How to spend 7 days in Alaska (4 itinerary options!)

Looking to spend 7 days in Alaska? We’re sharing four different Alaska itinerary options for 7 days, which include a mix of activities and scenery!

Alaska’s vast wilderness, gorgeous mountains, epic wildlife, coastal views, and endless glaciers make it the ultimate outdoor paradise. 

But being such a large state and with so much to do, it can be a bit daunting to figure out how to squeeze it all into a smaller trip. So we’re here to help! 

We spent the entire summer of 2022 in Alaska, traveling around in our home on wheels. It was truly one of the best adventures of our entire lives! And based on our experience, we’ve put together multiple 7 day Alaska itinerary options to help you plan your own epic Alaskan adventure.

While 7 days in Alaska is not enough time to experience all it has to offer, it will give you a taste of the many different things that make the state special. And it just gives you a reason to return someday to see the rest! Which if you’re anything like us, you’ll be planning your next trip back before you even leave!

Looking for more things to do in Alaska?

• The ULTIMATE guide to driving the Alaska Highway
• The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
• The ULTIMATE Summer Alaska Packing List
• Things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (The largest in the US!)
• 12+ FUN things to do in Valdez, Alaska
• 8+ EPIC things to do in Hatcher Pass in Alaska 
• The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Mile 0-43)
• 8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
• Watch all of our Alaska vlogs
• Read all of our Alaska guides

Getting to Alaska

You can fly, drive (read our guide to driving the Alaska Highway!), or take a cruise or ferry to Alaska. Although if you take a cruise, your itinerary will be mostly decided based on your cruise schedule.

When to visit Alaska

While visiting Alaska throughout the year offers different activities and experiences, these itineraries are focused on the summer months and early fall (May through September). This is when all of these activities should be accessible.

If you’re planning to go in the very early or late ends of this time frame, be sure to double check that any activities you book will be operating. Some businesses open late and/or close early for the season. 

How to get around

Because these are road trips, we highly recommend driving your own vehicle or renting a car.

However, in our opinion, Alaska is best explored by campervan or RV. Whether you decide to bring your own or rent one, we have a huge guide with everything you need to know about RVing Alaska!

Do you need 4×4?

While 4×4 could help you access more remote, epic boondocking spots in Alaska, it’s not required. Our van is RWD and we had no issues visiting all of the stops listed on these 7 day Alaska itineraries! 

Plan for construction delays

A common joke in Alaska is that there are two seasons: winter and construction season. The summertime is a popular time for construction to occur and we experienced it in multiple areas across the state. While sometimes it doesn’t cause much of a delay, other times it might, so make sure to allot extra time to get places.

Don’t want to drive? Take the train!

You can also take a train for some of these destinations. There are trains that run from Anchorage to Denali and Seward. Parts of each itinerary could be done by train and Option #3 could be done solely by train!

Where to stay 

Since these itineraries are for road trips, you will have to move around almost daily. We’ll list suggested places to stay under each day!

Inland adventures (Option #1)

This 7 day Alaska itinerary focuses on Alaska’s epic mountains. From the tallest in North America, to the jagged peaks of Hatcher Pass, you’ll get to witness a lot of gorgeous mountain scenery!

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Day 2: Drive to Denali
Days 3 & 4: Denali National Park
Day 5: Visit Talkeetna and drive back to Anchorage
Day 6: Day trip to Hatcher Pass
Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Welcome to Alaska! Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may arrive later in the day or be exhausted from traveling. So we suggest taking this day easy!

If you have time, you could spend this day exploring some of Anchorage (we have suggestions under day 7!). At the minimum, you’ll need to eat, and we suggest grabbing dinner at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria. This pizza spot has some unique combinations and their own beer!

Warning, this is a VERY popular place to eat in town and can have a long wait. Arrive early if you can! If you don’t want to wait, check out Bear Tooth Theatrepub, which is owned by Moose’s Tooth and serves the same pizza. 

Where to stay

Campgrounds: Ship Creek RV Park, Eagle River Campground

FREE Dispersed Camping: Cabela’s (this is a VERY popular free camping spot in Anchorage. There were 30+ RVs every night we stayed here!)

Hotels: Embassy Suites Anchorage, Hyatt Place – Midtown, Courtyard by Marriott 

Vacation Rentals: Downtown Studio Apartment, Carriage House, Modern Anchorage Getaway

Day 2: Drive to Denali

Today you’ll get to see the tallest mountain in North America! It’s about a 4 hour (237 mile) drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park. But plan for longer, as we encountered construction on this stretch of the drive.

Once arriving in Denali National Park, hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail. This trail is located at the beginning of the park, making it really easy to access.

Important things to know before visiting Denali National Park

• You aren’t guaranteed to see the mountain. Even though Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, it can still be difficult to see. Only 30% of visitors get to see Denali when they visit because of weather that can block it. The mountain can be seen from the Park Road as early as mile 9 and you get a great view on the Savage Alpine trail too!
• There is only one road in the park (Park Road). On top of that, only the first 15 miles is open to private vehicles for most of the year. After mile 15, you’ll need to take a park bus, which costs extra. There is plenty to see and do in the first 15 miles if you don’t care to ride the bus.
• It costs $15 per person for a 7 day pass, for those 16 and older, to visit Denali National Park year round. Unless you have the America the Beautiful pass!

Where to stay

We suggest staying in or near Denali National Park for days 2 and 3!

