Alaska Excursions

Alaska Excursions

Wide range of glorious day trips throughout Southcentral Alaska.

Iditarod 38

Photos and stories from the last great race.

Anchorage: 50°/62°/Partly sunny

Fairbanks: 39°/64°/Intermittent clouds

Juneau: 47°/55°/Cloudy

More weather

Day trips north of Anchorage

More on Alaska travel highlights

Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Copper River accommodations

Southcentral towns outside Anchorage often have a wide selection of lodging to accommodate visitors who come to town for a weekend's relaxation, to fish or to show off the state to relatives.

Inside Passage lodging: Juneau, Ketchikan and more

Visitors to Southeast Alaska have a lot of choices in lodging, from chain hotels in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan to fishing and hunting lodges tucked away on the shores of the Inside Passage.

Western Alaska lodging: Kodiak, Nome, Bethel and more

Western Alaska's grand expanse of terrain, water and wildlife attracts many visitors with an interest in the outdoors. Its larger cities -- Kodiak, Bethel, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor and Nome -- put up quite a few visitors and governmental and commercial guests for the night.

Northern Alaska lodging: Barrow and Kotzebue

Hotels in Barrow and Kotzebue, in Northern Alaska, cater to tour groups, which arrive by plane from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Interior lodging and restaurants: Fairbanks, Denali and more

Interior Alaska has a broad range of accommodations, from rustic cabins to hotel suites with kitchens.

Anchorage-area hotels, B&Bs, hostels, lodges and resorts

Lodging in Alaska

Green buses shuttle visitors into Denali

Flightseeing at Denali

Denali campground guide

Bus service to Denali

Limited offer: Drive Denali for free

Tundra wildlife and natural history tours

Rafting the Nenana reveals Denali's wet side

Alaska Railroad to Denali

Reserve campsite, bus ticket early for Denali trip

Denali National Park

Hiking and backcountry camping at Denali

Denali Institute ecosystem courses

Hotels, campgrounds, lodges welcome visitors

Driving Denali in autumn

Denali climate and sunshine

Driving to Denali

Ferry and cruise trips near Anchorage

Driving in Anchorage

Day trips south of Anchorage

Day trips north of Anchorage

A city of parks

Savvy shopping in Anchorage

Finding history

Attractions around Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage attractions

Kayaking a perfect sea -- Prince William Sound

Rafting and kayaking are good across North

River kayaking and rafting in Alaska

Kayaking the icy waters

Harvesting glacier ice

Ice worms on the glacier

Why is glacier ice blue?

Worthington Glacier

Kennicott Glacier

Matanuska Glacier

Exit Glacier

Glaciers in the distance

Other glaciers reachable by land

See the glaciers up close

Roadside glaciers

Glacier viewing in Alaska

Flightseeing at Denali

Flightseeing over Alaska's bush

Flightseeing in Alaska

Big catch, big cash

Ecotours in Alaska

Alaskans cruise Alaska

Health inspections of ships

Cruise lines serving Alaska

Alaska ports of call

Cruises in Alaska

Bird Creek is considered instant outdoors

Inside Passage camping

Eagle River and Eklutna have campgrounds, hikes and history

Alaska.com

North of Anchorage yet still in the municipality are Eagle River and Eklutna.

Eagle River Campground. Rafting and kayaking upstream. Turn off Glenn at Mile 11, Hiland Road. There's a day-use area along the river where it crosses Eagle River Loop off the Hiland Road exit. (Hiland Road is the exit, but it soon turns off and the main road becomes Eagle River Loop. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race course crosses Hiland between the highway and the stoplight. On clear days, 20,320-foot Denali is visible from the overpass.) (Eagle River map)

Eagle River Nature Center. Wildlife, grand scenery and trails including the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Mile 12 of Eagle River Road. Take Hiland Road exit, Mile 11 Glenn Highway, and follow Eagle River Loop turn east at Wal-Mart. Or take Eagle River Road from downtown Eagle River, Mile 13 of the Glenn. $5 parking fee. 907-694-2108. (Map)

Thunderbird Falls. Mostly easy 1-mile trail to falls. Turn off at Mile 25 of Glenn Highway and park in a lot where the Old Glenn crosses the Eklutna River. (Map)

Eklutna Village. Historic townsite and cemetery. Mile 26 Glenn Highway. Fee for cemetery tour. (Map)

Eklutna Lake Recreation Area. Hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing. Equipment rentals, campground, picnic grounds. The first two miles of the 10-mile Eklutna Road are paved. Turn off Glenn Highway at Mile 26 of Glenn Highway. Fee. (Map)