10 Most Stunning Natural Wonders in Alaska

If you wish for a thrilling, mind-blowing holiday, any tours to Alaska must be your top choice! With stunning natural sights, clear air, and a feel of distinctive Alaskan culture, it remains one of the most desirable holiday destinations. However, planning a fulfilling trip might get a bit overwhelming, as there are various sights to see and explore, especially on the country’s wild side. So, let’s narrow it down.

What are the most stunning natural wonders in Alaska?

Here are our top 10 most beautiful natural wonders in Alaska!

Denali

Primarily known as the highlight of the Denali National Park and Preserve, the mountain is one of the most exciting things to visit in Alaska!

If you want to really admire the beauty of over 6 million acres of wilderness, tundra, taiga, well-groomed forests, and lone glaciers, there are a few options for you! We suggest planning a hike for real enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers, but we must warn you that you will need to get a permit, as the routes are very well-protected, and the trail itself is pretty challenging.

If you wish to admire Denali from a safer point of view, a great option is a flightseeing. Many tours allow you to appreciate the landscapes without the exhaustion of walking.

Finally, we suggest you visit the namesake national park. This way, you can also camp or set yourself up for a picnic while enjoying the peak natural sceneries of Alaska.

Glacier Bay

It is not a trip to Alaska if you miss out on Glacier Bay. Instead, it is a must-visit national park covering millions of acres of fjords and looming glaciers. Not to mention the stunning wildlife you will get to meet, some of which are not likely seen anywhere else in the world.

If you want a more individual trip, you can kayak through the clear waters, passing the massive ice chunks. First, however, we suggest boat tours, most of which are guided, where you will learn more about the geographical aspects of Glacier Bay. You will also enjoy glimpses of humpback whales and orcas; seals are often lounging right here on the edge of glaciers!

Chugach National Forest

For a bit of a change of scenery, we suggest putting Chugach National Forest high on the itinerary! Yes, there are still famous glaciers in view, but they are a bit further away, and your current surroundings will be all greenery.

Most of Alaska is perfect for spending time outdoors, but this national park is especially great for mountain bikers and hikers. Miles of stunning trails prepared for exploration and views of huge lakes, vast green forests, and magical rivers.

Speaking of, you can also do some sightseeing on the waters, too. The lakes and rivers mentioned are very well-suitable for kayaking, boating, and even fishing!

Nugget Falls

A marvellous sight with a funny name! Nugget Falls lies at the base of Bullard Mountain, a couple of miles south of Mendenhall Glacier. That is why it is also known as the Mendenhall Glacier Falls!

Yet, no matter the name. This natural attraction is one of the most exquisite sights in Alaska. The high waters tumble down to a sandy beach and Mendenhall Lake, creating a very picturesque and fairytale-like scenery. If you are lucky, you might witness bears and other wild animals strolling around!

Northern Lights

Another must-see on the list of most incredible natural attractions in Alaska, or let’s say a thing you must do, is the Aurora watching.

When the sky gets illuminated with neon shades of purple, pink and blue, the sights are simply magical. Due to its convenient geographical situation, Northern Lights are more visible in Alaska than almost anywhere else in the world! We suggest the months of November to January for increased chances, though scientists say that with Alaska being in the position it is, Auroras occur every month of the year. Though keep in mind that they are less visible during the Midnight Sun.

Visit the towns of Fairbanks, Coldfoot, or Prudhoe Bay for the best visibility. They also offer guided Northern Lights tours!

Chilkoot Pass

Kind of intimidating-looking yet extremely exciting, the Chilkoot Pass is a high mountain pass through the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains, Alaska.

A couple of centuries ago, the route used to be the best way for prospectors and packers to get across the mountains. Nowadays, it is a popular tourist attraction for adrenaline-seekers.

The pass is famous for its Golden Stairs, a stairway of 1500 steps all carved into the ice. Being slippery and narrow makes it a challenging task, so keep that in mind, and be cautious!

Brooks Falls

A perfect attraction for animal lovers, Brooks Falls, is a sanctuary of Alaska bears who gather together for a fun feast!

Part of the Katmai National Park and Preserve, Brooks Falls is a freshwater display of cascades of various heights, yet the pretty sights are not why it is so popular. Through the months of June to August, bears come together to hunt some fish since these are the times that hundreds of salmons swim and jump against the flow of water and straight into the jaws of bears.

Park Rangers will give you a complete rundown on keeping a safe distance and appropriate behaviour so that you are ready!

Kenai Fjords National Park

There are many national parks in Alaska and they are all unique and stunning! The Kenai Fjords National Park is undoubtedly one of the top landmarks in the country, and it has a vast display of untouched scenery and exciting archaeological sites!

With over 600 thousand acres of land, Kenai Fjords are everything you would think of when imagining Alaska. There are glaciers, expansive spots of greenery, rocks rinsed by the ice water, and, of course, fjords.

Alaska cruises allow you to admire the landscapes from the best point of view, and if you prefer walking, there is an 8-mile hiking trail!

Inside Passage

If you ever wanted to feel like you were at two places at once, you must enjoy the swim on the Inside Passage!

We are speaking of 1000 miles of waterways between northwestern Washington and southeastern Alaska. This might be an enjoyable change of activities after all the hiking you are surely about to do. In addition, the trip is a bit warmer this way, and the sights are amazing.

Though, the best part of it is the stops you can make along with the multiple Alaskan coastal towns. Get to know Juneau, Ketchikan, and many more!

Mendenhall Glacier

By now, you must be familiar with the name! Mendenhall Glacier is the one best visible from the Nugget Falls area.

You might be wondering why we added yet another glacier to the list. Actually, while the sights are relatively similar to other ones, the Mendenhall Glacier might be the most enjoyable for travellers who share a love for outdoor activities! The hikes and trails that are prepared differ in difficulty, so you can start from the bottom and make your way to the upper levels to challenge yourself and test your strengths.

Here you go! 10 most beautiful natural attractions in Alaska. While there might be challenging to achieve all your goals of visiting the whole 10, we suggest choosing at least half of them for the best experience in magnificent Alaska!

Have you been to Alaska before?

*Disclosure: Collaborative Post

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Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