up views of pristine mountains, beaches, and forests are seen from small towns scattered throughout Alaska. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find that these small towns are a great starting point for life-changing outdoor adventures, whether nature lovers are looking to witness bald eagles soaring over tranquil ports up close or walk mountain trails with magnificent scenery for a quick picture. Hidden gems—locations where the wilderness meets friendly hospitality and where the grandeur of Alaska feels personal—can be found outside the well-traveled routes of national parks and cruise ship ports. From glacier hikes to whale sightings just off the dock, these towns prove that you don’t need a big city to find big views.

Homer

Coined "where the land ends and the sea begins," Homer, Alaska, combines a humble fishing village with an artistic community that most certainly has natural wonder, all of which overlooks Kachemak Bay. The iconic Homer Spit, a small community with shops and eateries, is perfect for starting a fishing charter or viewing wildlife, and is open to tourists. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center has a myriad of walking trails, such as the Beluga Slough Trail, exhibits, and information on the surrounding ecology, along with picturesque views.

To explore the artistic side of town, the Dean Homestead and Art Studios showcase local artwork and architecture amid mountain views and farm animals. In the meantime, the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies grants family-friendly activities and guided tours through the varied habitats of Kachemak Bay, hosting hands-on environmental education appropriate for those who can not get enough of the outdoors.

Pelican

According to its motto, "Closest to the Fish," Pelican, Alaska, was established because it had easy access to the Gulf's abundant fishing seas, and the town is still closely associated with its maritime heritage. The Pelican Creek Bridge, which is only a short distance from the harbor, is a great place to observe salmon swimming upstream to their breeding grounds. For a short but impactful climb, the Tsunami track, a rugged half-mile track that eventually seeks to round the town, provides a good starting point. It is a scenic route as well as a recognized safe route in case of a tsunami warning. Next, visitors and locals who enjoy the wild outdoors and are looking for a more rigorous hike frequently seek out Yakobi Island.

Along the way are serene lakes, a verdant jungle, and the ruins of a nickel mine from the 1920s. Bohemia Basin marks the start of the eight-mile Takanis Lake Trail, just seven miles northwest of the tiny Alaskan community. This challenging yet rewarding journey offers visitors an up-close experience of the wilds of Southeast Alaska as it climbs five hundred feet through old-growth forest on an ancient gravel road.

Skagway

Skagway is one of the most well-liked communities in Alaska's Inside Passage, thanks to its rich Gold Rush past and views of the mountains and surrounding waters. A highly recommended attraction is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, a train built in 1898 during the historic Klondike Gold Rush. This beautifully aged engineering marvel winds through alpine scenery, including tunnels, trestles, glaciers, and cliffs, all while in vintage train cars. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari provides an unforgettable escape into the wild heart of Alaska.

There is a simple way for everyone to experience the Davidson Glacier in all its glory, just by paddling canoes from the cruise port to a wildlife-watching boat. Anyone with an interest in the story of nature's progression in Alaska, or the "Glacier State," should not miss the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, which notably has many buildings that display what it was like to live between 1897 and 1898. For more photographic information, visitors can learn from the BearHead Photography Gallery, filled with images taken by famous National Geographic photographer Barrett Hedges.

Gustavus

A center of artistic creativity, this small town is known for its natural beauty and is home to notable sculptors, painters, potters, jewelers, and woodcarvers, all of whose creations can be found in local galleries and stores. As the entry point to Glacier Bay National Park, Gustavus offers a plethora of opportunities to enjoy the raw appeal of Southeast Alaska, from biking through the town and climbing the Nagoonberry Loop Trail to beachcombing, kayaking, and fishing. Just nine miles away, Bartlett Cove serves as the park’s headquarters, complete with a lodge, campground, visitor center, and the only maintained hiking trails within the park.

