Alaska: 10 Places to See - Denali to Katmai Route
Explore Alaska's most spectacular natural attractions across 2,548 km, from Denali National Park and its iconic 6,190-meter peak to the glacial landscapes of Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords. The route connects major destinations including Anchorage, Homer's fishing waters, and the geothermal Valley of 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- End
- Anchorage
- Stops
- 10
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — Number 10 on the list, combining great access with amazing Alaskan landscapes
- Glacier Bay National Park — Number seven on the list, links with nearby park to create larger UNESCO World Heritage site, best views seen from the water
- Kenai Peninsula — Shelters Anchorage from the Gulf of Alaska
- Homer, fishing capital — Coastal town renowned for world-class halibut fishing and access to Kachemak Bay's marine wildlife and glaciers.
- Kenai Fjords National Park (#3) — Coastal preserve featuring dramatic fjords, tidewater glaciers, and abundant marine life including sea otters and sea lions.
- Katmai National Park (#2) — Remote wilderness sanctuary where brown bears congregate at Brooks Falls during salmon spawning season each summer.
- Valley of 10,000 Smokes — Volcanic landscape scarred by 1912 eruption, featuring ash-filled valleys and geothermal vents accessible only by aircraft.
- Denali National Park (#1) — Vast subarctic park protecting grizzly bears, wolves, and moose across six million acres of pristine wilderness.
- Denali mountain — North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet, dominating the Alaska Range with dramatic snow-covered slopes visible for miles.
- Anchorage — Major city in Alaska, sheltered from the Gulf of Alaska by the Kenai Peninsula
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Use Anchorage as a gateway hub to explore Alaska's rugged and remote reaches, as it is an important transport hub.
- Tip
- Visit Creek Street in Ketchikan, the scenic downtown stretch located a short distance from cruise ship docks, which retains historic charm.
- Tip
- Shelve hiking boots at Glacier Bay National Park and explore from the water via cruises or kayaking to see glaciers and marine wildlife.
- Tip
- Visit Homer, the fishing capital, to explore nature, fish, walk along the beach to Homer Spit, and drive Skyline Drive for fantastic views.
- Tip
- Spot wildlife including mountain goats, bald eagles, sea lions, humpback whales, and black bears in Kachemak Bay State Park.
- Tip
- Take the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railway journey from Skagway for amazing mountain views.
- Tip
- Experience Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau via shuttle ride, helicopter ride, or the challenging west glacier trail for photography.
- Tip
- Visit Kenai Fjords National Park where half the park is covered in ice year-round with fjords hosting migrating whales and birds.
- Tip
- Explore Valley of 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park, an enormous ash flow from the 1912 Novarupta volcano eruption.
- Tip
- Fish for rainbow trout and salmon in Katmai National Park, or observe brown bears feeding on salmon.
- Tip
- Visit Denali National Park to see Denali mountain (formerly Mount McKinley), North America's tallest peak at 6,190 meters, and spot caribou, moose, grizzly bears, and wolves.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Alaska - Travel Video