Travel2Alaska

Summer is the peak season for tourism in Alaska, because most of us in the lower 48 states think that once Labor Day hits, the place turns into Hoth, the snow planet from The Empire Strikes Back. But National Geographic Adventure is here to dispel that myth by telling us about Alaska’s Secret Season.

The article gives us a number of reasons to visit in the Fall, including the fact that the cruise ships and mosquitos are gone for the year. You’ll find a list of suggestions for things to do, such as visiting Denali at a time when you can actually get a campsite. In the Fall, is also when the Moose rut, so there are plenty of them to be seen roaming about the park, and just like many other places in the country, the Fall colors go into full bloom.

Other suggestions included watching the Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights. Best time is in September and October in Fairbanks. From there, take a road trip on the Dalton Highway, which runs 500 miles from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle. Along the way you’ll see thousands of caribou moving through the area as they make their annual pilgrimage. Other suggestions include sailing the Inside Passage, booking a light aircraft to fly over the Stikine Ice Field, or exploring Tongass National Forest.

Of course, it’s cooler in the Fall than it is in Summer, so you’ll want to bring some warmer clothes and be a bit more prepared. But if you enjoy the wilderness when you have it to yourself, you may find the solitude of Alaska in the Fall much to your liking.

Alaska has diverse features and extreme climates

The most impressive aspect of Alaska is its size. It covers nearly 600,000 square miles (1,500,000 sq. km.) with over 33,000 miles (55,000 km) of shoreline and 1,800 islands. The interior has over 50,000 glaciers, 3,000 rivers and three million lakes. It contains 17 of the 20 highest mountain peaks in the USA including the 20,320 feet (6,194 meter) Denali.

Alaska’s two “panhandles” reach southward to embrace the warm Pacific Ocean currents which bless them with surprisingly moderate climates for such northern lands. On the western handle, the volcanically active Aleutian Islands extend over 1,000 miles into the northwestern Pacific where they enjoy cool summers and only moderately cold winters. The eastern handle extending down along the coast of northern Canada enjoys cool summers, mild winters and the most rainfall in North America.

The Interior plateau of Alaska suffers an extreme continental climate with surprisingly warm summers and fiercely cold winters. Temperatures can reach 100 F (+38 C) in the summer and drop below -55 F (-48 C) in the winter. The North Slope along the Arctic Coast is classic arctic tundra, a treeless semi-desert climate with extremely cold winters.

Summer days and winter nights become very long at these high latitudes. As you travel further north in Alaska, the summer days can stretch up to 22 hours. Alaskan natives call this “the land of the midnight sun.” Equally long winter nights often bring spectacular displays of dancing celestial lights known as the Aurora Borealis.

Alaska has lots of attractions and few people

Alaska is very thinly populated with less than one person per square mile. Most of the population is concentrated in a few cities and towns along the coast. The native population includes the Inuit living primarily along the coast of the arctic Bering Sea, the Aleuts living on the islands of the western panhandle, and Native Americans (Indians) living mostly along the eastern panhandle. The current population also includes many migrants from the “lower 48″ states plus European and Asian immigrants.

The scenic attractions of Alaska can be divided into several distinct areas with the city of Anchorage roughly at the center. Copper Valley, Mat-Su Valley, the Kenai Peninsula and Chena River State Recreation Area are all located near Anchorage, and are readily accessible by car or ferryboat. Many excursion cruises and charter boats depart from Anchorage, Seward or the nearby port of Homer to visit the beautiful Kenai fjords, Kodiak Island with its large population of wildlife, and Prince William Sound. It is also possible to visit the Aleutian Islands of the southwest panhandle from there, but that requires a much longer boat ride or a commuter flight.

You need a floatplane or boat to see most of this state

Denali National Park and Fairbanks lie north of Anchorage and can be reached from the city on Route 3 or from the Canadian border via the Alaska Highway. It is possible to reach the vast majority of the interior only by charter floatplane or by boats along the inland waterways. Fortunately, Alaska has a huge number of “bush pilots” with small aircraft willing to taxi you almost anywhere for a fee. 

