Alaska is the largest of the 50 United States and it takes some big planning and time to see it. You cannot see it all in one trip, but this two week itinerary for Alaska will get you some varied, beautiful experiences. If it’s your first time, perhaps a one week Alaska road trip is more what you’re looking for, but if you have the time and want to explore a bit more, this 2 week trip plan is awesome!
Feel free to edit your travel plans as needed, but as somebody who’s spent a ton of time in Alaska (I used to live there), I think this two week AK itinerary gives you a fair balance of adventure and relaxing, culture and wildlife. You’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Alaska, perfecting your own itinerary or need some specific recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
Note: if you’ve landed here by mistake and actually only have 7-9 days, check out our One Week Alaska Road Trip itinerary.
Need to Know for a 2 Weeks Alaska Trip
As I write this, just yesterday I returned from two weeks in Alaska. I had an incredible time but I am very tired. When you’re building out your plans, make sure that you take time to relax amidst all the fun. When you’re in Alaska it’s very easy just to keep going from destination to destination, but this may wear you out before you get to the peak of your trip. If you’re able to keep a day or two in your 2 weeks to just absorb Alaska and recharge you’ll enjoy the trip even more.
Don’t forget, we actually have a whole website dedicated to visiting Alaska: MyAlaskaTrip.com. There you’ll find travel resources, hotel reviews and tips for all kinds of things to do all around Alaska. Check it out! (we’ve put lots of links to specific articles throughout this two week Alaska itinerary)
Where to Travel in Alaska
With such a big state, how do you choose where to travel in Alaska? Most people I talk to have only ever visited Alaska via cruise ship, but that’s not what we’re doing on this two week Alaska itinerary. For this trip we’re up in mainland Alaska visiting the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, the MatSu Valley (Matanuska-Susitna), and up into the Interior with Denali NP and Fairbanks. This travel plan works well because you can fly into a major airport (ANC) and do a one-way car rental to Fairbanks.
Visiting places in Southeast Alaska like Juneau, Haines or Sitka is more complex as there’s a car ferry or cruise ship involved with those destinations, but it’s doable ON A DIFFERENT TRIP. If you’re thinking of combining any Southeast Alaska destinations with a mainland visit, either add another week or trim off some of the side destinations in our two week Alaska itinerary. They really are two very different types of trips.
Packing Tips for Alaska Travel
Let’s just assume that we’re talking about doing a two week Alaska trip in the summer time or early fall. In either of these seasons you’ll want to pack your suitcase in a way that you can easily add or take away layers on any given day. The weather can be beautiful and warm or it can stun you with icy rain at a moment’s notice. For the most part though, Alaska in peak summer months is gorgeous and you’ll just want to be sure to bring pants and a warm jacket just in case.
What I’ve found is really helpful is to leave the shorts at home and just accept that the opportunities to wear shorts are minimal, and even when you wish you had shorts on, you’re still not too hot or even uncomfortable. If you’re heading up to Fairbanks and deeper into the Interior, you really won’t need shorts, both due to cooler temperatures and to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Also, I always bring both regular shoes and hiking boots. Even if you’re not planning on doing a lot of hiking, a lot of flat trails and nature walks will take you through potentially muddy areas. It’s best to be prepared.
A camera is necessary, and not just if you’re a professional photographer like me. The added quality and fun of using an actual camera makes everything feel a little more epic. If you’re thinking about bringing bear spray, you can’t actually fly with it. You can purchase or rent bear spray once you’ve arrived in Alaska, but don’t try to bring it with you. Check out Alaska Bear Spray Rental here!
Advice for Driving in Alaska
The biggest piece of advice for driving in Alaska is paying attention. If you’re doing a two week Alaska trip you’ll be covering a lot of ground. The roads are usually much better than you expect, but you’ll still find the odd pothole. Also, there is a lot of wildlife in Alaska that you’ll need to be alert for. I’ve had bears, moose, caribou, porcupines and foxes run across the road in front of my car and have NEVER come in contact with one… because I pay attention. And you can too!
