11 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In Alaska

Alaska is a unique state in the United States, located in the country’s northernmost point. Being the country's largest yet most sparsely populated state, it is where to go if you truly seek an off-the-beaten-path destination. Here, you’ll find many isolated towns like Skagway and Gustavus that are surrounded by mountains and glaciers and pitifully populated. Yet, these towns are truly hidden gems, many of which will make you feel like you’re in Scandinavia. Seward, for example, is the gateway to one of the largest fjord areas in the world, which just looks and feels like Norway. Meanwhile, with its tiny population, Gustavus is surrounded by the iconic Glacier Bay National Park. These isolated towns also pack some real culture shocks and culinary delights, making them worthy rivals to some of the most exciting towns in the United States, minus the crowds.

Cooper Landing

Cooper Landing is barely populated by 500 people, yet it has so much to cater to the needs of tourists. With its location on Kenai Lake, which flows into the Kenai River, the town offers some of the best fishing experiences in Alaska. Rafting can also be enjoyed on the Kenai River while hikers can explore the two-mile Russian River Falls Trail to a beautiful fall where sights of salmon and bears are common. Back in town, visitors can head to the Cooper Landing Museum to see 19th-century artifacts and admire the rustic exhibits. A visit to Copper Landing is also an opportunity to drive the 18-mile Skilak Lake Road that winds through the Kenai Peninsula, where wildlife viewing opportunities abound.

Girdwood

Girdwood is a lovely escape from Anchorage, where nearly 40% of Alaska’s population resides. This town is a haven for adventure as it is home to the Alyeska Resort, the state’s largest ski area. The resort is a haven for skiing and snowboarding and has a spa, seven chair lifts, and an aerial tramway offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Hikers and bikers will enjoy the 12-mile Girdwood to Indian Bike Path, which presents breathtaking vistas of the Turnagain Arm.

In July, the town comes alive with its most iconic festival—the Girdwood Forest Fair, featuring good food, art shows, and entertainment from artists across Alaska. Meanwhile, art fans will have a field day exploring pottery, oil paintings, jewelry, and other artworks at the Girdwood Center for Visual Art. Additionally, Girdwood is near the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where guests can see rescued animals like grizzly bears, elk, and coyotes, among others.

Talkeetna

Talkeetna is a delightful two-hour getaway from Anchorage and a peaceful hub of adventures. Located where the Susitna, Talkeetna, and Chulitna rivers meet, this town is a mecca for salmon fishing, boating, and rafting. A floating experience on the Susitna River is particularly exciting as it offers great sights of Denali and wildlife like moose and bears. If strolling with river views sounds exciting, the Talkeetna Riverfront Park downtown offers just that and even views of the confluence of the three rivers and Denali. Visitors will also enjoy a peek at the town's gold mining, Native American, and early settlers history at the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum. In the meantime, no visit to Talkeetna is complete without strolling through the town’s charming main street and shopping for souvenirs at the historic Nagley’s Store, which was founded in the early 20th century.

Seward

Seward is a port town on the Kenai Peninsula, popular for being the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park. Covering an area of around 670,000 acres, this park is home to massive icefields, mountains, and coastal fjords, plus wildlife such as sea otters, fin whales, and black bears. Visit this park when in town and try not to get lost while exploring the gigantic landscape carved by glaciers. Besides Kenai, Seward's harbor is also a melting pot of adventures, offering trips into the national park and fishing charters to Resurrection Bay. Seward also challenges hikers to take on the challenging Mount Marathon Trail and be rewarded with epic views of the entire area. If you’re modestly fit, try contending for first place at the Mount Marathon race held in town every fourth of July. Before leaving town, don’t miss out on close views of marine creatures at Alaska Sealife Center, and also be sure to enjoy picnics and camping at Waterfront Park.

Whittier

Whittier is a small town on the northeast shore of the Kenai Peninsula, where nearly all of its 272 residents live under one roof at the Begich Condominiums Towers. This town is a gateway to Prince William Sound, which invites visitors to cruise or take kayak tours to see glaciers, majestic peaks, whales, and sea otters. Whittier also has trails to impress hikers, such as the Whittier Creek Trail and Horsetail Falls Trail, both of which are short and offer scenic waterfall views. Notably, Whittier was built as a military port, and visitors can learn more about its history at the Prince William Sound Museum. Visitors can also take a historic walk around the town to see some of the town’s buildings, such as the U.S. Army headquarters building and the Buckner building.

Gustavus

Gustavus is one of the smallest and remotest communities, even by Alaskan standards, but it is difficult not to get charmed by this lovely fishing enclave. Located a short flight from Juneau, this town is surrounded by Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a must-visit attraction in Alaska featuring seven tidewater glaciers, ice-carved fjords, glorious mountain peaks, and marine wildlife. Visitors can explore some of the park’s glaciers on guided kayak trips from the nearby Bartlett Cove or embark on a glacier and marine wildlife viewing tour on cruise vessels. While in Bartlett Cove, visit the Huna Tribal House to learn about the heritage and cultures of the native Tinglit people. Meanwhile, the town has interesting establishments like the Fireweed Gallery and Coffee & Tea House, which offers delicious coffee and tea.