Alaska has lots of attractions and few people

The islands and towns of the southeastern panhandle are most easily reached by commuter plane. You can drive only to Skagway or to Haines via the Alaska Highway. Alaska Marine Highway ferries travel from Bellingham, Washington, or Prince Rupert, Canada, to Sitka, Juneau and Haines with numerous stops at many of the shoreline communities. They can be a very convenient means of transportation between the seaside towns along the panhandle.

There are four ways to get to Alaska from the continental United States: air, boat, train or car. Although Juneau is the state capitol, most flights go in and out of Fairbanks or Anchorage, since they are larger and provide easy access to more of the state. There are daily direct flights from most major cities in the “lower 48″ states. Within the state, there are frequent commuter flights between cities plus charter helicopters and small planes providing transportation to the more remote locations.

You can travel by luxurious cruise line or inexpensive ferry

Several commercial cruise lines offer wonderful 4 to 7-day excursions departing from Seattle or Vancouver, Canada. They usually follow the coastline up to Prince William Sound and back with glacier viewing, whale watching and stopovers in Sitka and Skagway. A combined land-sea excursion often includes a visit to Denali and other interior attractions. Cruises can be expensive, but they are a very comfortable way to see Alaska.

As a less expensive alternative, try the ferries of the Inland Marine Highway. They depart weekly from Bellingham, 70 miles north of Seattle, to Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Haines, with stops at many coastal villages on the way. For about $250, you can purchase a ticket that allows you to hop on and off the boats at any of the stops. Cabins cost extra, but you are welcome to spread your sleeping bag on one of the many chaise longues in the solarium or even to pitch your tent on the open deck. The trip takes about 3 days.

The Alaska Highway is a long scenic way to travel

There is no direct railroad connection between the “lower 48″ states and Alaska. Once inside the state, 470 miles of railroad extend from Seward, through Denali to Fairbanks. The trains are very comfortable with large windows and domed observation cars for scenic viewing. Despite the harsh winters, this railroad runs all year round.

Finally, the brave and hearty spirited folks can drive the infamous Alaska Highway. It starts at Dawson Creek in British Columbia and ends 1,422 miles north in Delta Junction Alaska. The road was first built during World War II and was unpaved for much of its bumpy potholed length. Now, it is in good condition and used by many thousands of brave travelers every year. From Seattle to Fairbanks is a drive of over 2,300 miles. It usually requires about four or five days of driving to navigate the full length of the Alaska Highway.

Safety Tips

Whether you are a hunter, angler, photographer, naturalist, snow lover or just someone who appreciates unspoiled wilderness, you will fall in love with this great state. But, whenever you go to Alaska, winter or summer, you should always remember that it is still a wild land. You should always take safety precautions, like letting someone know your itinerary. The winters can be harsh and overwhelming, so be sure to pack plenty of cold weather gear. During the summer the greatest threat comes from bears. When hiking, you should always make plenty of noise to avoid startling any bear. Some people even recommend attaching small bells to your pack and carrying pepper spray for defense.

Where the wild things are. Some of the world’s most remote, untouched rivers, big land, big waters and our biggest adventures – Alaska Adventures – our biggest expeditions.

Shakespeare’s assertion that “Man is the measure of all things” could not have been made by anyone who has spent time in Alaska. In this land, man is humbled by the sheer mythic proportions of the landscape. The rivers and the vastness of space were made for Titans to roam and explore; the towering mountains were merely their thrones.

O.A.R.S.’ Alaska river rafting trips offer you a way to completely escape civilization. On the river you will see no cars, no bridges, no wires. You will not hear a telephone or a television. But if you ever thought of this part of the world as empty, a few days of Alaska river rafting will change that impression. Distances between things may be great, but the abundance of life will constantly surprise you.

Alaska hosts great mountains and vast glaciers. It houses generations of animals of the most majestic quality, and it has provided residence for some of the most exciting people this earth has known: the Athabascans, the Tlingits and much later, the Eskimos and Aleuts.