Campgrounds in the park: Riley Creek Campground, Teklanika River Campground, Savage River Campground, Sanctuary River Campground (tents only, access by bus), Igloo Creek Campground (tents only, access by bus)

Campgrounds outside the park: Cantwell RV Park, Denali RV Park & Motel

FREE Dispersed Camping: Roadside pull off near park, pull off behind trees

Hotels: Backwoods Lodge, Denali Lakeview Inn, McKinley Creekside Cabins

Vacation Rentals: Denali Hideaway, The Taiga Studio Apartment

Day 3: Denali National Park

For your first full day in Denali National Park, you’ll head a bit further into the park to see more mountain scenery and maybe even some wildlife!

Itinerary

• Spend the morning on a bus tour. There are two types of tours to choose from, a narrated bus tour or non-narrated transit bus. On the narrated bus tour, you’ll get to hear about the park from a trained naturalist. There are a couple different narrated tours offered, including the Tundra Wilderness Tour and the Denali Natural History Tour. The tours range in length from 4.5-5.5 hours and are the more expensive option.
  
  On the non-narrated transit bus, you’ll ride all the way to East Fork, where you can then hop off and walk the remaining part of the road that is open. You are also able to hop off wherever you’d like to do an off trail hike, but this should only be done by hikers with navigation skills. During our visit, we explored the road closure area and did an off trail hike and both were a great experience!
  
• After riding the bus, hike the Savage Alpine trail, which you can also combine with the Savage River trail!
• Spend the rest of the day relaxing. If you decide to go out for dinner, check out Moose-AKa’s or Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse.

Where to stay

We recommend staying in or near Denali National Park. Check out the spots recommended under Day 2!

Day 4: Denali National Park

For your last day in Denali National Park, you’ll tackle another hike, plus meet some furry friends!

Itinerary

• Grab some coffee and breakfast at The Black Bear.
• Want to meet some huskies? Attend a sled dog demonstration! These demonstrations are given 3 times a day at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM and last for 30 minutes. You’ll learn a bit about dog sledding and also get to meet the dogs. There is limited parking at the kennels, so you’ll need to walk there or ride the free park shuttle, which leaves 40 minutes before the demonstration. 
• Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail, which is an easy hike with beautiful views!
• Spend the rest of the day driving to Talkeetna, a small town located about 2.5 hours from the park.
• Grab dinner from either Mountain High Pizza Pie, Shirley’s Burger Barn, The Salmon Spot, or Denali Brewpub.

Where to stay

For this night, you’ll want to stay in Talkeetna. Here are some options!

Campgrounds: Talkeetna Camper Park, Woodpecker RV Retreat, Montana Creek Campground, Talkeetna Lake Retreat

FREE Dispersed Camping: Free campground off Parks Highway, Susitna River Bank  

Hotels: Susitna River Lodgings, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Denali Fireside Cabins & Suites 

Vacation Rentals: Modern Log Cabin with En Suite Sauna, 2nd Street Retreat, Tiny House Cabin

Day 5: Talkeetna and drive to Anchorage

Today you’ll spend part of the day in Talkeetna, a quirky, charming town, before heading down to Anchorage (if you so choose!). 

Itinerary

• Kick off your morning in Talkeetna with coffee and breakfast at Conscious Coffee.
• If your budget allows, go on a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park with K2 Aviation! While our budget did not allow for this in Alaska, we have heard incredible things. Not only will you get to see Denali (if it’s clear enough), but get an amazing high up view of Alaska!

Want to save some money on this tour or experience? Book it on Tripadvisor and use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!

• Spend some time wandering around Talkeetna and its different shops. And as you explore, keep an eye out for Talkeetna’s mayor. The mayor isn’t your typical mayor though, he’s a cat named Denali. We spent a good part of our morning walking around town looking for him, including at Nagley’s where he is known to hang out, but never found him. Hopefully you’ll have better luck than we did!
• Have lunch at Talkeetna Spinach Bread, an amazing airstream food truck with cheesy, spinach garlic bread. If you only eat at one place in Talkeetna, this is the spot!
• Learn about birch syrup at Alaska Birch Syrup & Wild Harvest. They offer a free short tour where they explain the process to make birch syrup. Plus how it’s different from maple syrup! And at the end you get to do a tasting of the different grades of syrup. They also sell birch related products, plus ice cream!
• For the rest of the day you could continue exploring Talkeetna or drive to Anchorage. Either option works fine, as the activities for day 6 are located about halfway between the two. 

Where to stay

You can either stay in Talkeetna or drive down to Anchorage. For Talkeetna lodging recommendations, check out day 4. For Anchorage lodging recommendations, see day 1!

Day 6: Day trip to Hatcher Pass

Today you’ll explore what was one of our absolute favorite areas in all of Alaska: Hatcher Pass! This is a section of the Talkeetna Mountains with 300,000 acres of mountainous terrain, more than 30 summits, and numerous glaciers. It’s a mountain lover’s paradise!

Itinerary

• Get an early start to the day and drive to Hatcher Pass. Hatcher Pass is a little over an hour northeast of Anchorage and just under 2 hours from Talkeetna. If driving from Talkeetna, we suggest entering via Wasilla. The way Google Maps tries to direct you is an unpaved road.
• Once arriving at Hatcher Pass, you have a couple options to choose from!
  • Option #1: Hike the Reed Lakes Trail. This is an almost 9 mile hike that takes you to two stunning blue lakes, surrounded by mountains. It’s the best day hike in the area and quite possibly one of the best in Alaska!
  • Option #2: If you’re not up for a long hike, check out a combination of the April Bowl Trail (2.2 miles, but steep!), Hatcher Pass viewpoint, Independence Mine State Historical Park, or Gold Cord Lake (1.5 miles). 
• If you need somewhere to eat after you explore Hatcher Pass, check out Palmer Alehouse in Palmer, on your way to Anchorage. 

