Alaska has been at the top of my national park bucket list for quite some time, and after finally getting the chance to visit, I can confidently say it did not disappoint! Between the towering mountains, massive glaciers, incredible wildlife, and seemingly endless stretches of wilderness, Alaska is unlike anywhere else I’ve traveled in the United States.

With eight national parks spread across the state, planning an Alaska national park road trip can feel a little overwhelming, especially if you only have a week to explore. Unlike most national parks in the lower 48, many of Alaska’s parks are only accessible by plane or boat, making it difficult to visit several during one trip. Fortunately, three of Alaska’s most incredible national parks are accessible by road, making them perfect for a week-long adventure!

On our trip, we started in Anchorage before heading north to Denali National Park, east to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and finally south to Kenai Fjords National Park. While this itinerary involves quite a bit of driving, the scenery along the way is absolutely incredible. Plus, we stayed in some pretty unique accommodations, including several dry cabins, which made the experience even more memorable!

If you’re hoping to experience some of Alaska’s best national parks without spending weeks exploring the state, this itinerary is for you!

How much time do you need for an Alaska national park road trip?

First off, it is important to understand just how big Alaska really is. Alaska is the largest state in the United States, and its national parks are spread across some pretty remote areas. Because of this, visiting multiple national parks requires a lot more driving and planning than you might expect.

Ideally, I would recommend spending at least 10 to 14 days exploring Alaska. This gives you enough time to enjoy the national parks, take on some longer hikes, and experience more of what the state has to offer without feeling rushed. However, if you’re anything like me and are always trying to squeeze as much as possible into a limited amount of time, one week is definitely doable!

During our trip, we managed to visit three national parks in approximately one week (and these are the only national parks in Alaska accessible by car):

1. Denali National Park
2. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
3. Kenai Fjords National Park

Keep in mind that this is a pretty ambitious itinerary, and you’ll spend a good amount of time in the car. That said, Alaska has some of the most scenic highways I’ve ever seen, so even the driving feels like part of the adventure!

The Best Time to Visit Alaska’s National Parks

While Alaska is beautiful year-round, I would recommend planning this particular road trip during the summer months, ideally between June and August.

During this time, you’ll have significantly more daylight, generally milder temperatures, and better access to hiking trails and other outdoor activities.

One of the coolest things about visiting Alaska during the summer is just how much daylight you get! Depending on when you visit, the sun may not set until very late in the evening, giving you plenty of extra time to explore.

However, summer is also the busiest time of year, so I recommend booking accommodations and popular activities in advance.

It’s also worth noting that Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable, even during the summer. Rain, wind, and chilly temperatures are all possible, so be sure to pack plenty of layers!

Where to Stay During Your Alaska Road Trip

One of the biggest things to consider when planning an Alaska national park road trip is where you’re going to stay.

Unlike many national park destinations in the Lower 48, accommodations in Alaska can be pretty limited, especially once you get outside the larger towns.

For our trip, we primarily stayed in Airbnbs, moving between different locations as we made our way around the state.

Our accommodations were located in:

• Anchorage: A convenient starting point for exploring Alaska and picking up supplies.
• Wasilla: A great location between Anchorage and Denali, with access to restaurants, grocery stores, and other necessities.
• Cantwell: A small community just south of Denali National Park, making it a convenient place to stay when visiting the park.
• Kenny Lake: A remote community near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, perfect for experiencing a quieter side of Alaska.

Staying in Dry Cabins in Alaska

One thing that made our Alaska national park road trip particularly unique was the number of dry cabins we stayed in. If you’ve never heard of a dry cabin before, you’re probably wondering what exactly that means!

Essentially, a dry cabin is a cabin without running water. Depending on the property, this could mean using an outhouse instead of an indoor bathroom, bringing your own drinking water, or going without a traditional shower. While this might sound a little intimidating, dry cabins are fairly common in Alaska, especially in more remote areas. And honestly, I think staying in them added to the overall experience!

Rather than staying in traditional hotels, we got to experience a more rustic side of Alaska, surrounded by beautiful scenery and away from the busier tourist areas.

That said, dry cabins definitely aren’t for everyone.

Before booking, I recommend checking whether the property has electricity, heating, drinking water, bathroom facilities, and shower access.

My biggest tip is to read the Airbnb description carefully! Just because a property is listed as a cabin doesn’t necessarily mean it has all the amenities you might expect.

