Top Anchorage Outdoor Activities

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.

The Anchorage area has countless sights to see—many that tourists don’t know about. Turn exploring the city and its surroundings into a day of mystery adventure with this tour, where a local guide will take you from hidden glacier views to wild waterfalls and more. You’ll simply need to be dressed for exploration, and you’re in for a guaranteed day of beauty and surprise.

Please check in at our new location: 509 W. 3rd Ave, directly across from the Hilton Hotel. Parking is available across the street. Check in at the concierge desk, then wait in our garden or indoor lobby. Please arrive 20 mins before departure. Look for the gray van with a bear! On the way, you’ll get nonstop views of the dramatic Turnagain Arm—one of Alaska’s most-scenic drives—stopping at beautiful Beluga Point before getting dropped off directly at the conservation center. With a mission to save injured and imperiled wildlife, spend an hour visiting with lynx, bears, wolves, bald eagles, and more.

Enjoy a day at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads. This small-group tour from Anchorage allows you to relax and soak up the scenery as you journey along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet toward the wildlife sanctuary. Learn all about the injured and orphaned wild animals in the center's care and enjoy some free time to explore on your own.

Punchbowl Glacier is only accessible by helicopter—and combining an aerial approach with a dog sledding session on the snowfield below, plus the chance to drive the sled yourself, is an experience that can't be replicated independently. This tour covers the helicopter flight to the glacier, a sled dog run across the alpine snowfield, and a guide who covers the history of the Iditarod Trail throughout.

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.

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.

Willow, Alaska, is famed for its association with the Iditarod. This small-group tour gives you a taste of life on the trail, without the hard work. At a family-owned and operated kennel, meet the huskies, help harness the team, and enjoy views of Denali as a musher leads your pack along private trails.

Experience the natural wonder of Alaska's Matanuska Glacier with our full-day guided tour. Beginning with a convenient pickup from downtown Anchorage, you'll embark on a scenic two-hour journey, driving through landscapes of towering mountains. Along the way, we'll stop at local eateries, offering you the chance to purchase lunch. Upon reaching the glacier, a seasoned guide will equip you with crampons, making glacier navigation safe and manageable. Then, an all-terrain vehicle will transport you to the glacier's base. Here, you'll set off on foot to explore the glacier's icy expanse, discovering fascinating ice formations and gaining insight into the glacier's natural history from your knowledgeable guide. After this unforgettable experience, we'll journey back to Anchorage, ensuring a comfortable drop-off in downtown. This tour is a perfect blend of adventure, education, and scenic beauty, offering an in-depth encounter with one of Alaska's most impressive glaciers.

The Turnagain Arm Full-Day Tour is an easy-going journey along one of the world's most scenic highways. It’s designed for those who prefer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters over long, steep mountain hikes. This trip offers many scenic photo opportunities, so bring a camera and get ready to capture some of Alaska’s must-do experiences, all in one day The three stops include 1) Portage Glacier Cruise! 2) Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center! 3) Alyeska Aerial Tram Come join us for an unforgettable full-day tour down the Turnagain Arm.

We make it easy to see it all in one day! Relax on the coach as you enjoy the beauty of Turnagain Arm. On the cruise get ready to view one of the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife activity changes daily and our captains may adjust the route to provide the best cruise experience while keeping your safety and comfort a top priority. We take pride in ensuring that your time with us is an enjoyable memory that becomes a favorite highlight of your Alaska vacation. We operate first-class catamarans. Due to their dual hull design, these powerful high-speed catamarans are extremely stable and able to smoothly navigate through the narrow fjords and passages that lead us to the face of massive glaciers. By operating safely and efficiently, Phillips Cruises & Tours provides a comfortable cruise and our No Seasickness Guarantee assures nervous cruisers the confidence that they will enjoy our cruise without any unpleasant effects.

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.

