The Frontier State is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife.

Many people travel to Alaska in hopes of getting glimpses of the fantastic species that reside here. Seeing Stellar Sea Lions, black and grizzly bears, orcas, bald eagles, and humpback whales is surely an experience like no other!

If you’re headed to Alaska and wondering where to go for the best chances of seeing wildlife up close, here’s the ultimate list of the best destinations in the Frontier State every animal lover needs to place on their bucket list.

The Best Places to See Wildlife in Alaska

1. Kenai Fjords National Park

Massive glaciers are the main attraction of Kenai Fjords, but if your main aim is to see wildlife, you’ll find plenty of that too!

Kenai Fjords is one of the best places in Alaska to spot whales, especially orcas and humpback whales. Plenty of cruises are available that take visitors to the best areas in the park to spot them!

Moreover, as you explore the park, you may also get to see other animals like puffins, sea otters, bald eagles, and more. Grizzly bears and moose often hang out around Exit Glacier, so head there in hopes of getting lucky!

2. Katmai National Park & Reserve

Originally created as a way to protect the area of Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes after a devastating volcano eruption destroyed it, Katmai was also designated as a place to protect brown bears and salmon.

Giant moose and foxes also roam the area, but the main reason visitors to Alaska head here is to see brown bears fishing for salmon at Brook Rivers during the summer months. Mother bears and cubs are also a highlight of Katmai National Park!

Katmai can only be reached by sea or air. Camping amenities and cabins are available within the park.

3. Chugach State Park

Located just outside of Anchorage, Chugach State Park makes for an easy day trip filled with wildlife sightings.

Here, you’ll find over 45 species of mammals, including almost all of the land species that reside in Alaska! Brown bears and moose are so abundant here that finding them roaming around in Anchorage isn’t exactly a rare sight.

Brown bears, Dall sheep, wolves, black bears, and moose all reside within Chugach. Sightings of smaller animals like foxes, beavers, and river otters are also common.

Chugach is a favorite destination for Anchorage locals. There are plenty of rivers, lakes, and campgrounds available for recreational activities like fishing, hiking, boating, biking, and kayaking. During the winter months, Chugach is also a prime destination for cross-country skiing and Northern Lights sightings.

4. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Tucked away in the alluring Chugach Mountain Range in the Portage Valley, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary for orphaned and injured animals.

While many animals are released back into the wild, many arrive in terrible conditions and remain inside the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.

The center is open for daily visitors and provides a great opportunity not only to see plenty of animals but also to observe them from a close distance and learn all about them. There are many things to do inside the center, including walking, biking, and scenic driving. Guided tours are also available for those keen to get to know the animals and their stories a little better.

6. Denali National Park

Encompassing a whopping six million acres of pure wilderness, Denali National Park is where you can see plenty of landscapes and ecosystems, ranging from verdant forests to alpine tundra and snowy mountains.

The centerpiece of Denali is a 20,300-foot volcano of the same name. This is the highest mountain in the entire United States!

Wild animals love roaming freely all over the park. Whether you opt to brave the hike to the summit of Denali or go for less-challenging trails, your chances of spotting animals like wolves, caribou deer, grizzly bears, moose, and more are very likely!

7. Chena River State Recreation Area

Home to almost 400 square miles of rivers, forests, and tundra, Chena River is a beautiful destination that can be visited year-round.

Hiking, rock climbing, and scenic driving along the river on Hot Springs Road are all favorite activities to do at Chena River State Recreation Area. As you explore the area, your chances of spotting black and brown bears as well as moose and beavers are very high, especially in the forested areas in the park.

8. Glacier Bay National Park

Home to glaciers galore, another thing that makes Glacier Bay National Park a truly special destination is that it provides very high chances of spotting wildlife.

Humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, wolves, blacktail deer, moose wolves, mountain goats, bald eagles, and seals are all present here. As if that wasn’t enough, plenty of bears call Glacier Bay their home, including brown and black bears as well as blue glacier bears, an unusual variation of black bears.

Unfortunately, Glacier Bay cannot be reached by land. It is a very popular cruise stop on most Alaska routes, but if you wish to stay here longer, you need to arrive by boat or plane. There are several accommodation options for overnight visitors.