Where to stay

We suggest staying in Anchorage for this night! You can see some recommendations under day 1.

Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

For your final day in Alaska, explore Anchorage! Despite being a city, Anchorage has a lot to offer, including some delicious food and nature RIGHT in town. Below is an itinerary for how we’d spend one jam packed day in Anchorage.

We suggest trying to snag an overnight flight home, that way you have a full day in town. But if your flight is earlier, pick a few of these spots to check out before you go! 

Itinerary

• Start with breakfast at Snow City Cafe! This spot is VERY popular, so try to arrive as close to when they open as you can. Or expect a long wait!
• Ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Path! This is a bike path that runs from downtown Anchorage, past the airport (you can watch planes take off and land over your head!), and along the water. There’s a good chance you’ll see some wildlife along the way. We saw multiple moose! Don’t have a bike with you? You can rent bikes from Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals.
• After your ride, have lunch at El Green-Go’s. This is a delicious Mexican food truck! 
• Get ice cream from Wild Scoops. Make sure to get the baked Alaska topping!
• Still have some energy left? Check out Flattop Mountain! This hike is just 30 minutes from downtown and offers amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Anchorage from above. It’s only 2.8 miles, but it is steep!
• Have dinner at 49th State Brewery, a popular spot for both beer lovers and non-drinkers.
• And now it’s time for the worst part of the trip…leaving! 

Want more details on all of these destinations? Check out these guides!
The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Mile 0-43)
Hiking the Mount Healy Overlook Trail
How to hike the Savage Alpine Trail
Hiking the Horseshoe Lake Trail
8+ EPIC things to do in Hatcher Pass in Alaska 
The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
The ULTIMATE Summer Alaska Packing List

The coastal experience (Option #2)

Looking for a more coastal experience instead? This 7 day Alaska itinerary focuses on the water, including the coastal city of Anchorage, smaller coastal towns, and the epic Kenai Fjords National Park. 

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Day 2: Anchorage
Day 3: Travel to Seward
Days 4 & 5: Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 6: Visit Hope or Whittier and travel back to Anchorage
Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Yay, you made it to Alaska! Since this day is a travel day, you may be adjusting to a new time zone and be wiped from travel. So we suggest taking this day easy!

But since you’ll likely be hungry, make sure to grab dinner at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria. This pizza spot has some unique combinations and their own beer!

Warning, this is a VERY popular place to eat in town and can have a long wait. Arrive early if you can! If you don’t want to wait, check out Bear Tooth Theatrepub, which is owned by Moose’s Tooth and serves the same pizza. 

Where to stay

You’ll be staying in Anchorage for two nights, so make sure to book accordingly!

Campgrounds: Ship Creek RV Park, Eagle River Campground

FREE Dispersed Camping: Cabela’s (this is a VERY popular free camping spot in Anchorage. There were 30+ RVs every night we stayed here!)

Hotels: Embassy Suites Anchorage, Hyatt Place – Midtown, Courtyard by Marriott 

Vacation Rentals: Downtown Studio Apartment, Carriage House, Modern Anchorage Getaway

Day 2: Anchorage

While you may have come to Alaska for the scenery, don’t skip out on the Anchorage area! With delicious local food and amazing hikes just minutes from downtown, it has a ton to offer. There are a couple ways you could spend a full day in Anchorage, depending on your interests.

Itinerary- Option #1

This first option combines lots of food, with a couple nature experiences. It’s the best of all worlds!

• Start with breakfast at Snow City Cafe! This spot is VERY popular, so try to arrive as close to when they open as you can. Or expect a long wait!
• Ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Path! This is a bike path that runs from downtown Anchorage, past the airport (you can watch planes take off and land over your head!), and along the water. There’s a good chance you’ll see some wildlife along the way. We saw multiple moose! Don’t have a bike with you? You can rent bikes from Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals.
• After your ride, have lunch at El Green-Go’s. This is a delicious Mexican food truck! 
• Get ice cream from Wild Scoops. Make sure to get the baked Alaska topping!
• Still have some energy and time left? Check out Flattop Mountain! This hike is just 30 minutes from downtown and offers amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Anchorage from above. It’s only 2.8 miles, but it is steep!
• Not up for a hike? Visit the Eagle River Nature Center, for beautiful scenery with less effort. Or go kayaking on Eklutna Lake!
• Have dinner at 49th State Brewery, a popular spot for both beer lovers and non-drinkers.

Itinerary- Option #2

Prefer to explore the area’s epic scenery? Here’s a second option that gives you the choice between our two favorite hikes in the Anchorage area!

• Grab a quick coffee from Kaladi Brothers (a popular local chain) or Goldie’s Coffee Roasters (an amazing women-run coffee stand) and hit the road!
• Hike in the Chugach Mountains! There are so many good hikes in this area, but we really loved these two.
  • Option #1: Crow Pass to Crystal Lake. This hike is a section of the larger Crow Pass Trail. It will take you through lush mountains, up lots of rocks, and past waterfalls (keep an eye out for mountain goats too!), to a beautiful lake. Make sure to continue on another half mile past the AllTrails route to see Raven Glacier as well!
  • Option #2: South Fork Valley Trail. This hike takes you through a scenic valley, ending at two different colored lakes, right next to each other. Eagle Lake is a glacial lake, with a milky blue color. While Symphony Lake is a dark blue, from snow melt. The contrast is spectacular! And bonus: if you like to fish, this is a great spot to catch trout and grayling (make sure you have a fishing license). Adam hiked with his fly rod and caught a few!
• After your hike, grab dinner at 49th State Brewery, but make sure to save some room for dessert!
• Enjoy delicious ice cream from Wild Scoops. You MUST get the baked Alaska topping!