If you’re comfortable with a more rustic experience, I would highly recommend considering a dry cabin during your Alaska national park road trip!

Tips & Tricks

Before getting into the itinerary, here are a few things I recommend keeping in mind when planning your Alaska national park road trip!

• Download offline maps. Cell service can be extremely limited outside major towns, especially around Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
• Keep your gas tank full. Gas stations can be few and far between, so I recommend filling up whenever you have the opportunity.
• Book accommodations early. Lodging options near the national parks are limited, especially during the summer months.
• Bring plenty of layers. Alaska’s weather can change quickly, and temperatures can vary significantly depending on your location.
• Pack snacks and water. Some stretches of the drive have very few restaurants or convenience stores.
• Be prepared for wildlife. Alaska is home to bears, moose, and other wildlife. Always keep a safe distance and follow proper wildlife safety guidelines.
• Check road conditions before driving. Construction, weather, and road closures can affect travel times.
• Consider a dry cabin. These accommodations can be a unique way to experience Alaska, but make sure you understand what amenities are included before booking.

One Week Alaska National Park Road Trip Itinerary

For this itinerary, I’m going to walk you through the same general route we followed during our trip.

We started in Anchorage, headed north toward Denali, continued east to Wrangell-St. Elias, and then made our way south to Kenai Fjords.

While you could certainly spend more time in each destination, this route is a great way to experience three very different national parks in just one week!

Day 1: Anchorage, Alaska

Road Trip Route: Anchorage and the surrounding area

Anchorage is the perfect starting point for an Alaska national park road trip. As Alaska’s largest city, it has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, rental car options, and other amenities that can be difficult to find once you start heading into more remote areas.

I recommend using your first day to get settled, pick up your rental car, and stock up on any supplies you’ll need for the rest of your trip. Depending on when your flight arrives, you may also have time to explore some of the surrounding area.

If you’re hoping to get a head start on the next day’s drive, you could also continue north toward Wasilla, where we stayed during part of our Alaska national park road trip!

Days 2–3: Denali National Park

Drive Time: Approximately 4–5 hours from Anchorage
Road Trip Route: Anchorage → Denali National Park

Our first national park stop is Denali National Park!

Denali is probably Alaska’s most famous national park, and for a good reason. Home to the tallest mountain in North America (Denali/Mount McKinley), the park features incredible mountain scenery and some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities in the state.

Unlike many other stops on this Alaska national park road trip, Denali has relatively limited road access. Much of the park is explored through shuttle or tour buses rather than personal vehicles. However, unlike the free shuttles at Zion National Park, you will have to reserve your shuttle tickets in advance. Learn more about how the shuttle buses work here.

Things to Do in Denali National Park

Explore the Denali Park Road

The Denali Park Road is the main route through the park and offers incredible opportunities to experience its landscapes and wildlife. While private vehicles are generally restricted beyond the first portion of the road, visitors can explore farther into the park using the shuttles.

Look for Wildlife

One of the biggest reasons to visit Denali is the wildlife! The park is home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves, among many other species, so keep your camera ready!

Go Hiking

While Denali is known for its vast wilderness, there are several maintained trails near the park entrance that are perfect for visitors with limited time. Popular options include the Horseshoe Lake Trail, Savage River Loop, and Mount Healy Overlook Trail. Depending on your interests and how much time you have, you could easily spend an entire day hiking and exploring the park.

Where to Stay Near Denali

During our trip, we stayed in Cantwell, a small community located south of Denali National Park. Cantwell is a great option if you’re looking for accommodations outside the busier park entrance area. It’s also a convenient location if you plan to continue your Alaska national park road trip toward Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Just keep in mind that dining and shopping options are limited, so I recommend picking up groceries and other necessities ahead of time.

Denali Park and Healy are also great options located just outside the park!

Days 4–5: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Drive Time: Approximately 5–7 hours from the Denali/Cantwell area to Kenny Lake
Road Trip Route: Denali → Kenny Lake

The next stop on our Alaska national park road trip is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, one of the most underrated national parks in the United States! At over 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the country. In fact, it’s actually larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined!

Despite its massive size, Wrangell-St. Elias receives far fewer visitors than many of America’s other national parks. Part of this is because the park is so remote, with limited roads and relatively few developed visitor facilities. But that’s also what makes it so special!

