The Top 4 Adventures of a Lifetime to Do In Alaska

Having spent nearly a full year in Alaska, I have done all types of excursions throughout Alaska. With Alaska being a tourists destination, there are tours being offered around every corner, and it can be hard to know which ones are worth while. But with my expertise and personal experience, these are the absolute best experiences in Alaska that are guaranteed to make your trip unforgettable.

Looking to splurge on an incredible adventure? Here are the top 4 adventures of a lifetime that you should consider adding to your Alaskan vacation!

Katmai National Park

While this is not a destination I have had the fortune of ticking off my bucket list (yet), it is one I don’t need to see to know its grandness. When you think of Alaska and grizzly bears catching salmon in rivers, you are likely imagining Katmai National Park. Home to a large population of grizzly bears, Katmai is one of the premier bear viewing locations in the world. And if you’ve heard of the yearly Fat Bear Week, then you’re actually already familiar with the Park.

In spite of it being expensive, this is one of the best experiences you could have in Alaska if you want to connect with nature. While there are options to stay nearby Brooks Falls, accommodations are scarce, very pricey, and incredibly secluded. The more popular option for travelers is to take a day trip to Brooks Falls. You will be able to experience all the glory of Katmai and the grizzly bears feasting at brooks falls, while not having to commit to staying in the secluded area. Most day trips depart out of anchorage or homer, then flying you in a small plane across the inlet to the national park where a guide will spend the day with you.

Flight-seeing in Denali

Denali National Park is a destination at the top of everyone’s bucket list for Alaska. Home to the largest mountain in North America, Denali stands tall among the Alaska Range. With the main attraction of the entire park being the mountain itself, tourists pray to be a part of the 30% Club during their visit.

There are many viewpoints to see the mountain range, but the best way to experience the mountain is to go flight-seeing in the range. While expensive, this experience is by far one of the best in all of Alaska. You hop into a little plane and are toured around the mountain range, getting up close and personal with Denali himself. The Alaska range is so grand it is hard to comprehend. And witnessing such deep wilderness is a truly surreal experience.

A majority of the flight-seeing companies operate out of Talkeetna, a small eclectic town definitely worth visiting. K2 Aviation in Talkeetna offers a range of flight paths, along with the option to land on a glacier during the flight! I can’t recommend them enough, as my experience with the staff was nothing but the best. The customer service was impecable, and while I had never been on a small plane before, they made me feel immediately comfortable. The pilot was so well educated on the culture, history, and geography of the land, that it kept the entire flight interesting. And if you’re lucky you may be given the chance to sit in the co-pilots seat!

Northern Lights Chasing

A winter exclusive activity, but one well worth the time, chasing the northern lights is for the adventurous at heart. This experience takes a bit of patience, as the lights only come out when they want to. But I promise that there is nothing you could experience that is as magical as the auroras.

There aren’t enough words to explain how surreal it is to witness the lights dancing in the sky above you. If you are given the opportunity to witness the lights, take it!

There are a handful of aurora apps available to give you insight on the aurora forecast. However, I recommend using the GI Aurora Forecast. It has proven to be the most accurate and detailed from my experience using it.

The best place for viewing auroras is by far Fairbanks. It is centrally located at the heart of the Auroras. The aurora season typically runs from September to March, so you will want to be sure to go in the heat of the season for the best chances of spotting the lights. There are a handful of companies in and around Fairbanks that offer

Pro Tip: Go somewhere dark, preferably a valley, in search of the lights. You want the sky to be as dark, and as clear, as possible for the highest chance of seeing the lights. Lots of clouds, or lots of light pollution will kill all your chances.

Kayak With Glaciers

Glaciers are one of the main attractions of Alaska. And while there are so many different ways to experience them, kayaking is the best experience I’ve had with glaciers. If you are physically capable, kayaking nearby glaciers is so much more immersive than viewing from a larger boat. There is so much small detail that I had never noticed before. I felt connected to nature on such an intimate level I had never experienced in Alaska before.

Sunny Cove Grand Day Adventure is one of the best experiences I had in Alaska. Kayaking alongside the mountain cliffs, I got to take in every intricate detail. From the sea stars clinging onto the rocks, to the hidden waterfalls, there was something new to see around every corner. And as we got closer to the glacier, the experience just got better. There is clunks of glacier ice all around you in the ocean, with sea animals playing around in the water. A few seals even scared themselves from coming up too close to us! It was a completely unique experience, and my favorite way that I was able to appreciate the glacier in all of its beauty.

The Grand Day Adventure with Sunny Cove is definitely worth the steep price, as you get to kayak and view wildlife on-board a small catamaran. We were gifted with the presence of a mom and calf humpback who were incredibly playful, and a pop of orcas! It was truly one of my favorite days I spent in Alaska. And the guides at Sunny Cove made it all the more enjoyable!