Where to stay

For day 2, we suggest staying in Anchorage at one of the recommended spots from day 1!

Day 3: Travel to Seward + Kenai Fjords National Park

Today you’ll spend the day driving to Seward, a beautiful coastal town that is the basecamp for Kenai Fjords National Park. And if you arrive by mid-day, you’ll have time to explore part of the park too! 

Kenai Fjords was our favorite national park out of the three we visited in Alaska. It is home to numerous fjords, mountains, forests, tons of wildlife, dozens of glaciers, and the largest ice field entirely in the United States. It combines everything that makes Alaska unique and majestic, all into one park!

Itinerary

• Grab coffee and breakfast at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage and hit the road! Your drive from Anchorage to Seward will be about 2 hours and 30 minutes. But there’s a good chance you’ll want to stop and admire the views along the way. 
• Once arriving in Seward, head to Miller’s Landing Cafe for some lunch with a view! You may even luck out and get to see a fishing tour return and see their catch!
• Spend what’s left of the day at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, the only area of the park accessible by vehicle. We suggest hiking the Exit Glacier View Loop and/or the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail. You can learn more about Exit Glacier and read how to hike both of the trails here!
• After a few hours in the park, head back to Seward and have dinner at Lone Chicharron Taqueria, Firebrand BBQ, or The Cookery. One important thing to know about Seward is that many restaurants close 1-2 days of the week. Make sure to check the hours in advance!

Where to stay

You will spend the next three nights in Seward. Here are some lodging options!

Campgrounds: Miller’s Landing North Campground & RV Park, Resurrection South Campground, Resurrection North Campground & RV Park, or Exit Glacier National Park Campground (tents only)

FREE Dispersed Camping: Exit Glacier Road Special Use Area (where we stayed!)

Hotels: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay, Harbor 360 Hotel, or Seward Gateway Hotel

Vacation Rentals: Modern Cabin with hot tub, Coffee House Cottage, or Abode Well Cabin

Day 4: Kenai Fjords National Park

Today may be one of the most awe inspiring days of your life! At least, it was for us! You’ll spend the day exploring Kenai Fjords National Park from the water. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see whales, seals, sea lions, puffins, glaciers calving, and so much more!

Itinerary

• Have coffee and a quick bite to eat at Resurrect Art Coffee House.
• Spend the day on a boat cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park. We highly recommend the 7.5 hour tour with Major Marine. This tour takes you to two tidewater glaciers, gives you time to search for wildlife, plus savor the scenery around you. It was truly one of the best days of our entire life!
  
  SAVE on this tour: If booking on Tripadvisor, make sure to use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!
  
• After a magical day on the water, have dinner at a local spot in Seward. We listed a few options under day 3!

Where to stay

You’ll continue to stay in Seward this evening.

Day 5: Kenai Fjords National Park

For your final day in Seward you’ll explore more of Kenai Fjords National Park! We have a few options for this day, depending on your interests.

Itinerary

• Grab a quick coffee in Seward at Summit Sips, which is open early, making it a great coffee spot before a long hike!
• For your day in the park, choose from the following:
  • Hike the Harding Icefield Trail. This 9+ mile hike was one of our favorite hikes in all of Alaska! You’ll get to view the Harding Icefield, which is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. And it is the source of 38 glaciers in the park! This hike makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Seeing the endless ice from the top is a wild experience! 
  • Walk or ice climb on the Exit Glacier. If you aren’t up for such a challenging hike, you could also book a tour to walk on Exit Glacier or go ice climbing. There are several guide companies in town that will take you on a safe trip onto the glacial ice including Exit Glacier Guides and Kenai Backcountry Adventures. 
• Fishing or kayaking tour: You could also book a fishing charter in Seward or a kayaking tour with Liquid Adventures, Kayak Adventures Worldwide, or Adventure 60 North.
• End the day with dinner in Seward. 

Where to stay

This will be your final night staying in Seward. 

Day 6: Visit Hope or Whittier and travel back to Anchorage

Today you’ll drive back towards Anchorage, but on the way, visit the small coastal towns of Hope or Whittier! Both of these towns offer a handful of things to do to keep you busy for a day trip. 

Hope

Drive time from Seward: 1.5 hours

The tiny town of Hope came recommended to us from a local and it was such a gem! This gold rush town is located right on the water and oozes authentic Alaskan charm!

• After making the drive from Seward, grab coffee and a bite to eat from Grounds for Hope Espresso. This is a super cute coffee stand next to a library and bookstore! 
• Hike the Palmer Creek Lakes Trail, which is a beautiful 30 minute drive out of town. The hike is under 3 miles roundtrip (but steep) and features two beautiful lakes, a waterfall, and lots of mountain scenery. It’s an amazing bang for your buck!
• After your hike, head back into Hope. We suggest wandering around town a bit, walking down to the Turnagain Arm, and learning a bit of the area’s history at the Hope and Sunrise Historical Society Museum.
• Have a late lunch at the Dirty Skillet (they open at 3 PM!) or at Creekbend Cafe!
• Head back to Anchorage, which is about a 1 hour and 45 minute drive.

