Top Anchorage Outdoor Activities - page 2

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.

See the Portage Glacier on a small-group tour from Anchorage. Follow the scenic Seward Parkway through the breathtaking landscape of the Turnagain Arm waterway, stopping at Beluga Point and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge to look for wildlife. Take a cruise on Portage Lake to observe the Portage Glacier up close, then check out wild animals that are being rehabilitated at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Stop for provided light snacks and water in the town of Girdwood near Mt. Alyeska and take in the Chugach Mountains.

Let an insider lead the way around Anchorage on this half-day, small-group tour of the city, featuring stops at must-see attractions including Ship Creek and Alaska Wild Berry Products. Gain a deeper understanding of local culture as you learn the history and folklore behind key Anchorage attractions. With both walking and driving components, you get to stretch your legs and rest. Sample reindeer sausage, smoked salmon, and other local treats.

See the Chugach Range from the air as your helicopter flight takes you over snow capped mountain peaks and braided river valleys to land on over 300 feet of glacial ice thousands of years old! Experience majestic blue pools, stunning, swirling moulins, deep crevasses and dramatic ice formations that continue to fascinate and attract the explorer in all of us when you step foot and trek around the surface of the Knik Glacier. The mighty Knik, one of the largest glaciers left in Southcentral Alaska, is 26 miles in length and 6 miles across at its toe and is just one of several glaciers in the ancient river valley. In addition to spotting wildlife from the air (moose, dall sheep, spawning salmon, and bears), you’ll have an eagle’s eye view of towering waterfalls, glacial iceberg-filled lakes, and the untouched wilderness of the Alaska backcountry. Enjoy a once in a lifetime Glacier Plunge in the summer months at no additional cost! Approx. 40 mins flight time w/ 45 mins on glacier.

This exclusive, small-group hike on the Matanuska Glacier is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which will leave you with a greater appreciation for one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena. Discover your inner glaciologist as you traverse across ice fields, hearing the cracking sounds of the glacier moving, and learn about the makings of the glacier in detail from your expert guide. Round off the adventure with local honey and wine tasting.

Avoid the disappointment of returning from your Alaska vacation with sub-par photographs. This photo safari, led by a professional photographer, helps you to improve your photography by providing technical and creative tips and tricks as you explore Anchorage's wild surroundings under the summer sunset.

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.

Immerse yourself in Alaska's icy beauty—without the hassle of organizing logistics—with this small-group guided hike on Matanuska Glacier. Departing from Anchorage, enjoy the views en route to the glacier where your guide leads you across the frozen expanse, unraveling the glacier's secrets and geological marvels while you marvel at towering ice formations and navigate crevasses.

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.

Join us for an unforgettable journey to the breathtaking Matanuska Glacier! Your adventure starts in downtown Anchorage, where you’ll board our comfortable van for a scenic two-hour drive north. Enjoy stunning Alaskan views and insightful commentary from your guide along the way. At the glacier, our expert guides will lead you on a two-hour trek across ancient ice, showcasing its incredible features. Learn about the glacier’s history and impact on the landscape. The moderate hike requires good balance, sturdy knees, and proper footwear. We provide all necessary glacier gear, including helmets and microspikes. After the trek, warm up with a hearty lunch at a nearby lodge with stunning glacier views. Snacks and water will be available throughout the trip. Conclude the day with a comfortable ride back to Anchorage, with drop-off at major downtown hotels. Our passionate glacier guides rely on tips to continue providing these exceptional experiences.

Increase your chances of viewing the magical aurora borealis on this guided tour in Anchorage. Enjoy expert photo instruction, portraits under the northern lights, and warm drinks while learning about the science behind the aurora. With snacks, hotel pickup, and forecasting services included, this unforgettable experience lets you witness nature’s most stunning light show.

This unique Alaskan experience is the only one like it offered in the Anchorage area. Get out and enjoy the beauty of Alaska! On a clear day we'll see as many as four mountain ranges in Southcentral Alaska. We'll spend our time on a beautiful small stream within about an hour's drive of Anchorage. We'll provide hip waders so you can get your feet wet without getting your feet wet. We'll provide quality Orvis fly rods, and "normal gear" as an alternative. All you'll need is clothing appropriate to spend the day in the Alaska wilderness. Relax and enjoy the fishing, we'll take care of all the messy work and heavy lifting - except perhaps lifting the heaviest fish of the day from the water!

