10 Alaska Road Trip Ideas With Hidden Gems
Alaska is a road tripper’s dream, even though it is the most distant state to explore in the US. But it’s very much worth it if you’re looking to adventure. Loaded with sights, hikes, glaciers, scenic drives and more, this state’s gems reveal the Last Frontier’s untamed beauty, and the list you’ll get here will introduce you to lesser known gems most tourists miss. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or exploring remote fjords, these Alaska road trip ideas are packed with adventure.
1. Seward Highway & Kenai Peninsula Loop
One of Alaska’s most stunning road trips, the Seward Highway is a National Scenic Byway offering glacial views, waterfalls, and access to the Kenai Peninsula’s fishing towns and wild coastline. You’ll find hidden hikes to alpine lakes, dramatic fjords in Resurrection Bay, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, and glacier trekking.
Ideal Time to Go:
Late May to early September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Anchorage to Girdwood (stop at Turnagain Arm and hike Winner Creek Trail)
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Day 2: Drive to Seward, explore Exit Glacier and Lowell Point
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Day 3: Take a Kenai Fjords boat tour or kayak in Resurrection Bay
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Day 4: Drive to Homer, stop at Ninilchik and Anchor Point
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Day 5: Explore Homer Spit, return to Anchorage
2. Denali Highway (Paxson to Cantwell)
This 135-mile mostly gravel road is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets. It offers remote alpine landscapes, tundra views, and wildlife like caribou and moose. You won’t find crowds here, just untouched beauty and silence. Some people actually bike the entire drive and camp out throughout, but there are also bus shuttles during certain months here. Denali National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the US.
Ideal Time to Go:
Mid-June to mid-September (check road conditions)
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Paxson to Tangle Lakes
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Day 2: Scenic drive to Maclaren Summit, hike off-road trails
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Day 3: Camp near Susitna River, finish in Cantwell or continue to Denali National Park
3. Haines Highway to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
This drive from Haines to the Yukon border follows the old trade routes of the Tlingit people. You’ll pass through pristine wilderness, alpine passes, and the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles in fall.
Ideal Time to Go:
May–October (best for eagles: October–November)
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Explore Haines and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
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Day 2: Drive to the Yukon border, stop at Million Dollar Falls
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Day 3: Return with stops for photography and short hikes
4. Dalton Highway (to Arctic Circle and Beyond)
One of the most remote and extreme drives in the U.S., the Dalton Highway leads you through boreal forests, tundra, and the Arctic Circle. This route offers a chance to see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Northern Lights (in fall), and endless wilderness.
Ideal Time to Go:
June to August (4WD highly recommended)
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Fairbanks to Coldfoot
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Day 2: Drive to the Arctic Circle and return
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Day 3: Optional: Continue to Prudhoe Bay (permit required), or explore Gates of the Arctic NP via air
5. Glenn Highway (Anchorage to Glennallen)
With panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains, Matanuska Glacier, and braided rivers, this highway is a hidden gem for those looking to escape the crowds. Several short trails and glacier tours await along the way.
Ideal Time to Go:
May–September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier (hike or ice climb)
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Day 2: Drive to Glennallen, stop at Lions Head Trail
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Day 3: Optional: Detour to Wrangell-St. Elias NP or return to Anchorage
6. Alaska Marine Highway + Sitka Road Adventure
Mix road and ferry travel to reach Sitka, a coastal town accessible only by sea or air. Once there, explore forested roads, volcanic remnants, and Tlingit cultural sites few visitors reach.
Ideal Time to Go:
May–September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Ferry from Juneau to Sitka
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Day 2: Explore Sitka National Historical Park and Fortress of the Bear
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Day 3: Drive to Goddard Hot Springs and hike Mosquito Cove Trail
7. Tok Cut-Off & Nabesna Road (Wrangell-St. Elias)
This is your gateway to America’s largest national park. Nabesna Road is unpaved and often empty, offering views of massive peaks and secret trails. A true wilderness adventure.
Ideal Time to Go:
June–early September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Tok to Slana (start of Nabesna Road)
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Day 2: Drive to end of Nabesna Road, hike Caribou Creek Trail
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Day 3: Explore abandoned mines and return via Tok Cut-Off
8. Skilak Lake Loop Road (Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
A short, scenic detour off the Sterling Highway, this gravel loop offers stunning views of Skilak Lake, hidden campgrounds, and wildlife like bears and lynx.
Ideal Time to Go:
Mid-June to early September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Enter loop from Sterling Highway, hike Hidden Creek Trail
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Day 2: Camp at Upper Skilak Lake Campground, fish or paddle
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Day 3: Return via Engineer Lake and Exit Glacier nearby
9. Copper River Highway (Cordova)
A rarely visited area, Cordova offers a scenic road to Childs Glacier and Million Dollar Bridge—when open. It’s a hidden paradise for photographers and nature lovers.
Ideal Time to Go:
July–September (dependent on road/ferry access)
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Ferry or flight to Cordova
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Day 2: Drive Copper River Highway to Childs Glacier
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Day 3: Explore Cordova’s tidal flats, hike Sheridan Glacier Trail
10. Nome-Teller Road
On the Seward Peninsula, this gravel road offers tundra, historic Inupiat villages, and a true off-the-grid adventure. Watch for musk oxen, wildflowers, and even gold rush relics.
Ideal Time to Go:
Mid-June to early September
Sample Itinerary:
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Day 1: Nome to Teller with scenic stops (Council, Woolley Lagoon turnoff)
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Day 2: Explore Teller area and beaches
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Day 3: Return to Nome, explore Cape Nome and Anvil Mountain
Things to Know Before You Go
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Rental Cars: Not all roads are permitted for rental vehicles, check your rental agreement carefully.
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Fuel Stops: Always top off your gas tank when you can, many remote areas have limited or no services.
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Wildlife Safety: Carry bear spray, store food securely, and follow all safety signs.
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Connectivity: Expect little to no cell service on most remote roads, download offline maps and GPS apps.
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Road Conditions: Many routes are unpaved, bring a spare tire, tools, and let someone know your route.
Packing List
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Waterproof layers and insulated jacket
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Hiking boots
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Bear spray and bug spray
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Offline GPS / printed maps
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Portable battery pack
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Reusable water bottle
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Binoculars (for wildlife viewing)
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Headlamp or flashlight
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Emergency roadside kit
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Camera or drone for capturing epic views
Final Thoughts:
Alaska’s roads take you to places you never imagined, through ancient glacial valleys, quiet coastal towns, and tundra teeming with wildlife. Whether you’re visiting in peak summer or shoulder season, every road trip offers the chance to experience true solitude and wonder. If you have any questions or want help planning your adventure, feel free to ask in the comments below!