Whittier 

Drive time from Seward: 2 hours, including going through a paid tunnel

Whittier is one of, if not the most, unique towns we have ever visited! And it’s a whole adventure just to get to it! What was once a WWII military base is now a small town that offers lots of outdoor adventure opportunities. 

However, getting to Whittier will require a little bit of preplanning. You’ll be driving through the Anton Anderson Tunnel, which is only open from 5:30 AM-11:15 PM in the summer. Cars and trains take turns going through in one direction, so if you don’t time your visit correctly, you may have to wait a bit. You can see the full schedule for both directions here. 

After arriving in Whittier from the tunnel, we suggest choosing 2 of these 4 activities for the rest of your day, depending on what your interests are and the amount of time you have to spend.

Activity options:

• Hike the Portage Pass Trail to see amazing views of Whittier, plus tons of mountains and glaciers, including the Portage Glacier at the end!
• If you’d like to see the Portage Glacier from the water instead, go on the Portage Glacier Cruise!
• Jet ski tours are a fun and unique way to explore the area and check out more glaciers!
• Hike the Emerald Cove Trail. Beware – this trail can be VERY muddy. Like, get your legs stuck in the mud kind of muddy. But if you are prepared and can get past the mud, you’re in for a treat! We saw salmon in the stream, picked berries, admired a waterfall, and had the cove all to ourselves!

If you need lunch or dinner while in Whittier, check out Wild Catch Cafe. And after a fun day in the area, head back to Anchorage, which is about a 1.5 hour drive.

Where to stay

You will want to stay in Anchorage this evening and we listed some options under day 1!

Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

For your final day in Alaska you’ll be back in Anchorage! Depending on what time you leave to head home, you could squeeze a lot into a day. We suggest looking at Day 2 and choosing any activities that you were unable to get to then.

Looking for even more ideas? Check out:

• Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center or Anchorage Museum
• Check out a nearby Reindeer Farm or Musk Ox Farm
• Ride the Anchorage Trolley Tour

Want more details on all of these destinations? Check out these guides!
The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
The ULTIMATE Summer Alaska Packing List
How to hike the Portage Pass Trail in Whittier
8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
How to experience the Exit Glacier Hike in Kenai Fjords National Park
Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park

National Park exploring (Option #3)

If your goal is to just visit National Parks in Alaska, this 7 day Alaska itinerary is for you! While you’ll only be able to see 2 of the state’s 8 National Parks, they are very different from each other, giving you a well rounded trip.

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Day 2: Drive to Denali National Park
Day 3: Denali National Park
Days 4: Travel to Seward, explore Kenai Fjords National Park
Days 5 & 6: Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 7: Drive back to Anchorage and travel home

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Welcome to Alaska! After a very likely long travel day to get here, spend the rest of the day taking it easy. Check into your lodging for the night and grab dinner at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria.

Warning, this is a BUSY spot to eat in town and can have a long wait. Arrive early if you can! If you don’t want to wait, check out Bear Tooth Theatrepub, which is owned by Moose’s Tooth and serves the same pizza. 

And make sure to save room for dessert at Wild Scoops. You MUST get the baked Alaska topping!

Where to stay

You’ll be staying in Anchorage tonight and here are a few options!

Campgrounds: Ship Creek RV Park, Eagle River Campground

FREE Dispersed Camping: Cabela’s (this is a VERY popular free camping spot in Anchorage. There were 30+ RVs every night we stayed here!)

Hotels: Embassy Suites Anchorage, Hyatt Place – Midtown, Courtyard by Marriott 

Vacation Rentals: Downtown Studio Apartment, Carriage House, Modern Anchorage Getaway

Day 2: Drive to Denali

Today you’re off to see the tallest mountain in North America! It’s about a 4 hour (237 mile) drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park. But plan for longer, as construction delays are very common.

Itinerary

• Once arriving in Denali National Park, attend one of the sled dog demonstrations. The sled dog demonstrations are given 3 times a day at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM and last for 30 minutes. If you leave Anchorage by 8 AM, you should make it in time for the 2 PM demonstration. Note: There is no parking at the kennels so you’ll need to walk there or ride the free park shuttle which leaves 40 minutes before the demonstration. 
• End the day with a hike on the Mount Healy Overlook Trail. This trail is located at the beginning of the park, making it really easy to access. It will also be your first chance to possibly see Denali!
• Grab dinner near the park at Moose-AKa’s or Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse.

Important things to know before visiting Denali National Park

• You aren’t guaranteed to see the mountain. Even though Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, it can still be difficult to see. Only 30% of visitors get to see Denali when they visit because of weather that can block it. The mountain can be seen from the Park Road as early as mile 9 and you get a great view on the Savage Alpine trail too!
• There is only one road in the park (Park Road). On top of that, only the first 15 miles is open to private vehicles for most of the year. After mile 15, you’ll need to take a park bus, which costs extra. There is plenty to see and do in the first 15 miles if you don’t care to ride the bus.
• It costs $15 per person for a 7 day pass, for those 16 and older, to visit Denali National Park year round. Unless you have the America the Beautiful pass!

Where to stay

We suggest staying in or near Denali National Park for days 2 and 3!

Campgrounds in the park: Riley Creek Campground, Teklanika River Campground, Savage River Campground, Sanctuary River Campground (tents only, access by bus), Igloo Creek Campground (tents only, access by bus)

Campgrounds outside the park: Cantwell RV Park, Denali RV Park & Motel

FREE Dispersed Camping: Roadside pull off near park, pull off behind trees

Hotels: Backwoods Lodge, Denali Lakeview Inn, McKinley Creekside Cabins

Vacation Rentals: Denali Hideaway, The Taiga Studio Apartment

Day 3: Denali National Park

You’ll only have one full day in Denali National Park, so we suggest getting an early start to squeeze it all in! 

