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
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Seward & Kenai Fjords
Witness this popular area's green fjords, rugged cliffs, and bountiful wildlife
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Girdwood
Come play in Alaska's only year-round resort town. Ski the slopes in winter, hike the trails in summer
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Talkeetna
Visit this quirky small town for authentic Alaskan flavor and great mountain views
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Fairbanks
Enjoy the midnight sun in summer and brilliant displays of the northern lights in winter
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Homer
Drive to the literal end of the road to reach this artsy, active Alaskan community
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Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Towering mountains and massive glaciers punctuate a vast wilderness with just 2 roads
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Whittier
Just over an hour's drive from Anchorage you can enjoy fishing, day cruises, and more
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Denali National Park & Preserve
Denali and a vast wilderness host bears, moose, caribou, and mountain goats
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Cooper Landing
This small town at the intersection of the Kenai and Russian Rivers is a hotspot for fishing, rafting, and hiking
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Soldotna
Fish the Kenai River, go flightseeing to see bears and surrounding volcanoes, and join in the fun community events
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Kenai
Kenai overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River. There are great views of Cook Inlet, volcanoes, and miles of sandy beaches
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Glacier View
The highlight is the Matanuska Glacier, one of the few roadside glaciers in Alaska
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McCarthy-Kennicott
Visit this ghost town frozen in time at the edge of Wrangell St. Elias National Park
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Palmer & Wasilla
Home to the State Fair, giant vegetables, and expansive hiking trails
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Valdez
Spend some time in this beautiful town at the edge of Prince William Sound
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Willow
Famous for the start of the Iditarod dog sled race. Year-round dog sled tours and outdoor recreation.
See DetailsOff the Beaten Path
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Chugach National Forest
Spans the Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, and Copper River Delta
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Chicken
One of the few surviving gold rush towns in Alaska
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Chugach State Park
Features dozens of convenient trails and recreation opportunities near Anchorage
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Copper Center
Historic Copper Center is one of the oldest non-native communities in Alaska's Interior
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Cordova
Fishing community in a temperate rainforest. Accessible by plane or boat.
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Delta 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.
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Denali State Park
South of Denali National Park; known for Byers Lake, scenic trails and great views of Denali
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Eagle River
Just north of Anchorage, Eagle River has an excellent nature center, and some great hiking & skiing trails
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Hope
An Original Gold Rush Town
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Seldovia
Small town in Kachemak Bay with charming seaside boardwalks and incredible views
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Tok
If you're driving The Alaska Highway into Alaska from Canada, Tok is the first major town
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Yukon-Charley Nat'l Prsrv
Most visitors float the famous Yukon, with dramatic geologic formations to each side
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Mat-Su Valley
The massive Mat-Su borough covers an area roughly the size of West Virginia
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Kenai Peninsula
Close to Anchorage and endowed with abundant recreational opportunities, the Kenai Peninsula is Alaska's Playground
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Prince William Sound
With breathtaking glacier views, you can explore Prince William Sound from Whittier, Valdez, or Cordova
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Chitina
Fishing hotspot on the Copper River and gateway to Wrangell St. Elias National Park
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Moose Pass
Moose Pass is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and skiing
See DetailsSample Itineraries
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3 Days in Girdwood & Glaciers of Prince William Sound
Fly into Anchorage and use Girdwood as your base to discover the glaciers and wildlife of Prince William Sound.
5 Days in Homer & Seward (Kenai Fjords National Park)
Explore some of Alaska’s quaintest towns and most scenic spots, including Girdwood, Seward, and Homer, as well as Anchorage.
7 Day Fall Northern Lights from Anchorage
See Alaska in the fall or winter and look for the northern lights as you travel to Talkeetna, Denali National