THE FACTS:
At over 150 miles in length, the Tatshenshini River is surrounded by a system of international parks - British Columbia’s Tatshenshini Wilderness Preserve, the Yukon’s Kluane National Park and Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. “The Tat” is therefore the largest preserved river system in the world. It also springs from a collection of sources in a glacial region that extends from the northwest corner of B.C. into the Yukon and Alaska - the largest non-polar ice cap in the world

Visitors travel to Alaska for many reasons — to see Mt. McKinley, our massive glaciers, and of course, Alaska Wildlife. After all, “The Great Land” has the largest population of Bald Eagles, Brown Bears, and Black Bears in the world. The state has 47 State and National Parks that offer great viewing opportunities for beautiful scenery and wildlife. Denali National Park, in interior Alaska, affords great viewing of almost all Alaska wildlife. Be sure to check out our Denali Park wildlife bus tours.

The Brown Bear can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and range in color from blonde to dark brown depending on their habitat. Coastal Brown Bears are referred to as the Brown Bear because of their dark brown coat. Living within 60 miles of Alaska’s coast, their color is due in part to a diet of salmon, which are rich in oils and minerals. The interior Alaska Brown Bear, also known as the Grizzly Bear, is usually a light cinnamon or blonde color and are smaller in stature as they do not have access to the rich oily diet of coastal bears. Their diet consists mostly of berries and small rodents. Be sure to check out our Alaska bear viewing tours.

Over 1 million Caribou inhabit Alaska, making approximately 32 herds. They are the only member of the deer family in which both sexes grow antlers. Males range from 350-400lbs and females range from 175-225lbs. They have wide concave hooves that support the animal in the snow and also act as a paddle for swimming. Caribou are known to travel as far as 3,000 miles in a year back and forth to various eating grounds. This is further than any other land mammal. Denali National Park is very popular for viewing most Alaska wildlife including Caribou.

Dahl Sheep are mostly found in high country and they inhabit many mountain ranges throughout Alaska. Their diet consists mostly of plants and shrubs, but during winter months when plants are scarce they will sometimes visit mineral licks. Male sheep, also known as rams, live in bands and don’t normally associate with the Females, or Ewes, except during mating season. Rams are distinguished by their large curling horns. The age of a ram can be determined by the length of their horns. Ewes’ horns are much smaller, about the size of a three year old ram’s. The Seward Highway, just south of Anchorage, offers many lookout points designed for viewing of these animals.

The Bald Eagle and its smaller cousin the Golden Eagle are some of Alaska’s most magnificent birds of prey. The Bald Eagle lives near Alaska’s waterways and feeds mostly on salmon. Their keen eyesight allows them to see fish from up to a mile away. They weight almost 15lbs and have a wing span of up to 7 feet. The Golden Eagle lives mostly in interior Alaska and feeds on small ground animals such as squirrels, shrews and rabbits. They weigh 8-12lbs and have a wing span of 6-7 feet. Eagles mate for life and will generally return to the same nest each spring. Alaska’s population of eagles is the largest in the nation at more than 30,000 birds. They have been sighted in many areas throughout Alaska.

Humpback Whales are generally not found in cooler waters but due to the abundance in food can be seen in Alaska’s waters year round. Most humpbacks migrate to Hawaii during the winter to have their young. Male Humpback whales can weigh up to 35 tons. The females are generally around 25 tons. Humpbacks feed by taking in large amounts of water then pushing it back out through baleen plates which catch their food, effectively “straining” their meals. There were nearly 23,000 whales taken from northern waters before 1966 when whaling was banned. Today there are roughly 1,000-1,200 Humpback Whales in existence. They can be seen in many areas of southeast and south-central Alaska.

One of the most recognizable members of Alaskan wildlife, Moose are the largest members of the deer family with the males weighing in at 1200-1600 pounds and the females at 800-1300 pounds. Most of their herbivore diet consists of roots and tubers, birch bark, and willow, with the warmer summer months also offering water plants from shallow ponds. Usually found in forested areas with easy access to aquatic plant life, moose are great swimmers and can run as fast as 35mph. Primarily hunted by humans, wolves, and bears, though due to their size they are rarely susceptible to predation. The average life span of a moose is 8-12 years.