Here, everyone can rent kayaks, join ranger-led programs, and embark on boat tours that reveal Glacier Bay’s stunning glacial landscapes. The region is rich in cultural heritage as well. Interpretive events and cultural demonstrations about the Huna Tlingit people are held in the Xunaa Shuká Hít Tribal House by the National Park Service and the Hoonah Indian Association. Gustavus is a popular destination for charter fishing away from the crowds, where anglers can catch all five species of Pacific salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod on trips into Icy Strait and Cross Sound.

Sitka

Sitka's culture is shaped by the blending of Russian and Alaska Native traditions, which is seen in everything from its architecture to its art and dance. For example, visitors can go to Sitka National Historic Park, also called Totem Park, where forested trails wind along coastal waterways, lined with decorated totem poles. Just outside town, the Alaska Raptor Center—once a small, volunteer-run effort—now stands as the state’s leading bald eagle hospital and one of its top wildlife education centers, rehabilitating 100-200 birds each year.

For those intrigued by Alaska’s iconic wildlife, the Fortress of the Bear offers a rare chance to observe orphaned black and brown bears up close in a naturalistic setting, while also learning about their rehabilitation through engaging educational talks. And for a peaceful outdoor escape, the Herring Cove Trail provides a scenic hike through rainforest landscapes and a chance to connect more deeply with Sitka’s wild surroundings.

Haines

Despite its modest size, Haines is home to a multitude of outdoor excursions. Visitors arriving from the west are greeted by the Chilkat Inlet, which flows into the Chilkat River and Lake. The town is surrounded by wooded areas and calm waterways. The lush forest that makes up the Chilkat Peninsula can be explored by hiking routes like Battery Point, Mount Riley, and Ayiklutu Trail, the latter of which is situated inside Chilkat State Park. Not to mention, this public park has a log cabin visitor center with spotting scopes for up-close views of wildlife, sea life, and glaciers.

Hikers can access the trail from a number of locations: Piedad Road offers a more direct but steep ascent, Skyline Road offers a picturesque start just outside town, and the longer Saddle Trail winds through pine forests and muskegs to reach high-altitude views at Peak 3920, with connecting ridgelines to Mount Ripinsky. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, a 48,000-acre refuge established to safeguard the largest bald eagle flock in the world and the salmon-rich rivers that they depend on, is a must-see for anybody interested in wildlife. Haines is a wonderful gem for nature enthusiasts, with the Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site about ten miles north of town providing a peaceful haven with lakeside campsites, picnic spaces, fire rings, and great fishing.

Wrangell

One of Alaska's oldest communities, Wrangell is well situated close to the mouth of the Stikine River, encircled by stunning scenery. Visitors are welcome to see old rock sculptures at Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park, which is located just north of town. Near the ferry terminal, a boardwalk off Evergreen Avenue leads to interpretive exhibits and a beach with enormous stone carvings of spirals, birds, whales, and human faces that are best seen at low tide. The Wrangell Museum, which has over three thousand historical photographs and artifacts, including hand-carved Tlingit house posts and traditional spruce and cedar bark baskets, preserves Wrangell's multi-layered past, which was influenced by Tlingit culture, Russian settlement, and the gold rush.

Thirty miles southeast lies the Anan Wildlife Observatory, one of the only locations in Alaska where brown and black bears coexist. You may watch them, together with eagles and harbor seals, eat pink salmon from a safe vantage point during the summer run. Stated as the most navigable river in North America, the wild and gorgeous Stikine River provides views of alpine peaks, glaciers, and rugged shorelines. An unforgettable experience is provided by jet boat tours.

In Alaska, nature does not play a supporting role; rather, it takes center stage. In addition, the natural cycles of the seasons, snowfall, and tides govern daily life in these quaint towns. Whether you're an experienced traveler or a silent admirer of beauty, these undiscovered treasures provide a place to relax, explore, and re-establish a connection with the wild, beautiful, and profoundly alive world of the past. These seven communities offer plenty of opportunities for exploration and admiring the natural beauty despite their small size. If you're planning a trip to Alaska and want to take a different path, spend some time visiting one or more of these villages. You'll find the peace, perspective, and wonder that only nature can provide, in addition to breathtaking views.