Why Alaska Should Be on Your 2025 Travel List
There’s adventure, and then there’s Alaska—a place where the wild still runs free, glaciers carve their way through towering mountains, and you can watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky from a steaming outdoor hot tub. If you’ve been dreaming of raw, untamed landscapes, epic road trips, and wildlife encounters that will leave you speechless, 2025 is the year to make that dream a reality.
Alaska is rolling out some big upgrades to make travel easier, from new flights and eco-friendly lodges to revamped national park infrastructure. Whether you’re craving a thrilling backcountry experience, a luxurious cruise through the Inside Passage, or a deep dive into Alaska’s Indigenous cultures, this guide has everything you need to plan your trip.
A Brief History & Culture of Alaska
Alaska’s history is as rugged as its landscapes. Originally inhabited by Indigenous groups like the Inupiaq, Tlingit, and Athabascan peoples, Alaska was a thriving land of hunters, gatherers, and whalers long before European explorers arrived. In 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia for a cool $7.2 million (a steal, considering its gold and oil reserves). It became the 49th state in 1959 and has since built a reputation as America’s last great wilderness.
Despite its frontier reputation, Alaska is home to rich and diverse cultures. Indigenous traditions remain deeply ingrained in daily life, and visitors can experience them firsthand at cultural centers, dance performances, and heritage festivals. From the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to Native storytelling under the midnight sun, Alaska offers an authentic connection to its past while embracing modern adventure.
How to Get to Alaska in 2025
Flying into Alaska has never been easier, with expanded routes and direct international flights making the journey smoother for travelers.
New Flights: Alaska Airlines is adding seasonal non-stop routes from Denver, Chicago, and Dallas to Anchorage, while Delta and United are increasing flights from the West Coast.
Cruising into the Wild: If you prefer a slower approach, major cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, and Viking are offering new itineraries with immersive shore excursions, including overnight stays in scenic ports.
Road Trip Ready: For those craving the ultimate Alaskan road trip, the Alaska Highway remains one of the most breathtaking drives in the world. RV rentals and camper vans are surging in popularity, with new service hubs in Fairbanks and Anchorage.
Find flight deals at Alaska Airlines | Plan a cruise with Princess | Learn about RV rentals
Top Experiences in Alaska for 2025
1. Witness the Northern Lights in Fairbanks
Fairbanks is one of the best places in the world to witness the Aurora Borealis, thanks to its location beneath the “Auroral Oval.” From September to April, you can step outside on a crisp, clear night and see vibrant green, purple, and red hues dancing in the sky.
For the ultimate experience, book a stay at Borealis Basecamp, where you can watch the Northern Lights from the comfort of a heated, glass-roofed igloo. Alternatively, head to Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can soak in natural hot springs while enjoying the celestial show. For a truly unique adventure, join a guided dog sledding expedition that takes you into the heart of the wilderness, away from city lights, for the best aurora viewing possible.
Fairbanks also hosts the Aurora Ice Museum, where you can sip a cocktail in a bar made entirely of ice and marvel at intricate ice sculptures. For a cultural twist, attend an Alaska Native storytelling event, where elders share legends about the Northern Lights and their significance in Indigenous folklore.
Best Time to Visit: September–March
Where to Stay: Borealis Basecamp, Chena Hot Springs Resort
More Info: Explore Fairbanks Tourism
2. Cruise Through Glacier Bay National Park
Nothing prepares you for the sight of a massive glacier calving into the ocean with an earth-shaking roar. Glacier Bay National Park is a UNESCO-listed wonderland of fjords, icefields, and marine wildlife.
Most visitors experience Glacier Bay by cruise ship, but for a more immersive and intimate adventure, opt for a small-ship expedition with UnCruise Adventures or Lindblad Expeditions. These smaller vessels allow for closer encounters with wildlife, kayaking excursions through icy coves, and guided hikes in the remote wilderness. Imagine paddling past towering icebergs while bald eagles soar overhead, or watching sea otters play among floating ice chunks.
For an even wilder adventure, book a backcountry camping permit and spend a few days hiking and kayaking through the untouched Alaskan wilderness. Just be prepared to share the landscape with bears, moose, and mountain goats!
Best Time to Visit: May–September
Cruise Operators: UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, Princess Cruises
More Info: Glacier Bay National Park
3. Hike Denali National Park & See North America’s Tallest Peak
Denali, towering at 20,310 feet, is the tallest mountain in North America and a mecca for climbers and hikers alike. If summiting it isn’t on your agenda, you can still experience its majesty by hiking its lower trails, taking a scenic flightseeing tour, or hopping on a park shuttle to spot grizzlies, caribou, and wolves roaming the tundra.