Sea Otters are found along the southern coast of Alaska in shallow waters. They generally eat up to 25% of there body weight in one day. Diets consist mostly of mussels, clams, and crabs. You may spot them floating on their back with a collection of these items, using small rocks to crack them open. Nearly 100,000, almost 90% of the world’s population, live in Alaska. They can be seen on many of the day cruises offered through the Kenai Fjords National Park.

The Horned Puffin and the Tufted Puffin are the two types of Puffins found in Alaska. Generally the Horned Puffin can be found in areas around Southcentral Alaska, the Northern Aleutian Chain, and Southeast Alaska. It is commonly recognized by its large white breast, yellow beak, orange feet, and during the summer months, small black horns over its eyes. The Tufted Puffin is similar in appearance, but has tufts off feathers that curl back from each side of its head. Both species can be found in the open seas of Alaska and generally only go near land to nest. During nesting they burrow 3-4 feet below the surface of cliff walls or steep slopes. Puffins can dive underwater for up to one minute. Swimming is much like flying for them as they use their wings to propel them forward and feet like rudders to steer them back and forth. They can be seen on many cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park along with other abundant Alaska marine wildlife.

Stellar Sea Lions can be found in the North Pacific Waters from California to Russia. They are the largest member of the eared seal family, males weighing 1.245 and females less than half of that. They normally gather on well defined-traditionally used rookeries for breeding and to have their pups. Alaska is home to over 75% of the world’s sea lion population.

Wolves cover more than 85% of Alaska. They can adapt too many different habitats from rainforest to barren tundra. They range in color from black to white including most colors of gray and tan. They range in size from the females around 80-100lbs to the males weighing 85-145lbs.Wolves like other members of Alaska wildlife mate for life and live in packs that include parents and pups. Wolves can be seen in large rive beds and some areas of tundra. There are several pairs that live within Denali Park and can occasionally be seen by guests of the park.

At Alaska Tour & Travel we are here to help you plan your vacation to maximize your Alaska wildlife viewing. Give us a call today at (800) 208-0200.

Alaska is full of outdoor adventures; Alaska hiking offers breathtaking views, and a chance to see Alaska in its natural form. From the towering peaks of central Alaska to the glaciers along the Gulf of Alaska. With over 1400 miles from north to south to over 2300 miles from west to east, Alaska hiking has some of the most incredible scenery to be found in the United States. In order to enjoy all Alaska has to offer, visitors should get out and experience it for themselves. Alaska has amazing trail systems for all abilities – from accessible nature paths to mountain hikes that are physically challenging. There are plenty of trails for hikers of all skill levels. Alaska hiking can vary from short, guided hikes to rugged, backcountry treks - catering to both novices and experts.

Anchorage hiking
The Anchorage area offers over a 100 miles of paved, multi-use trails and over a 150 miles of wilderness trails, perfect for mountain biking, hiking and skiing. South-central Alaska has the most developed hiking trails in Alaska, with Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park the most popular hiking areas. With wonderful views right from the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage, getting out and experiencing Alaska’s backcountry with a day hike is easy and highly recommended. We offer a great day hike from Anchorage where you will experience the awe-inspiring backcountry trails of the Chugach Range. This is an easy hike up to nine miles roundtrip with a maximum altitude gain of 1200 feet.

Seward hiking
Glaciers are the high point of many Alaskan hikers. Exit Glacier, the only road-accessible area in Kenai Fjords National Park, is one of the 35 glaciers that flow off the 500-square mile Harding Icefield. The glacier is approximately three miles long. Exit Glacier offers a wonderful Alaska hike, with three shorter trails for day hiking near the face of Exit Glacier. Ranging from 0.5-1 mile long, with interpretive displays along the trail. There is a seasonal ranger station near the trail head for additional information on the area. Harding icefield offers the more experienced hiker a four mile one-way trip, with great views and wonderful wildlife.