More on Visiting Alaska

• Some of the most remote and least-visited national parks of the United States can be found in Alaska. Challenging but oh so rewarding to visit, here are all the incredible national parks of Alaska for your bucket list.

• Don’t forget the charm of Alaska can be found in its quaint small towns. Make time in your Alaska itinerary, not just for the nature experiences but ambling the streets of these northern gems.

Are you headed to Alaska and planning to see wildlife? Which of these places are you most excited to head to? Let me know about your plans in the comment section below!

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post 8 Best Places to See Wildlife in Alaska appeared first on Family Road Trip.

Home to hundreds of sky-high mountains, impressive glaciers, Arctic coastlines, and some of the best wildlife opportunities in the United States, the Frontier State offers some of the best landscapes and things to do in the entire world.

As the largest state in the US, choosing what to see and do during your visit can get pretty overwhelming.

If you’re currently struggling to plan your itinerary, we’ve put together some of the best things to do in Alaska that need to be on your bucket list!

Get your notepad and get inspired. These are some awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experiences worth waiting for!

The Ultimate Alaska Bucket List

See the Northern Lights at Fairbanks

If you want to explore the Arctic Circle and see the Northern Lights, Fairbanks is one of the best places to do just that.

Aside from its nighttime light displays and arctic adventures, Fairbanks has many more to offer visitors regarding culture.

While here, take up the chance to check out the antique cars and vintage clothing collections from the 1900s at the Fountainhead Auto Museum, learn about the Northern Lights at the Aurora Ice Museum, visit the Museum of the North, and taste craft beer at Hoodoo Brewing Co.

Admire Bear Cubs at Katmai National Park

Home to over 2,000 brown bears, Katmai National Park is one of the best places in Alaska to see them.

Even though getting here requires quite a trek, visiting Katmai is something that needs to be on everyone’s Alaska bucket list. You’ll be able to witness hundreds of bears gathering at the park’s Brook River, where mamma bears and cubs get together to fish for salmon and create a scene that feels straight out of an Animal Planet documentary.

Aside from witnessing the incredibly heart-warming sight of bears, Katmai National Park has plenty more to offer visitors, including hiking to mountain tops, helicopter rides, scenic drives around volcanic grounds, and boating or kayaking over lakes.

Meet the Huskies of Husky Homestead

Ran by Jeff King, the four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Husky Homestead is a place in Denali Park that you can visit to meet some of the huskies at their breeding and training grounds.

Here, you’ll be able to pet puppies for hours on end. Still, you’ll also get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fully understand the essential roles huskies play in Alaskan culture and history and witness trained huskies practising their favorite sport.

Explore Anchorage

As the most populated city in Alaska, visiting Anchorage is a must on your itinerary.

Even though most people use Anchorage as a place to land and explore the rest of the state, we highly recommend staying at least for a night to discover some of the best this unique city has to offer.

Not only is Anchorage a great place to base yourself in order to explore some of the best Alaska offers in terms of easy-to-access nature, but it also boasts a fabulous dining scene, amazing hotels, and a wide array of cultural offerings.

Must-dos while in the city include checking out the Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Zoo, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska Aviation Museum.

Visit the Actual Capital of Alaska, Juneau

Juneau is the capital of Alaska and the most popular port in the state (nope, it’s not Anchorage, as most people think!).

Despite being one of the most important cities in the Frontier State, there are no roads leading to it, and the only way to reach it is by ship or plane!

Most people skip Juneau and opt to visit Anchorage instead, but if time allows, we highly recommend including this unique town in your itinerary.

Juneau is located between Mount Rovers, Mount Juneau, and the Gastineau Channel, making the backdropping landscape a treat to look at. To top it off, the city is dotted with gorgeous historical buildings from the 1900s, making the entire scenery feel like it belongs in a painting.

Some of the top attractions to check out during your visit include the Mendenhall Glacier nearby, the Marine Hall, the State Capitol buildings, Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, and historic South Franklin Street for great food, historical buildings, and shops.

Adventure at Denali National Park

Home to the tallest mountain in the United States at an elevation of over 20,000 feet and some of the most striking sights Alaska has to offer, Denali National Park is a must on everyone’s nature lover’s bucket list.