Explore the wild beauty of Alaska on an unforgettable guided adventure to Knik Glacier. This tour combines thrilling off-road exploration through the scenic Knik River valley with an exhilarating kayaking experience on glacier-fed waters. Marvel at stunning mountain views and encounter wildlife while capturing incredible photos of the spectacular landscapes. Kayak among floating icebergs, all while receiving expert guidance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a small-group adventure near Anchorage, this tour offers a unique way to connect with Alaska's pristine wilderness. - Guided off-road journey through the stunning Knik River valley - Kayak in serene glacier-fed waters near Knik Glacier - Capture breathtaking views of floating ice and the wilderness - Enjoy a small-group experience with knowledgeable local guides

Be awed by supersized glaciers and the hardy wildlife of the tundra on this full-day tour through the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Departing from Anchorage, drive along a scenic byway to the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, framed by the dramatic Chugach and Kenai mountain ranges. Cruise on the lake that laps against the ancient blue ice of Portage Glacier, stop for lunch at a cozy lodge, and get an up-close look at Alaskan wildlife such as caribou, musk ox, and lynk at a conservation center.

If you've never been on a hike during the winter, you need to give it a shot. Winter hiking is a blast, and it's great for the mind and body during long periods of dark & cold. This tour holds plenty of opportunity for photos, and a comprehensive variety of the natural elements found in the boreal forests of Alaska, as well as a stop at a local waterfall. Sound like your style? • Hike along Chugach State Park's Eagle River and see ice-covered Barbara Falls! • Perfect for solo travelers and couples. • Enjoy breathtaking views of towering vistas. Amazing landscapes await your camera! • Learn about Alaska's glaciated valleys and boreal forests from an experienced gude. • Opportunity for wildlife sightings, including moose, hare, voles, and porcupine! Join us on a classic Alaskan adventure today!

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, we will meet our expert guides who will lead you on approximately 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.

This unique Alaskan experience is the only one of its kind 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 small frozen lake in the Anchorage area.  Using the latest electric ice auger, guests can help drill through anywhere between 6 inches to 3 feet thick ice.  At times we'll see fish swimming below, either while looking through an 8-inch hole in the ice, or using technology to watch fish move below on sonar images on a depth finder.  At times we may fish with jigs or spoons, at other times, hooks, bait and a bobber.  We'll often see moose in the woods around town or at the edge of the lake.  Bald eagles often watch from the trees nearby, looking for a free meal.  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!

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.

Matanuska Glacier is a must-visit when in Anchorage. But, without the right vehicle and equipment, it can be tricky to plan for the adventure. Skip the hassles of logistics and gear with this small-group tour that picks you up in the city and transports you to the glacier, where you can embark on a hike of a few miles.

See the Chugach Range & Knik River Valley from the air as your helicopter pilot takes you on an epic flying adventure. Experience exceptional, unobstructed views of the Alaska wilderness from the air. Fly over stunning mountain peaks, spot wildlife, towering waterfalls, dramatic glacial terrain & beauty that is unique to Alaska before exploring your 2 landing locations! Experience custom flight paths and landings based on your bucket list items. Step foot on the exposed ice of a glacier in the Knik Valley and trek with your pilot to explore the many facets of the glacial surface (Moulins, blue pools, and deep crevasses), choose a high alpine landing to take in large, sweeping sights of glaciers and rocky ridgelines, land on the shoreline of a massive glacial lake filled with giant floating icebergs, a rocky beach at the face of a dramatic ice wall or let your pilot take you to their favorite landing location!

Discover the beauty of Alaska on this 3.5-hour scenic trip from Anchorage to Girdwood. Capture stunning views at Beluga Point, where the majestic Cook Inlet meets the mountains, and stop by Indian Valley Meats to explore unique Alaskan specialties. Once in Girdwood, enjoy leisure time to soak in the charm of this mountain town before returning. This tour offers a relaxed atmosphere with insights from a knowledgeable local host with 24 years of Alaskan experience. - Scenic 3.5-hour trip from Anchorage to Girdwood - Photograph the breathtaking views at Beluga Point - Visit Indian Valley Meats for distinctive Alaskan delicacies - Explore the charming mountain town of Girdwood at your own pace

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.

Alaska's largest glacier accessible by car is located just outside Anchorage, so don't miss the chance to visit during your stay. You'll head to Matanuska Glacier Park to explore this natural wonder with provided ice cleats and a guide.

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.