Have you ever dreamed of taking a road trip through an untamed and raw landscape that feels like stepping into a living postcard? Do you want a road trip that is full of adventures every step of the way? Then, Alaska’s Seward Highway, the quintessential Alaska road trip is just the place for you!
Breathtakingly beautiful, the 127-mile stretch between the city of Anchorage and the coastal town of Seward is a nature and adventure lovers’ fantasy. The highway is flanked on one side by the rugged and scenic Kenai and Chugach mountains, and on the other side by the waters of Turnagain Arm (a waterway into the Gulf of Alaska).
Picture an untamed Alaskan wilderness with the towering Chugach Mountain providing a dramatic background. Imagine spotting moose and beluga whales along the way. Imagine your eyes on views of the lush green mountains and glaciers. Visualize serpentine hills and meandering rivers of turquoise waters.
[Note: For more detailed information about how to plan a grand road trip in America, check out our blog “The Great American Road Trip: 7 U.S. Routes to Explore Before You Die”
Brimming with natural and wildlife wonders, this is your chance for an epic adventure-filled trip boasting some of the most awe-inspiring views on offer on the North American continent. Here is everything you need to know about how to plan your perfect Alaska road trip. We begin our journey in the city of Anchorage!
Anchorage: Moose, Museums, and the Midnight Sun
Your Alaska road trip begins in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, which serves as the gateway to the untamed wild frontier of America. Home to almost 40% of the population of Alaska, Anchorage is famous for its hiking trails, wildlife, and glaciers. It is also the heart and soul of the cultural and artistic scene in Alaska.
There is plenty to explore in the city. We highly recommend that you spend a day exploring the city before taking the road trip to Seward. Here are some of the top attractions on offer.
- Anchorage Museum: Showcasing an exquisite collection of Alaskan art, history, and science, the Anchorage Museum is a great way to get acquainted with modern Alaska as well as its indigenous culture.
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Alaska’s most famous trail gives you unhindered views of the city’s landscape, Cook Inlet, and the Chugach Mountains. The trail is only 11 miles long and is very easy to do. You can bike, run, or walk.
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: A chance to see and get familiar with orphaned wild animals like moose, bison, musk oxen, and bears rescued from the wild.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center: Discover native Alaskan culture with live performances and hands-on activities.
- Go on a Glacier Cruise: An opportunity to see not just glaciers and icebergs, but lots of marine life like sea lions, otters, and beluga whales.
Gird Your Loins for Adventure: Ski, Sip, and Savor in Girdwood
Now that we’ve explored Anchorage, it is time to hit the road. Your first major stop is Girdwood—a little mountain town located some 40 miles (45 minutes drive) away. Best known for its famous ski resort (Alyeska Resort), Girdwood is a true snow adventure and resort town that prides itself on the “longest continuous double black diamond ski run in North America.”
The town got its name from a gold miner James Girdwood in 1896 who became famous for the Turnagain Arm gold strikes. You can visit the original gold mines from that era. One fun activity in Girdwood is to pan for gold in the Crow Creek Mine. Guided tours of the mine are available, where you will get a pan, some buckets, and basic training to pot for gold in the creek and streams.
During summer, Mount Alyeska becomes a popular destination for hikers and bikers. You can take a tram ride to ascend 2,300 feet above sea level to the mountain to enjoy views of Turnagain Arm and surrounding glaciers—and a fine dining experience with an unforgettable view. If you are in town in winter, we recommend you spend a day skiing.
Turnagain Arm: Whales, Waves, and Wonders of Alaska Fjords
Know what a Fjord is? —“a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliff, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.” Your next stop on the highway is America’s most legendary fjord—the Turnagain Arm. Legend has it that the explorer James Cook was forced to “turn again” after failing to find the Northwest Passage.
A branch of the Cook Inlet, the Turnagain Arm is famed for its high tidal waves and marine life spotting opportunities. The Turnagain stretch of the highway begins in Potter Marsh (a famous wildlife viewpoint) and ends at the start of the Kenai Peninsula.
You can spot up to 130 different species of birds at Potter Marsh. There is a wooden walkway from the parking lot that takes you to the middle of the marshland. If you are visiting in winter you can even skate on the marsh.
In summer the nearby Turnagain Arm Trail and McHugh Creek Waterfall open up to tourists. But the top draw of the Turnagain Arm drive is the fabled Beluga Point. During the fall you can spot beluga whales as they chase salmon and hooligan run. The best time for Beluga spotting is during the high tide. You can also go fishing for salmon in Bird Creek fishing hole.
Glaciers, Ghost Towns, and Giggly Fun: Discovering Portage Valley— Alaska’s Frozen Frontier
Your next stop Portage was a thriving little village until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1964 and turned into a ghost village. Now known for its glacier tourism, Portage also houses the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This wildlife refuge provides shelter and rehabilitation to rescued and orphaned animals. You can either book yourself a guided tour or just drive around the 1.5-mile loop that encircles the center to spot the wildlife.
Just past the Conservation Center (5 min drive), the Portage Glacier—snuggled inside the Chugach National Forest— is Portage Valley’s top attraction. To get to the glacier, you’ll have to take a guided sightseeing boat tour (Portage Glacier Cruise, available at Portage Lake) that takes you to the face of the glacier. If you have time, you can take the 5-mile-long Trail of Blue Ice.