The park covers an area of over 6 million acres, giving visitors plenty of choices when it comes to deciding what to see and do. Hiking, fishing, rafting, and biking are favorite activities here, especially when you consider you’ll get access to tons of wildlife sighting opportunities.

Stay on the lookout for caribou, wolves, Dall sheep, moose, and grizzly bears, as sightings are pretty common.

Learn about Alaskan History at Hatcher Pass

Mining played a huge role in Alaskan history. During the gold and copper rushes, many people moved out from the continental United States into the Frontier State and made it their permanent home.

A visit to Hatcher Pass will give you the opportunity to learn about Alaska’s mining activities and their importance to the state. Visit the Mine State Historical Park to see mining buildings and equipment or ride the 22-mile trail to see old mining buildings in the mountains!

Witness the Goose Creek Tower

If you’re into a little quirkiness here and there, check out the Goose Creek Tower between Talkeetna and Willow is an absolute must.

This incredibly unique house is often dubbed the “Dr. Seuss House” because it looks straight out of the author’s imagination! These days, the house stands tall at 185 feet, with a main house at the bottom and several other smaller houses built on top of each other.

The best part? The owner, an attorney from Anchorage, claims the house isn’t even finished yet!

Experience True Wilderness at Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

If you’re up for an adventure like no other and have enough skills to brave the wilderness, visiting Gates of the Arctic is one of the most remote adventures you can have in Alaska and even the entire world.

Due to its remoteness, accessing this park is not easy, with an air taxi being the only option to get there aside from canoeing, rafting down the river, or hiking. Because of this, Gates of the Arctic is very rarely visited (less than 10,000 people enter the park every year), which means you’re more likely to spot Grizzly bears than people here!

Keep in mind that there are no roads or any kind of amenities in the park. Visiting here requires knowing how to live off the land and having plenty of survival skills, but if you want to experience the Alaska you’ve seen on National Geographic – this is where that will happen!

Take a Flightseeing Tour

Even though Alaska is gorgeous from the ground, there’s no better way to fully take in the magnitude of its landscapes than by flying above them.

Flight tours are available from pretty much any major destination in Alaska, but the most popular ones for unraveled vistas are those that soar over Denali (the highest mountain in the United States) and the ice fields at Kenai Fjords National Park.

Walk Over the Sand Dunes of Kobuk Valley

Even though sand dunes are probably the last thing you’d expect to see in the Arctic Circle, Kobuk Valley is proof the Frontier State is full of incredible surprises!

The Great Kobuk Sand dunes are the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic, rising for 30 miles along the banks of the Kobuk River. They create scenery that will make you forget you’re in Alaska at all if it weren’t for the cold temperatures and the footprints of bears and other northern animals appearing on the sand.

If you’re wondering how this is even a thing, the sand dunes at Kobuk Valley were formed when glaciers receded during the Ice Age, and chunks of ice churned over rocks and ground them into fine sand.

Much like the Gates to the Arctic, accessing Kobuk Valley is challenging due to its incredibly remote location. Still, if you’re able to make it, we guarantee this will be an experience like no other!

Go Hiking at Kenai Fjords National Park

Located on the Kenai Peninsula only 126 miles south of Anchorage, Kenai Fjords is the most accessible of Alaska national parks and one of the best spots to visit to experience picture-perfect landscapes.

During your time here, you’ll get to see humongous glaciers, hop on a boat or kayak to explore the ocean, and get plenty of opportunities to spot native wildlife like whales, sea lions, otters, puffins, and more.

Most of Kenai Fjords is made up of ice and water, so many of the activities here are water-based. If you want to explore on land as well, you can hike the Exit Glacier Trail, a 2.2-mile hike that will have you walking in the forest and into an overlook for jaw-dropping vistas of the glaciers below.

If you’re up for an adventure, another amazing hike is the Harding Ice Field Trail, which is 8.2 miles long and provides views of ice fields and over 40 glaciers in the park.

Explore an Actual Ghost Town

Back in the early 1900s, the town of Kennicott became a bustling place when people flocked to settle there after hearing about the opening of copper mines in the area.

Over time, copper began to dwindle, and this town’s residents inside the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve moved to other places in search of more opportunities.