Two Week Alaska Itinerary
Okay, it’s time for our two week Alaska itinerary. You can update this plan as you need, but I think it’s really well built for a comprehensive two week Alaska trip. It covers culture, small towns, wildlife, epic views, National Parks and more. You know best what you and your travel companions will enjoy, but this road trip plan has some very diverse activities, so if you do it exactly, I know you’ll have an unforgettable trip to Alaska.
Start: Fly to Anchorage
I think Anchorage is a wonderful city and you can easily spend several days here. Having said that, there is so much to do and see during our two week Alaska itinerary that if you want to trim off any time in Anchorage, nobody will hold it against you. When you arrive though, there are some great activities you can do that will absolutely get you into the vibe of Alaska and also prime your brain for learning.
If you only do two activities in Anchorage, be sure to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and spend some time learning about the peoples who have called Alaska home for thousands of years. Another activity I recommend is the Anchorage Museum. Here you’ll learn about the history of Anchorage and Alaska as a whole, as well as see some incredible art that will inspire you to really take in the journey you’re about to embark on.
Check out our 4 Day Anchorage Itinerary for more ideas
Sleep in: Anchorage, Alaska – book accommodations for one or two nights
Day 1 – Turnagain Arm to Homer
Even though today is a long drive, there are lots of great stops to make along the way. Depending on the time of year, you may luck out and see moose, bear, eagles, and even beluga whales as you drive. As you go, stop at Beluga Point, Bird Point, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. If you have time, you can visit Portage Lake and do the cruise to see the Portage Glacier.
Continuing on, drive to Homer with stops in Cooper Landing and Soldotna before you visit Anchor Point (the westernmost highway point in North America) and take in views of the Homer Spit. It’ll probably be light for a while once you get to Homer, so do a little exploring on foot or enjoy relaxing at your accommodations
Option: leave Anchorage early enough to go through the Whittier Tunnel and do a cruise into Prince William Sound. The Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is amazing and you’ll love it!
Sleep in: Homer, Alaska – book accommodations for two nights
Day 2 – Exploring Homer & Deep Sea Fishing
Today can be all about having an Alaskan deep sea fishing adventure. Book a guide to take you out to target halibut or salmon in Kachemak Bay. This is one of the best places to fish for Halibut anywhere in the world, so if that’s your thing, THIS IS THE PLACE. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry. Homer is absolutely beautiful and you can easily explore with hiking or a guided tour to Kachemak State Park.
Located across the bay, this is kind of the backside of Kenai Fjords National Park. Kachemak State Park has kayaking spots, hiking, glaciers and tons of wildlife. It’s very much worthwhile to get into this wilderness area, as very few visitors ever make it this far for exploring. End your day back in Homer enjoying the Homer Spit. Stroll through shops, enjoy fresh seafood, and visit the Salty Dawg Saloon (the most touristy place, but it’s awesome).
Sleep in: this is your second night staying in Homer.
Day 3 – Ninilchik, Kenai and Skilak Lake
Today you depart Homer to continue on our two week Alaska itinerary. As you head north, be sure to stop in and visit Ninilchik Village. See the Russian Orthodox Church and enjoy the beach (yes, there are beaches in Alaska) as you watch for eagles and bears. You can also visit the town of Kenai, where you’ll find another Russian Orthodox Church, and a small village area. For some unique wildlife watching, head north of the small airport to see if you can spot caribou. There aren’t a lot of them on the Kenai Peninsula, but here and a few spot along the Sterling Highway are good for seeing the caribou.
As you continue towards our next overnight destination, take Skilak Lake Road off the highway. Here we’ll enjoy the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, going for a hike on the Hidden Creek Trail or enjoy Skilak Lake for kayaking or fishing. I think Skilak Lake is one of the prettiest places to go kayaking on the Kenai Peninsula. This is also the first place I ever went camping on the Kenai. I love it here.
Sleep in: Cooper Landing, Alaska – book accommodations for one night
Day 4 – Russian River and the Kenai River
Today is one of my favorite days to share from our two week Alaska trip itinerary. I used to live in Cooper Landing and spent so much time on both the Russian and Kenai Rivers. Our first activity today is the Russian River Falls hike. Watch for salmon and bears during this picturesque walk, and don’t forget to look up because there are always lots of bald eagles in the trees along the Russian River.