Denali National Park hiking
Famous for wildlife viewing, Denali National Park offers ample Alaska hiking experiences. We are pleased to offer a popular Denali Park Hiking trip just outside the Park entrance, and many people visiting Denali National Park sample the backcountry. Try Heli Hiking, where you are dropped off after a 50 minute helicopter flight in the Alaska wilderness. There you and your guide will spend a few hours interpreting the flora and fauna of the area and possibly view wildlife in its natural habitat. Or try Alaska hiking unguided were you can explore alpine mountains, swift rivers, wildflowers, and wildlife. There are literally hundreds of cross-country hiking possibilities in the park’s backcountry. A few shorter trails exist in the front country near the park entrance. Horseshoe Lake is a day hike to an oxbow lake, a beaver dam and lodge near the Nenana River, an easy hike of 0.7 mile one-way. For a more challenging Alaska hike try the Rock Creek Trail, 2.3 miles one way. Maps and other information on hiking in the Denali backcountry is available at the Denali Visitors Center located right inside the park entrance. For a great hike to the south in Denali State Park be sure to check out our Denali Wilderness Hike.

For additional information on hiking trails, please refer to the following website http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/aktrails/atstrans.htm which offers a wide variety of options from unguided to guided tours.

Since such a large part of Alaska is not accessible by road, often the best way to really see Alaska is by air. Helicopter flightseeing tours are a great way to do just that. Helicopters are used across the state for oil exploration, fighting fires, logging, and of course flightseeing tours. Cruise ship passengers in southeast towns like Juneau tour by helicopter often landing on glaciers, and some tours even combine helicopter flights and glacier dog sled rides. Heading north, Alaska helicopter tours are popular in Seward on the Kenai Peninsula and near Denali National Park. A number of helicopter tours are available including tours with glacier landings and heli hiking. Our helicopter operator was been flying in Alaska since 1940 and has an impeccable safety record. Below is an overview of some of the Alaska helicopter tours that we offer.

Denali National Park. At Denali National Park we offer three helicopter tours. The basic trip is a 50 minute excursion where you will explore mountain, glaciers and Alaska wildlife. If the weather is cooperating, you will even see majestic Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America and the crown jewel of Denali National Park. Upgrade to a 70 minute flight which includes a glacier landing, or try the 4 hour heli-hiking tour, complete with a naturalist guide. Go to Denali helicopter tours.

For reservations or additional information on Alaska helicopter tours please call 800-208-0200 or submit an online reservation request.

Alaska is home to over 98 percent of our country’s brown bear population so it is no wonder that Alaska bear viewing is a popular visitor attraction. Bears are found in nearly every corner of Alaska. Adult black bears range in weight from 200 to 500 pounds while Alaska brown bears may grow as large as 1,500 pounds. Grizzlies and brown bears are part of the same Alaska bear family. The term brown bear is usually given to bears that reside in Alaska coastal areas, while grizzlies usually reside inland. Alaska brown bears tend to be larger than grizzlies due to a more abundant supply of protein to eat such as salmon. Viewing a bear in the wild’s of Alaska is a truly awesome experience, and often one of the highlights of a trip to Alaska.

There are a number of Alaska bear viewing opportunities available to visitors. Denali National Park is one of the most popular areas in Alaska to view bears in their natural habitat. Each year tens of thousands of Alaska visitors board buses to travel all or part of the 90 mile road that travels deep into Denali Park. While bear sightings in Denali are by no means a sure thing, most visitors do see bears in Denali, although sometimes at a distance.

For a more up close and personal Alaska bear viewing experience many visitors travel to southwest Alaska to locations such as McNeil River, Katmai National Park, Kodiak Island and Lake Clark National Park. In the summer months, typically from early June through late September brown bears gather near area streams to feed on Alaska salmon. The bear viewing trip we recommend travels by bush plane from Anchorage to Redoubt Bay Lodge near Lake Clark National Park where you travel by boat to view bears as they fish in nearby rivers. This trip offers a good opportunity to see a heavy concentration of bears, although you should expect a fair amount of company in terms of other bear watchers and fishermen of the human variety. For more information go to Redoubt Bay bear viewing.

For reservations or additional information on Alaska bear viewing please call 800-208-0200 or submit an online reservation request.

