Natural wonders in Alaska are simply unmatched, consisting of rugged wilderness, snow-capped mountain ranges, crystal-clear fjords and lakes, along with towering glaciers. During your getaway, it’s almost impossible not to explore at least one of these destinations, which are beautiful year-round.

Winter in Alaska is the best time to experience the otherworldly Northern Lights, while summer is great for spotting wildlife such as humpback whales and grizzly bears. While you can take a road trip through Alaska from prominent cities like Juneau or Anchorage, some of the natural attractions on our list are best explored by boat or plane.

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    Denali

    Climb over 20,000 ft to its peak

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    Denali towers over 20,000 ft above sea level, making it the highest mountain peak in North America. It’s part of the Denali National Park and Preserve, which covers 6 million acres of tundra, taiga, spruce forest and glaciers. If you want to attempt hiking Denali you're required to apply for a climbing permit and attend an orientation at the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station.

    A more relaxing way to experience Denali and its surroundings is by flightseeing. You can even see mountaineers making their way to the summit from the comfort of an aircraft. Besides offering great views of the namesake mountain, the Denali National Park is great for camping, ranger-led tours, and wildlife spotting.

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    Glacier Bay

    A great place to spot humpback whales, orcas and sea lions

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    Glacier Bay is a national park covering 3.3 million acres of deep fjords and towering glaciers, along with snow-capped mountains and temperate rainforest. It has over 50 named glaciers, including the 21-mile-long Margerie Glacier and the 12-mile-long Johns Hopkins Glacier.

    Seals often rest on the ice chunks, which are best seen by taking a boat tour of Glacier Bay. The lower region is where you can spot humpback whales and orcas. Kayakers can paddle out to the Hugh Miller Inlet and the Beardslee Islands to see them from a safe distance.

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    Mendenhall Glacier

    Hike around the frozen landscape of this ancient natural landmark

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    The Mendenhall Glacier has to be close to the top of your Alaskan must-see list, especially for natural beauty. Situated just outside the city of Juneau, this striking 12-mile glacier emerged out of the Little Ice Age around 3,000 years ago. It’s easy to reach compared to many of the region's natural highlights.

    Here, you’ll find a myriad of hiking trails ranging in difficulty. The Photo Point Trail is particularly short and easy, plus it culminates in unobstructed views across the glacier. The Nugget Falls Trail is another popular choice, with a towering series of waterfalls providing the ultimate reward as you reach the end.

    Locatie: 6000 Glacier Spur Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

    Telefoonnummer: +1 907-789-0097

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    Chugach National Forest

    Hike, boat and fish your way through this sprawling forest

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    The Chugach National Forest is an outstanding place to witness Alaska's stirring natural wonders. As the second-largest forest in the USA, it offers seemingly endless green forests, winding rivers, lakes and mountainous glaciers.

    For visitors who want to truly experience the great outdoors, the Chugach National Forest features over 200 miles of open trails that are ideal for both hikers and mountain bikers. Many of these tracks make their way towards stunning points where glaciers pour out of the mountains and into the frozen sea. There are also great opportunities for boating, fishing and kayaking, with the Kenai River and Sixmile Creek providing pristine waters to explore.

    Locatie: Seward, AK 99664, USA

    Telefoonnummer: +1 907-288-3178

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    Inside Passage

    Cruise along sheltered waterways, islets and coastal towns

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    The Inside Passage, or Inland Passage, covers over 1,000 miles of waterways between north-western Washington to southeastern Alaska. The coastal route is often busy with cruise ships, fishing boats, and ferries operated by the Alaska Marine Highway.

    Hop on a boat and be treated to views of mountains, fjords and islets. Sea lions and whale are common sights in the Inside Passage. You can even stop by Alaska’s coastal towns, where you can learn about the Tlingit and Haida natives. Popular stops include Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Petersburg.

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    Nugget Falls

    A 2-tier waterfall east of the Mendenhall Glacier

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    Nugget Falls cascade 377 ft in 2 tiers onto a sandbar in Mendenhall Lake. This natural formation lies at the base of Bullard Mountain, about 1.5 miles south of the Mendenhall Glacier – which is why it’s also known as Mendenhall Glacier Falls.

    There's an observation deck overlooking the falls and glacier near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. You can hike part of the East Glacier Loop to get to Nugget Falls – the trail is an easy 1.5-mile roundtrip, offering wonderful views of the lake, glacier and surrounding mountains.