These days, Kennicott still preserves its buildings from its golden era, and the only people that actually step foot there are curious visitors looking to take a peek back in time. Despite efforts to turn it into a tourist attraction, still very few people actually go here, making the experience a pretty unique (and yet somehow eerie) one!

Get Your Cool on at the Aurora Ice Museum

Located inside the Chena Hot Springs Resort in Fairbanks, the Aurora Ice Museum is a museum entirely carved out of snow and ice that provides a truly dazzling (and literally “cool”) experience.

Aside from marveling at this museum’s architectural wonder, you’ll also be able to enjoy displays of incredible ice sculptures, see reenactments of aurora borealis, and  enjoy fantasy ice scenes.

Cruise Around Prince William Sound

Encompassing over 3,000 miles of coastline in the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound is the perfect place to explore if spotting marine life and gawking at fjords and glaciers is on your Alaska bucket list.

While it’s possible to visit any of the towns along Prince William Sound and explore the area from there, the ultimate way to fully get to see it in its full splendor is by booking a cruise to take you further into the inlet.

During the expedition, you’ll be able to see colossal tidewater glaciers up close, gawk at the beauty of fjords choked with ice, and get to see an impressive amount of Alaskan marine life, including rafts of otters, sea lions chilling out on icebergs, bears hunting for salmon, and plenty more.

Visit the Museum of the North

If you really want to learn more about Alaska, make sure to add the Museum of the North to your bucket list.

Located on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks, this museum will take you on a journey through over 2,000 years of art, heritage, history, geology, and wildlife of the state.

You’ll be able to find plenty of exhibits here displaying a variety of different aspects of the Frontier States, but some of the ones that stand out the most are mummies of bison, Eskimo carvings, and mineral collections from the Gold Rush in Alaska.

More on Visiting Alaska

While Alaska might not be the most road-trip-friendly state due to its remote position in the world and geographic challenges, it’s undoubtedly a destination that should be on every family’s bucket list. There are so many unique and once in a lifetime experiences to enjoy in the Frontier State.

While you’re here, you may also enjoy learning more about:

• The best day trips from Anchorage – many visitors to Alaska will use the largest town as their base point for exploring further afield. Here’s what you can manage in a day’s drive. Coming Soon!

• If you’re still unsure what national parks to visit and narrow down your bucket list of Alaskan experiences, here we take you through a list of every Alaskan National Park – looking at the distances and travel methods for each, best times to visit and what you’ll experience.

• The best small towns in Alaska – understand the true essence of Alaska.

• The best wildlife spotting experiences in Alaska – we’ve included several on this list, take a closer look at a wildlife-lovers guide to Alaska Coming Soon!

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Your Ultimate Alaska Bucket List appeared first on Family Road Trip.

California has some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the United States.

From north to south and east to west, the Golden State is a dream come true if you’ve been yearning for some serious outdoor adventures and striking natural vistas.

With so many landscapes, regions, and climates on the menu, there’s a little something in Cali for everyone, no matter the type of adventure you’re after.

From rugged coastline drives to hiking in the desert in search of life, these are a few of the best California experiences for nature lovers you need to add to your bucket list!

The Ultimate California Bucket List for Nature Lovers

1. Road Trip Big Sur

A drive through Big Sur is one of the dreamiest experiences in the whole state. With sky-high mountain peaks to the east and striking views of the ocean to the west, this drive is full of excuses to stop to take in the views and rest your legs for a bit.

Despite it being a relatively short drive at just 90 miles, you can easily spend a few weeks completing it because the entire region has so many wonderful things to do and see that you’ll be making tons of stops along the way.

From exploring the eye candy that is the seaside town of Carmel to catching fabulous views of the Pacific at Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur sure has everything it takes to reward visitors with fabulous vistas and awesome activities in nature.

Expand your journey all the way down the PCH from San Fran to San Diego

2. Find Your Love for Life at Death Valley National Park

Don’t be freaked out by the name! Death Valley is, in reality, one of the liveliest places in California. Seriously, the first impression you’ll get as you arrive is that of a desolate place.

Still, once you start to explore it, you’ll find wacky rock formations, golden sand dunes, twisting canyons, and mountains painted in striking colors.

