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Alaskan vacations offer opportunities for many different types of recreational activities, sports and sightseeing. Combine many of these into one vacation, or plan a vacation with one activity or location in mind.
In this section, you will find vacation ideas where you can indulge your special interests. Or special places to go if you want to spend your whole vacation in one area or with one combined plan. Special Alaskan Vacations that make great summer vacations: 
• Hiking and Climbing -- Is best done in any of the State or National Parks. They have many marked trails with maps available. Or if you are the adventurous type, you can just take off across a wilderness area and have fun. But don’t do that unless you know how to find your way back. It’s easy to get lost in the thousands or even millions of acres of wilderness parks. • Wilderness Camping – You can bring a tent and pitch it in public campgrounds or in just about any backwoods area of the State and National Parks. There are also many private campgrounds. There are very few roads in Alaska, but you can usually find a place to park a camper, van or RV off of a backwoods road, if there aren’t any designated campgrounds or parking areas available. • Alaska Gold Panning – Since Alaska’s history is full of the gold rush days, try panning for gold. It is fun and you could return with some gold dust or even a small nugget at times. The largest gold-producing mine in southcentral Alaska open to the public for a fee, is at Crow Creek, just south of Anchorage. 
• Fishing in Alaska – Alaska has thousands of rivers and lakes that are great for fishing. Many freshwater lakes are kept stocked and the majority of the rivers have numerous varieties of fish. In addition to the several varieties of Alaskan Salmon, you’ll find northern pike, burbot, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Hooligan, Arctic grayling, lake trout, steelhead and many others. You can also join in the salmon and halibut fishing derbies. See the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Fishing Guide for all the Rules and getting Permits. Apply for your fishing license now. 
• Kayaking in Alaska - If you would like to try your skill at this sport, there are numerous ports and bays that are favorite kayaking spots. The inexperienced should hire Alaska kayaking guides or go kayaking on Alaska's many lakes. • Rafting in Alaska - This sport can be quite fun and there are numerous lengthy rivers in Alaska that are used for it. From the very mild Class I to the swift and dangerous Class V rapids—all are available. • Visit Chena Hot Springs Resort - Just about a 2 & 1/2 hour drive east of Fairbanks, or you can fly in with a chartered aircraft. • Alaska State Fair - See what can be grown in Alaska - both livestock and giant vegetables from Alaska's gardens. Located at Palmer, about 40 miles north of Anchorage. Takes place every year in September. 
• Visit Denali Park - One of our more developed National Parks with several beautiful, modern visitor centers and choices for tours. Yet it is just as wild as the undeveloped parks, with abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. • Visit Kenai Fjords National Park - This unique park is covered with glaciers and has deep fjords that you can venture into. Besides its one, road-accessible glacier, you have to use water transportation or do a lot of hiking. This is definitely for the adventurous and hardy. • Visit Katmai National Park - Not reachable by the road system. It is boat charter or fly-in only, but is a fantastic place, not only for viewing brown bears and other wildlife, but for its famous "valley of ten thousand smokes". A volcanic area that was explored many decades ago. • The Alaska Railroad Tours - Has a great selection of vacation packages that include extra excursions, such as flightseeing with small planes and helicopters, water cruises for sealife and glacier viewing, dog sled rides, river rafting, canoeing, and many others. • Alaska Marine Highway - See Alaska's Coastal Villages and all the spectacular scenery from the southern panhandle of Alaska, all the way out the Aleutian Chain. 
• Alaskan Cruises - This is for anyone that wants it real easy. You can still see wildlife, spectacular scenery and say you've been there. • Is there any other favorite outdoor summer activity you'd like to try for your Alaskan vacations?
Special Alaskan Vacations that make excellent winter vacations: Some people think Alaskan vacations only happen in the summertime because it would be way too cold and uncomfortable in the winter. I don't want to lie to anyone - yes, it get's extremely cold at times. You definitely need to have warm clothing and know how to dress for cold weather. But I want to give you some new ideas about winter vacations in Alaska. First, if you've never experienced a winter climate with a completely snow-covered landscape, you are missing one of the most beautiful scenes imaginable. Not only that, but you will never smell fresher air than you will in this winter wonderland, on your special Alaskan vacation. • Skiing at Alyeska Resort – This is Alaska's only nice resort for downhill skiing. Located at Girdwood, just south of Anchorage. 
• Other downhill skiing areas - Arctic Valley just on the north side of Anchorage used to be a favorite area. Though it is not well-maintained at this time, there are people working at bringing it back as a major downhill skiing area. • Skiing In Alaska - Cross-country skiing is a winter favorite because you can do it just about anyplace. Kincade Park at the end of the Coastal Trail in Anchorage, is a great place to practice cross-country skiing for tournaments. Or go skiing on the trails outside Chena Hot Springs in Fairbanks, then go for a 'hot dip'! • Ice fishing - A great winter time activity if you enjoy cold weather and don't mind sitting still in it! 
• Snowmobiling - This is another favorite winter sport and can be done most anyplace you go, because there is snow just about everywhere. Many Alaska trails allow snow-machines in the winter. • Chena Hot Springs - Try a relaxing vacation in this modern resort. It is just about a 2 1/2 hour drive east of Fairbanks, or you can fly in with a small aircraft. "Hey, this one is listed under summer vacations!" Yes, but think about how much fun it would be to step into a hot pool from - 30 ° F (-34.4 C) or - 40 ° F (C) weather outside! 
• Hunting - Though it's cold, this is the time of year to more easily spot game since the foliage cover is gone. Wildlife can be easily seen against the snow, unless their fur is all white, of course. Look at small game hunting regulations and make it part of your winter vacation. Big game hunting is a bit more complicated subject with lots of regulations. See the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's
Hunting Information Page.
And look at the hunting lottery information. • Fur Rendezvous - This is a several week event, by itself, and has numerous events, activities, sports, etc. This takes place at Anchorage in late February and early March each year. • Visit Denali National Park - there is a "shoulder season" shortly before the park opens and after it closes, that gives opportunities you don't get in the summer season. Also, the Riley Creek Campground at the entrance is open year around, with no camping fees in winter. Now whether you've found your Special Alaskan Vacation or not, you can find additional information and more ideas for Alaskan Vacations at the Vacation Planning Page, Travel Guide Page and Alaska Attractions Page. And if you want to know how to get to your destination by road, use the Travel Vacations Page. See you soon on one of your Special Alaskan Vacations! Return to Top of Special Alaskan Vacations Page Return to Tips For Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page
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