Enjoying the Outdoors in Alaska: Your Recreation Options
A Visitor's Guide to Outdoor Recreation in Alaska
Alaska is well known for its incredible natural beauty, its vast expanses of wilderness and public lands, and all the recreation that comes along with those things. No matter what type of vacation you plan in Alaska, whether an Inside Passage cruise or a Interior tour, some kind of outdoor recreation will be part of your agenda. The long days of summer provide that much more time to savor the outdoors.
Like Alaska's landscapes, the recreational opportunities seem endless.
Resources to Help You Plan and Prepare
It's always a good idea to check with the experts before you head out for any kind of outdoor recreation. Alaska's park rangers and public agencies can provide up-to-the-minute information on weather, trail conditions, restrictions, permits, and wildlife activity.
Alaska Public Lands Information Centers
You can visit the Alaska Public Lands Information Center online, or at one of their actual information centers, which are located in Ketchikan, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Tok. Staffed by National Park Rangers and other agency experts, these centers are a gold-mine of current and detailed information on just about everything related to activities on Alaska's public lands. If you start your Alaska adventure in a city with a center, make it a point to stop at one. Not only can you talk to the experts and get the proper maps and permits, but you can learn more about Alaska's history and science and explore the exhibits, book shops, and other visitor services that are a part of each center's offerings.
Bureau of Land Management - Alaska
The Alaska BLM website is a font of all kinds of useful information related to outdoor activities in the state. You'll find out about the trails and waterways that are managed by the US Bureau of Land Management for recreational enjoyment. This includes national recreation areas, historic trails, and wild and scenic rivers.
Alaska's State Parks
The state of Alaska manages parks, trails, and recreational facilities all around the Great Land. The official Alaska State Park's website has information about the parks in each region of the state. You can also take care of the following:
Recreational Trails in Alaska
Walking, hiking, and biking are wonderful ways to experience Alaska's magnificent scenery. Available trails cover a variety of terrain, following a coastline, a mountain ridge, a rainforest, or a lake shore.
These resources will help you find the perfect trail for your Alaska recreation.
Many Alaska visitors include sports fishing as a major part of their plans. And for good reason - Alaska offers fabulous saltwater and freshwater fishing experiences.
The Fish in Alaska
Halibut, trout, and salmon are the prime target for recreational fishing in Alaska. All five species of salmon are found in Alaska waters, including King, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum.
Where to Fish in Alaska
Alaska's Inside Passage region offers awesome recreational fishing opportunities.
Many charters operate out of such Inside Passage cities as Homer, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka. Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, is another popular fishing destination, offering opportunities for both deep sea and fly fishing. The Interior offers many rivers and lakes, where sports fishers can find salmon and trout. The remote Alaska regions in the Southwest and the Far North are other destinations popular with dedicated fishers.
Know Before You Go
With it's vast open spaces and abundant snow, winter sports are big in Alaska, both with residents and visitors.
Where to Ski in Alaska
In addition to downhill skiing, these ski resorts and ski areas have terrain for snowboarders, cross-country skiers, and tubing. Some of these resorts stay open during the summer, providing the opportunity for hiking, biking, and other warm weather recreation.
Snowmobiling in Alaska
Riding a snowmachine is a popular Alaska past time. Visitors can participate in the fun with these guides and rental outfits.
Dog Mushing in Alaska
Sled dogs are a major Alaska attraction, with most trips and tours including the opportunity to visit a kennel and learn about the sport of dog mushing. These companies provide the opportunity for visitors to experience this exuberant form of winter transportation.
Alaska is well known for its incredible natural beauty, its vast expanses of wilderness and public lands, and all the recreation that comes along with those things. No matter what type of vacation you plan in Alaska, whether an Inside Passage cruise or a Interior tour, some kind of outdoor recreation will be part of your agenda. The long days of summer provide that much more time to savor the outdoors.
Like Alaska's landscapes, the recreational opportunities seem endless.
Resources to Help You Plan and Prepare
It's always a good idea to check with the experts before you head out for any kind of outdoor recreation. Alaska's park rangers and public agencies can provide up-to-the-minute information on weather, trail conditions, restrictions, permits, and wildlife activity.