Alaska offers a spectacular array of rafting opportunities, from southeast Alaska to the state’s interior, from short half-day guided river floats to multi-day fly in raft trips to Alaska’s backcountry. Few locations, however, are more popular for Alaska rafting than Denali National Park. In the summer season there are a half dozen or so Denali rafting companies operating near Denali National Park, taking tens of thousand of Alaska visitors rafting on the Nenana River each summer.

Denali National Park covers more than 6 million acres, and is home to 20,300 foot Mt. McKinley, abundant wildlife and some of Alaska’s best rafting. Nearly all raft trips travel the Nenana River, which flows to the north through the Alaska Range and borders the eastern side of Denali National Park. The Nenana River offers great Alaska rafting adventures, from calm float sections to class III and IV whitewater rafting. While longer trips are available, most Denali rafting participants choose one of the two to three hour raft trips, which operate within 10 to 12 miles of the Denali Park entrance. These trips include float trips to the south of the Denali Park entrance and Alaska whitewater rafting trips to the north. Rafts are typically around eighteen feet long and hold six to eight passengers plus an experienced Denali rafting guide. Usually the raft guide is at the oars, but paddle trips are sometimes available if you want part of the action.

Denali Whitewater Rafting
If you are the adventurous type, then the whitewater trip is for you. These trips start near the Denali Park entrance then travel about 11 miles down the Nenana River through the “canyon” to the town of Healy. This raft trip is not recommended for children under 12 or if you are pregnant, and you want to be sure to leave your expensive camera or video equipment at the hotel. Check out our selection of Denali whitewater raft trips available at 7:30am, 10:00am, 3:00pm, and 6:30pm.

Denali Float Trips
Float trips start south of the Denali Park entrance and travel about 11 miles on the Nenana River, ending just north of the entrance. They are great introductory trips, and a great family rafting adventure as well. Recommended minimum age is 5 years old. It is not uncommon to see Alaska wildlife such as moose, caribou, sheep and bear on this trip. Check out our selection of Denali float trips available at 7:30am, 12:30pm, and 6:30pm.

For reservations or additional information on Alaska rafting please call 800-208-0200 or submit an online reservation request. We also invite you to try our site’s advance search feature, or browse Amazon.com for Alaska rafting travel guides or videos.

Alaska offers a wide array sea kayaking opportunities across Alaska with spectacular kayaking locations such as Kenai Fjords National Park, Prince William Sound, Glacier Bay National Park and Kachemak Bay State Park near Homer, Alaska. Few kayaking destinations in Alaska, or elsewhere in the world for that matter, rival to possibilities from Seward Alaska with kayaking trips to Resurrection Bay, Fox Island and deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. Here you will find an ideal kayak experience with calving glaciers, rugged mountains, calm protected coves and waters teaming with wildlife such as whales, sea otters, puffins, and sea lions. Guided sea kayaking trips are available from Seward for a few hours or a few weeks, and we have listed a few of the best introductory kayak trips below.

Fox Island Wilderness Lodge Kayaking and Wildlife Cruise. This tour combines a Kenai Fjords Tours wildlife cruise with a kayaking trip from Fox Island. Located about 14 ocean miles from Seward, Fox Island is a scenic remote retreat at the entrance to Resurrection Bay. The area features protected coves and wildlife such as sea lions, otters, whales, eagles and puffins are often seen. In addition to the wilderness kayak paddle and wildlife cruise, a salmon bake lunch is also included. Trips are fully guided by an Alaska sea kayaking expert guide. This kayak tour begins and ends at the Seward small boat harbor, where you will transfer to and from Fox Island by boat. The entire kayak tour and wildlife cruise runs about eight hours. Go to Fox Island Wilderness Lodge Kayaking and Wildlife Cruise.

Resurrection Bay Kayaking. Experience the beauty of Resurrection Bay and its plentiful marine life on this guided sea kayak excursion from Lowell Point, a short two-mile drive from Seward. On this trip, you’ll paddle along the shoreline of Caines Head State Recreation Area where encounters with sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, numerous sea birds, and leaping salmon are common. Occasionally, orcas or humpback whales are sighted. Instruction is provided by experienced guides. This kayak tour begins and ends at Lowell Point and runs about three hours. Afternoon and evening departures are available. Go to Resurrection Bay Kayaking.

