Two-Week Travel Itinerary for Alaska: Nature, Camping, and Wildlife

Oct 17

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage and gather camping supplies for your adventure. Visit Earthquake Park for a quick introduction to Alaska’s rugged terrain, or stroll the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for scenic views.
Day 2: Head to Chugach State Park, just outside Anchorage. Set up camp at Eagle River Campground and spend the day hiking the Eagle River Nature Center trails. Keep an eye out for moose, Dall sheep, and bald eagles.

Day 3: Drive to Denali National Park (about 4 hours from Anchorage). Set up camp at Riley Creek Campground or Wonder Lake Campground for a more remote experience. In the evening, take a short hike near the visitor center to start exploring.
Day 4: Join a bus tour deeper into the park for prime wildlife viewing. Denali is home to grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and moose. Afterward, hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail for a peaceful view of the lake and possible beaver sightings.
Day 5: Spend the day hiking and camping. Take on a more challenging hike like the Mount Healy Overlook Trail or enjoy a ranger-led nature walk. In the evening, relax at camp and enjoy the stunning views of Denali (Mt. McKinley) if the weather is clear.

Day 6: On your way back from Denali, stop in the quaint town of Talkeetna. Take a scenic flight around Denali (optional) for incredible aerial views. Set up camp at Denali State Park at the Byers Lake Campground.
Day 7: Spend the day hiking around Byers Lake. Canoe or kayak on the lake for a peaceful experience, and be on the lookout for loons, otters, and the occasional bear.

Day 8: Travel to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest in the U.S. Set up camp at Kennecott Mill Town or McCarthy, a remote spot for true wilderness camping. Explore the historic Kennecott Copper Mine in the afternoon.
Day 9: Spend the day hiking or take a glacier tour in the park. Root Glacier offers a unique opportunity to walk on a glacier and enjoy dramatic views of the surrounding wilderness. Wildlife here includes bears, moose, and caribou.

Day 10: Drive to Seward and set up camp at Exit Glacier Campground in Kenai Fjords National Park. In the afternoon, hike the Exit Glacier Trail to see the glacier up close and learn about the park's ice field.
Day 11: Take a wildlife boat tour through Resurrection Bay or Aialik Bay. Look for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, puffins, and seals while cruising past towering glaciers and rugged cliffs. Return to camp for a peaceful night surrounded by nature.

Day 12: Head to Homer and take a water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park. Camp at Halibut Cove Lagoon or China Poot Bay. Spend the day hiking through coastal rainforests and looking for black bears, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Day 13: Kayak or hike around Kachemak Bay for more wildlife viewing. Explore the rocky beaches, tide pools, and alpine meadows for a diverse range of ecosystems. Return to Homer in the evening.

Day 14: Return to Anchorage for your flight home. If time permits, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on your way back to see rescued bears, moose, and other native animals. Finish with a relaxing evening in Anchorage, reflecting on your Alaskan adventure.