The Ultimate 12-day Alaska Road Trip Itinerary

Depending on your flight, you may arrive midday or in the evening in Anchorage. There are plenty of great restaurant options in Anchorage including The Rustic Goat for New American, pasta, seafood, burgers or Hearth Artisan Pizza for pizza and wine. Both of these restaurants are a must-try! Once you arrive in Anchorage, you can Uber to your accommodations, and get settled in, then go out again to grab a bite to eat.

Today, you’ll be picking up your vehicle of choice to start your road trip to Denali National Park which will take about four to five hours to drive! But first, coffee. Head over to Goldie’s Coffee Roasters for a great cup of coffee served to you with a smile. Alaska has an endless number of drive-thru coffee huts that make for a quick and easy cup on the go.

Option 1: If you are feeling extra adventurous and want to rent a camper van, check out River Wild Camper Vans. River Wild offers fully built out camper vans and Jeeps with pop up tents that are outfitted with everything you’ll need for a comfortable camping experience including cookware, a bed and a cooler for your food. This is perfect for the adventurers who want to wake up surrounded by a wooded forest, while staying cozy and protected. Be aware that if you have a camper van, you’ll need to reserve a spot like Riley Creek Campground to park and camp overnight.

With this option, make sure to stop at a grocery store in Anchorage — like Costco or Walmart — to get road snacks and food.

Option 2: Rent a car at the Anchorage Airport and book a stay in the town of Denali next to the National Park. Stay at a lodge like the Princess McKinley Lodge or the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge for a more traditional atmosphere and upscale amenities.

Option 1: If you’d rather walk or hike to see the sights, you can ride the Denali National Park bus by booking a Denali National Park tour. This way, you can sit back, relax and listen to your Interpretive guide share stories about the history, culture and geography that surrounds you. There are plenty of maintained trails to enjoy stunning views of Denali including Horseshoe Lake Trail, McKinley Station Trail and Mount Healy Overlook Trail.

Option 2: Did you know it’s possible to bike the road into Denali National Park? If you are willing and able, rent a gravel or e-bike from Bike Denali and ride an unforgettable, rigorous route into Denali National Park. In the park, there is one road — the Park Road, which is only accessible for bikes and National Park buses. This means biking the road can help you avoid crowds and have maximum flexibility and adrenaline. If you choose this option, it’s important to follow all the bike and bear safety precautions relevant to Denali and to come prepared with the right cycle gear. Alternatively, you can also do an easy bike route around the town of Denali if you’d prefer to take it easy.

Once you’ve finished your adventure for the day, treat yourself with dinner at The Overlook for some fresh Alaskan cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails on an open patio overlooking the Alaska Range.

After experiencing the majestic mountains of Denali, it's time to change up the scenery and head to the Kenai Fjords. Start early and enjoy your next beautiful drive to the charming harbor town of Seward, a little less than three hours south of Anchorage. You can drive straight from Denali with a pit stop in Girdwood or opt for an overnight stay at the Alyeska Resort to break up the trip.

Seward offers great lodging options, and one standout is Orca Island Cabins, where you can stay in eco-friendly luxury yurts. Though a bit pricier, it includes a scenic boat ride to an island in Humpy Cove. You'll enjoy activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and birdwatching, all while unplugging in nature.

Once you return to Seward, grab lunch and coffee at Primrose Provisions and take a stroll along the sea wall for stunning fjord views. You could also book a whale-watching ocean excursion or try a sled dog tour to explore the historic Iditarod Trail, which marks the start of Alaska's famed dog race.

Time for your last stop. Hit the road for another three and a half hour drive to another cute — but very different — fishing town: Homer! Homer is known as “the halibut capital of the world” so it should be no surprise that you can look forward to some world class, fresh seafood.

Run, don’t walk, to Kachemak Shellfish Growers’ Broken Oar, the place for oysters in Alaska. Once you're full of delicious oysters, wine and fresh ceviche, check into your hotel and get an early night to prepare for your morning adventure.

Hands down, one of the most unforgettable experiences in Alaska is booking a bear-watching tour. Smokey Bay Air is my top recommendation and is based out of Homer; they offer an incredible opportunity to ride in a sea plane and safely get up close to brown bears. On the day of your tour, you’ll start early, meet your pilot, and receive a safety briefing before flying from scenic Homer, Alaska, across the Cook Inlet to the remote Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. The flight itself is absolutely breathtaking, offering sweeping views of the mountains, volcanoes and Alaska’s stunning landscapes. It’s important to remember that you should only approach bears under the guidance of a certified professional who has studied their behavior and has the certification to do so. Never attempt to approach a bear on your own when encountering one in the wild.

What sets Smokey Bay Air apart is their deep respect for bears and their natural habitat. Their philosophy is to guide visitors in observing these majestic animals while minimizing human impact. You'll not only witness and learn about incredible wildlife, but also leave with a greater appreciation for Alaska's bears and the importance of respecting nature’s ecosystem.

To finish your unforgettable day, you’ll take the seaplane back home around lunch time. This will give you ample opportunity to bask in the afterglow of your bear visit while enjoying a delicious meal. To prepare for your next day of fishing, you can also place an early breakfast order at Panini Pete’s, which allows you to pick up your sandwich bright and early.

Now it’s time to venture out to sea and experience Alaska’s ocean wildlife. As the halibut capital of the world, Homer is the perfect place to join a fishing charter for an authentic, fresh taste of Kachemak Bay. Start your day at dawn by grabbing a sandwich and preparing for your adventure. At the dock, you’ll meet your captain, who will give you a tour of the boat and outline the fishing strategy for the day. You’ll be on the water for about six hours, so consider taking Dramamine the night before if you’re prone to seasickness!

Whether you’re new to fishing or a seasoned pro, D&G Fishing offers an unforgettable experience — and they’re kid-friendly, too. The crew is not only knowledgeable but also friendly, making the long day at sea enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re lucky enough to fish during halibut season, expect to reel in impressively large halibut, rockfish, lingcod and more—just be prepared to ship your catch home!

After a successful day on the water, D&G Fishing will help you clean and pack your haul. To wrap up the day and regain your sea legs, head to the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon, order a drink and leave your mark by adding a signed dollar bill to their famous wall.

After two back-to-back days of early mornings and adrenaline, use this day to sleep in a little and have a relaxing walk around Homer. Homer has one main drag of shops, cafes and restaurants with a gorgeous backdrop of mountains meeting the sea. Make sure to stop by the flagship AK Salmon Sisters store based in Homer if you want to look for very cute, locally-made souvenirs! They’ll have trendy and artistic apparel, gear, good and more.

Don’t cry that it’s over, be thankful that it happened! It’s time to say goodbye to the rugged wilderness and head back home with the precious memories one can only experience in Alaska. Be sure to leave Homer with enough time to drive back to Anchorage, return your rental car and catch your flight.

No matter the level of adventure you choose on this trip, I’m confident that this Alaskan road trip itinerary will leave you feeling inspired, deeply connected to nature and in love with everything Alaska has to offer.