Not only is Anchorage the state’s largest city, but it also serves as an excellent travel hub for Southcentral Alaska. Whether you’re interested in amazing scenery, seeing wildlife up close, or anything else our state has to offer, you’re almost guaranteed to be able to do it on an Anchorage day trip.
Let’s look at a few of the best day trips from Anchorage for cruise ship passengers and independent travelers alike.
A tour we think you'll love
1) Enjoy The Waters Of Big Lake With Big Lake Boat Rentals
One of the absolute best day trips from Anchorage is to Big Lake, approximately 60 miles by road from downtown on the other side of Knik Arm. Big Lake Boat Rentals, the only tour provider on the lake, offers several amazing tours for visitors and Alaskans alike. Our amazing adventures include:
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Enjoy Big Lake the way you like with our kayak, paddleboard, and jet ski rentals. If you have the time, why not try all three and see which one you like best?
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For larger groups, our 20′ or 22′ pontoon boats are available for rent for a few hours up to five days!
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For the perfect mix of the outdoors and the comforts of home, we have two cabins for rent on the lake. After a long day of adventures, you can return to your cabin and soak in a luxurious hot tub!
No previous boating experience is needed and no boating license is required, as our crew will give you a brief orientation before your adventures begin!
Ready to explore the best day trips from Anchorage and create unforgettable memories? Don’t miss out on the stunning views, wildlife, and unique experiences waiting just a short drive away. Pack your sense of adventure, and start planning your Alaskan getaway with us today!
2) See North America’s Tallest Mountain And A Beautiful National Park
Home to the tallest mountain in North America, Denali National Park is the perfect day trip from Anchorage. The park is accessible from Anchorage by car, an Alaska Railroad train, or bus. No matter if you enjoy road trips or prefer to avoid them, there’s a travel option that suits your needs perfectly.
Whether you prefer scenic drives or guided tours, there’s something here for you at this massive National Park. There’s only one road through the park, but at nearly 100 miles long, you’re in for spectacular views of the mountain, glacial lakes, wildlife, and a whole lot more.
For a more guided approach, there are several tours available here, including the famous ATV tours and several tours operated by National Park Rangers. You also won’t want to miss the dog mushing kennels. There’s also a free shuttle that operates through major points of interest through the park.
Good To Know: Denali, also called Mount McKinley, is a special part of Alaska’s wild nature. Denali National Park around the mountain lets visitors see wide open wilderness, spot animals like bears, moose, and wolves, and enjoy beautiful views. It’s a great place for hiking and exploring for anyone who loves nature and adventure.
3) Take A Quick Drive To Chugach State Park
If you’d like a day trip extremely close to Anchorage so you can spend less time traveling, Chugach State Park is just a few miles from downtown Anchorage. Its borders include the Chugach Mountains to the east and Turnagain Arm (popularly known as “The Anchorage Airport Area”).
Well-known for its spectacular views, outdoor enthusiasts will love this amazing State Park. It boasts nearly 300 miles of hiking trails with different levels of difficulty, ensuring that even the most novice trekkers can find the perfect path through paradise.
There’s also another entrance to the park in nearby Eagle River. The Eagle River Nature Center on Eagle River Road offers many hiking trails, cabin or yurt rentals, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and much more.
Good To Know: At around 40 feet, Turnagain Arm has the highest tides in the United States and the second-highest in North America behind Fundy Bay in New Brunswick. The tidal flats can quickly turn to quicksand, so always check the tidal schedule before going out.
4) Enjoy Mini-Cruises And Other Activities In Kenai Fjords National Park
About 125 miles south of Anchorage, you’ll find the city of Seward, named for William Seward, the Secretary of the Interior who purchased Alaska from the Russians in 1861. The city is the gateway to beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park, home of Exit Glacier.
In addition to stunning views of these glacier-carved fjords, you’ll also find several great tour options for day trips, both by land and on the water. You can take a glacier cruise through the waters of Prince William Sound for a few hours or one that lasts up to five days in stunning National Park.
One of the main attractions here is Exit Glacier, located at the end of the park’s only road. It’s perfect for day trips because there are so many ways to see it, including tours on land, air, and by boat.
Did You Know? The Alaska Railroad offers day trips from Anchorage to both Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords as part of their Alaska Wildlife and Glacier Cruise. You can see the sights without having to rent a car or pay for gas.
5) Amazing Day Trips To Portage Valley To See Glaciers, Wildlife, And Scenic Views
Fans of scenic drives will love the Seward Highway, one of the most popular thoroughfares in Southcentral Alaska. Between Seward and Whittier, you’ll find the Portage Valley, the gateway to several amazing day trips from the Anchorage area.
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A glacier cruise through Portage is available from downtown Anchorage’s Hotel Captain Cook every day at 1:30 PM from mid-April to mid-September.
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The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a nature conservatory and animal sanctuary that adopts injured and orphaned animals from around the state. You can drive here on the Seward Highway or take the extended Portage Glacier Cruise and Tour, which stops here as well.
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If you prefer not to drive, the glacier is also a stop on the railroad route.
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The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the history of the area and speak with park rangers. Ironically, due to glacial recession, the glacier is no longer visible from the visitor’s center itself and a short walk is required.
Good To Know: Portage used to be a city in Alaska before it was destroyed in the 1964 earthquake. It is now a ghost town and was legally incorporated into the Municipality of Anchorage in 1975.
Take Amazing Alaska Day Trips From Anchorage With Big Lake Boat Rentals
If you’re looking for day trips from Anchorage to enjoy wildlife viewing, amazing scenery, beautiful National Parks, or anything else, the city is the perfect travel hub for day trips throughout Southcentral and the Interior.
Big Lake Boat Rentals offers several amazing opportunities for visitors and Alaskans alike to enjoy the great outdoors and water activities in a variety of watercraft. No day trip in Alaska would be complete without spending time on the glorious waters of Big Lake.
Our boats fill up fast especially during the peak tourist season (mid-May to mid-September). Don’t get left on the shore – book your next exciting boat or kayak trip with Big Lake Boat Rentals today!