“Kenai or Can’t I?”— Reel in the Fun and Adventure at Kenai Peninsula
The last leg of your Alaska Road trip, before you get to Seward, comprises the Kenai Peninsula region—home of the “Kenaitze Indian Tribe” that has historically inhabited the area. Nicknamed “Alaska’s Playground,” Kenai is a huge favorite with nature seekers and adventure enthusiasts. Boasting rugged mountains, pristine forests, sparkling rivers, and rich wildlife, the peninsula consists of the Kenai Mountains, the Harding Icefield, and famous glaciers like the Exit Glacier.
Adventure junkies are spoiled for choice in Kenai. You can hike in the Kenai mountains and the ice-blue Exit Glacier, go Salmon fishing in the Kenai and Russian Rivers and go Halibut fishing in the Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay. The Kenai and Sixmiles Rivers are great for white water rafting. If you want to learn about the region’s Russian history, pull over to the town of Ninilchik, known for its Russian history and music festivals.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, spanning over 2 million acres of forests, mountains, and tundra is home to bears and moose. Cooper Landing is a famous spot for kayaking, fishing, and rafting. The Tern Lake is a popular destination for wildlife photographers.
The Kenai Peninsula also boasts the Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska’s most visited National Park. Half of the total 600,000 area of the park is covered by snow and ice with the mammoth Harding Icefield amassing over 700 square miles. Top attractions in the Fjords National Park include cruises to tidewater glaciers (in Aialik Bay and Northwestern Fjord), where you can spot fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and sea lions. Another major attraction in the Fjords National Park is the Exit Glacier which is accessible by road.
“Why Did The Moose Pass Cross the Road?”—Explore Village Life Moose Pass
Sign off your Kenai Peninsula lap with a short stint at Moose Pass. This old native village just short of the town of Seward gives you an authentic taste of local Alaskan life. With a population of only 300, Moose Pass is located on the shores of Upper Trail Lake and is the gateway to many famous trails of the Kenai Peninsula like Johnson Pass Trail, Iditarod Trail, Carter Lake Trail, and Lost Lake Trail.
Fjords, Fishing, and Fun: Maritime Adventure in Seward
Toward the end of your Alaska road trip, you arrive at your final stop—the city of Seward. A hub for adventure activities like wildlife viewing, hiking, flightseeing, ziplining, dog sledding, and sportfishing, Seward is nestled at the base of Marathon Mount. Discover its downtown and experience the unique way of life in this region. Here are some things you can do in Seward:
- Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. A marine research and rescue facility that is home to sea lions, puffins, seals, otters, and other marine life.
- Glacier and Wildlife Cruise Tour of the Kenai Fjord National Park: Single-day and Multi-Day tour options are available.
- Flightseeing Trip Over Harding Icefield and Kenai Fjords: To get a bird’s eye view of the entire region.
- Visit the Exit Glacier: A roadside glacier located 10 minutes from Seward.
- Go Salmon and Halibut Fishing.
For more U.S road trip ideas, check out our blog: U.S. Route 66 Road Trip: Ultimate Adventure on America’s “Mother Road”
Conclusion
Each mile of the Alaskan Seward Highway offers a bounty of natural Alaska beauty, adventure, and magical scenery.
Spot the whales at Beluga Point at the Turnagain Arm, catch salmon in Kenai and Russian Rivers, pan for gold in Crow Creek Mines, hike through to the ice-blue glaciers in Portage Valley, immerse yourself in Indigenous culture in Moose Pass, watch a dance of whales, go skiing at Alyeska Resort, witness the amazing wildlife at Fjord National Park, and discover the urban charms of Anchorage and Seward.
So, what are you waiting for? Your dream Alaskan adventure road trip awaits you. Pack your bags, rev up your engine, and unleash your spirit of adventure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SEWARD HIGHWAY ROAD TRIP
How long is the drive between Anchorage and Seward and is the drive easy?
Yes, your Alaska road trip should be a smooth ride. The highway is paved and easy to navigate. The distance between Anchorage and Seward is around 127 miles (204 km) and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. To enjoy the sites, sceneries, and wildlife sightings along the way, we recommend that you take it slow. Make frequent stops to feast on the views.
Be sure to fill up your tank in Anchorage before you leave. There are gas stations en route in Girdwood and Cooper Landing. However, they can be very busy in the peak tourist season in summer.
What is the best time of the year to take a Seward Highway road trip?
The summer is the best time to go on an Alaska road trip. Peak tourist season is between late May and early September. Wildflowers bloom during this season. There are abundant opportunities for wildlife sightings. The days are generally clear and long with enough daylight to enjoy the views.
Before the intense and chilling Alaskan winter sets in, the fall is also a good time to visit. Days are shorter, but the crowds thin out, the region is less “touristy” and splendid autumn colors are on display.
Do I need an entrance pass or fee for attractions on the Seward Highway?
Most natural attractions and viewpoints are free. But for certain attractions like Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Kenai Fjords National Park, you’ll need to pay for entrance passes.
Are there camping grounds on the Seward Highway?
Yes, there are several camping grounds and RV parks near top attractions like Kenai Lake, Portage Valley, and Cooper Landing.
Is the Alaska Seward Highway open all year round? Can I travel in winter?
Yes. But in winter there is considerable snowfall, and visibility is reduced due to inclement weather. While winter (off-season for tourism) is not the ideal time to visit, it can offer thrills for adventure-minded travelers.
If you are traveling in winter, please ensure that your vehicle has appropriate tires. Check the local weather forecast before you travel.
For more road adventures in America, check out our blog California Dreamin’: How to Plan a Dream Road Trip Down The Pacific Coast Highway
