The most populous region in the state, Southcentral Alaska is home to more than half of the Last Frontier’s population. But once you escape the city, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most dramatic views in Alaska. The journey from Anchorage to Valdez packs in scenic coastal roads, hanging glaciers, mountain passes, and the largest national park in the U.S.
Anchorage and Valdez are perfect basecamps to explore the Southcentral region, each with its own convenient KOA: Palmer / Anchorage North KOA Journey and Valdez KOA Journey. There are two ways to travel between these two points—on land or water. Alaska’s Marine Highway System offers a spectacular ferry ride that turns this road trip into a bucket-list loop!
Here are the top places and activities you don’t want to miss on your Southcentral Alaska road trip.
Turnagain Arm
Heading south from Anchorage and Palmer / Anchorage North KOA Journey, you’ll drive along Seward Highway. Alongside the highway lies Turnagain Arm, a waterway leading into the Gulf of Alaska. This is one of the most magnificent stretches of highway in North America! The Seward Highway is one of only 37 All-American Roads, the highest honor awarded to scenic byways in the U.S. by the Federal Highway Administration. The road hugs the coastline, with snow-capped mountains rising seemingly straight out of the water on the opposite shore. Plan some extra time to stop at pullout spots like Beluga Point, where you can watch the tidal bore roll through, and—if you’re lucky—catch a sight of beluga whales surfacing.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
No Alaska road trip is complete without seeing bears and moose, and at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center you get to see them up close without risking your safety. This animal sanctuary is focused on conservation and rehabilitation, and the large enclosures are home to bison, reindeer, muskoxen, wolves, and other species that have been orphaned or injured. It’s an excellent stop early on your trip, helping you identify animals you may later encounter in the wild.
Portage Glacier
Portage Glacier is located within Chugach National Forest and is one of the most accessible glaciers in the region. Start at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, which sits on the northwestern shore of Portage Lake and features exhibits on glacier formation and the area’s history. For a better view of the glacier, opt for a hike or a boat tour. The one-hour sightseeing boat tour departs near the visitor center five times per day during peak season (late May through early September).
Whittier Tunnel
The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, better known as the Whittier Tunnel, is a one-lane, 2.5-mile tunnel shared by both vehicles and trains. Traffic alternates directions on a schedule, so it’s a good idea to plan your arrival based on opening times. Driving through the tunnel, on top of the train tracks, is an experience in itself. Once you emerge on the other side, you’ve arrived in Whittier, a small, remote town with a few unique features. Most of the few hundred residents live in the same 14-story building, called Begich Towers, which sits against a lush mountainside backdrop with flowing waterfalls. As the gateway to the stunning Prince William Sound, the entire town is flanked by towering peaks and glaciers.
Whittier–Valdez Ferry
For a truly unforgettable leg of the journey, board the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Whittier to Valdez. The scenic crossing through Prince William Sound is guaranteed to leave you speechless, with six hours straight of absolutely incredible views of waterfalls, floating ice, and tidewater glaciers. Since you can bring your vehicle onto the ferry, it’s a great way to break up the drive and enjoy a slower, more immersive experience for a few hours. The ferry has a restaurant and indoor and outdoor seating options. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars.
Valdez
The town of Valdez is sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland,” thanks to its dramatic alpine setting. The scenic coastal town is also one of the snowiest cities in the U.S., with an annual average snowfall of more than 300 inches. When you visit in the summer, you’ll see waterfalls cascading down nearly every mountainside. Walk along the boat harbor, grab a bite at one of several restaurants, or visit the Solomon Gulch Hatchery for a unique opportunity to see salmon returning to spawn. Staying at the Valdez KOA Journey makes it easy to explore the local waterfalls, hiking trails, and nearby fjords.
Thompson Pass
The drive out of Valdez is arguably one of the most stunning in the entire state. The 2,600-foot-high Thompson Pass cuts through the Chugach Mountains and offers postcard-perfect views of peaks and valleys. In the winter, this area is famous for deep snow and backcountry skiing, but in the summer it transforms into a lush alpine landscape that makes for some unforgettable road-tripping.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
At more than 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the biggest national park in the U.S. In fact, according to the National Park Service, it’s the size of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the country of Switzerland combined! Much of the park is rugged backcountry, but some parts are accessible by road. A 60-mile dirt road leads to McCarthy, a remote ghost town with a historic copper mine that’s open for visitors. The small airport in town offers flightseeing tours of the park—but even from above it’s impossible to grasp just how vast and diverse this landscape is.
Glacier View
The Glenn Highway connects Glennallen in the east with Anchorage in the west, cutting through the Matanuska Valley. The small town of Glacier View, located along the highway, is aptly named. Home to the 20-mile-long Matanuska Glacier, this area offers plenty of outdoor activities. While you can see the glacier from the road, you can also access it up-close via guided tours—either by foot or helicopter. If you happen to visit during the 4th of July, don’t miss the annual Glacier View Car Launch, where junk vehicles are sent off a 300-foot cliff. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more unique way to celebrate Independence Day.
Hatcher Pass
Before returning to Palmer / Anchorage North KOA Journey, take a scenic detour through Hatcher Pass. While unpaved, the road is maintained and easy to travel for most vehicles as long as you don’t mind a few steep switchbacks. Learn about Alaska’s gold rush era at Independence Mine State Historical Park, go for a hike to enjoy the beautiful alpine scenery, or simply take in the views of the Talkeetna Mountains from the 4,000-foot Summit Lake.
Southcentral Alaska is Waiting!
Scenic roads, waterfalls, and glaciers – Southcentral Alaska has so much to offer! Whether you’re pitching the tent or hitching up the travel trailer, Palmer / Anchorage North KOA Journey and Seward KOA Holiday make for picture-perfect basecamps. Check out all the KOAs in Alaska and plan your adventure today!
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