For the next part of your day, either book a guide for Kenai River fishing or rafting on the turquoise river. Enjoy world-class trout and salmon fishing on the Kenai or at the confluence with the Russian River. Unless you’ve brought your own gear and have the right type of fishing license, for sure go with a guide. The other option is to do a scenic rafting trip. If you’re not into rafting, the Kenai River is the perfect one to start you on. It’s beautiful and the rapids are not huge. It’s much more of a scenic float than a full on whitewater adventure.
End your day with driving to Seward where you’ll be for the next few days. The Sterling Highway to the Seward Highway is gorgeous and there are lots of opportunities for spotting wildlife, in particular moose and trumpeter swans, so keep your eyes peeled.
Sleep in: Seward, Alaska – book accommodations for two or three nights (we like the Seward Windsong Lodge)
Day 5 – Seward, Alaska
Today’s itinerary and tomorrows can be flipped to match whatever you’re able to reserve for the boat tour into Kenai Fjords National Park. Sometimes tours are fully booked months out, so take whatever you can get and shift plans to make it happen. If there’s one tour in Alaska that I will always tell people not to miss, it’s this one. If this isn’t the day on your two week Alaska itinerary that you’ve got your Kenai Fjords Tour, then here’s what we’ve got planned for you.
Check out our 3 Day Seward Itinerary
After breakfast, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. Learn about marine wildlife and conservation, including animals that are currently being treated/rehabilitated to be released back into the wild. When you’re done, walk the Seward waterfront, visiting the parks and Mile 0 of the Iditarod (it’s the former Mile 0).
In the afternoon, it’ll be time to explore Exit Glacier in the land portion of Kenai Fjords National Park. Hike the Harding Icefield Trail or take a shorter trail to the glacier’s edge. If you do want to hike on the icefield, we recommend booking a tour as it’s not a hike for novice ice-hikers and there is special gear involved.
Another option for this afternoon is doing a rafting trip on the Resurrection River. This valley is absolutely beautiful and very different from the Kenai River Valley. When you’re done, take in the show at the World Famous Salmon Bake (not exactly young kid appropriate).
Sleep in: this is your second night staying in Seward.
Day 6 – Kenai Fjords National Park
Your day starts early and you’re going to love it! The Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife and glacier cruise is one of the best tours in Alaska. You’ll spot whales, puffins, sea lions, and calving glaciers on this all day excursion. Lunch is served onboard, as well as snacks, so you don’t have to worry about putting everything together to be gone all day. You’ll have a great time on the water and hopefully see tons of wildlife!
After your National Park cruise, you have a few options. You can walk around downtown or go for a hike near Seward, do a helicopter flightseeing, or just go back to your lodge to relax. If you’re up for some hiking, the Tonsina Creek Trail or Lost Lake Trail are both great for stunning scenery, or if you want a workout, do the Mount Marathon trail.
If flightseeing sounds interesting and it’s in your budget, Seward Helicopter Tours does a really cool glacier landing trip that includes dog sledding on Godwin Glacier. This was my first experience with the dogs up on a glacier and it was really fun.
Sleep in: this is either your third night in Seward or you can drive several hours up to Palmer, which is your next hub on your two week Alaska trip.
Day 7 – Palmer and the State Parks
Each time I visit Palmer I feel like it’s going to be the next big Alaska destination. There are so many things to do all around Palmer, and it’s quite the gateway to glaciers, with the Chugach Mountains on one side and the Talkeetna Mountains on the other. For our first day in the Palmer area we’re heading up to one of my favorite hiking destinations in Alaska: Hatcher Pass.
Our first hike is at Independence Mine State Historical Park. Explore the historic gold mining site and scenic trails, and in particular don’t miss the Gold Cord Lake Trail. This is a short hike, but intense, and the lake and view at the top is so beautiful. After you’ve done the hike and seen the mine exhibits, head to the Hatcher Pass Lodge for lunch before doing one more hike.
Next stop is going to be either in the Archangel Valley or at Gold Mint. The Lane Basin Trail at the end of Archangel Road is one of the most unique hikes we’ve done. It’s like an Alaskan fairy land with some beautiful natural features and a small waterfall. The other hike option is the Gold Mint Trail, which you can do all or part of. This hike is all about the views as you go, so any turn around point is fine. As you head back to Palmer, don’t forget to stop at Turner’s Corner for the best ice cream in Alaska (rainbow is my favorite).
