5 Amazing Reasons to Visit Alaska in 2026

People visit Alaska, the Last Frontier, for all kinds of reasons. For many, an Alaska vacation is a lifelong dream. It’s a chance to check something off the bucket list or find a true, off-the-beaten-path travel experience.

A new year is coming. That means 2026 is a great time to make your Alaska travel dreams come true.

Here are 5 great reasons to visit Alaska in 2026:

#1. See Wide-Open Spaces and Stunning Scenery

Alaska has scenery that will stop you in your tracks. The state is full of wide-open, wild spaces. You can see rolling tundra, jagged mountain ranges, and giant glaciers. You can also spot unique wildlife. The bright Midnight Sun in summer and the dancing northern lights in winter inspire everyone who ventures north.

How to See Alaska’s Wild Spaces

One of the best ways to see Alaska is at your own pace with your own car. Self-drive vacations are very popular. They are great for independent travelers, families, and anyone who likes a flexible schedule.For example, the 14-day All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour from Alaska Tours showcases the state’s biggest stars.

This trip includes:

• A tour into Denali National Park
• A boat cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
• A bush plane flight in St. Elias National Park

You’ll also get all the amazing views you’d expect from two weeks of driving. On this itinerary, your hotels are booked in advance. This gives you more time for daytime activities.

Don’t have two weeks? Check out the Alaska in a Glimpse tour. This 7-day adventure hits two major Alaska highlights: Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National park. Self drive tours can really be the way to go.

#2. Experience Alaska’s Amazing Wildlife

Watching Alaska’s animals in action is a true thrill. You might see:

• Big brown bears catching salmon.
• Black bears hunting for berries.
• Agile Dall sheep racing up rocky cliffs.
• Whales breaching and splashing their tails.
• Moose napping on a city street corner or walking on Anchorage’s coastal trail
• A herd of caribou on the tundra.
• Bald eagles perched in trees or down on the beaches, hunting for dinner

You could also run across a moose napping on a city street corner. Or you might see a herd of caribou on the tundra. Bald eagles are often perched in trees or down on the beaches, hunting for dinner.

How to See the Critters

Many visitors hope to see Alaska’s famous wildlife as much as possible: bears, moose, caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, eagles, whales and more. Alaska Tours can help improve your chances. We connect travelers with expert guides who lead small group tours. They will teach you all about Alaska’s wildlife.

Choose from tours like:

• Bear Viewing Tours: Get close enough to hear bears snapping up salmon.
• Whale Watching Cruises: Spot humpback and gray whales. You can also see other marine life like seals, otters, and waterfowl.
• Alaska Birding Tours: These trips will excite anyone who loves birds.

Alaska Tours offers designated bear viewing tours, as well as wildlife and glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park or book a trip to Glacier Bay.

#3. Get Close to Giant Glaciers

Alaska’s glaciers are one of its most striking natural wonders. They show the power of nature and offer great adventures.

Just seeing a glacier is an awe-inspiring experience. From far away, they glow with a chilly blue color. From a boat, you can hear them crackle and pop. You might see a giant piece “calve” (break off) and splash into the water.

Some glaciers even act as runways for small planes and helicopters. Teams of sled dogs might be waiting to greet you, ready to pull you across the ice.

Hike on a Glacier

You can also go glacier hiking to feel the cold ice for yourself. This is an exciting, fun, and safe trip for many visitors.

Popular glacier hikes include:

• Exit Glacier Hike: This trail near Seward takes you to a scenic overlook of the glacier and the massive Harding Icefield. The icefield looks like an ocean of ice.
• Matanuska Glacier Hike: This glacier is a few hours from Anchorage. A walk on this famous glacier is a cool experience you won’t soon forget.
• Root Glacier Hike: While exploring Wrangell St Elias National Park.

#4. Explore Alaska’s 8 Huge National Parks

Alaska has some of the country’s largest, wildest, and most remote national parks. This alone makes Alaska a special place to visit.

Each park is full of Alaska charm, but they are all very different. They offer unique experiences. Alaska Tours can help you plan your park visit. We can find the best fit for your budget, time, and interests. You can choose an Escorted Group Tour or an Independent Self-Drive trip.

Alaska’s Most Popular Parks

Here are a few of the most-visited parks:

• Denali National Park: Home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali. This park offers adventures like rafting, wildlife viewing, train trips, and flightseeing.
• Katmai National Park: This is where big bears gather to catch salmon. You can watch them do bear things, often just feet away.
• Lake Clark National Park: The bears here are also impressive (and so is the luxury lodging). You can find similar bear viewing at Chinitna Bay.
• Kenai Fjords National Park: This park is an aquatic wonder. It’s filled with glaciers, whales, wildlife, and beautiful seacoast views.
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: This is the park for mountains, size, and Gold Rush history.

Other special places, like the Tongass National Forest and Gates of the Arctic National Park, are also well worth a visit!

#5. Try “Only in Alaska” Experiences

Finally, a great reason to come to Alaska in 2026 is to find special experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

How about…

• A ride on the iconic Alaska Railroad?
• A guided flightseeing tour over glaciers, mountains, and national parks?
• Seeing the northern lights dance across the dark winter sky?
• A relaxing dip in a natural hot spring under the stars or the Midnight Sun?

Other trips that make special memories feature the peaks of Denali National Park and the wonder of Kenai Fjords National Park. Or you can see the best of Denali National Park and Prince William Sound’s Glaciers.

Whatever your reason for coming to Alaska in 2026, the Alaska Tours team is ready to help. We want to make sure your trip is the experience of a lifetime. Give us a call and let’s start planning your adventure