Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is a hub where culture meets nature, offering visitors the chance to explore the state’s best attractions. Given its central location, visitors are in a prime spot to explore the tundra of the north or the coastal waters of the south. There are few places with as much access as Anchorage, making it the perfect home base for day trips across the state. Here are some of the best Anchorage day trips, all under three hours from downtown Anchorage.
1. Eklutna Lake
Photo Credit: Monica Whitt
Distance from Anchorage: ~40 miles / one-hour drive
How to get there: Drive northeast along the Glenn Highway to Eklutna Lake Road.
Why it’s a great day trip: Eklutna Lake is known for its gorgeous glacial-fed waters and surrounding mountain views. The area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, hiking and biking. It’s part of Chugach State Park, making it easily accessible for those who want to experience the Alaska wilderness without venturing too far from Anchorage.
What to do: Hike the Twin Peaks Trail for elevated views of the lake, rent a kayak to explore the waters or bike the trails that circle the lake. In the winter try ice skating on the lake or fat tire biking.
2. Hatcher Pass
Distance from Anchorage: ~60 miles / one-hour and 15-minute drive
How to get there: Drive north along the Glenn Highway, then take Palmer-Fishhook Road toward Hatcher Pass.
Why it’s a great day trip: Hatcher Pass is a scenic mountain area filled with alpine meadows, winding roads and historic sites. It offers spectacular views year-round, though the entire pass is only drivable from July–September, depending on snowfall. The fall colors here are worth the drive alone. The region is historically significant due to the Independence Mine, a former gold mining operation.
Distance from Anchorage: ~100 miles / two-hour drive
How to get there: Take the Glenn Highway northeast from Anchorage and follow signs to the Matanuska Glacier.
Why it’s a great day trip: The Matanuska Glacier is one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers, offering a close-up view of this massive natural feature. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in geology or glaciers. Guided tours allow visitors to safely hike on the glacier itself, making it a unique adventure close to Anchorage.
What to do: Take a guided glacier hike, which provides safety gear and expert guidance. Alternatively, enjoy glacier viewing from nearby pullouts along the highway if you prefer a quick stop.
4. Talkeetna
Photo Credit: Michael DeYoung
Distance from Anchorage: ~115 miles / two-hour drive
How to get there: Drive north on the Parks Highway or take the Alaska Railroad.
Why it’s a great day trip: Talkeetna is a quaint community with a downtown scene of charming gift shops, guiding services, old-school saloons, restaurants and the famous Denali Brewing Company. In the summertime in Talkeetna, Main Street is filled with visitors from all around who come to enjoy all that Talkeetna has to offer, including the historic buildings, charismatic art galleries and views of Denali — the tallest mountain in North America.
What to do: Take a riverboat or flightseeing tour to get up close to Denali. Wander through the small shops in town, visit the local brewery or enjoy fishing and hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.
5. Girdwood
Photo Credit: Jovell Rennie
Distance from Anchorage: ~40 miles / 45-minute drive
How to get there: Head south along the Seward Highway toward Girdwood.
Why it’s a great day trip: Just south of Anchorage, you can find the small ski town of Girdwood. Surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and numerous glaciers, Girdwood provides visitors with hiking trails, scenic tram rides and family fun year-round.
Distance from Anchorage: ~50 miles / one-hour drive
How to get there: Follow the Seward Highway south and take Portage Glacier Road.
Why it’s a great day trip: Picture bright blue ice and beautiful scenery — that’s what you can enjoy with a day trip to Portage Glacier. Portage is known for its glacier and historical significance as a former townsite devastated by the 1964 earthquake. The area is popular for Portage Glacier, which can be viewed by taking a short boat tour across Portage Lake. In winter, the lake is completely frozen and the adventurous can ice skate or walk two and a half miles back to Portage Glacier. Be sure to look up the ice conditions before you go!
What to do: Visit the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center to learn about the region’s glacial history. Hop aboard the Portage Glacier Cruise to spend the afternoon enjoying beautiful views of one of Alaska’s most-visited attractions. There are also trails like the Byron Glacier Trail for an easy hike. A 10-minute drive from the visitor center is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where visitors can see bears, wolves, moose, wood bison and more.
7. Whittier
Photo Credit: Michael DeYoung
Distance from Anchorage: ~60 miles / one-and-a-half-hour drive
Why it’s a great day trip: Whittier is a small port town with breathtaking views of Prince William Sound. Known for its WWII-era history and unique setup (the entire town mostly lives in one building), Whittier offers access to some of the best marine wildlife tours and fishing trips in Alaska. Be sure to double-check the tunnel schedule when planning your day trip.
Distance from Anchorage: ~100 miles / two-hour drive
How to get there: Drive south along the Seward Highway, then take the Sterling Highway.
Why it’s a great day trip: Cooper Landing is famous for its stunning scenery and access to the Kenai River, known for world-class fishing. Its rich history includes being part of the early gold rush days, and today it’s a favorite spot for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.
What to do: Fish for trout or salmon in the Kenai River, hike the Russian River Falls Trail to see salmon swimming upstream, or go rafting on the Kenai River. Check out Cooper Landing Brewing Co. for a midafternoon break.
9. Seward
Distance from Anchorage: ~125 miles / two-and-a-half-hour drive
How to get there: Drive south along the Seward Highway or take the Alaska Railroad.
Why it’s a great day trip: Seward is a coastal town known for its access to Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska SeaLife Center. The charming downtown is filled with cute shops and many dining options. Seward a key destination for both marine wildlife and glacier tours.
Anchorage is the perfect starting point for visiting some of Alaska’s most scenic and historically rich destinations. Whether you’re seeking adventure on a glacier, a peaceful lake hike or a glimpse of Alaska wildlife, these day trips offer something for everyone.