Things to Do in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Visit the Park Headquarters and Visitor Center

Start your visit at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center near Copper Center. It’s a great place to learn more about the park, talk to rangers, grab a map, and enjoy some of your first views of the surrounding mountains.

Drive McCarthy Road

One of my favorite parts of our visit was driving McCarthy Road. The 60-mile gravel road is an adventure in itself, with beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities to make random stops along the way. We didn’t have a strict plan and instead pulled over whenever something caught our attention!

If you have more time, you can drive the entire road to visit McCarthy and the historic Kennecott mining town. Getting there is a little complicated since the drive takes at least two hours each way, some rental car companies restrict travel on McCarthy Road, and you have to park at the end of the road and cross a pedestrian bridge before continuing into McCarthy or Kennecott. Because of this, I would recommend spending the night if you want to explore the area rather than trying to squeeze it into a day trip.

Make Random Stops Along the Way

Don’t be afraid to explore without a strict itinerary! Some of our favorite parts of Wrangell-St. Elias were simply pulling over for mountain views, rivers, and other interesting spots we came across. This park is so remote that sometimes just driving around and seeing what you find is part of the experience.

Where to Stay Near Wrangell-St. Elias

During our visit, we stayed in an Airbnb in Kenny Lake, a small community located between Copper Center and Chitina. This was a great location for exploring the park’s visitor center and McCarthy Road without having to drive too far out of our way. Like several of our accommodations throughout Alaska, we opted for a more rustic cabin experience. Staying in remote areas like Kenny Lake was definitely different from your typical hotel, but I think it added to the adventure!

If you’re planning to drive all the way to McCarthy and Kennecott, I would recommend staying closer to those towns instead. There are cabins, lodges, and other accommodations in the area, and spending the night will give you more time to explore without rushing.

Days 6–7: Kenai Fjords National Park

Drive Time: Approximately 6–7 hours from Kenny Lake to Seward
Road Trip Route: Kenny Lake → Anchorage → Seward

The final national park on our Alaska national park road trip is Kenai Fjords National Park! Located near the coastal town of Seward, Kenai Fjords offers a completely different experience from Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias.

Instead of vast mountain landscapes and remote wilderness roads, this park is known for its massive glaciers, dramatic coastline, and incredible marine wildlife. While much of the park is only accessible by boat, there are still several ways to experience Kenai Fjords during a short visit.

Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park

Take a Glacier Cruise

One of the most popular ways to explore Kenai Fjords is by taking a boat tour from Seward. These cruises travel through the park’s coastal waters, offering incredible views of glaciers, mountains, and marine wildlife.

Depending on the tour, you may have the opportunity to see whales, sea otters, seals, puffins, and plenty of other wildlife. One of my biggest regrets from my Alaska trip was skipping a boat tour because they can be a little pricey. Looking back, I definitely wish I had done one, so I would recommend making room for it in your budget if you can!

Visit Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible areas of Kenai Fjords National Park. Located a short drive from Seward, this area offers several hiking trails with views of the glacier and surrounding mountains. It’s a great option if you’re looking to experience the park without booking a boat tour. Just keep in mind that the glacier has retreated significantly over time, so the views and access may differ from what you’ve seen in older photos.

Explore Seward

While Seward isn’t technically part of the national park, it’s definitely worth spending some time exploring! This small coastal town has beautiful mountain views, restaurants, shops, and a harbor where many of the park’s boat tours depart. It’s a great place to grab a meal, walk along the waterfront, or simply relax after several days of driving.

Returning to Anchorage

After finishing your time in Kenai Fjords, you’ll make your way back towards the final stop on your Alaska national park road trip, Anchorage. The drive from Seward to Anchorage takes approximately 2.5 hours without stops, but I would recommend allowing extra time because the scenery along the Seward Highway is absolutely incredible!

If your schedule allows, there are plenty of scenic viewpoints and short stops along the way. For our trip, Anchorage was also one of our accommodation locations, making it a convenient place to finish the road trip.

Final Thoughts

Alaska is truly one of the most incredible places I’ve had the opportunity to explore. Between the massive mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and remote landscapes, it feels completely different from anywhere else in the United States. While one week certainly isn’t enough time to see everything Alaska has to offer, it’s still possible to experience three incredible national parks in a relatively short amount of time.

If you’re planning your first Alaska adventure, I would highly recommend considering this route. Just be prepared for long drives, unpredictable weather, and some pretty remote accommodations.

Have fun on your Alaska national park road trip!