Come to Southcentral if you want to visit Denali National Park (Mt. Denali) and Kenai Fjords. This is the best region to see Alaska's big 5 wildlife: moose, bears, caribou, wolves, and dall sheep.
Southcentral & Interior
Getting Around
Southcentral Alaska is the land tour hub -- whether you're flying into Anchorage and driving, taking the train, or traveling by motorcoach on a post-cruise tour.Little Known Fact
You'll see as many glaciers on a day cruise from Seward or Whittier as you would on a big ship 7-day Inside Passage cruise.Iconic Alaskan highlights abound in these essential regions: Anchorage, Denali, and the Kenai Fjords all lie within its boundaries. For the independent traveler, it’s easy to see them all. After all, Anchorage has Alaska’s biggest airport, with direct connections around the world; roads make it easy to travel everywhere by bus and car; and it’s the only part of the state where the railroad connects some of the major national parks.
These two regions are home to over half of Alaska’s population; see for yourself what draws residents and visitors alike. Most independent travelers begin their vacation amid the great restaurants, shops, and attractions in Anchorage. This vibrant city is worth a couple days; you can also make it your base while exploring surrounding areas, especially since Alaska’s lush wilderness lies just outside the city’s edge.
Head north from the city for Denali National Park and Mt. Denali—North America’s tallest peak—as well as charming small towns like Talkeetna. A short drive south lies the Kenai Peninsula, dubbed Alaska's Playground for its trails, wildlife, small towns, and nonstop scenery.
No matter how you travel, you will see rolling tundra, river valleys, ocean fjords, glacial lakes and rivers, as well as wildlife like moose, bears, Dall sheep, and bald eagles.
Most Visited
Seward & Kenai Fjords
Witness this popular area's green fjords, rugged cliffs, and bountiful wildlife
See DetailsGirdwood
Come play in Alaska's only year-round resort town. Ski the slopes in winter, hike the trails in summer
See DetailsTalkeetna
Visit this quirky small town for authentic Alaskan flavor and great mountain views
See DetailsFairbanks
Enjoy the midnight sun in summer and brilliant displays of the northern lights in winter
See DetailsHomer
Drive to the literal end of the road to reach this artsy, active Alaskan community
See DetailsWrangell St. Elias National Park
Towering mountains and massive glaciers punctuate a vast wilderness with just 2 roads
See DetailsWhittier
Just over an hour's drive from Anchorage you can enjoy fishing, day cruises, and more
See DetailsDenali National Park & Preserve
Denali and a vast wilderness host bears, moose, caribou, and mountain goats
See DetailsCooper Landing
This small town at the intersection of the Kenai and Russian Rivers is a hotspot for fishing, rafting, and hiking
See DetailsSoldotna
Fish the Kenai River, go flightseeing to see bears and surrounding volcanoes, and join in the fun community events
See DetailsKenai
Kenai overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River. There are great views of Cook Inlet, volcanoes, and miles of sandy beaches
See DetailsGlacier View
The highlight is the Matanuska Glacier, one of the few roadside glaciers in Alaska
See DetailsMcCarthy-Kennicott
Visit this ghost town frozen in time at the edge of Wrangell St. Elias National Park
See DetailsPalmer & Wasilla
Home to the State Fair, giant vegetables, and expansive hiking trails
See DetailsValdez
Spend some time in this beautiful town at the edge of Prince William Sound
See DetailsWillow
Famous for the start of the Iditarod dog sled race. Year-round dog sled tours and outdoor recreation.
See DetailsOff the Beaten Path
Chugach National Forest
Spans the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, and Copper River Delta
See DetailsChicken
One of the few surviving gold rush towns in Alaska
See DetailsChugach State Park
Features dozens of convenient trails and recreation opportunities near Anchorage
See DetailsCopper Center
Historic Copper Center is one of the oldest non-native communities in Alaska's Interior
See DetailsCordova
Fishing community in a temperate rainforest. Accessible by plane or boat.
See DetailsDelta Junction
The aptly-named Delta Junction is where the Alaska highway ends and meets the Richarson Highway. Tuck into the Lodge at Black Rapids, view the oldest roadhouse in the Interior and other historic sites, hike nearby trails, and stop for local goods at the Highway's End farmer's market.
See DetailsDenali State Park
South of Denali National Park; known for Byers Lake, scenic trails and great views of Denali
See DetailsEagle River
Just north of Anchorage, Eagle River has an excellent nature center, and some great hiking & skiing trails
See DetailsHope
An Original Gold Rush Town
See DetailsSeldovia
Small town in Kachemak Bay with charming seaside boardwalks and incredible views
See DetailsTok
If you're driving The Alaska Highway into Alaska from Canada, Tok is the first major town
See DetailsYukon-Charley Nat'l Prsrv
Most visitors float the famous Yukon, with dramatic geologic formations to each side
See DetailsMat-Su Valley
The massive Mat-Su borough covers an area roughly the size of West Virginia
See DetailsKenai Peninsula
Close to Anchorage and endowed with abundant recreational opportunities, the Kenai Peninsula is Alaska's Playground
See DetailsPrince William Sound
With breathtaking glacier views, you can explore Prince William Sound from Whittier, Valdez, or Cordova
See DetailsChitina
Fishing hotspot on the Copper River and gateway to Wrangell St. Elias National Park
See DetailsMoose Pass
Moose Pass is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing
See Details