The Matanuska Glacier is Alaska's largest glacier accessible by road, and offers the most accessible areas to walk on of any glacier in Alaska. If you don't want to tackle the winter drive yourself, this guided tour can take you there and lead you on a trek across the ice.  Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

A fully narrated tour by a local guide along Turnagain Arm offers stunning views of rugged mountains, glaciers, and Alaska flora and fauna (i.e., wildflowers, bald eagles, Dall sheep, beluga whales). We will stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), where visitors can get up-close viewings and pictures of Alaska's most iconic animals, including brown bears, moose, caribou, and muskox. From there, the tour will continue down the scenic Portage Valley, where visitors can take in spectacular views of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, the beautiful Portage Lake, and numerous glaciers, including the Explorer and Byron Glaciers. On the return trip, visitors will enjoy a provided lunch in Girdwood, a quaint town surrounded by the northernmost temperate rainforest. Overall, a tour of Turnagain Arm, the AWCC, and Portage Valley is a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of Alaska and to learn about the history and culture of this incredible state.

Nowhere is more fun to play in the snow than in Alaska. With this guided tour, you’ll hop on a fat bike—wider tires make traveling through snow easy—hitting the 150-mile network of multi-use trails just outside Anchorage. Zooming (or meandering!) through the forest, you’ll get an adrenaline rush, time in nature, and fresh appreciation for winter in Alaska. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

The turquoise waters of Eklutna Lake, fed by Eklutna Glacier, are surrounded by towering peaks and a rich forest ecosystem. Make the most of your time at Eklutna Lake by choosing two of the following guided outdoor adventures: biking, hiking, or kayaking. We'll take you beyond the basics of the valley's flora and fauna. You'll get a history of the valley, it's use as Anchorage's water source, the Alaska natives that have called the valley home, and their fight to protect and restore their ancestral lands.

The Turnagain Arm in the Gulf of Alaska boasts abundant Alaskan wildlife within easy access of Anchorage. Learn about the local ecosystem from a guide with extensive knowledge of the area as you drive down the peninsula, with opportunities to spot wild animals in their natural environment as you go. Includes a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and a drive past the glaciers on Portage Glacier Road.

Some of Alaska's most beautiful landscapes lie right on Anchorage's doorstep, but many visitors miss out due to transportation concerns. This guided tour departs from downtown Anchorage and takes you to Chugach State Park for a walk in nature. You'll see Barbara Falls, cross South Fork Eagle River and learn about plants and animals along the way.

Don’t let a lack of equipment prevent you from enjoying a day of fishing when in Anchorage. This fishing rental package includes chest waders, wading boots, wading belt, and heavy duty spinning rod, reel, and line. Staff will also make sure you know how to use the equipment and give you advice on where to go.

Avoid the hassle of waiting around for taxis or renting a car after you arrive in Anchorage when you prebook your transfer service. Meet your driver at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, and relax on the journey to your hotel in Anchorage or Girdwood in a private vehicle just for your party.

The Knik Glacier off-roading and hiking tour stands out because it combines two adventures in one—an exciting ride through true Alaskan wilderness in a specially modified Jeep, followed by an up-close hike to one of the state’s most dynamic and impressive glaciers. Unlike crowded trails elsewhere, the Knik area is remote, quiet, and constantly changing, with shifting icebergs, bright blue melt pools, and dramatic mountain views that make every visit unique. Guests get the thrill of rugged off-road travel, the beauty of glacier trekking, and unforgettable photo opportunities—all without needing technical skills—creating an authentic, immersive Alaska experience you won’t find on other tours.

See Punchbowl Glacier on both land and from the air with this exciting tour. A helicopter ride offers scenic overhead views, and you'll learn about the mushing lifestyle and the history of the legendary Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from your guide. Take in the scenery as a team of sled dogs pulls you across an alpine snowfield. You even get a chance to drive the sled.

Swap the big city for the natural beauty of Alaska’s wild backcountry on this full-day combination off-road driving and glacier-kayaking adventure. Start with a scenic drive to Palmer, then board a 4WD vehicle to tackle rugged off-road trails with stunning mountain views. After reaching the glacier area, gear up and paddle across a remote, iceberg-filled lake.

Explore the rugged wilderness around Anchorage, Alaska with the help of your expert guide on this private tour. Sit back and relax as you go straight from your hotel to a short tour of Anchorage then onto the scenic Glenn Highway. Visit a reindeer farm before heading up into the mountains to the stunning Hatcher Pass. Your day includes a stop in Palmer and a scenic nature stroll before returning to your hotel.