Top Activities on the Ground in Alaska

Ride an electric bike to the end of Ketchikan's 'road to nowhere' and then hike thorough a wildlife-rich rain forest on this combo eco-tour. Pedal from the marina to the end of the island's paved road system on a battery-powered bike, and then dismount to trek through the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest, following a trail that passes an active salmon-spawning stream, a waterfall, beach views, and dense foliage that's home to an array of native Alaskan wildlife.

This panoramic tour provides you a comfortable ride in a small tour bus to all the scenic waterfall destinations located in and around Skagway. As you leave Skagway you will make your way to scenic viewing platforms for great photo opportunities. We provide a friendly, knowledgeable local guide who will give informative commentary, history, and descriptions of each waterfall destination. Your stops include Pitchfork Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, where you can put your hands under the water, International Falls, the Welcome to Alaska Sign, with a special stop at the Gold Rush Cemetery which includes a hike through the temperate rain forest to Reid Falls. A moderate level of walking ability is required for this hike. Please note the trail is not paved and is on uneven surfaces. This very special excursion affords you the chance to interact with these waterfalls and scenic stops in one tour making for a very exclusive nature experience like no other.

If you don't have the time, or the expertise required, to go on a glacier expedition on foot, a helicopter tour is a great way to see the glaciers surrounding Anchorage. This tour takes you over spectacular scenery and makes three landings—one alpine, one on an ice wall, and one in the middle of Knik Glacier—where you can get out and explore with your guide. You also have the possibility of seeing mountain goats, Dall sheep, moose, and, in the summer months, bears and wolves. Note: in winter, the helicopter lands next to the glacier.

It’s not every day you get to hike along the base of a 26-mile-long active glacier! Join the original guiding company on Matanuska, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible natural wonders on foot with NOVA’s popular Glacier Tour! This unique adventure offers an up-close look at a dynamic, ever-evolving landscape. Our expert guides will lead you through the rugged terminal moraine, sharing their knowledge of the region’s formation, natural features, and the forces that have shaped it over thousands of years. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning ice formations, jagged seracs, deep crevasses, and flowing moulins. You’ll be outfitted with all the necessary gear and transported to the glacier’s terminus at the park. From there, you’ll hike across the moraine and into the breathtaking 'Ice Falls' area, where towering ice cascades over the rocky landscape—truly a memorable experience.

Experience the thrill of soaring through the Tongass National Forest without having to sort out logistics on a small-group zipline excursion from Ketchikan. Glide across eight zip lines, walk suspension bridges, and rappel in the forest, keeping an eye out for all sorts of wildlife along the way. As an added bonus, you'll stop by a totem park, a historic sawmill, and an old blacksmith shop.

Stroll leisurely through the forest of Denali National Park. As you walk, listen to your guide talk about the plants, animals, ecology, geology, and more that make Denali unique. Taste the bounty of edible berries that pepper Denali's forests. Your guide is a true expert. Not a mid-rate guide who knows a few fun facts. They're a Naturalist who's prepared to answer any question you throw at them. They're ready for wildlife encounters with bear spray and good training. They have a Wilderness First Responder certification, making them better prepared than an EMT for an emergency in the backcountry. See? I told you they were an expert. This is your chance to experience Alaska up close and personal. Your chance to feel the peat moss that so few do. Taste the elusive and legendary cloudberries. This is more than a walk. It's an all expenses paid teleportation into the inner workings of Denali National Park. OH! And we donate 5% to conservation. You're helping Denali by taking this tour!

Experience up-close views of glaciers and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park on this cruise. Enjoy 100 miles (round-trip) of jaw-dropping scenery as the captain and crew explain the surrounding geology and wildlife. Sail past the majestic Holgate Glacier and witness chunks of glaciers break off and crash into the water. Get your camera out near Chiswell Islands, home to thousands of nesting seabirds. In addition to the sights, enjoy a complimentary brunch or deli lunch.

Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau — they're essential experiences for any local tourist that you won't want to miss. Check them both off your list on this half-day combo tour that includes flexible departure times and round-trip transportation from Mt. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip.

When your ship anchors in Juneau port, get ready for a shore excursion pumped with adventure and incredible views. First, soar by helicopter over Juneau Icefield, and then land on Herbert Glacier to explore the remote landscape by foot. Learn about the surrounding Alaskan wilderness and capture memorable shots during your icefield walk. This tour includes hotel pickup and transportation to and from the helicopter facilities.