    Locatie: Juneau, AK 99801, USA

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    Prince William Sound

    See over 150 glaciers dotting the sound

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    Prince William Sound is an irregular inlet on the east side of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. It’s part of the Chugach National Forest, containing fjords with tidewater glaciers, miles of spruce forests, and the steep Chugach Mountains.

    One of the best ways to explore Prince William Sound is by a boat tour – you get to see around 150 glaciers dotting the area. In the summer, you can spot sea otters, harbour seals, humpback and orcas while cruising through the bays. The nearby town of Valdez makes a great base for exploring the sound and surrounding mountains.

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    Kenai Fjords National Park

    See Alaska's renowned glaciers and experience its wildlife up close

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    Kenai Fjords National Park is undoubtedly one of Alaska's most impressive natural landmarks. Spread across 600,000 acres, this arctic landscape features native wildlife, fascinating archaeological sites and endless untamed scenery.

    Boat cruises run along the coastline and offer an up-close look at famous fjords such as Aialik Bay and Northwestern Lagoon. You’ll have several great chances to spot alluring marine species such as whales, sea lions and seals, while hikers can take on the 8-mile-long Harding Icefield Trail and experience outstanding views of the surrounding landscape.

    Locatie: Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, USA

    Telefoonnummer: +1 907-422-0500

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    Brooks Falls

    See brown bears hunting for salmon

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    Brooks Falls is an excellent spot in Katmai National Park and Preserve for watching brown bears feeding on salmon. Known as the Brooks Falls Salmon Run, the bears gather at the falls from June to August, when hundreds of salmon swim (and jump) against the flow of the water to get to their spawning ground in Brooks Lake.

    Before visiting Brooks Falls, park rangers will give a safety briefing and escort you along the mile-long route to a platform overlooking the falls. Remember to bring your camera and capture the bears in action. You can even spend a few nights in the nearby Brooks Camp or Brooks Lodge if you want to explore Katmai National Park and Preserve.

    Locatie: Katmai National Park, King Salmon, AK 99613, USA

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    College Fjord

    See dozens of glaciers named after renowned colleges

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    College Fjord offers spectacular views of glaciers and rugged mountains. Located in Prince William Sound, over a dozen glaciers are named after prominent colleges on the east coast of the United States. The largest, Harvard Glacier, has a 1.5-mile-wide face and spans 120,000 acres of the Chugach National Forest.

    Joining an Alaskan cruise is a great way to explore College Fjord – it’s even possible to see 8 glaciers at once during your trip. Like most natural areas in Alaska, College Fjord is great for spotting wild animals such as bald eagles, humpback whales, sea lions and seals.

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    Turnagain Arm

    A great spot for surfing in Alaska

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    Turnagain Arm is a narrow waterway that forms part of the Kenai Peninsula’s northern boundary. The Seward Highway, which links Anchorage with Girdwood, offers a scenic drive along the inlet with views of rugged mountains.

    There are vantage points along the 45-minute drive if you want to see a unique phenomenon that happens in Turnagain Arm. Known as a tidal bore, seawater from the Gulf of Alaska rushes against the current and creates a surf that can rise up to 10 ft tall. Local surfers take advantage of the bore to work on their skills in the summer months.

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    Northern Lights

    Look to the sky to see dancing natural lights

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    The Northern Lights is an otherworldly natural phenomenon that can happen just about anywhere in Alaska. Also called the Aurora Borealis, the highest chance of seeing it in action is between November and January.

    Remote northern Alaskan towns like Fairbanks, Coldfoot, or Prudhoe Bay are often great places to see the Northern Lights. The night sky gets illuminated in neon green and violet – depending on your luck, you may see hazy clouds or sharp arcs curving across the sky.

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    Chilkoot Pass

    A mountain pass linking Alaska and British Columbia

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    Chilkoot Pass is the highest peak along the historic Chilkoot Trail, which covers 33 miles between Dyea and Bennett Lake. Part of the Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park, the mountain pass is over 3,500 ft above sea level. Hikers will tackle the same route used by the Tlingit natives and prospectors looking for Klondike Gold.

    Chilkoot Pass is known for its Golden Stairs, a series of 1,500 steps carved into the ice. The stairs are very narrow, so you’re required to hike in a single file up the mountain. Happy Camp is the closest campground to Chilkoot Pass, so it can get very busy during summer.

    Locatie: Skagway, AK 99840, USA

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Penny Wong | Reisfanaat