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Are you ready for the most beautiful sights you have ever seen? Hopefully, you are because Alaska offers nothing less. So settle in for something that cannot be painted or described with words. Before you do that, though, let’s look through the top 10 most stunning natural wonders in Alaska so that you know what is ahead!
Natural wonders in Alaska you’ll want to explore
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Formerly known as Mount McKinley National Park, Denali Preserve is located in Interior Alaska, centred on Denali, the highest mountain in North America.
Enjoy the sights of 6 million acres of tundra, taiga, trimmed greenery, and, of course, the glaciers. However, you should also be prepared for some run-ins with the wildlife, and while it is just as exciting as it sounds, be careful, as well.
We suggest mountain-climbing or hiking, though you will need a special permit for that, so keep that in mind! Nevertheless, if you want to see it from afar, there are also options for flightseeing!
Glacier Bay
No Alaska tours are possible without seeing Glacier Bay. Millions of acres of gorgeous views of mountain tops, rainforests, intimidating glaciers, and fjords are considered to be one of Alaska’s most stunning features.
The best way to enjoy the extraordinary vision is to take a boat tour that runs smoothly and slowly across the waters, allowing you plenty of time to take in the shiny surroundings, take pictures, and relax. Glacier Bay is also the perfect spot to catch glimpses of orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions!
Chugach National Forest
Yet another perfect spot to hike and bike, Chugach National Forest is the second-largest forest in the USA. With Kenai River and Sixmile Creek adorning the frustrating greenery, you can indulge in some fishing to relax!
However, if outdoor sports are more your thing, there are several excellent trails for both hiking and biking – this way, you will get the best and closest views of all the nature it has to offer. Everything mixes up into the perfect landscape of endless forests, lovely rivers, and glacier tops!
Nugget Falls
While the name might be funny, the sights are not. More mind-blowing, really.
With water cascading 377 feet in 2 tiers down to the sandbar of Mendenhall Lake, Nugget Falls attracts tourists with its picturesque display and clear humid air.
It is located only 1.5 miles from the Mendenhall Glacier; therefore, sometimes, it is called the Mendenhall Glacier Falls. Whichever way you prefer to name it, the torrent is a must-see on the list of most outstanding natural attractions. It might not be as devastating as the glaciers, but it looks just as magical and unique.
You can also hike East Glacier Loop to get to Nugget Falls – the trail is relatively short and easy, so it will be enjoyable and quick!
Brooks Falls
Now, this is something you will not see every day, and, to be honest, probably never if not for your trip to Alaska!
Brooks Falls is the perfect place if you wish insight into the life of wildlings here in Alaska. Especially the bears. From June to August, bears gather together to catch salmon, which swim up there and jump high out of the water, right into the maw of the predators, patiently waiting for their dinner. It is called Brooks Falls Salmon Run, which is very amusing to witness!
Kenai Fjords National Park
By now, you have probably noticed how everything in Alaska can be described as the most beautiful scenery, but here we are, ready to say it again! And it is!
Kenai Fjords National Park is the epitome of all that is right in nature and the world. Endless acres of unspoiled landscapes and pure areas, wildlife, and fascinating archaeological sites – Kenai Fjords has it all.
Depending on what you like during your trip, you can hike the Harding Icing Trail and experience everything up-close, or you can opt for wildlife watching and, hopefully, see some whales, sea lions, otters, and seals!
Prince William Sound
Located on the east side of Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound is quite an unusual natural attraction, yet equally important. An irregular inlet in the Gulf of Alaska contains fjords and tidewater glaciers, green forests, and glimpses of the Chugach Mountains.
The principal barrier islands forming the Sound are Montague Island, Hinchinbrook Island, and Hawkins Island, so there will be plenty for you to explore!
Northern Lights
The stunning phenomenon and one of the most prominent occurrences attracting tourists to Alaska, the Northern Lights is a spectacular natural event of colors clashing together in the night sky, creating nothing short of a miracle-looking panorama.
Be careful with your expectations, though. As remarkable as it looks, Northern Lights are not something that is visible year-round, so keep that in mind, and do not be disappointed if you miss it. Nothing can control nature and its ways; we can only predict!
Chilkoot Pass
This one is for all adrenaline junkies! Chilkoot Pass is the highest peak along the Chilkoot Trail, a historic stream connecting Dyea, Alaska, to Bennet, Canada. As you can imagine, the sights are other-worldly.
You can try hiking and eventually beating the pass, but you must be very careful about it and have some preparation beforehand. Chilkoot Pass is famous for its most menacing section – the Golden Stairs, a series of 1,500 steps carved into the ice. They are narrow and slippery, so that makes them highly challenging!
Turnagain Arm
Hiking, kayaking, and mountain climbing are not the only activities you can enjoy in Alaska. If you visit Turnagain Arm, a waterway into the northern part of the Gulf of Alaska, you can spoil yourself by surfing!
Relish in the scenic drive on the way over, and make sure to catch the best waves of the seawater of the Gulf rushing against the current, creating the most perfect tidal bore. Even if you are only there to observe, the sight of water fighting for control can be all the experience you need.
Follow our suggestions of the most beautiful natural wonders in Alaska, and you will have the time of your life! Do not stick to the plan the whole time, though. Give yourself a chance to experience the raw feeling of the country with no idea what will happen next. Enjoy!