Sleep in: this is either your first or second night in Palmer. Book your accommodations for one more night after this, making it either a total of two or three nights. I loved the Alaska Glacier Lodge!
Day 8 – Matanuska Glacier or Knik Glacier Trip
We’ve got several options for today as it really depends on your level of adventure, energy and budget. Here are our picks for a fun day of glaciers from Palmer:
- Guided glacier trekking on Matanuska Glacier – Greatland Adventures does a wonderful tour and they provide the crampons and hiking poles. I loved getting to look into crevasses and fill my water bottle in a glacier stream. This is a great guided hiking experience, including with kids.
- Knik River Valley ATV adventures – Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours has several ATV options for heading up the Knik River Valley on either a 4×4 or side-by-side ATV. The views are awesome and the wild driving on the dunes and crossing streams is really fun. This is much more of an adventure than I expected.
- Alaska Helicopter Tours w/ Glacier Landing – I used to be so scared of helicopters (have you read about our doors-off flight on Kauai?) but doing a smaller chopper through the mountains and seeing such incredible sights changed it for me. With three different landings during the flightseeing, exploring the air with Alaska Helicopter Tours was amazing. Landing on a glacier and trekking around a lake on the ice: super cool.
I know that each of these options is a rather big ticket cost for things to do, so if that’s not in your budget, don’t worry. There is so much to do in Palmer including hiking, the Musk Ox Farm, the Reindeer Farm, the Alaska State Fair (end of August to beginning of September) and much more. You’ll love your time here, even if you choose to just relax downtown in a park and eat pizza for dinner.
Sleep in: this is your last night in Palmer.
Day 9 – Hatcher Pass to Talkeetna
Today is an easy day of driving across Hatcher Pass. We were here the other day for hiking, but now we’re actually crossing the pass from Fishhook to Willow. This drive is beautiful with lots of scenic stops to watch for wildlife or hike, if you’re feeling it. If you didn’t stop at Turner’s Corner the other day to get ice cream, do it today on your way up to the pass. The drive from Palmer to Talkeetna is about two hours if you don’t stop.
Once you cross the pass, stop in Willow for a mellow scenic float and wildlife trip on Willow Creek. Willow Creek Tours is perfect for getting families and photographers into a bit of the backcountry. The trip is VERY mellow, so if you still haven’t set foot on a raft during your two week Alaska itinerary, this is the best chance for the most calm experience.
After your rafting, head into Talkeetna for lunch. Explore Talkeetna on foot, visiting quirky shops, trying local brews, and enjoy views of Denali from the Susitna River park. For an easy hike head over to the XYZ Lakes, aka the Talkeetna Lakes, and walk the trails looking for moose, or you can rent kayaks to paddle the lakes. This is one of the best kayaking spots off the Parks Highway (between Anchorage and Fairbanks). If you want to spend more time here, we have a fun 3 day Talkeetna itinerary too!
Another option while you’re in Talkeetna, and this is one of the most popular tourist activities here, is to do one of the jet boat tours on the Susitna River. It’s a pretty cool experience as you go really fast upriver. There are short tours and all day tours, so depending on how you want to spend your time, choose the one that’s right for you.
Sleep in: Talkeetna, Alaska – book accommodations for just one night; our family really enjoyed staying at the Talkeetna Wilderness lodge.
Day 10 – Denali State Park to Denali Village
For our fun today it’s all about hiking and beautiful sights. Denali State Park is not too far north of Talkeetna on both sides of the Parks Highway. There are several scenic pullouts and trails, so take your time making your way up to Denali National Park. For a good hike in Denali State Park try the Curry Ridge Trail or Byers Lake Trail, or both. Byers Lake is really easy as it circumnavigates the lake, but Curry Ridge is a challenge. Curry Ridge should give you a great view of Denali (formerly Mt McKinley) on a clear summer day.
Plan on arriving at Denali Village around lunch time. Grab some food and then explore the souvenir shops before checking into your hotel or lodge. Most places to stay at Denali National Park have a 4:00 pm check-in time. If you don’t want to shop (I’m not a shopper) then you might as well do your first hike in the National Park or take a river walk along the Nenana River.