Byers Lake Kayaking in South Denali Park. Enjoy a leisurely paddle on Byers Lake located within Denali State Park. Great views of wildlife and Mt. McKinley are possible. This is a great trip for beginners and experts alike, and is very convienient for those guests staying at the McKinley Princess Lodge. Go to Byers Lake Kayaking.

For reservations or additional information on Alaska kayaking please call 800-208-0200 or submit an online reservation request.

Fish On! From Southeast Alaska, to the world famous Kenai River, and into Alaska’s interior - Alaska offers some of the best fishing in the world. Enjoy struggling to land monster halibut or a mighty king salmon, or try your hand at fly-fishing for rainbow trout on a secluded Alaska stream. You can fish Alaska from an ocean charter boat, take to a river by jet or drift boat, or fly in by bush plane to a remote Alaska lake or stream. We are happy to suggest the following half and full day Alaska fishing trips, all operated by the leading fishing guide companies in each location. Seward Alaska Salmon and Halibut fishing
Seward is located on the Kenai Peninsula, and offers some of the finest Halibut and Salmon fishing in the world. Fishing charters leave daily from the small boat harbor, with half day and full day fishing trips available. Generally, all gear is provided but you will need a fishing license. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly in the peak months of July and August. The giant pacific halibut can easily exceed 300 pounds - bigger than a “barn door” many Alaskans like to say. The nutrient rich waters surrounding Seward make it one of the most productive halibut grounds in the world. A big fish will give you the fight of your life, as well as some of the tastiest white meat you have ever enjoyed. Packaging and shipping service is available so you can send some fish home to your friends - perhaps all your friends, if you are lucky. Seward is also home to the largest silver salmon fishing derby in the world with tens of thousands of dollars available in prize money. The derby is usually held early to mid August, although the silvers generally run from mid June through August. Silvers caught out of Seward usually range from ten to fifteen pounds, but you better reel in one at least twenty pounds if you want to place in the derby. You can target Alaska king salmon from April to mid June, the state record is nearly 100 pounds. For more information on Seward fishing excursions visit The Fish House.

Alaska Fly In Fishing from Anchorage
If you are looking for an Alaska fly in fishing adventure, look no further than Lake Hood in Anchorage Alaska. Lake Hood is located at the Anchorage airport and is the busiest float or sea plane base in the world. These specialized small bush planes are fitted with floats allowing them take off and land on small lakes across Alaska. A number of long time Alaskan aviation companies operate from the lake, and are ready to fly you out to some of the world’s best fishing in Alaska’s backcountry - some areas only minutes away from the city by seaplane. From fighting king and silver salmon, to feisty trout and grayling, you will enjoy your trip to a remote lake or stream where the action is and the crowds aren’t. These full day trips include a professional guide, fishing license, fishing gear, lunch and refreshments, round-trip flight from Anchorage, and transfers from major Anchorage hotels. Click here for more information on Alaska fly in fishing.

Talkeetna Fishing by Jetboat
Talkeetna Alaska is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna River and the Susitna River. The Talkeetna River is part of the Susitna River drainage system, which boasts the second largest run of migrating fish in world. With a jetboat you will have access to over 200 miles of prime fishing territory. Depending on the season, you can fish for five species of salmon, including king salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon and coho salmon, in addition to rainbow trout, dolly varden and arctic grayling. Half day fishing trips are available on custom built, comfortable Alaska jetboats with overhead covers for your protection from the elements. These 24 foot to 27 foot jet boats feature inboard engines and cruise at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, in only 8 inches of water. These specialized boats can take you to areas seldom fished in Alaska. Along the way enjoy spectaular views of Mt. McKinley and keep an eye out for bear, moose, bald eagles, beavers, and other Alaska wildlife. Fishing gear and guides are provided, bring your fishing license, lunch and favorite beverage. For more information on Talkeetna fishing see our half day guided fishing adventures.

For reservations or additional information on Alaska fishing please call 800-208-0200 or submit an online reservation request. We also invite you to try our site’s advance search feature, or browse Amazon.com for Alaska fishing guides or videos.