Itinerary

• Take a bus tour! There are two types of tours to choose from, a narrated bus tour or non-narrated transit bus. We personally recommend the non-narrated transit bus. You’ll ride all the way to East Fork, where you can then hop off and walk the remaining part of the road that is open. To ensure you have enough time the rest of the day, we suggest taking one of the earliest buses. 
• Once back at the front of the park, hike the Savage Alpine Trail. This was our favorite day hike in the park and gives you the best view (with current park closures) of Denali! We highly recommend combining this trail with the Savage River Loop for a well rounded hike.
• If you have enough time and energy, hike the short Horseshoe Lake Trail to end the day.
• Have dinner at either Moose-AKa’s or Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse.

Where to stay

You will want to stay near Denali National Park again this evening!

Day 4: Travel to Seward

Today you’ll be traveling to Seward, Alaska. This is a 6.5 hour drive, so it’s going to be a long day! But thankfully, the scenery along the way will keep you entertained.

Itinerary

• Before leaving Denali, grab some coffee and breakfast at The Black Bear.
• Hit the road for Seward! Since this is a long drive, we suggest stopping in Anchorage (about 4 hours in) to grab some lunch. We loved El Green-Go’s!
• Continue the rest of the drive to Seward. The scenery along this next stretch is amazing!
• As you approach Seward, take a quick detour to the Exit Glacier area of Kenai Fjords National Park. While here, hike the Exit Glacier View Loop and/or the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail. These are easy trails that take only a couple hours and you can learn more about them here!
• Have dinner in Seward at one of the following: Lone Chicharron Taqueria, Firebrand BBQ, or The Cookery.One important thing to know about Seward is that many restaurants close 1-2 days of the week. Make sure to check the hours in advance!

Where to stay

You will spend the next three nights in Seward. Here are some lodging options!

Campgrounds: Miller’s Landing North Campground & RV Park, Resurrection South Campground, Resurrection North Campground & RV Park, or Exit Glacier National Park Campground (tents only)

FREE Dispersed Camping: Exit Glacier Road Special Use Area (where we stayed!)

Hotels: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay, Harbor 360 Hotel, or Seward Gateway Hotel

Vacation Rentals: Modern Cabin with hot tub, Coffee House Cottage, or Abode Well Cabin

Day 5: Kenai Fjords National Park

After a long travel day yesterday, take it a bit easier today with an EPIC (and also relaxing) boat cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park! You’ll get to witness fjords, gorgeous mountains, see wildlife, many glaciers, and so much more. It is the BEST way to experience the park!

Itinerary

• Start the morning with coffee and a quick bite to eat at Resurrect Art Coffee House.
• Spend the day on a boat cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park. We highly recommend the 7.5 hour tour with Major Marine. This tour takes you to two tidewater glaciers, gives you time to search for wildlife, plus savor the scenery around you. It was truly one of the best days of our entire life!
  SAVE on this tour: If booking on Tripadvisor, make sure to use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!
• After a magical day on the water, have dinner at a local spot in Seward. We listed a few options under day 4!

Where to stay

You’ll continue to stay in Seward this evening.

Day 6: Kenai Fjords National Park

For your last day in Seward, explore more of Kenai Fjords National Park! Depending on your interests, there are a few different activities you could choose from.

Itinerary

• Grab a quick coffee in Seward at Summit Sips, which is open early, making it a great coffee spot before a busy day!
• For your day in the park, choose from the following:
  • Hike the Harding Icefield Trail. This was easily one of the BEST hikes we did in Alaska! Along this 9+ mile trail (round trip) you’ll get to view the Harding Icefield, which is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. It is a sight unlike anything we have ever seen!
  • Walk or ice climb on the Exit Glacier. If you aren’t up for such a challenging hike, you could also book a tour to walk on Exit Glacier or go ice climbing. There are several guide companies in town that will take you on a safe trip onto the glacial ice including Exit Glacier Guides and Kenai Backcountry Adventures. 
• Fishing or kayaking tour: You could also book a fishing charter in Seward or a kayaking tour with Liquid Adventures, Kayak Adventures Worldwide, or Adventure 60 North.
• End the day with dinner in Seward. 

Where to stay

This will be your final night staying in Seward. 

Day 7: Drive back to Anchorage and travel home

For your last day in Alaska, make the 2.5 hour drive back to Anchorage. Depending on your flight time, you may have a full day to spend in Anchorage, or just a few hours, but here are some spots we’d suggest visiting! 

Itinerary

• Have brunch at Snow City Cafe! This spot is VERY popular, so expect a long wait!
• Ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Path! This is a bike path that runs from downtown Anchorage, past the airport (you can watch planes take off and land over your head!), and along the water. There’s a good chance you’ll see some wildlife along the way. We saw multiple moose! Don’t have a bike with you? You can rent bikes from Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals.
• Hike up Flattop Mountain! This hike is just 30 minutes from downtown and offers amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Anchorage from above. It’s only 2.8 miles, but it is steep!
• Not up for a hike? Visit the Eagle River Nature Center, for beautiful scenery with less effort. Or go kayaking on Eklutna Lake!
• Have dinner at 49th State Brewery, a popular spot for both beer lovers and non-drinkers.