While there’s so much to do at Death Valley that you could easily dedicate an entire week to exploring it and never have to do the same thing twice, a few of the top activities include standing on the lowest part of the United States at Badwater Basin, testing gravity by sliding down dunes of sand, hiking on hills of borax, and searching for colorful mountains by looping around Artist’s Drive!

See a complete itinerary over the Sierra Mountains from Yosemite to Death valley

3. Drive Tioga Road for Some Seriously Epic Views

Yosemite is California’s most emblematic national park, and one of the best ways to soak up its beauty is by driving along California Highway 120, or Tioga Road as it’s more commonly known as, one of the most irresistibly beautiful drives in California.

Tioga Road runs along the length of Yosemite National Park, guaranteeing amazing park vistas along the way. First, it will take you all the way up to the highest pass in California before going downwards into the Eastern Sierra, letting you delight in the panoramic views of the emblematic granite cliffs of Yosemite dreamy alpine lakes, and redwoods that dot the way in seemingly endless cirques.

If you want to get a closer look at Yosemite’s most iconic granite cliffs (Half-Dome and Clouds Rest), you must make a stop at Olmsted Point. Once there, you can opt for a hike at Tuolumne Meadows, which follows along the Merced River over carpets of wildflowers.

At the very end of the drive, you’ll be greeted by Mono Lake, a saline soda lake that looks like it belongs on another planet!

Keep in mind: Tioga Road is open on a seasonal basis in the summer and fall, usually from late May until early November. Be sure to check Yosemite’s official web page for exact dates so you can plan your trip accordingly.

See how to combine all of California’s national parks on one epic California nature road trip.

4. Walk Under a Canopy of Centuries-old Redwoods

Ever wondered what walking inside an enchanted forest would feel like? A stroll through Redwood National Park is as close as you can get to that!

Nestled in the northern end of the California coast, this park is home to groves of Redwood trees, which are famed for being the tallest trees in the world. Seriously, a visit here is so fascinating that its beautiful vistas are sure to remain with you forever.

Redwood is actually a combination of several state parks, occupying a vast area of more than 130,000 acres. Because of its huge size, it would take weeks to explore it completely, but taking a few days is enough to explore its highlights.

Driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway road is an absolute must, as this incredible northern California scenic drive goes straight through the forest and allows you to see the groves of centuries-old redwoods in their full splendor. If you want to rest your legs, stop every now and then, park your car, and hike some of the many trails on the way to get more personal with the area.

Fun fact: Did you know that Dieter Stark’s final scene in Jurassic Park 2 was filmed here? So yes, a visit to Redwood does give the impression that you somehow stepped into another time and place.

Fern Canyon, in particular, is a striking canyon with walls covered in fern and a creek crossing right through it, making you wonder if dinosaurs will pop out at any moment!

Click here for a complete guide to driving the Redwood Highway

5. Spot Wildlife at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is a real treasure you’ll want to visit more than once, especially if you are a big fan of wildlife encounters. Its diverse landscapes include open grasslands, forested crests, mountainous peaks, and of course, sweeping beaches so beautiful you’ll have to pinch yourself!

Situated around an hour north of San Francisco, the prime activities at Point Reyes are biking and hiking, both of which allow you to explore all the different habitats in the park. Hiking, in particular, will increase your chances of catching glimpses of the fauna prevalent in the area, especially northern elephant seals and bobcats.

Have you ever traveled to any of these nature havens in California? Which one was your favorite? We’d love to know all about your visit to any of these gems, whether you’ve been to them before or if you decided to visit after being inspired by this post!

More on Road Tripping in California

• Love these ideas? Then you may also like to learn more about the most beautiful places in California

• We love the late sunflower season in California, make the perfect early Fall day trip to one of these California sunflower fields

• You’ll want to check out all the unique scenery from San Diego to Joshua Tree on this southern California driving route.

• Take the scenic route from San Francisco to Yosemite, discovering more of the historic side of the state

• For something completely different, why not visit these unique places in California on your next Cali road trip

• Continuing your journey north, these are our favorite stopping points if you’re road tripping San Francisco to Portland.

• Still can’t decide between Northern California or Southern California for you’re next family road trip? We set out the pros and cons of each that families love to help you decide!

© Family Road Trip 2026

The post Best Places To Connect With Nature in California appeared first on Family Road Trip.