Part of our Alaska guide.
Alaska itineraries for a one-day trip to Kodiak, a road trip through the Mat-Su Valley, and a weekend road trip from Anchorage. Each plan focuses on specific destinations and logistics, not general scenery.
Related travel guides: Whale Whispers: Hidden Beluga Spots In Alaska and Secrets Hidden In Alaska.
What To See On A One-Day Trip To Kodiak
Kodiak is the largest island in the Kodiak Archipelago. A single day means prioritizing: start at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for bear-viewing tips, then drive to Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park for WWII bunkers and coastal trails. Lunch in the city of Kodiak before a late-afternoon wildlife cruise from the harbor—whales and puffins are common from May through September. Walk the beaches at Near Island; the island is also a hub for secrets mysteries 2 in Alaska tied to its Russian colonial past. Return to the airport by evening; flights from Anchorage take about 90 minutes.
The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary To Alaska's Mat-Su Valley
From Anchorage, drive 45 minutes north on the Glenn Highway to reach the Mat-Su Valley. First stop: the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer (open year-round for events; the fair itself is in late August). Then head to Hatcher Pass, 14 miles from Palmer, for hiking on the Independence Mine State Historical Park trails—the gravel road is passable by car from June to October. Lunch in Wasilla. Afternoon: kayak on the Matanuska River or visit the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, where you can see qiviut wool processing. The loop back to Anchorage via the Parks Highway takes about two hours. For what to pack, see to pack for Alaska trip in June—the valley can be 20°F cooler than Anchorage even in summer.
The Ultimate Weekend In Alaska Road Trip Itinerary
Day one: leave Anchorage early, drive 2.5 hours south on the Seward Highway to Seward. Book a 6-hour Kenai Fjords National Park cruise (departures at 8:30 a.m. and noon; prices from $149 per adult in 2024) to see tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife. Overnight in Seward—the Holiday Inn Express runs about $200–$250 per night in peak season. Day two: drive 1.5 hours north to Cooper Landing for a rafting trip on the Kenai River (Class II–III rapids, $85 per person for a half-day). After lunch, continue 45 minutes to the Portage Glacier area for the 1-mile Byron Glacier Trail. Return to Anchorage by evening (1 hour from Portage). For longer hikes, check hiking and the outdoors in Alaska; for coastal stops, the beaches in Alaska along Turnagain Arm offer beluga whale viewing at low tide. The entire loop is roughly 350 miles; fill the tank in Anchorage—gas stations are sparse beyond Girdwood.