Want more details on all of these destinations? Check out these guides!
The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
The ULTIMATE Summer Alaska Packing List
Hiking the Mount Healy Overlook Trail
How to hike the Savage Alpine Trail
Hiking the Horseshoe Lake Trail
The ULTIMATE guide to visiting Denali National Park (Mile 0-43)
8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
How to experience the Exit Glacier Hike in Kenai Fjords National Park
Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park

A little bit of everything–our top pick! (Option #4)

Our final 7 day Alaska itinerary option is our personal favorite. It combines a mix of mountain exploring, coastal adventures, wildlife sightings, glaciers, and city life. It’s the best of all worlds!

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Day 2: Day trip to Hatcher Pass
Day 3: Drive to Seward
Days 4 & 5: Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 6: Visit Girdwood 
Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

You may notice that this itinerary is missing Denali National Park, but in our opinion, the mountains in Hatcher Pass are even more epic!

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Woot woot, you’re in Alaska! Traveling to Alaska can be a bit of a journey, depending on where you’re coming from. Since you may not arrive until later in the day, we suggest taking it easy the rest of the day. Check into your lodging, grab some pizza at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, and rest up for a big week!

Where to stay

You’ll be staying in Anchorage for two nights, so make sure to book accordingly!

Campgrounds: Ship Creek RV Park, Eagle River Campground

FREE Dispersed Camping: Cabela’s (this is a VERY popular free camping spot in Anchorage. There were 30+ RVs every night we stayed here!)

Hotels: Embassy Suites Anchorage, Hyatt Place – Midtown, Courtyard by Marriott 

Vacation Rentals: Downtown Studio Apartment, Carriage House, Modern Anchorage Getaway

Day 2: Day trip to Hatcher Pass

Today you’ll take a day trip from Anchorage to what was one of our absolute favorite areas in all of Alaska: Hatcher Pass! This is a section of the Talkeetna Mountains with 300,000 acres of mountainous terrain, more than 30 summits, and numerous glaciers. It’s a mountain lover’s paradise!

Itinerary

• Grab a quick coffee from Kaladi Brothers (a popular local chain) or Goldie’s Coffee Roasters (an amazing women-run coffee stand) and hit the road! Hatcher Pass is a little over an hour northeast of Anchorage, so try to leave early!
• Once arriving at Hatcher Pass, you have a couple options to choose from!
  • Option #1: Hike the Reed Lakes Trail. This is an almost 9 mile hike that takes you to two stunning blue lakes, surrounded by mountains. It’s the best day hike in the area and quite possibly one of the best in Alaska!
  • Option #2: If you’re not up for a long hike, check out a combination of the April Bowl Trail (2.2 miles, but steep!), Hatcher Pass viewpoint, Independence Mine State Historical Park, or Gold Cord Lake (1.5 miles). 
• If you need somewhere to eat after you explore Hatcher Pass, check out Palmer Alehouse in Palmer, on your way back to Anchorage. 

Where to stay

We suggest staying in Anchorage again tonight!

Day 3: Drive to Seward + Kenai Fjords National Park

Today you’ll drive to Seward and explore a bit of Kenai Fjords National Park, our favorite national park out of the three we visited in Alaska. It is home to numerous fjords, mountains, forests, tons of wildlife, dozens of glaciers, and the largest ice field entirely in the United States. 

Itinerary

• Grab coffee and breakfast at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage and hit the road! Your drive from Anchorage to Seward will be a scenic 2 hours and 30 minutes. 
• Once arriving in Seward, head to Miller’s Landing Cafe for some lunch with a view! You may even luck out and get to see a fishing tour return and see their catch!
• Spend what’s left of the day at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, the only area of the park accessible by vehicle. We suggest hiking the Exit Glacier View Loop and/or the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail. You can learn more about Exit Glacier and read how to hike both of the trails here!
• After a few hours in the park, head back to Seward and have dinner at Lone Chicharron Taqueria, Firebrand BBQ, or The Cookery. One important thing to know about Seward is that many restaurants close 1-2 days of the week. Make sure to check the hours in advance!

Where to stay

You will spend the next three nights in Seward. Here are some lodging options!

Campgrounds: Miller’s Landing North Campground & RV Park, Resurrection South Campground, Resurrection North Campground & RV Park, or Exit Glacier National Park Campground (tents only)

FREE Dispersed Camping: Exit Glacier Road Special Use Area (where we stayed!)

Hotels: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay, Harbor 360 Hotel, or Seward Gateway Hotel

Vacation Rentals: Modern Cabin with hot tub, Coffee House Cottage, or Abode Well Cabin

Day 4: Kenai Fjords National Park

Prepare to be amazed today! You’ll be spending a full day out on the water at Kenai Fjords National Park, cruising through fjords, by glaciers, and past wildlife. It is a day full of jaw dropping beauty!

Itinerary

• Have coffee and a quick bite to eat at Resurrect Art Coffee House.
• Spend the day on a boat cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park. We highly recommend the 7.5 hour tour with Major Marine. This tour takes you to two tidewater glaciers, gives you time to search for wildlife, plus savor the scenery around you. It was truly one of the best days of our entire life!
  SAVE on this tour: If booking on Tripadvisor, make sure to use our code APLUSK10 for 10% off!
• After a magical day on the water, have dinner at a local spot in Seward. We listed a few options under day 3!

Where to stay

You’ll continue to stay in Seward this evening. We listed some options under day 3!

Day 5: Kenai Fjords National Park

For your final day in Seward you’ll explore more of Kenai Fjords National Park! We have a few options for this day, depending on your interests.

