Top Activities on the Ground in Alaska

Go on an outdoor adventure in Alaska with this small-group helicopter tour with glacier landing. Take off on a scenic flight and admire views of the Knik River on the way to the Knik Glacier. Land directly on or near the glacier (depending on the season) and set out on a guided glacier or ice formation hike before the return flight. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as moose, bears, and mountain goats.

Discover more of Alaska—and explore parts of the landscape you’d otherwise miss—on this hiking tour of Matanuska Glacier. Gear up in the provided helmet, boots and microspikes, travel to the trailhead, and follow a route designed to get close to the ice. Follow your guide across rugged terrain, see ice formations and deep crevasses up close, and learn about the glacier’s formation and natural features along the way.

A stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a great Anchorage outdoors activity, but you can cover much more ground on a bicycle. This small-group guided bicycle tour begins at Kincaid Park and shows you the beauty of the Cook Inlet, with views of Denali and, possibly, moose along the way.

Alaskans have been snowshoeing for millennia—try the sport when you’re here, and you’ll be a part of tradition. Your naturalist guide will meet you in Chugach State Park, showing you just how easy and rewarding snowshoeing can be. With unbelievable views of Cook Inlet, Anchorage Bowl, and likely wildlife sightings along the way, you’ll float above the snow in the park’s Glen Alps, a snowshoe lover in the making.

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!

Discover the highlights of Skagway and its nearby surroundings when you book this electric bike tour. Join a small group and pedal around the remote, Alaskan town listening to stories about the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush and the beginnings of the community. Observe artifacts at the local museum and pan for gold, just like the miners once did, to see if you can strike it rich.

Discover the thrill of Backcountry Ice Climbing with NOVA’s expert guides! Whether you're a beginner or looking to try something new, our introductory ice climbing experience offers an accessible and exciting way to challenge yourself in the stunning surroundings of the Matanuska Glacier. No prior experience is necessary—just a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn! Join the original guiding company on the Matanuska Glacier, founded over 30 years ago, and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers. You’ll be outfitted with top-of-the-line gear, and our expert guides will provide all the instruction you need to safely learn the fundamentals of ice climbing. Explore the glacier’s frozen landscape as you climb its ice walls, gaining new skills while taking in breathtaking views of this natural wonder. Let’s go—reach new heights and experience the thrill of ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier!

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.

Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness on a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park from Seward. Aboard a warm and spacious vessel, cruise past alpine and tidewater glaciers among the fjords and try your luck spotting wildlife like whales, sea lions, and birds. Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard and visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for great views of seabird rookeries.

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.

Discover Alaska at your own pace, and cover far more ground than you would on foot, on this e-bike rental experience in Downtown Sitka, with suggested routing and self-guided tour recommendations conveniently provided. Visit key landmarks like the Fortress of the Bear and National Historical Park, ride along the coast or on forest trails, or cycle to secluded corners for nature spotting.

Learn about Anchorage’s history while cruising around town in a bus outfitted to look like a vintage trolley. Gain unique into the local history and culture of Alaska's most populous city from guides with generational ties to the region. You may even get to spot moose crossing the road and seaplanes descending on Lake Hood and Lake Spenard.

Nature lovers can spend the day exploring the Matanuska Glacier on a hiking tour that traverses the glacier’s picturesque terrain. Along the way, your guide teaches you about the dynamic glacial features including seracs, moulons, and crevasses. While it is easy to get views of the glacier on your own, a guided hike on the glacier itself provides a completely different perspective of the otherworldly landscape.

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.

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.

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.

Focus on the scenery of Tongass National Forest and Totem Park on this eco tour from Ketchikan. Traveling with a small group of just 11 people or fewer means you'll get personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions of your guide. Follow your guide on a walk through the Alaskan rain forest and Totem Park, where you'll get views and photo ops of pristine creeks, ancient trees, and moss-covered ground. There's even a geo-caching scavenger hunt to keep kids interested and occupied.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the beauty of Alaska's wilderness during this half-day hiking tour in Chugach State Park. Meet your guide for a small-group hike to see Alaska's alpine forests and tundra. Learn about the local ecosystem from a naturalist guide and keep an eye out for local wildlife including bear, sheep, marmot, and birds. Experience of the thrill of 360-degree views of Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains.