If you think a cruise is the best way to explore Alaska, think again! Instead, consider a road trip through the Last Frontier if you want to discover more than just Alaska’s edges and prefer adventure and flexibility.

For us, structured schedules and crowded cruises are unappealing — we much prefer to travel freely and explore on our own. So, we chose to drive through Alaska in July 2025 and explore the vast landscape at our own pace, allowing stops at stunning national parks, active glaciers, and small towns. We felt a more intimate connection with the culture and environment, driving through rugged mountains, along scenic coastal highways, and even stopping for fresh roadside sourdough.

July was the perfect time to visit — with abundant daylight (18 hours!), mild temps, and active wildlife, we enjoyed everything from mountain hikes in Denali, to backcountry adventures and glacier climbs in Palmer, and unforgettable wildlife cruises off the Seward coast. Here’s our complete 10-day road trip itinerary that will help you skip the cruise and explore Alaska by open road.

Day 1: Anchorage to Denali (4 hours)

Fly into Anchorage and either spend the night or pickup your rental car and head north to Denali. (After a long flight, we opted for a quick overnight stay.) Driving from Anchorage to Denali is a roughly 240-mile journey along the Parks Highway that winds through rugged wilderness, towering mountain ranges, expansive forests, and untamed nature. Wildlife sightings are common, with chances to see moose, bears, and bald eagles. On a clear day, look for Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), North America’s tallest peak.

Best Place to Stop: About halfway lies the small, quirky town of Talkeetna. Look for Renee’s Bakery along the way, offering a roadside stand with fresh sourdough and baked goods. Visit the Salmon Spot in Talkeetna for fresh, local Alaskan Salmon Cakes and take in the culture before driving north.

Best Place to Stay: After extensive research, we landed on the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, located next to the entrance of Denali National Park. They offer spacious rooms for families, onsite restaurants, and a host of guided excursions, giving it a resort feel. It’s owned by Princess Cruises, so expect big tour buses and large groups, but it never felt crowded. During our stay, we experienced a power outage (apparently a common occurrence), but we were impressed with how efficiently the staff responded by grilling complimentary food for guests and maintaining essential services.

Best Place to Eat: While staying in Denali, be sure to try The Black Bear, a locally owned scratch kitchen and coffee shop that serves dinner.

Day 2: Hike Denali National Park

Wander through Alaska’s rugged wilderness on a family-friendly hike. Here’s our two top picks:

The Horseshoe Lake Trail is a relatively flat 3-mile loop through forests and along the shore of a peaceful lake, perfect for spotting wildlife (although we were unlucky).
The Savage River Loop is a short 2-mile trail with stunning scenic river views and opportunities to see Dall sheep and moose. If you’re seeking a bigger challenge, the Savage Alpine Trail is a 4-mile hike that provides some of the best views of Denali. Bring your bear spray and pay attention to the Grizzly warnings.

Day 3: Dog Sledding Experience

Just 10 minutes from the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge lies the Husky Homestead — an authentic dog mushing experience (and our girls’ favorite Alaskan adventure). As soon as we arrived, we were greeted with an armful of puppies as Tessa King, daughter of renowned Iditarod champion Jeff King, led us through their family-owned and -operated sled dog training homestead.

Over 90 minutes, the life of sled dog mushers was brought to life as we met energetic Alaskan huskies, learned about sled dog care and training, and heard firsthand stories about racing and surviving the harsh wilderness. The homestead’s remote setting provided an authentic look into their rural Alaskan lifestyle.

Whether visiting in summer for demonstrations and trail rides or in winter for sled dog adventures, be sure to book your tour in advance for an experience that is both educational and immersive, capturing the spirit of Alaska’s dog sledding heritage.

Day 4: Denali to Palmer (3.5 hours) & Matanuska Glacier Hike

After spending 2-3 days in Denali, drive southeast to Palmer, just 45 minutes from Anchorage and in the heart of Alaska’s outdoor adventures. Stay at least two nights (I wished we stayed longer) and leave Denali early so you can climb an active glacier before cozying up in a unique treehouse.

The Matanuska Glacier is a roughly 1-hr scenic drive from Palmer. This iconic, must-do adventure offers a rare opportunity to walk on one of the largest active glaciers in North America. Unlike many glaciers that require flights or backcountry trekking, Matanuska is accessible by car.

We booked a guided tour with Matanuska Glacier that took us crampon-climbing over its surface, exploring blue ice caves, glacial pools, and deep crevasses. Matanuska is a living glacier — constantly moving, cracking and receding. We heard the ice shift, drank water from meltwater streams, and witnessed how powerful nature really is. Our guide, Bren, was incredibly knowledgeable and provided gear, safety tips, and glacier insight — making it accessible yet unforgettable.

Whether you’re a first-time hiker or seasoned explorer, Matanuska offers a safe but thrilling experience. It’s a must-do experience!

Best Place to Stay: Located in Palmer, the Eagle’s Nest Treehouse is one of the most magical and unique places our family has ever stayed. The owners of the hand-built treehouse, John and Cherri, welcomed us with fresh baked treats, an array of local snacks, s’mores kits, and a refrigerator stocked with drinks and breakfast food.

