Anchorage Arrival
On arrival in Anchorage transfer to your hotel on own. Overnight in Anchorage.
Home » Tours » Alaska Driving Tours » Self-Drive » Alaska’s National Parks Tour by Car
Tour four of Alaska’s best National Parks on this independent adventure by car! First, enjoy scenic drives along the Seward Highway to visit Kenai Fjords National Park, where you’ll take a whale, glaciers, and wildlife cruise. Then hop on the Glenn Highway to Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Stop in Denali National Park and see Denali’s amazing landscapes while scoping for wildlife on a bus trip into the park. Take a scenic flight up to Kennicott-McCarthy to tour a historic mining center. Conclude your in-depth Alaska road trip and self-driving tour by viewing bears in their natural habitat. Depending on the time of the year, you will visit either Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park.
Ask us about customizing this tour to include other Alaska national parks too!
Transfers in Anchorage, meals other than listed, optional excursions, and gratuities. Car rental coverage (such as LDW or liability insurance), additional driver fees, gas, and GPS rental.
This tour specifically focuses on a visit to several of Alaska's national parks accessible by road as well as a great bear viewing fly-out adventure day.
Today is yours to explore Alaska’s largest city. Pick up your rental car at your leisure from the downtown rental station. Go shopping, visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, take a walk or bike ride along the Coastal Trail, or drive to Chugach State Park. Overnight in Anchorage.
Today, drive to Seward along scenic Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm. Few roads in the United States can match the diversity of scenic landscapes and unique natural feature. Take a leisurely pace with recommended stops along the route include the aerial tram up Mt. Alyeska, the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Just before you reach Seward you have a chance to visit Exit Glacier, one of the few glaciers that is an easy walk from the parking area. This afternoon you may also choose a guided kayaking tour or dog sled ride (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Seward.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before departing on a 6 to 7.5-hour cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, one of Alaska’s treasures. As you cruise through the park and the Chiswell Islands National Wildlife Refuge watch for Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, eagles, and orca and humpback whales. During the cruise you will see examples of Alpine, Cirque, Piedmont, and Tidewater glaciers. A stop will be made at either Holgate or Aialik Glacier to witness ice falling off the glacier face with a thunderous sound into the pristine waters below (known as glacier calving). Lunch is included on board during your cruise. Overnight in Seward.
Today you will travel back up the Seward Highway and continue into the lush Matanuska Valley and onto the breathtaking Glenn Highway. This is one of the oldest and most scenic highways in Alaska. The Glenn, as it is known by locals, follows the Matanuska River up to its beginning at the Matanuska Glacier. Along the way, there is an opportunity for a helicopter glacier dog sled adventure from Knik River Lodge (see Tour Add-ons). This is a perfect day to plan a picnic! Overnight in the Sheep Mountain area or Copper Center area.
Start the day with a drive to the small town of Chitina, where you will leave your rental car and board a bush plane for the scenic flight into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. At 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States and equivalent in size to the country of Switzerland! Your flight route provides a birds-eye view of this tremendous park which includes four mountain ranges containing 9 of the country’s 16 highest peaks along with massive ice fields. Overnight in Kennicott/McCarthy (standard program has room with shared bath).
Take a step back in time today on a 2.5-hour historical tour of Kennicott, built by the Kennecott Copper Corporation in the early 1900’s. Catch a glimpse of what it was like to live and work in this remote wilderness and hearing tales of lucky fortunes, tenacious frontiersmen, and tragic endings. This afternoon you have plenty of time for an optional guided glacier hike (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Kennicott/McCarthy (standard program has room with shared bath).
You will return to Chitina by bush plane this morning then your day continues driving on the Richardson Highway. This route was established in 1898 as a gold rush trail to Eagle, Alaska located on the Yukon River not far from the Klondike Goldfields. The road follows the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline, still known as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. Along the way there are several rest stops including historic roadhouses and scenic viewpoints. This evening explore the historic gold mining town of Fairbanks, also known as Alaska’s “Gateway to the Arctic”. Overnight in Fairbanks.
Drive south on the Parks Highway to the Denali National Park entrance area. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscapes you will drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp. At 6 million acres, Denali National Park is one of the world’s last great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Your hotel will be at the park entrance, where most of the park services and hotels are located. This afternoon you have the opportunity to enjoy optional tours include rafting trips and flightseeing by helicopter or bush plane. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
Today, depart on a narrated bus tour into Denali National Park. As you travel through the pristine wilderness, look for wildlife, such as bears, caribou, and moose, as well as views of the Mountain. Your experienced driver/guide will provide commentary. The tour is approximately 4-6 hours long and takes you approximately 30 – 43 miles into the park, depending on weather and road conditions. The rest of the day is free for optional tours at the Denali National Park entrance. Overnight near the Denali park entrance.
