6 Most Scenic Drives in Alaska
A road trip in Alaska usually means several hours or even days on the road. But, if you are not up for an all-day road trip and having to overnight in a hotel, there are several short road trips you can consider. Many of Alaska’s most memorable drives can be completed in less than half a day, so you get the big views and landmarks without racking up the mileage on your car. The following six scenic drives deliver everything you want from an Alaska road trip, including mountains seemingly rising straight from the road and lakes fed by massive glaciers. You will also get sweeping coastal views and stretches of wilderness populated only by wildlife.
Seward to Moose Pass
If you do not have much time to spend on the road but still want to enjoy Alaska's scenery, the Seward-to-Moose Pass road trip is ideal. It is a 28-mile stretch on the Seward Highway and includes some of the most dramatic scenery on the Kenai Peninsula. You will start north from Seward (grab a coffee at Resurrect Art Coffee first) and follow the road along Resurrection Bay before cutting inland and driving through gorgeous mountain valleys and along glacial lakes.
Along the way, you can stop at the Kenai Fjords National Park Exit Glacier Area. Just outside Seward, the Exit Glacier access road leads to a trail system where you can walk to viewing points for the glacier. You can also pull over at Bear Glacier Lagoon, which is filled with icebergs from Bear Glacier. There is wildlife to see at Upper Trail Lake before you carry on to Moose Pass. Moose Pass is a tiny community in the Kenai Peninsula Borough; official counts have ranged from around 70 in earlier estimates to more than 200 in recent census figures, and seasonal populations can vary as well. If you time your trip around June 21, you will be just in time for the town’s Summer Solstice Festival, which happens to be one of the best small-town festivals in the state.
Palmer to Hatcher Pass
Another scenic, easy-to-drive road trip starts in the charming town of Palmer and winds up at the scenic Hatcher Pass, a stunning mountain landmark near Wasilla. Before you take on the 21 miles between the town and the mountain pass, book yourself on a Knik Glacier Tour in Palmer. Knik Glacier is one of the oldest and most active glaciers in Alaska; it's about 25 miles long and is not accessible by road. Most visitors reach it by air, boat, or guided off-road tours, with fat-tire biking also possible in certain conditions.
When you are ready to hit the road, you will drive through low hills and spruce forest before traveling up into the Talkeetna mountains. The higher you go, the narrower the road gets, and the more the view opens up across alpine valleys. When you get above the tree line, you reach rocks and tundra, and you will see wide basins carved by glaciers. There are some pullouts near the summit as you get closer to Hatcher Pass.
Hatcher Pass is one of the most iconic landmarks near Wasilla. As you drive from Palmer toward Hatcher Pass, you can stop at Independence Mine State Historical Park, which is located near the upper end of the road and accessible when the pass is open. This historic complex dates back to the early 1900s, and you will find restored buildings, equipment, and old mine shafts here.
When you get near the summit, you can stop at one or more of the many pullouts to look out across the mountain walls and basins. If you are traveling in summer, you will see wildflowers covering the tundra slopes. If you choose to drive on to Wasilla instead of returning to Palmer, you can feed animals at the Reindeer Farm, explore the Mat-Su Valley, or visit the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.
Homer to Anchor Point
If you prefer a shorter drive, consider taking the Sterling Highway between Homer and Anchor Point. It is a 14-mile trip along the western side of the Kenai Peninsula. The highway runs above Cook Inlet as you leave Homer behind, through rolling hills and open forest. You will get frequent sneak peeks at the inlet, where volcanic peaks on the Alaska Peninsula are visible on clear days.
Your first stop should be at the edge of Homer, at Bishop’s Beach. The beach is great for beachcombing and birdwatching, plus you will enjoy expansive views of the stunning Kachemak Bay. Along the way, you can pull over at several Cook Inlet viewpoints to take in the views across the tidal flats.
As you approach Anchor Point, you will find more pullouts and access to short trails that lead to the Anchor River. You can spend an hour or so watching wildlife or keeping an eye out for the salmon runs that occur here. In and around Anchor Point, you can book guided excursions such as bear-viewing trips or flightseeing tours for a different perspective on the area.
Talkeetna to Cantwell
For more time on the road and even more spectacular views, take the Talkeetna Spur Road from Talkeetna to Cantwell. The Spur Road links to the Parks Highway after you drive through a landscape of river valleys and distant mountain ranges. Along the Parks Highway, there are straight stretches and gentle curves through forest and tundra. If you drive here on a clear day, you will see the Alaska Range and Denali from several points along the route. Without stopping, the drive takes around three hours. Plan for a bit longer if you want to take in some of the views.
One of the most well-known viewpoints where you can safely pull over is the Hurricane Gulch Bridge. Here, you can look down into the river gorge carved by the Susitna River. As you travel along the Parks Highway, you will see signs indicating viewpoints for photographing Denali. As the road climbs toward Cantwell, the valleys open up, and twisty rivers dominate the landscape.
Cantwell marks the end of this road-trip segment and is located near Denali National Park and Preserve, serving as a gateway community to the park. In Cantwell, you can go on sightseeing tours or fish for the rest of the day.
Valdez to Chitina
You will want to spend some time in Valdez before heading to Chitina for a three-hour-plus road trip. Valdez offers a day cruise to Prince William Sound. During the cruise, you will pass several icebergs and see glaciers as well as whales, eagles, and otters. You can even go sea kayaking in the sound or hike the trail above Worthington Glacier. When you are ready to take to the road, the Richardson Highway will take you through Keystone Canyon, where the Bridal Veil and Horsetail waterfalls rush down the rock walls mere meters from the road. The canyon is narrow, creating a dramatic section of the road. When you exit, the view will include alpine valleys, lakes, and streams.
You can see Bridal Veil Falls from a roadside pullout, and a short walk will bring you within earshot of the crashing waters. When you reach Thompson Pass, you can stop at high-elevation viewpoints to look out over snowfields and mountains. As you near Chitina, stop at some of the Copper River pullouts to see the river snaking through the valley and a salmon run (if you are traveling in season). When you get to Chitina, you can fish for salmon on the river or explore the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
Tok To Chicken
If you find yourself in Tok, you can take the Taylor Highway northeast until you get to green hills and river valleys. There are gravel sections on this road to slow the traffic, so you will have enough time to look out at the forests and tundra. You may even see wildlife from your car, including moose grazing near the rivers or birds swooping low across the road. The Taylor Highway takes you all the way to Chicken, and before you get there, you will see the remnants of old gold-mining activities in the area.
In addition to roadside exhibits and old equipment dating to the area’s gold-rush past, you can stop at pullouts along the Mosquito Fork of the Fortymile River. Here, you may spot eagles and other stunning birds. You can stretch your legs along the riverbank and take some photos while you take a breather. The entire road trip from Tok to Chicken lasts around three hours. Chicken is an extremely small, quirky community, with year-round population estimates typically in the low dozens and seasonal numbers that can be higher. You can go on a float trip on the Fortymile Wild and Scenic River and catch glimpses of historic gold-mining dredges.
Experience the Joy of Road Tripping in Alaska
Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes make it impossible to drive between small towns without stopping. You will want to pull out at exits, stop along rivers, and notice all the little, beautiful things along the way. In this part of the US, a quiet forest or sunlight sparkling on a lake can take on a magical feel. You will experience the excitement of watching a moose crossing the road or mountains rising from the ground in the distance. The scenic drives in Alaska give you more than ample opportunity to take in all of the gorgeous scenery at your own pace. Even a short drive here can feel like a complete adventure, leaving you with memories that last a lifetime.
