Things To Do
Eklutna Lake Campground
This beautiful lake and campground are located approximately 45 minutes north of Anchorage. At the lake there is plenty of hiking for all abilities (easy and flat or steep and strenuous), kayaking/canoeing, or just relaxing on the shores enjoying the view. One thing that there is not is cell phone service or groceries. A perfect escape close to town
Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass is one of our favorite spots to take the pup and spend a day outside. Its a great play escape basically in our backyard and we couldnt be more lucky. The hiking is endless, the views are epic, the blueberries and ptarmigan are delicious and the snow is amazing! There are long day hikes and short day hikes and flat hikes and steep hikes and multiday hikes and out and back hikes and loop hikes and basically any other kind of hike. But Hatcher Pass can be enjoyed with a car just driving around equally as much as hiking. There's truly something for everyone here. Places to check out include Summit Lake Recreation Area, Archangel Valley, Independence Mine, Gold Mint Hut, Snowbird Hut, Reed Lakes Trail, Bomber Traverse, and the list goes on.
Girdwood Brewing Company
Girdwood is a small ski town about 40 minutes south of Anchorage. During the summer there is plenty of hiking in and around Girdwood. There may even be some downhill mountain biking this time of year, if you want to suit up an get adventurous. Just getting there from Anchorage is one of the prettiest drives in the state (they're all pretty pretty to be honest). Along the way stop by Beluga Point, Bird Point, try to see the bore tide, hike McHugh Creek, Bird Ridge, Falls Creek, Windy Peak, or just go right to Girdwood and hike Winner Creek, Crow Pass or take the tram up Alyeska and then swing by Girdwood Brewing for a beer before heading home (responsibly of course)
Seaview Cafe & Bar
Featuring live music every weekend during the summer, Hope is one of the best places to get your dance on in Southcentral Alaska. Camping is available right outside the bar and there is room for RV's and tents. We've never used an RV site but imagine that reservations would be required. We've never had any issues getting a tent spot (there aren't real "tent spots" per se, its more like open camping). All around Hope is plenty of hiking including Resurrection Pass, Hope Point, Palmer Creek and Gull Rock. Getting to Hope is about 1.5 hours south of Anchorage and is a beautiful drive past Girdwood and through Turnagain Pass (also with alot of hiking options).
Cooper Landing
Cooper Landing is a small fishing town located about 2 hours south of Anchorage and on the Kenai River. Its a good place to hop on the river and try to catch some reds. But beware that you wont be doing it alone! This area is VERY popular in the summer. But its a quick and easy river float and a great way to get into some fish, see a ton of eagles and maybe a bear or two while enjoying the glacier blue water of the Kenai River. The other side of Resurrection Pass can be found in Cooper Landing. The entire Resurrection Pass hike between Hope and Cooper Landing is around 40 miles.
Glen Alps Trailhead
Located just on the outskirts of Anchorage, Glen Alps is probably the most popular parking lot in Alaska (well probably second to Costco actually). Its an access point to Powerline Pass, Flattop, and a bunch of other beautiful hikes. A couple nearby but different trailheads include Prospect Heights and Rabbit Lakes.
Seward
Seward is a small fishing town located about 2.5 hrs south of Anchorage where the mountains meet the sea. This is a good spot to go for some ocean fishing to chase halibut or rockfish. There is also the Kenai Fjords Glacier Tours, Sea Life Center, Exit Glacier, good restaurants, whales, eagles, sea lions and plenty of hiking. Seward can be reached by a gorgeous drive through Turnagain Pass and Moose Pass... or get off the beaten path and take the train!
Talkeetna
Talkeetna is a tiny little tourist town located about 2.5 hours north of Anchorage. There are hiking trails, a bunch of little shops selling local goods, and a great view of Denali if the weather is cooperating. If it is cooperating, we recommend a flight tour out of Talkeetna that flies around Denali and the Alaska mountain range. The trip is a little spendy but on a clear day you'll see views of snowy glaciers, ice falls and jagged mountains that you'll never forget.
K2 Aviation - Denali Flightseeing
If the sky is clear and Denali is out this is an excellent excursion. Its a little spendy but well worth the cost for a once in a lifetime view of North America's tallest mountain.
Denali Highway
One great way to see a bunch of the small part of Alaska accessible by road is to drive the Denali Highway. You can go clockwise or counter clockwise around the 800 mile loop beginning and ending in Anchorage. Its impossible to write all of the things to do along the drive. There are campsites all along the Denali Highway, basically you just see a view you like and pull over to camp. There is hiking everywhere, great grayling fishing, plenty of mosquitos and even pizza. The road is mostly unpaved with zero services between Cantwell and Glennallen so make sure to bring all of your food and gas and make sure the rental company is ok with you driving on dirt or that you're ok taking that risk if they dont allow it. The road is well travelled but also not well travelled. Meaning you'll have privacy when travelling but you'll see people if you need something safety-wise for a flat tire or jump. There is no cell service or other services though.
Alaska Railroad
The Alaska Railroad is a great way to get off the beaten path of the roadway and take in some different perspectives. The railroad goes North and runs through Talkeetna and beyond or South towards Seward. It offers day trips or make it a multi day trip. Either way is a great way to explore. https://www.alaskarailroad.com/
Portage Lake Overlook
Portage Lake is also a beautiful spot to check out and an easy drive to get to. Its also near Byron Glacier which we've never been to but heard is beautiful. Both locations are not far past Girdwood and have easy walking trails. Just be sure to check trail conditions of the Byron Glacier trail before leaving in case its too snowy. I'm not sure what its like in June and if everything has melted or not yet.
So many other things....
There is really so much to do here