Alaska Public Lands Information Centers
You can visit the Alaska Public Lands Information Center online, or at one of their actual information centers, which are located in Ketchikan, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Tok. Staffed by National Park Rangers and other agency experts, these centers are a gold-mine of current and detailed information on just about everything related to activities on Alaska's public lands. If you start your Alaska adventure in a city with a center, make it a point to stop at one. Not only can you talk to the experts and get the proper maps and permits, but you can learn more about Alaska's history and science and explore the exhibits, book shops, and other visitor services that are a part of each center's offerings.
Bureau of Land Management - Alaska
The Alaska BLM website is a font of all kinds of useful information related to outdoor activities in the state. You'll find out about the trails and waterways that are managed by the US Bureau of Land Management for recreational enjoyment. This includes national recreation areas, historic trails, and wild and scenic rivers.
Alaska's State Parks
The state of Alaska manages parks, trails, and recreational facilities all around the Great Land. The official Alaska State Park's website has information about the parks in each region of the state. You can also take care of the following:
- Reserve a cabin in a state park
- Purchase daily or annual parking passes
- Obtain a boat launch pass
- Find out about special purpose permit requirements
- View current trail reports and park conditions
Recreational Trails in Alaska
Walking, hiking, and biking are wonderful ways to experience Alaska's magnificent scenery. Available trails cover a variety of terrain, following a coastline, a mountain ridge, a rainforest, or a lake shore.
These resources will help you find the perfect trail for your Alaska recreation.
- Alaska State Trails Program
Hiking, biking, ATV, and marine trail maps and guides are available through the Alaska State Trails Program website.
- Anchorage Hiking and Recreation Trails
Find out about trails in and near Anchorage. - Campbell Tract Trails
Located near Anchorage, this public land has 12-miles of multipurpose trails. - Pinnell Mountain National Recreational Trail
This popular alpine trail is located in Alaska's Interior, about 100 miles from Fairbanks off of the Steese Highway. - Juneau Hiking Trails
Find out about hiking trails in and near Juneau, including those by Mount Roberts Tramway and Mendenhall Glacier.
Many Alaska visitors include sports fishing as a major part of their plans. And for good reason - Alaska offers fabulous saltwater and freshwater fishing experiences.
The Fish in Alaska
Halibut, trout, and salmon are the prime target for recreational fishing in Alaska. All five species of salmon are found in Alaska waters, including King, Coho, Sockeye, Pink, and Chum.
Where to Fish in Alaska
Alaska's Inside Passage region offers awesome recreational fishing opportunities.
Many charters operate out of such Inside Passage cities as Homer, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka. Southcentral Alaska, including Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, is another popular fishing destination, offering opportunities for both deep sea and fly fishing. The Interior offers many rivers and lakes, where sports fishers can find salmon and trout. The remote Alaska regions in the Southwest and the Far North are other destinations popular with dedicated fishers.
Know Before You Go
- Alaska Fishing Regulations - get statewide and local policies and information
- Buy a Alaska state fishing licence or stamp online
With it's vast open spaces and abundant snow, winter sports are big in Alaska, both with residents and visitors.
Where to Ski in Alaska
In addition to downhill skiing, these ski resorts and ski areas have terrain for snowboarders, cross-country skiers, and tubing. Some of these resorts stay open during the summer, providing the opportunity for hiking, biking, and other warm weather recreation.
- Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, near Anchorage
- Arctic Valley Ski Area near Anchorage
- Eaglecrest Ski Area near Juneau
- Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage
- Moose Mountain Ski Resort near Fairbanks
- Mount Aurora Skiland in Fairbanks
Snowmobiling in Alaska
Riding a snowmachine is a popular Alaska past time. Visitors can participate in the fun with these guides and rental outfits.
- Alaska Snowmobile Tours & Rentals - tours depart from Anchorage and Girdwood
- Glacier City Snowmobile Tours - based in Girdwood, near Anchorage, these tours follow trails in the Chugach Mountains
Dog Mushing in Alaska
Sled dogs are a major Alaska attraction, with most trips and tours including the opportunity to visit a kennel and learn about the sport of dog mushing. These companies provide the opportunity for visitors to experience this exuberant form of winter transportation.
- Cotter's Sled Dog Kennel - winter tours available, based out of Fairbanks
- Salmon Berry Dog Sledding Tours - departing from Anchorage, these 8 hours tours will give you the full dog sled experience
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