Southcentral Alaska

Centered on Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula fjords, Matanuska Glacier and the Turnagain Arm coastal highway form the core of Alaska road-trip country.

Scope: This plan uses the "Southcentral" region of the Alaska tourism office's five regions, which by administrative unit includes the Municipality of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Valdez, Cordova and Whittier on Prince William Sound belong to the unorganized area in the data and are currently assigned to the Interior region. Highlights: Anchorage is the state's largest city and transportation hub, with the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Coastal Trail and Chugach State Park. The Seward Highway heading south follows Turnagain Arm, where you can watch the tidal bore and beluga whales from the shore and pass the ski town of Girdwood. Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where boat tours show tidewater glaciers, sea otters, sea lions and whales, and you can also hike to Exit Glacier. At the southwestern end of the peninsula, Homer is known for the Homer Spit and halibut fishing. To the north, the Mat-Su area has Matanuska Glacier, which you can hike onto, Hatcher Pass, and the small town of Talkeetna on the way to Denali. Things to do: An Anchorage–Seward–Homer loop takes about 4–6 days, and adding a northward trip to Denali makes a classic itinerary of around 10 days. Getting there: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the gateway, the Alaska Railroad connects Seward, Anchorage and Talkeetna in summer, and a rental car is the most flexible option. Notes: This is bear habitat, so hike in groups and carry bear spray; book summer lodging and boat tours in advance.

Destinations

Itineraries