You will drive south to Anchorage today. Take your time and enjoy the drive. Along the way are some scenic viewpoints where you can stretch your legs and make some breaks. Then reach Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.
For many Alaska visitors, seeing bears in the wild is the highlight of their vacation. Today’s planned trip to bear country is programmed to offer you best possibilities and varies by location depending on the time of year. Please keep in mind that even though we endeavor to schedule the bear viewing to the best possible areas for good viewing, we cannot guarantee any bear sightings. Transfers to and from your hotel are on your own. Overnight in Anchorage.
Visit to Katmai National Park – overall itinerary start dates June 8 to July 19
Depart Anchorage in the morning between 7:00 and 9:30am aboard a scheduled flight to King Salmon. Upon arrival, a local representative will transfer you to a seaplane for a 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. At Brooks Camp, you will meet with Park Service staff for a brief orientation in bear safety before spending about 4-6 hours exploring Katmai National Park viewing brown bears from observation platforms and hiking to Brooks Falls. Your return flight to King Salmon will depart this afternoon, typically between 3 and 4pm. You may not return to Anchorage until 9:30 pm. The tour is approximately 10 to 12 hours long in total.
Visit Lake Clark National Park – overall itinerary start dates July 20 to August 26
Depart from Lake Hood Sea Plane Harbor in Anchorage and fly southwest over Cook Inlet toward the Chigmit Mountains. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alaska and Aleutian Mountain Ranges and two active volcanoes – Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna – before landing in Crescent Lake within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. You will disembark at Redoubt Mountain Lodge where knowledgeable guides escort you by boat to lakeside areas to view bears feeding on spawning Alaska salmon. About 6 to 7 hours will be spent of guided bear viewing. This bear watching flight safari offers a great adventure for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages! The tour is approximately 10 to 12 hours long in total.
The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.
If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.
The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
Children must be 7 years old to participate in this tour.
Standard program: Accommodation during the 2 night stay in Wrangell St. Elias National Park has shared bath only. Families or parties of 4 wanting to share a room and book the standard program, please contact us!
Thank you for your interest in this tour! At this time, it is not currently available to book online. Please feel free to continue to peruse our website for more Alaska travel ideas. If you would like options and information from our team of Alaska experts, please call 1-866-317-3325 or fill out the form below.
Length: 5 hours
Starting at: $589-689 / pp
Fly north from Fairbanks in a small bush plane and land across the Arctic Circle. The tour focuses on a 2.5-hour land tour of a local Alaskan community. Your return provides another opportunity to see the Yukon River, the Brooks […]... Browse itinerary
Length: 11-13 hours
Starting at: $459 / pp
Take a small group tour into Alaska’s Arctic Region by air and land with an early morning departure from Fairbanks by bus, traveling the rugged Dalton Highway. Along the way, marvel at the majestic beauty of the Far North’s most famous […]... Browse itinerary
Length: 4-5 hours
Starting at: $729 / pp
This flightseeing trip from Fairbanks in the evening takes you to the Gates of the Arctic National Park and the Arctic Region. You will first fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. During a quick […]... Browse itinerary
Length: 1.5 hours
Starting at: $106 / pp
This Seward day trip provides an Alaska dog sledding “insider’s tour.” Tour Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey’s Iditarod Racing Kennel, meet famous sled dogs, cuddle adorable puppies, dress up as an Iditarod musher, and take in the spectacular Alaskan wilderness as […]... Browse itinerary
This was the best vacation we have ever had and I just wanted to say thank you so much! The only problem is that we are ready to come back already! Thanks again for everything!
Elizabeth | Texas
Duration: 6 days
Starting at: $8209 / pp
The Kodiak Brown Bear Center in the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge was developed to offer unparalleled opportunities to observe and learn about the legendary Kodiak Brown bear. Enjoy deluxe private cabins with all meals while at the lodge.... Browse itinerary
Duration: 6 days
Starting at: $5989 / pp
Enjoy one night exploring Kodiak Island. The next day board an Alaskan bush plane and fly to the remote Katmai National Park coast. On landing, lodge hosts assist with the transfer to the lodge. With various food sources... Browse itinerary
Duration: 2 days
Starting at: $2000 / pp
Departing from Anchorage's Lake Hood, it is just a 50-minute flight by seaplane over Cook Inlet to the entrance of Lake Clark Pass. Nested in a 171,000-acre critical habitat area, Redoubt Bay Lodge has three rustic cabins and... Browse itinerary
Duration: 2 days
Starting at: $1949 / pp
Fly from Anchorage on a scheduled flight, then embark on an excursion aboard a classic seaplane to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Island's scenic coastline and soaring mountain peaks. Kodiak is the second largest Island in... Browse itinerary
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. For more info, read our Privacy Policy