For hiking in Denali National Park today, you can visit a few of the maintained trails in the section of the park the public can drive to. These suggestions are good for today and for the day after tomorrow before you leave for Fairbanks:
- Horseshoe Lake Trail
- Rock Creek Trail
- Triple Lakes Trail (just do part of it unless you’re up for a long hike)
- Mountain Vista Trail
Sleep in: Denali Village/Town, Alaska – book accommodations for two nights. I used to work at the Denali Princess Lodge and just stayed at the McKinley Chalet Resort and can recommend both.
Day 11 – Safari into Denali National Park
If you’re planning your two week Alaska itinerary just a month or two in advance, you may not be able to book a Tundra Wilderness Tour or the Denali Natural History Tour, as these book up months in advance, so if you’re planning your trip now, try to secure the booking TODAY! If the dates you’re planning on being here don’t line up with availability, you can book the Transit Bus into the park, which is cheaper and goes along the same route. The difference is the narration and overall fanciness.
However you get into the park, today’s tour is a great opportunity to go beyond how far the general public is allowed to drive on the Park Road. You’ll be looking out for animals the whole time. On your guided Tundra Wilderness Tour it’s your chance to spot wildlife like bears, caribou, and moose. The bus driver stops for whatever you see, so you’ll get a chance to observe and photograph all kinds of animals. And of course we’re hoping for a clear view of Mount Denali today!
If your bus trip was in the morning, head back into the park via car to enjoy some short hikes along the Park Road. Explore Savage River or Mountain Vista trails if you haven’t done them yet. End your day enjoying a dinner somewhere in Denali townsite or enjoying the Music of Denali dinner theater. It’s a good meal and a fun show.
Sleep in: this is your second night at Denali NP
Day 12 – Hiking at Denali NP, head to Fairbanks
Before you leave Denali National Park, do a little more hiking. If you haven’t done it yet, enjoy the Horseshoe Lake Trail, where I’ve seen lots of wildlife in the past, including a fox! Another morning hiking option is to drive yourself into the park to one of the parking areas along the Park Road to enjoy some off-trail hiking. Denali NP is very unique in that off-trail hiking is actually encouraged here. Be sure to read our article about off-trail hiking for tips of where to go and how to be prepared for it.
Around lunchtime, depart Denali and grab a meal in the town before you start your drive to Fairbanks. As you go, be sure to stop at scenic points along the Parks Highway and continue to watch for wildlife. Once you get to Fairbanks, either check into your hotel and unwind or rent kayaks for some paddling.
Sleep in: Fairbanks, Alaska – book accommodations for two nights
Day 13 – Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs
Since we’ve been traveling on a two week itinerary, you’re probably a little tired and ready to relax. Fairbanks is perfect for that! Exploring Fairbanks means visiting some museums and enjoying the scenery around town. Visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North or Pioneer Park. Maybe have one last jaunt on the water with a riverboat trip on the Chena River.
The must-do thing in Fairbanks, and yes, after two weeks on the road you’ll want to do this, is to have an afternoon to just relax at Chena Hot Springs (lots of tour options for the hot springs). Soak in the natural hot springs and tour the Aurora Ice Museum, maybe do the sled dog kennel tour. You’ve got lots of options to either stay active or relax. It’s the perfect way to end our epic Alaskan adventure.
Sleep in: this is your second night in Fairbanks
Ending the 2 Week Alaska Itinerary
Now that we’ve had an incredible experience from the fjords and bays of the Kenai Peninsula all the way up into the Interior, it’s time to go home. Depending on how you booked your travel, you may be dropping your rental car in Fairbanks or driving it back down to Anchorage. If you do have to return it to ANC, don’t worry. It’s a six hour drive back down the Parks Highways, but as you now know, it’s absolutely beautiful and you’ll enjoy reliving the route.
Other options for ending your two week Alaska itinerary are taking the train from Fairbanks back to Anchorage or flying from Fairbanks (FAI) back to your hometown.
I hope you’re excited about this trip and all the possibilities that are ahead of you. I love Alaska so much and really take so much joy in sharing it with others. If you have any questions about planning or want to leave some of your own suggestions, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to include any additional notes to help travelers plan an amazing Alaska trip!