Don’t let Alaska’s best scenery pass you by from your car window. On this small-group tour, follow your guide on an e-bike, traveling the ultra-scenic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, one of the most beautiful coastal trails in the nation. Taking it easy on your pedal-assisted cruiser, nab views of Cook Inlet, the Alaska Mountains, downtown Anchorage, and so much more—including all the wildlife Alaska is known for.

Explore the Alaskan wilderness by ATV from Denali. View Denali National Park landmarks such as Otto Lake, Healy Valley, and the Alaska Range, and look for wildlife including moose. Ride either an automatic single or double ATV through rugged terrain, splashing through water (weather permitting) and traversing rocky creek beds at speeds of up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. Hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels is included for convenience.

Enjoy an experience most tourists miss and step off your cruise ship into a floatplane to admire the glassy blue lakes, waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks of Misty Fjords National Monument on this shore excursion from Ketchikan. Capture bird’s-eye views of varied landscapes and try your luck spotting eagles, bears, and plenty of other wildlife during the flight that includes a guaranteed window seat. It’s an ideal experience for nature-lovers.

Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 4-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. 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 and mountain goats.

Experience Alaska’s forests and tundra from the only zipline course in the Denali National Park region. Soar over the trees during a half-day ziplining experience just outside the national park. Guides lead you along a course with six suspension bridges and seven ziplines. Remember to pause and admire the landscape on this memorable tour that promises exhilarating thrills, incredible scenery, and a fun challenge.

Hike with an experienced, naturalist guide and small group through the wilderness trails of Denali National Park. The 5-hour experience showcases the tundra, taiga and boreal forest that has made Denali a mecca for wilderness adventurers the world over. Listen to narration to understand the parks botany, geology and history as you focus on the nature all around you — not the logistics or your map.

While your ship is docked in Ketchikan, kayak around Eagle Island, part of Tongass National Forest, on this shore excursion. Enter the protected waters of Clover Pass and increase your chances of spotting wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, salmon, and even whales as you explore in a quiet, eco-friendly vessel. The tranquil waters provide a perfect opportunity for beginning kayakers and the more experienced alike to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness.

Kick up your adrenaline with this guided ATV adventure in the backcountry of Denali National Park. Hop aboard a Polaris Side by Side ATV, accommodating two passengers, and rev off along the Alaska Range, speeding through stunning mountain scenery up to 25 miles per hour. On Black Diamond Peak, marvel at views of Healy Valley. After the ride, enjoy a full-service backcountry meal. Hotel transport is available for this 3.5-hour outing.

Few places on Earth rival the grandeur of Denali National Park. This 3-hour hike, led by a naturalist guide, is limited to just seven people for a more personalized experience. Perfect for the first-time visitor, the experience is offered in the morning, afternoon or under the midnight sun (twilight), allowing you to explore the boreal Alaska Range forest at a time that suits you best.

If you’re a fan of the Discovery Channel’s hit TV show 'Deadliest Catch,' you saw the Aleutian Ballad, a commercial fishing boat, escape a rogue wave in the Bering Sea. On this fisherman’s tour from Ketchikan, hop aboard the Aleutian Ballad and navigate through the waterways of the Inside Passage with a seasoned fishing crew. Touch some of the catch, take photos, and listen to entertaining sea lore.

Soar through the air on a 3-hour zipline tour in Talkeetna. See the entire Alaska Range, the Susitna and Chulitna Valleys, and the south side of Denali as you zip from platform to platform. Your guide provides thorough instructions and equipment so that you can zipline safely and enjoy your flight.

Discover Alaska’s natural beauty—and take the guesswork out of exploring—on this hike around Beaver Lake in Sitka, designed for wildlife-spotting. Spend time in the wilderness, hike along a route rarely followed by visitors, and see picturesque scenery along the way. Learn about nature, pass by areas known for eagles, salmon, and other wildlife, and pick berries with your naturalist guide.

Embark on a thrilling 2.5-hour escapade with Alaska Bigfoot Adventures. This one-of-a-kind experience guarantees an authentic Alaskan adventure, led by a local guide. Explore our brand-new trail through the enchanting deep woods of Alaska. Get ready for a town tour, an exhilarating ATV ride, and an immersive trek into the wild. Perfect for Bigfoot enthusiasts, environmentalists, and anyone with a curious spirit. Join now and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Alaska’s wild nature should be experienced in the open air, and that’s what you’ll do on this immersive e-bike tour. Great for any fitness level—and most ages—you’ll bike along mostly paved roads, getting views of Mendenhall Glacier, the world’s northernmost rainforest, and so much more. Since you choose your effort level, it’s an always-exhilarating adventure that’s always at your pace.