An action-packed 7 day Alaska itinerary filled with bucket list adventures like glacier hikes, dog sledding, and gorgeous Alaska views!
One of my superpowers is travel itinerary planning, and today I’m sharing some of my superpower with a sample 7 day Alaska itinerary! I took my in-laws on a trip to Iceland back in 2017, and my father-in-law recently confessed that when he learns someone else has been to Iceland, he immediately feels bad for them because their trip can’t have been as amazing as the one I planned for us. Hilarious and sweet.
Even I found planning a trip to Alaska to be a challenge, however, and I learned so much spending a whole summer here that I want to share with you! So I’ve put together this 7 day Alaska itinerary for those of you thinking about planning a trip up here. If you want more details on how to plan the best Alaska trip ever, please feel free to check out my e-book about RVing Alaska! It has longer itineraries for those of you with more time, 20+ pages of activity ideas, a thorough packing list, and more! You might also like my blog posts on our favorite camping in Alaska spots and the best hikes in Alaska with kids (or without!). Now, let’s get to the itinerary!
7 Day Alaska Itinerary
Day 1: Fly into Anchorage and head to the Palmer/Wasilla area, where you’ll spend the next two days. Visit the Iditarod Headquarters museum in Wasilla and take a short dog sledding ride for $10 a person (or a longer, pricier one if you can!). Grab a picnic at the grocery store and drive up to Hatcher Pass for a sunset hike and picnic. I recommend the April Bowl trail.
Day 2: Get an early start and rent ATVs from Alaska Toy Rentals for a trip out to the Knik Glacier if you’re comfortable driving off-road. If you’re not, an hour drive out to Matanuska Glacier offers glacier hiking tours or ice climbing.
Day 3: Stop at Alaska Chicks in Wasilla or Palmer for a cute hoodie. Then start the drive south through Anchorage on the scenic Seward highway. Stop at every viewpoint on the Turnagain Arm, including Beluga Point! It’s breathtaking, and you might catch a tidal bore coming in if you time it right. Drive up Portage Road to hike Byron Glacier or take a boat tour to Portage Glacier. Sleep for the night in Alyeska if you don’t have an RV, Moose Pass if you do.
Day 4: Finish the drive to Seward, stopping at Bear Creek Weir on your way if it’s summer and the salmon are running. Have a more relaxed day walking the waterfront park, scoping out the local murals, and taking a walk on Fourth of July Beach. Then get to bed early for the next few days of big adventures because you’re more than halfway through your 7 day Alaska itinerary!
Day 5: Spend the whole day on a kayaking tour to Bear Glacier Lagoon with Liquid Adventures. If you don’t love kayaking, take a wildlife boat tour. Have dinner at one of the cute local restaurants and head to bed for an early start tomorrow.
Day 6: Get an early start on a hike to the Harding Icefields if you’re an avid hiker. Enjoy the Alaska SeaLife Center or go on a wildlife boat tour if you’re not!
Day 7: Drive back to Anchorage. Stop at the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center if you have time. Congrats, you’ve just had the best week of your life! 🙂
Note: This 7 day Alaska itinerary assumes you’ll be flying in and out of Anchorage, as most people do. It also assumes you’ll be staying on the road system. If you’re comfortable driving something as large as a U-haul truck, I’d recommend renting an RV for this trip because you’ll be able to camp in gorgeous spots. If not, there are plenty of hotels and airbnbs available. This itinerary also does something somewhat controversial and skips Denali National Park. I know, I told you it was controversial. Denali is gorgeous, and you should go there if Denali is on your bucket list. However, it wasn’t my favorite part of our summer because of the crowds and the plethora of amazing views and wildlife elsewhere. I think heading to Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward is better if you only have a week.
To find more of our insider tips for RVing in Alaska, check out our RV Alaska for Families e-book.
RV Alaska with Kids Travel Guide
If you’re looking for Alaska vacation ideas, you’ve come to the right place! This guide features 20+ pages of what we learned throughout a summer RVing Alaska with Kids.
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