Itinerary

• Grab a quick coffee in Seward at Summit Sips, which is open early, making it a great coffee spot before a long day in the park.
• For your day in the park, choose from the following:
  • Hike the Harding Icefield Trail. The Harding Icefield is the largest icefield entirely in the United States at 700 square miles and almost 4,000 feet deep. And it is the source of the park’s 38 glaciers. On this difficult 9+ mile hike, you’ll not only get to view the icefield, but see Exit Glacier from above, walk through gorgeous alpine terrain, and more! It was one of our top hikes in Alaska!
  • Walk or ice climb on the Exit Glacier. If you aren’t up for such a challenging hike, you could also book a tour to walk on Exit Glacier or go ice climbing. There are several guide companies in town that will take you on a safe trip onto the glacial ice including Exit Glacier Guides and Kenai Backcountry Adventures. 

• Fishing or kayaking tour: You could also book a fishing charter in Seward or a kayaking tour with Liquid Adventures, Kayak Adventures Worldwide, or Adventure 60 North.
• End the day with dinner in Seward. 

Where to stay

This will be your final night staying in Seward. 

Day 6: Visit Girdwood

Today you’ll leave Seward and drive back towards Anchorage. But on the way, stop by Girdwood, a resort area only 1 hour and 45 minutes from Seward that has some amazing hikes, fun activities, and local eats!

Itinerary

There is a good amount to do in this area and since you’ll only have part of a day, we suggest picking a mix of these options! 

• Hike the Crow Pass Trail to Crystal Lake. This trail will take you through lush mountains, up lots of rocks, and past waterfalls, to a beautiful lake. Make sure to continue on another half mile past the AllTrails route to see Raven Glacier! We loved this hike so much, it felt like something out of Iceland or something!
• Check out The Alyeska Resort! While there, you can ride a tram, mountain bike, visit a nordic spa, or cross the brand new Veilbreaker Skybridges, which are 2,500 feet above the valley floor! The skybridges are HIGH up on our list for our next visit!
• Hike the Winner Creek Trail. This trail will take you through the forest and by a gorgeous glacial river. There is a hand tram you can use to get across the river, but it is currently closed.
• Visit Virgin Creek Falls, which is only a 0.5 mile round trip walk!
• Have dinner at Double Musky Inn and grab a beer (if you drink) at Girdwood Brewing Company.
• Head to Anchorage for the evening!

Where to stay

You could either stay in Girdwood for the evening or stay in Anchorage. We listed some Anchorage lodging recommendations under day 1, but here are some options for Girdwood.

Campgrounds: Bird Creek Campground, Williwaw Campground, Black Bear Campground

FREE Dispersed Camping: Lakefront Spot, Lakefront Spot 2, Boondocking Spot

Hotels: Alyeska Resort, Carriage House Accommodations, Alyeska Hostel

Vacation Rentals: Cozy Cabin with private hot tub, Alyeska Hideaway Log Cabin, Cozy A-Frame

Day 7: Explore Anchorage and travel home

If you have a late flight home, you can accomplish quite a bit in Anchorage today! Here are some things we recommend:

Itinerary

• Start with breakfast at Snow City Cafe! This spot is VERY popular, so try to arrive as close to when they open as you can. Or expect a long wait!
• Ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Path! This bike path runs from downtown, by the airport (where you can have planes take off or land right above you!), and along the coast. It’s also a great spot to see wildlife. We saw a few moose! Don’t have a bike with you? You can rent bikes from Pablo’s Bicycle Rentals.
• Prefer to hike? Hike up Flattop Mountain! This hike is just 30 minutes from downtown and offers amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Anchorage from above. It’s only 2.8 miles, but it is steep! 
• After your outdoor adventure, have a delicious and quick lunch at El Green-Go’s or pop into 49th State Brewery, a popular spot for both beer lovers and non-drinkers.
• Get ice cream from Wild Scoops, an amazing local ice cream shop that makes some fun Alaska flavors. You MUST get the baked Alaska topping!
• And then for the worst part of your 7 days in Alaska…heading home. We hope you enjoyed Alaska as much as we did!

Want more details on all of these destinations? Check out these guides!
8+ EPIC things to do in Hatcher Pass in Alaska
Hiking the Reed Lakes Trail in Hatcher Pass
The 24 BEST hikes in Alaska
8 things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park
How to experience the Exit Glacier Hike in Kenai Fjords National ParkHiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park

Helpful tips for your 7 days in Alaska

Before you head to Alaska, here are a few final tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible!

What to pack for Alaska

Alaska is a difficult place to pack for. In one day you can experience sun, rain, and a variety of temperatures. So having a variety of items is a must! We created the ULTIMATE Summer Alaska Packing List to help you figure out what to bring. 

Download offline maps

There are many areas in these 7 day Alaska itineraries where you won’t have the best cell service. Make sure to download offline Google Maps and offline AllTrails maps.

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership? Click this link or use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!

We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Pack snacks and meals

Dining out can get expensive in Alaska and some areas are remote, without many dining options. We recommend packing snacks, plus meals, to save some money and make things easier.

If you plan to cook, we highly recommend getting your groceries in Anchorage. You’ll be able to find multiple large grocery stores, plus Walmart and Target, which will offer the best selection and prices. The smaller towns do have grocery stores, but your options will be limited and expect to pay a good amount more.

If you’re flying to Alaska and have extra room in your bag, bring some snacks with you! You will likely find cheaper snacks back home and can ensure you bring items you love.

Ready to spend 7 days in Alaska?

Pin our 7 day Alaska itineraries to help you plan your adventure!