Skagway

Skagway is a picturesque town on the Taiya Inlet with a rich history. In 1897, this town and the nearby Dyea Valley became the starting point for over 40,000 people en route to Canada’s Yukon territory, where gold had just been discovered during the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park, home, commemorates this event and has buildings, a ghost town, and artifacts reflecting the Gold Rush era, including the Cilkoot and White Pass Trails, which were the main routes used by prospects. Also, the Skagway Museum provides a detailed look into the town’s cultural heritage, art, and history. Away from history, Skagway invites travelers to go rafting on the Taiya River. Hikers can explore the two-mile Yakutania Point for views of Lynn Canal and the Chilkat Mountain.

Palmer

Palmer is a picturesque town surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, with Anchorage just 40 miles away. This town is famous for its agricultural roots, and every year, starting in late August, it hosts the Alaska State Fair. This is the state’s largest event, featuring concerts, exciting rides, food trucks, and large record-breaking vegetable displays. Even if you miss out on the fest, culture abounds at the Palmer Museum. Here, curious visitors can learn about the town’s past and agricultural history and see or purchase artwork. Near the museum, the Palmer Showcase Garden invites visitors to check out its beautiful flowers and some unusually large vegetables in summer.

For more unique experiences, visit the historic Reindeer Farm to pet a reindeer or feed a bull moose. Meanwhile, a scenic drive on the Glenn Highway from town leads to Hatcher Pass, where the ruins of a gold mine at the Independence Mine State Historical Park await exploration.

Cordova

Cordova lies on Prince William Sound and the Copper River, where it offers a host of outdoor adventures. First off, both waterbodies are great for kayaking, and the sound even offers sights of glaciers. If you want to stay on land, Cordova has numerous hiking trails, like the 4-mile Heney Ridge Trail that winds through a beautiful forest and presents great views of Prince William Sound and Hartney Bay. Similarly, the 3.1-mile Saddlebag Glacier Trail is another great hike in town as it cuts through the Chugach National Forest and leads to a glacial lake. Furthermore, the Mount Eyak ski area is in Cordova and features skiing and snowshoeing trails, as well as one of the oldest single-chair lifts in the country.

Notably, Cordova hosts the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival every May, which celebrates the arrival of over 5 million migratory birds around Cordova in the Copper River Delta area. This event is a must-experience when visiting the town in Spring as there are sure to be sights of ducks, geese, swans, cranes, and native bald eagles, among other birds.

Valdez

Valdez is an exciting port town in Prince William Sound with a bustling harbor. This town is an ideal destination for fishing enthusiasts as its waters are steaming with salmon, rockfish, and lingcod, among others. Besides its fishing opportunities, however, the town invites visitors to kayak and get up close to floating icebergs on Valdez Glacier Lake. On the other hand, hikers can take on some trails like the 1.2-mile Homestead Trail, which leads to the salmon-rich waters of Port Valdez, or the slightly challenging 6.5-mile Section A Shoup Bay Trail that winds through hills and streams leading to the Gold Creek.

A visit to Valdez is also an opportunity to see the nearby Solomon Glutch Fish Hatcher, considered one of the country’s largest hatcheries. Millions of pink and coho salmon can be seen every summer as sea lions and bears feed on them. Elsewhere in town, the Valdez Museum reminds locals and enlightens tourists about the area's history, from its Native Culture to early explorers and the gold rush era.

Homer

Homer is a scenic, off-the-beaten-path town on Kachemak Bay, offering year-round recreation and scenery. This town invites visitors to check out the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile bar jutting into the bay lined up with galleries, restaurants, and bars like the Salty Dawg Saloon, which has become a favorite for locals and visitors. From this spit, one can also embark on fishing charters or just camp on the beach reading one of Homer’s epic poems like the Illiad or the Odyssey.

Nearby, Kachemak Bay State Park invites adventurers to hike, camp, or paddle and see glaciers, mountains, coves, and forests. Bird lovers will also love Homer, as thousands of shorebirds flock to the area every spring, and the town hosts the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in May. Meanwhile, the Pratt Museum is a great place to see Native Alaskan artifacts and exhibits about the area’s wildlife.

A Unique Vacation in Alaska

Alaska is already an off-the-beaten-path destination because of its extreme location, size, weather, and unique landscape. Finding more isolated, lesser-known towns in such a state sure feels like a jackpot, especially if you seek something different from the numerous tourist hot spots scattered around the country. Even more reassuring, these isolated towns are anything but boring, as they all have the right mix of historic, natural, and cultural attractions. So, regardless of what you like, there is something to impress everybody in these hidden gems in Alaska.