Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center
The Wrangell St. Elias National Park visitor center, located in Copper Center, Alaska, serves as a gateway to the largest national park in the United States. It offers exhibits on the park's diverse ecosystems, cultural history, and outdoor activities. Visitors can get information on hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and the park's rich mining heritage, making it an essential stop to plan and appreciate the vast wilderness of Alaska's interior.
See MoreCopper River Overlook
Copper River Bluff Trail with the Copper River Overlook at the end.
This trail follows an old road along the Copper River and has excellent views of the glacier along the way. The trail starts out in a section of thick vegetation, then follows the river until it reaches Childs Glacier Recreation Area. In early summer, this is the place to be for birdwatching.
See MoreBoreal Forest Loop and Valdez Trail Trailhead
With some paved segments, the half-mile Boreal Trail loops through the woods around the parking lot and buildings of the visitor center. Never far from facilities, this flat trail leads to its own overlook and the center’s amphitheater, and offers a wonderful stroll with a good chance of seeing (and hearing) Alaska’s forest songbirds.
See MoreWorthington Glacier
Worthington Glacier in Alaska is easily visible from the Richardson Highway, making it a popular roadside attraction. Located near Valdez, it's one of the few glaciers in the world accessible by car. Visitors can park and walk to viewpoints for close-up views of the glacier's icy blue expanse and surrounding mountains, offering a convenient and memorable experience of Alaska's natural beauty without needing to hike or climb.
See MoreThompson Pass
Thompson Pass in Alaska, located on the Richardson Highway near Valdez, is renowned for its stunning mountain vistas and heavy snowfall, averaging over 500 inches annually. It's a popular spot for backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in winter, offering pristine powder and challenging terrain. In summer, it transforms into a scenic drive with opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography amidst rugged peaks and alpine meadows.
See MoreKeystone Canyon
Keystone Canyon in Alaska is a dramatic gorge along the Richardson Highway near Valdez. It's famous for its towering cliffs, waterfalls (see the next three spots) and lush vegetation. The canyon offers picturesque viewpoints accessible by road, making it a popular stop for travelers to admire the stunning scenery, hike to waterfalls, and appreciate the geological formations that shape this rugged landscape in the heart of the Chugach Mountains.
See MoreRudleston Falls
Rudlestone Falls in Valdez, Alaska, is a picturesque waterfall located along the Lowe River. It cascades down rocky cliffs surrounded by lush greenery, offering a serene and scenic stop for visitors exploring the area.
See MoreBridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls in Keystone Canyon, Alaska, is a majestic waterfall cascading down a sheer rock face, creating a veil-like effect. It's easily accessible from the Richardson Highway near Valdez, making it a popular roadside attraction. Visitors can admire the falls from viewpoints along the road or take short hikes to get closer to its impressive 1,000-foot drop, surrounded by the canyon's rugged beauty and lush vegetation.
See MoreHorsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls in Keystone Canyon, Alaska, is a captivating waterfall that plunges dramatically down a rocky cliff, resembling a horse's tail in shape. Located along the Richardson Highway near Valdez, it's easily accessible for visitors to enjoy its beauty and powerful cascade. The falls are surrounded by lush greenery and towering cliffs, offering a serene and picturesque spot for photography and relaxation amidst the natural splendor of the Chugach Mountains.
See MoreDock Point Trail
Dock Point Trail is one of Valdez's shorter and easier hiking trails, but offers some of the best views of Harbor Cove, the Duck Flats wetlands and abundant wildlife in a temperate boreal rainforest. The trail is along a peninsula, and offers overlook platforms for safe viewing. Beach access is available near the trailhead. Dock Point is great for families as well as pets. There is a steep ascent during part of the trail, but the trail is a loop, so hikers can choose to hike the loop clockwise to avoid the steep hill.
See MoreCivic Center Overlook Trail
This tail is near South Hazelet Avenue and Clifton Court, next to the Valdez Civic Center, and offers the best 360-degree view of the town and the bay. Overlook Trail is a shorter hike, with only 133 steps to the top of the hill. Picnic tables are available under the pavilion at the top of the hill to relax and enjoy the view! A geo-cache is hidden on this trail.
See MoreHomestead Trail
This is a short, well maintained trail that follows Mineral Creek to meet with the waters of Port Valdez. Access to the trail is off of Homestead Rd. This is a great place to spot wildflowers, birds, and the ocean! This trail is accessible in the winter as well.
See MoreValdez Glacier Lake
Valdez Glacier Lake is a stunning turquoise lake formed by the melting Valdez Glacier near the town of Valdez, Alaska. It offers incredible views of floating icebergs and the glacier's blue ice. Visitors can kayak among the icebergs, hike to viewpoints, or simply enjoy the serene beauty of this glacial landscape, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers alike.
See MoreThe Solomon Gulch Hatchery
Unfortunately, we didn't see any fish or other wildlife (except seagulls) during our visit.
Solomon Gulch Hatchery in Valdez, Alaska, is a salmon hatchery renowned for its role in supporting local fisheries. It offers educational tours where visitors can learn about salmon life cycles and witness the hatchery's operations. The facility plays a crucial role in sustaining wild salmon populations and provides opportunities for visitors to observe these fish in their natural habitat, making it a unique and informative stop in Valdez.
See MoreWhispering Giant
The Whispering Giant in Valdez, Alaska, is a 20-foot-tall wooden statue carved by artist Peter Toth. Known as a part of Toth's "Trail of Whispering Giants" project, it represents the indigenous people of Alaska. The statue stands as a tribute to native cultures and their contributions to the region's heritage, offering a poignant symbol of unity and respect for indigenous communities in Valdez.
See MoreThe Fat Mermaid
We bought two pizzas for 50 USD. They were okay, but nothing special. After days of eating only canned food, packet soups and protein bars, we needed something "normal" again.
See MoreKeystone Hotel
Absolutely no recommendation!
We only booked it because it was the last accommodation with rooms available that day in Valdez.
We had a very small, run-down, noisy and not very clean room. And all at a price of 165 USD, which is completely overpriced by these standards. It's better to book early so that this doesn't happen to you.
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