Five Favorite Alaska Adventure Tours “Off the Beaten Path”

(Header photo courtesy of Chillylee/Visit Nome)

Many Alaska visitors have a list of must-see spots. But some travelers want to explore less-traveled paths, avoid crowds, and discover unique Alaskan adventures. These off-the-beaten-path trips offer chances for unforgettable fun, far from typical tourist areas. Here are five of our favorite such Alaska adventure tours.

#1: Coldfoot: Warm Memories Above the Arctic Circle

The far north of Alaska attracts many. While Fairbanks is often the northernmost stop, the Arctic Circle draws a specific kind of traveler. Several operators offer trips to and beyond this landmark by plane, van, or a combination, showcasing the forests, tundra, hills, and peaks of Interior Alaska.

Overnight trips include stays in Coldfoot, a small truck stop with Gold Rush and pipeline history. Upon reaching the Arctic Circle, guides often provide a red carpet photo op and even a certificate.

Coldfoot has historic charm, and some travelers continue north to Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse to see the oil industry and the Arctic Ocean.

This trip is best done with a tour, as rental car companies usually restrict travel on the Dalton Highway, a scenic but rough road. Winter offers northern lights viewing in Coldfoot, but be prepared for extreme cold.

• Highlights: Arctic Circle crossing, potential northern lights, Coldfoot Camp, Interior scenery.
• Best Time: Summer for easier travel; winter for northern lights (with caution – it’s cold!).
• Getting There: Guided tours from Fairbanks.

#2: Kennicott-McCarthy: A Gold Rush Escape

Deep in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park are Kennicott and McCarthy, twin Gold Rush towns largely unchanged since their early days. This area offers a real step back in time with its museum, old buildings, and local stories.

The drive to McCarthy/Kennicott is long and sometimes rough, often requiring a shuttle. Some choose to fly into the area for stunning views of the park’s mountains and glaciers.

In the summer, the Midnight Sun brings a little extra energy to this usually quiet little area. Wildlife roam the roads, and locals play music, sell snacks and offer rides to those walking the short distance between the two towns. While chatting up a local, you can attempt to unwind one of Alaska’s long-running riddles: What’s the difference between Kennicott and Kennecott?

Longer stays allow for more exploration, including guided tours of mining areas, hikes, rafting, kayaking, and flightseeing. Summer brings the Midnight Sun and a lively atmosphere.

• Highlights: Historic mining towns, mountain and glacier views, hiking, rafting, flightseeing.
• Best Time: Summer for activities and access.
• Getting There: Shuttle or small plane.

#3: Nome: History and Culture on the Bering Strait

Nome, a boom-and-bust Gold Rush town, offers more than just gold panning. Its location on the Bering Strait in Northwest Alaska has a rich Alaska Native culture, celebrated through arts, crafts, and traditional practices. Nome also has a diverse history with tales of explorers and WWII soldiers.

Roads from Nome allow exploration of wildlife, wildflowers, and tundra, especially vibrant under the Midnight Sun. Pilgrim Hot Springs is also nearby.

Nome is famous for hosting the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race finish line in winter. Commercial flights are the easiest way to reach this unique town.

• Highlights: Gold Rush history, Alaska Native culture, wildlife viewing, Iditarod (winter), Pilgrim Hot Springs.
• Best Time: Summer for road access; winter for the Iditarod.
• Getting There: Commercial flights.

#4: Remote Wilderness Lodges: Comfortable Escapes Off the Grid

Alaska’s backcountry lodges provide comfortable getaways in amazing, remote locations. Just getting to them is part of the adventure, often involving helicopters, small planes, or boats. These lodges offer great food, amenities, and lots of different things to do.

For example, Tutka Bay Lodge near Homer features ocean activities and a relaxed feel; Tordrillo Mountain Lodge lets you try heliskiing and fishing and has good food and a hot tub; and Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali National Park offers a cozy experience right inside the park.

These lodges fit different interests and budgets, giving you unique ways to experience Alaska’s wilderness in comfort.

• Highlights: Remote locations, comfortable lodging, diverse activities, excellent service. 
• Best Time: Depends on the lodge and what you want to do.
• Getting There: Often by small plane, boat, or helicopter.

These are just three of the dozens of remote lodges across every region of Alaska, each offering their own unique upscale spin on backcountry AK adventures and accommodations. That means there’s a lodge with something special for everyone, whether you’re seeking certain adventures in certain seasons, a special level of comfort and convenience, or a range of budget.

#5: Gates of the Arctic: Untamed Wilderness

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve offers the most remote Alaska experience. With 7 million acres of untouched Arctic landscapes, it has no roads. Bold travelers can experience epic treks with the help of expert outfitters.

Trips involve small plane drop-offs and pick-ups, camping, packrafting, and hiking through tundra, lakes, rivers, and mountains. It’s a chance for true solitude and incredible scenery, shared with local wildlife.

• Highlights: Pristine Arctic wilderness, hiking, packrafting, wildlife viewing, camping.
• Best Time: Summer for hiking.
• Getting There: Fly-in access by bush plane; guided trips recommended.

Explore Some of These Unique Alaska Spots with Alaska Tours!

Did any of these off-the-beaten-path adventures catch your eye? While we don’t have one single tour that hits all these incredible locations, Alaska Tours offers several ways to experience the magic of Coldfoot, Kennicott, Nome, and even get a glimpse of Gates of the Arctic.

• Step Back in Time in Kennicott: Our National Park Self-Drive tour takes you right to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, where you can explore the historic towns of Kennicott and McCarthy at your own pace. Plus, this tour offers an optional add-on Arctic Circle adventure if you want to combine history with a journey north!
• Journey to the Arctic Ocean: If the far north calls to you, our Alaska Odyssey tour travels all the way from Southcentral Alaska, past Denali, and up to Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean! Alternatively, for a more focused Arctic experience, check out our Arctic Ocean and Prudhoe Bay Adventure (Soutbound) or else our Arctic Ocean and Prudhoe Bay Adventure (Northbound) from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. You can choose a one-way ground trip with a return flight for a different perspective!
  
• Discover the History and Culture of Nome: Our Nome and Arctic Circle Tour flies you to this fascinating town on the Bering Strait. Once you arrive, you’ll have a rental car to explore Nome’s unique history, Alaska Native culture, and surrounding tundra at your own speed. Please note that we don’t currently offer guided tours within Nome itself (While experiencing the end of the Iditarod in Nome is a unique event, please be aware that finding accommodation during that time can be very challenging.)
• A Glimpse of Gates of the Arctic: While getting into the heart of Gates of the Arctic is a true wilderness expedition, you can still witness its grandeur with our Arctic Circle Flightseeing Tour from Fairbanks. This evening tour offers stunning aerial views of this vast and untouched landscape. 
• Explore Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley: For those wanting a more immersive experience in the Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley area, consider a stay at Bettles Lodge during the summer. Our summer program at Bettles Lodge includes an optional flightseeing tour that takes you over these incredible parks! (Our winter program at Bettles Lodge focuses on the northern lights and doesn’t offer flightseeing to Gates of the Arctic or Kobuk Valley.)

Ready to explore the less-traveled paths of Alaska? Check out these tours and let us help you craft an unforgettable adventure!