Alaska, United States: A Guide to the Final Frontier

Alaska is a rugged wilderness wonderland like no other place in the United States. As the biggest state by land area, it offers vast expanses of untamed natural beauty stretching as far as the eye can see. Towering mountains, mighty glaciers and coastal rainforests are among the dramatic scenery that makes Alaska a premier outdoor adventure destination.

Planning Your Alaska Adventure

When choosing a destination in this immense northern state, consider what types of landscapes call to you. Do you want to witness the immense force of glaciers carving the earth, hike through lush temperate rainforests, spot bears and whales in their natural habitat? Alaska has it all.

You'll also need to determine how much time you have to explore. With limited days, focus your trip around one or two regions like Anchorage, Denali or Southeast Alaska. Those with more time can visit multiple areas like the Inside Passage, Juneau, Katmai National Park and the Alaska Interior.

Regardless of your timeline, planning is key given Alaska's vast size and variable weather. Research transportation options, lodging, activities and tour operators to maximize your time in the Last Frontier. Sites like BitBook make it easy to book flights, hotels and rental cars to help you seamlessly travel between destinations. You can even earn crypto rewards through BitBook simply for planning your Alaska trip.

Southeast Alaska's Coastal Wonders

The first region many visitors experience is scenic Southeast Alaska, home to countless islands, inlets and coastal towns accessed primarily by ferry boats or small plane. Here you'll encounter temperate rainforests, towering mountains meeting the sea and an incredible abundance of marine life.

In Juneau, the state capital nestled between mountains and glaciers, you can climb massive Mendenhall Glacier or go whale watching to spot humpbacks breaching offshore. Nearby Glacier Bay National Park is a protected wilderness with massive tidewater glaciers calving into icy waters. Further north, Ketchikan offers totem poles and a lively frontier vibe while Sitka boasts a beautiful coastal setting and Native culture.

For a true Inside Passage adventure, take a multi-day cruise along this intricate network of channels and sounds. You'll have countless opportunities to spot sea lions, bald eagles, bears fishing for salmon and even orcas from the ship's decks. This is one of the best ways to intimately experience Alaska's lush coastline up close.

Denali and the Interior

No Alaska trip is complete without visiting Denali National Park, home to North America's tallest peak. At 20,310 feet, mighty Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley) is an iconic symbol of the state's natural grandeur. The park's high elevation taiga forest and alpine tundra host many species of wildlife including caribou, moose and one of the highest densities of bears in the state.

From the park entrance, the unspoiled wilderness seems to stretch endlessly in all directions. Unless you're an experienced backpacker, the best way to witness Denali is through a bus tour that takes you as deep into the park interior as weather allows for mountain views and wildlife sightings. For those with more time, multiday fly-in fishing and hiking lodges like those on the Kantishna River offer an ultra-remote Alaska experience.

Between Denali and Fairbanks is the Alaska Interior, home to small gold rush towns full of character like Talkeetna and Chicken. This region has vibrant summer wildflowers, braided rivers and glacier views, making it a scenic drive for those who want to disconnect and soak up Alaska's wild natural heritage.

Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska

Most visitors first touch down in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city yet still comfortably small with around 300,000 residents. Here you'll find attractions like the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Flattop Mountain for hiking and views, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for watching gray whales migrate.

Venture further and you'll reach the Kenai Peninsula, famous for its salmon fisheries and bear viewing at places like Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park. Whittier on Prince William Sound offers a front row seat for glacier cruises and a quirky cruise ship tunnel terminal. Seward has wild coastlines and the starting point for amazing day trips to places like Columbia Glacier, Exit Glacier, Resurrection Bay and more.

Wherever your Alaska adventure takes you, open your mind and embrace the wilderness. Make time to get your boots on the ground and interact with this stunning untamed landscape that can only be fully experienced through all your senses. The last frontier will no doubt leave you with memories to last a lifetime.