For thrill-seekers, the Tundra Wilderness Tour offers an unforgettable bus journey deep into the park, providing unparalleled wildlife sightings and breathtaking landscapes. If you prefer a bird’s-eye view, a flightseeing tour with a glacier landing lets you step onto Denali’s icy slopes.
For those who love the backcountry, multi-day treks like the Kesugi Ridge Trail offer panoramic views of Denali and an unparalleled wilderness experience.
Best Time to Visit: June–September
How to Visit: Take the Denali Park Road shuttle, book a guided trek, or take a flightseeing tour with K2 Aviation.
More Info: Denali National Park
4. Drive the Kenai Peninsula & See Wild Alaska Up Close
The Kenai Peninsula is a road-tripper’s paradise, featuring some of Alaska’s most jaw-dropping scenery, charming coastal towns, and abundant wildlife. Start in Seward, where you can take a wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, home to orcas, humpback whales, and puffins.
Next, head to Homer, often called the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” where you can try your hand at catching massive halibut or explore the stunning Kachemak Bay State Park via sea kayak.
Don’t miss Cooper Landing, where you can take a scenic float trip down the Kenai River, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and bear-filled forests.
Must-Do: Kayak around glaciers, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, take a floatplane to Katmai National Park for bear viewing.
More Info: Kenai Peninsula Tourism
5. Experience Indigenous Culture in Sitka
Sitka, once the capital of Russian America, offers a deep dive into Alaska’s Indigenous and colonial history. At Sitka National Historical Park, visitors can walk among towering totem poles, learn about Tlingit traditions, and see traditional canoe-building demonstrations.
For an even deeper cultural experience, check out a live performance by the Naa Kahídi Dancers, who bring Tlingit stories to life through song and dance inside a traditional clan house. Visit the Russian Bishop’s House to explore Alaska’s Russian colonial past or stop by the Sheldon Jackson Museum, home to one of the state’s most impressive collections of Native artifacts.
Must-See: Traditional Tlingit dance performances, Sitka Sound whale watching tours.
More Info: Visit Sitka
6. Take a Multi-Day Kayak Adventure in Prince William Sound
For the ultimate off-the-grid experience, paddle through the pristine waters of Prince William Sound, where tidewater glaciers crash into the sea, and sea otters float lazily in the kelp. Kayaking here is one of the most serene ways to experience Alaska, offering access to secluded beaches, remote campsites, and wildlife encounters away from the crowds.
For those looking for a guided experience, Alaska Kayak Adventures offers multi-day trips that include all gear, professional guides, and even gourmet meals prepared over a campfire. Imagine waking up in a quiet cove, the only sounds being the distant rumble of a glacier calving and the calls of bald eagles overhead.
Best Time to Go: June–August
More Info: Prince William Sound Kayaking
7. Catch the Salmon Run & Visit Katmai’s Famous Bears
Every summer, Alaska’s rivers come alive as millions of salmon migrate upstream to spawn—an event that draws both awe-struck visitors and massive brown bears looking for an easy meal. The best place to witness this spectacle is Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, where bears stand in the rushing water, snatching leaping salmon straight out of the air.
Getting to Brooks Falls requires a short flight from Anchorage to King Salmon, followed by a floatplane ride into Katmai. Once there, raised viewing platforms allow for safe, up-close observation of the bears in their natural habitat. The best time to visit is in July when the salmon are at their peak, and the bears are most active.
Best Time to Visit: July–September
How to Get There: Fly into King Salmon, then take a floatplane to Brooks Camp.
More Info: Katmai National Park
8. Drive the Dalton Highway to the Arctic Circle
For those craving an off-the-beaten-path road trip, the Dalton Highway is one of the most remote and adventurous routes in North America. Stretching 414 miles from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, this rugged road cuts through the Arctic wilderness, passing the mighty Yukon River, the Brooks Range, and the Arctic Circle itself.
Along the way, keep an eye out for musk oxen, caribou, and even the elusive Arctic fox. Stop at the tiny settlement of Coldfoot, one of the few places to refuel, and visit the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center to learn about the extreme environment of the Far North. If you make it all the way to Deadhorse, you’ll have reached the end of the road—and one of the northernmost accessible points in the U.S.
Best Time to Go: June–September (winter travel is extremely challenging!)
More Info: Dalton Highway Guide
Final Thoughts: Why Alaska in 2025?
Alaska in 2025 is all about next-level adventure, with new experiences making it easier than ever to explore. Whether you want to stand in awe of a glacier, track wildlife in its natural habitat, or immerse yourself in Indigenous culture, this is the year to do it. With expanded flight routes, eco-lodges, and sustainable tourism initiatives, there’s never been a better time to visit America’s last frontier.
So pack your bags, embrace the wild, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime—Alaska is calling!
