Alaska Grand Loop 13-Day Self-Drive
An in-depth loop connecting Denali, Kennecott, Valdez, Seward, and Homer.
The most complete self-drive loop in Southcentral Alaska: head inland to see Denali, travel east through the Matanuska Valley into the Wrangell Mountains, cross Thompson Pass to Valdez, and take the ferry across Prince William Sound to the Kenai Peninsula. Some days involve long drives, and the McCarthy Road is gravel. Ideal for repeat visitors and outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of time who don't mind long-distance driving.
June to August is the most stable period. Ferry services are infrequent, so book your ferry dates before planning the rest of your itinerary.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Anchorage
Anchorage Bowl（Anchorage Museum、Flattop Mountain）
Pick up your car at the airport and drive to Midtown (approx. 15m); drive to the Flattop Mountain trailhead (approx. 30m).
Stay: Midtown
Day 2 · Via Talkeetna to Denali
Talkeetna（Talkeetna Historic District、Denali Viewpoint South） → Denali（Denali Visitor Center）
Drive along the Parks Highway to Talkeetna (approx. 2.5h), then to the park entrance (approx. 3h).
Stay: Denali Entrance Canyon Area
Day 3 · Denali Park Bus Day
Denali（Teklanika River、Sable Pass）
Leave your car at the park entrance and take the bus along the Park Road (approx. 7 to 8h round trip).
Buses will only go up to Mile 43 for the 2026 season; the mileage for 2027 is subject to park announcements.
Stay: Denali Entrance Canyon Area
Day 4 · South then East to Glacier View
Denali（Horseshoe Lake Trail） → Anchorage Bowl（Musk Ox Farm）
Drive south on the Parks Highway, then turn east on the Glenn Highway (approx. 480 km, 6h, fully paved road).
This is the longest driving day of the trip; start early and fill up your tank before Palmer.
Stay: Glacier View
Day 5 · Glacier Hike then to Kennecott
Anchorage Bowl（Matanuska Glacier） → Chitina
Guided glacier hike in the morning, then drive via Chitina along the 95 km gravel McCarthy Road in the afternoon (approx. 5 to 6h).
Most rental car contracts prohibit driving on gravel roads; you can fly from Chitina instead.
Stay: Kennecott
Day 6 · Copper Mine Ruins and Root Glacier
Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark & Root Glacier
Walk or take the shuttle within the town. The glacier hike is over 3 km round trip and requires a guide.
Crampons and guides are provided by local companies and must be booked in advance.
Stay: Kennecott
Day 7 · Over Thompson Pass to Valdez
Valdez（Worthington Glacier、Thompson Pass、Keystone Canyon & Bridal Veil Falls）
Return along the McCarthy Road, then head south on the Richardson Highway (approx. 280 km, 5h).
Stay: Downtown and Small Boat Harbor
Day 8 · Columbia Glacier Cruise Day
Valdez（Columbia Glacier、Valdez Small Boat Harbor）
Take a daytime cruise departing from the Small Boat Harbor (approx. 6 to 8h round trip), then walk around town after returning.
Stay: Downtown and Small Boat Harbor
Day 9 · Ferry across the Sound to Seward
Girdwood（Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel） → Seward & Kenai Fjords
Take the car ferry to Whittier (approx. 6h), pass through the tunnel, and drive to Seward (approx. 2.5h).
The ferry does not run daily; driving via Palmer when there is no ferry takes over 8 hours.
Stay: Downtown Seward
Day 10 · Kenai Fjords Cruise and Exit Glacier
Seward & Kenai Fjords（Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise、Exit Glacier）
Board the boat at the harbor in the morning for a 6-hour cruise; drive 15 minutes to Exit Glacier after returning.
Stay: Downtown Seward
Day 11 · Along the Sterling Highway to Homer
Seward & Kenai Fjords（Russian River Falls） → Homer（Homer Spit）
Drive from Seward to Homer (approx. 270 km, net driving time approx. 3.5h), stopping at Russian River Falls on the way.
Stay: Homer Spit
Day 12 · Fly to Lake Clark for Brown Bear Viewing
Homer（Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing (Chinitna Bay)）
Take a flightseeing or floatplane tour from Homer, taking about half a day including round-trip travel and ground bear viewing.
Flights depend on the weather; scheduling it on this day allows for a makeup flight in the afternoon.
Stay: Homer Spit
Day 13 · Northbound Return to Anchorage to Return Car
Homer（Ninilchik Village & Holy Transfiguration Church） → Girdwood（Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center） → Anchorage Bowl
Drive from Homer to Anchorage (approx. 360 km, driving time approx. 4.5h), stopping at the conservation center on the way.
Try to schedule your flight for the evening or later.