The beautifully constructed treehouse features two beds, 1.5 baths, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, climate control, plush bedding, fire pit, and plenty of room for large families. It’s tucked into the heart of the wilderness, yet close to outdoor adventure and great restaurants, like the Matanuska Brewery. It’s a must-stay!

Day 5: Off-Road through Alaska’s Wilderness

Spend the day exploring Alaska’s remote mountains and glacier carved terrain with an experienced guide at Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours. Tours range from 3-8 hours, but I recommend the 50-mile, full-day journey to Knik Glacier, a stunning 25-mile-long glacier known for its expansive ice fields and dramatic blue crevasses. Ride alone on an ATV, or side-by-side in a new Can-AM UTV with seating up to six, which is perfect for families. All gear, snacks, and a campfire lunch is included. It’s an exhilarating way to explore Alaska’s raw beauty!

Day 6: Palmer to Seward (3 hours)

Driving from Palmer to Seward, Alaska, was one of the most scenic drives we’ve ever experienced. The drive covers approximately 125 miles, typically taking around three hours without extended stops, but allowing extra time to fully appreciate the natural beauty and photo-worthy stops. The route follows the scenic Seward Highway, a designated All-American Road, winding along the Turnagain Arm with scenic viewpoints of mountains, glaciers, coastal waters, and wildlife.

Best Place to Stay: The Windsong Lodge in Seward provides cozy cabin accommodations with rustic charm, modern comfort, and family-sized rooms. It’s surrounded by towering spruce trees and is in proximity to Seward’s attractions and scenic landscapes, such as Exit Glacier and Resurrection Bay. It was an ideal base for exploring Seward’s stunning coast and wilderness.

Best Place to Eat: Ray's Waterfront in Seward is a popular seafood restaurant known for its fresh, locally sourced fish and casual, welcoming atmosphere. It’s definitely touristy, but there’s a reason why both locals and tourists are drawn to this hot spot.

Day 7: Glacier Dog Sledding

With endless outdoor adventures in Seward, trying to choose can be paralyzing. For us, Alaska Helicopter Tours was the obvious choice because they combine multiple Alaskan adventures, such as breathtaking aerial views, remote glacier landings, and authentic dog sledding. They have a clean safety record, which is key, but prepare yourself for a potentially cancelled flight.

Our glacier and dog sled tour from Seward soared over a gorgeous glacier valley you can’t see from the road or boat. The helicopter flew us to a remote glacier landing site, only accessible by air. As we disembarked onto an ancient glacier, we were surrounded by spectacular snowfields. We were then greeted by professional dog mushers, Joey Sabin and Willoe Maynard, before racing their dog sled team on the glacier. It was a true bucket list experience!

Day 8: Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise

Taking a day cruise from Seward offers an immersive experience focused on the nearby Kenai Fjords National Park, where you can witness glaciers, marine wildlife, and dramatic coastal landscapes within a single day. It’s an ideal day cruise for those with limited time seeking an up-close nature experience.

There are many tour operators, but we chose Kenai Fjords Tours as they offer six different day cruises ranging from 4-8 hours. We experienced both the 8-hr Northwestern Fjord Tour and 6-hr Glacier Dinner Cruise, both of which I highly recommend.

After cruising through Resurrection Bay, we had up-close encounters with whales, sea lions, sea otters, and puffins. During both cruises, we even observed a communal humpback whale feeding — it was UNREAL! As we cruised deep into the most remote areas of the fjords, we floated among icebergs, next to receding glaciers, and witnessed the humbling magnificence of glaciers calving in this Arctic paradise.

TIP: If you’re prone to motion sickness, be sure to take some preventative measures, as the Gulf of Alaska can get choppy.

Day 9: Seward to Girdwood (1.5 hours)

The drive from Seward to Girdwood brings you north and closer to Anchorage, making it the perfect pit stop and final destination in this epic journey. It's about a 1.5-hour drive along the scenic Seward Highway to the charming mountain town of Girdwood.

Best Place to Stay: We stayed at Alyeska Resort, nestled in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, which provides stunning panoramic views and access to world-class skiing and hiking trails. With an indoor pool and several onsite dining options, it was a great way to end our trip on a relaxing note with convenient access to nearby wilderness and a tram to the summit of Mount Alyeska.

Best Place to Eat: A short drive from Alyeska, in the center of Girdwood, is the famous Double Musky Inn — a fun restaurant loved by locals and visitors. Expect to wait over an hour, but it’s worth it. The New Orleans-trained chef offers a creative menu with fresh, local fish and steak in a cozy lodge filled with interesting memorabilia.

Day 10: Alaska Wildlife Conservation

Soak up Alaskan wildlife on your last day at The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center — a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Alaska’s wildlife through education, rehabilitation, and research. Located near Girdwood, it serves as a sanctuary for injured, orphaned, and captive-born animals, providing them with a safe environment to live and thrive. During our visit we observed native species such as bears, moose, elk, bison, and eagles up close, gaining a deeper understanding of Alaska’s diverse ecosystems.

Interested in visiting Alaska but don’t know where to begin? Contact me for help planning your custom Alaskan experience.

Alaska by Road: The Best Adventure-Filled Itinerary for Explorers