15 of the most beautiful places in Alaska
21.07.2023 - 07:47
/ roughguides.com
With mountains to climb, rivers to raft, glaciers to coo over, and a bevvy of bears to photograph, Alaska offers beautiful views and the ultimate wilderness. From the moment you arrive, the raw, unspoiled beauty of the USA's 49th state is almost overwhelming. So, where should you start to explore the most beautiful places in Alaska?
Try one of these 15 idyllic spots, taken from the chapter on Alaska in the Rough Guide to the USA:
Encompassing six million acres of pure Alaskan interior wilderness topped by North America’s highest peak (Denali, 20,310ft), the Denali National Park and Preserve is Alaska’s ultimate scenic showstopper. Bisected by one solitary ribbon of road, this pristine ecosystem plays home to a menagerie of wildlife. Wolves, bears, caribou, and even Dall sheep – one can easily spot a plethora of fauna from a bus ride through the park, or on a ranger-led programme.
Denali National Park is some of the finest scenery in Alaska, USA © Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock
Alaska is famed for its Inside Passage cruises, and for many visitors passing through the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park en route is the highlight of their trip. Here, you can watch in awe from a boat (or kayak) as the majestic Margerie Glacier calves 100-tonne icebergs into the tidewater while orcas, sea lions, seals and other marine animals frolic in the crystal-clear waters surrounding it. Bring your binoculars to spot bears on the shore, and mountain goats on the cliffs above.
Glacier Bay National Park is surely one of the most beautiful places in Alaska © Ramunas Bruzas/Shutterstock
Stretching 1387 miles from Delta Junction, southeast of Fairbanks, all the way to Dawson Creek in British Colombia, Canada, the Alaska Highway (also known as the ALCAN) is considered one of the world’s top scenic drives.
Constructed during World War II, this well-maintained road winds through some truly spectacular terrain. Considered one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, this drive offers excellent views of wildlife and countless other photo opportunities along the way.
View along Dalton Highway toward brooks range in northern Alaska in winter © FloridaStock/Shutterstock
If you’ve seen one of those photographs of a brown (grizzly) bear perched on the edge of a waterfall snagging salmon in mid-air, there’s a good chance it was taken in Katmai National Park. Brooks Falls, to be exact – Alaska’s most famous bear-viewing area.
Unconnected to any town by road, the park – also famed for its fishing, hiking, rafting and kayaking possibilities – is most commonly accessed by floatplane, and is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska.
Wanting to explore more beautiful places? Check out our guide to the most beautiful state parks in