Visit Alaska’s Interior For Outdoor Adventure

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast that likes wide-open spaces, Alaska’s Interior might just be the place for you. This is the central region of Alaska’s vast territory, which is hemmed in by the Alaska Range to the south and the Brooks Range to the north. The Interior region of Alaska is mostly wilderness and encompasses three of the state’s eight national parks. It is home to Mount Denali in the Alaska Range, the Wrangell Mountains, and the Ray Mountains. Pristine wilderness is everywhere!

Of course, the region also has some big cities. The largest city in Alaska’s Interior is Fairbanks. Other major cities include the North Pole, Eagle, Tok, and Glennallen. Many of these cities were founded during the gold rush as mining settlements. Today, they offer tourists the opportunity to explore Alaska’s rich Native history and culture, as well as learn how the gold rush shaped this remote region.  And by remote, we mean that only an estimated 113,154 people live in the Interior! But if you’re looking for adventure, some of the best Alaskan tours can be found in this part of the state.

How Do You Get To Alaska’s Interior?

The Fairbanks International Airport is served by local, domestic, and international flights, which makes getting to this region a breeze. Also, much of Interior Alaska is accessible by road, with the Parks Highway, Richardson Highway, and Steese Highway all intersecting in Fairbanks. The Alaska Railroad travels through part of Interior Alaska, with a stop at the entrance of Denali National Park before ending in Fairbanks. If you’re driving to Alaska from Canada, your first glimpse of Alaska will be in the Interior Region as you cross the border on the Alaska Highway by the town of Tok. Many Alaska land tours begin in Fairbanks, so if you are able to get there you can establish a relatively comfortable jumping-off point for your adventures!

Alaska Adventure Travel Tours From Fairbanks

Alaska’s heartland has the continent’s tallest peak, Denali, as well as wide expanses of tundra. The forests are filled with wildlife, ranging from the formidable grizzly bear to large herds of caribou. You can even see the state bird, the willow ptarmigan, in the Interior’s skies. By reserving one of several Alaska land tours, you’ll be able to experience the summer midnight sun or the winter Northern Lights! Other Alaska adventure travel tours take you into the heart of the backcountry to hike spectacular mountains or go on wildlife viewing excursions. Read on to find out more about two of the best Alaskan tours that you can take from the Interior.

A Summer Tour To Denali

Gondwana Ecotours offers Alaska land tours in both the summer and fall. Their incredible Alaska summer tour takes you from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with a stop to explore Denali National Park. Here are some of the highlights of this amazing adventure:

• Flightseeing over Denali’s peaks, glaciers, and valleys.
• A trip aboard the Alaska Railroad from Denali to Talkeetna.
• Wildlife viewing that includes moose, eagles, Dall sheep, and grizzly bears.
• Hikes through the backcountry of Denali National Park.
• A visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center.
• 24/7 guides for the duration of the trip.

Exploring Denali National Park From Unforgettable Heights

Exploring Denali National Park feels like entering a surreal realm of stunning scenery and majestic peaks. Denali, the highest peak in North America standing at 20,310 feet, this park serves as a magnificent setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Trekking across varied landscapes, from verdant forests to vast tundras, exposes an unforgetable experience of natures wonders. Encountering wildlife in their natural habitat adds excitement, while expert-led expeditions offer enriching discoveries.

For an unforgettable perspective, experience our flightseeing tour. These flights allow you to soar above the park, taking in the life changing beauty of Denali and its surroundings from high above. Whether you're hiking, spotting wildlife, or flying over the park, Denali National Park immerses you in the rugged splendor of the Alaskan wilderness, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.

Exploring Denali to Talkeetna via the Alaska Railroad

Set out for a morning adventure on the Horseshoe Lake Trail. This 3-mile loop, with a gentle 200-foot elevation gain, starts off on a well-maintained path leading to the lake. Throughout the walk, we'll be treated to panoramic vistas of the Nenana River, the nearby "Glitter Gulch" area just outside the park, and the majestic surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for the beaver dam and lodge in Oxbow Lake and learn about the vital role beavers play in the ecosystem. After our invigorating walk, head to the Alaska Railroad station nearby. Catch a train and enjoy a scenic ride, complete with lunch and beautiful views. The train will bring you to the town of Talkeetna, where you can spend the afternoon exploring.

Getting Closer to Nature

For an unforgettable wildlife viewing experience, head to Alaska! Imagine spotting majestic creatures such as moose, eagles, Dall sheep, and grizzly bears in their natural habitats. The sheer size and impressive antlers of a moose are enough to leave you speachless. View eagles soaring high and watch in amazement as Dall sheep navigate rugged terrain with ease, and feel the thrill of seeing grizzly bears foraging in the wilderness. Observing these animals in their natural environment is truly exhilarating. Just remember to keep a safe distance and respect their space to ensure both your safety and the wellbeing of the wildlife. This approach allows for a responsible and memorable adventure, giving you a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Hiking Through Denali National Park's Backcountry

Hiking through Denali National Park's backcountry is a bucket list adventure that takes you deep into untouched wilderness. As you navigate through towering mountains and encounter diverse wildlife, the vastness of Denali, the third-largest national park in the United States, becomes evident. This outdoor paradise offers solitude and thrill for nature lovers, with over six million acres of pristine backcountry to explore. Traversing through this rugged terrain, crossing braided rivers, you might spot grizzly bears, caribou, and Dall sheep, adding to the excitement of your journey. Hiking in Denali's backcountry is not just a trek; it's an immersive experience that lets you connect deeply with nature and create unforgettable memories in one of the last true wilderness frontiers on Earth.

Journey Through Time: Visiting the Morris Thompson Cultural Center

Embark on a captivating journey through time at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. This amazing center dives deep into the region's rich history, offering exhibits that explore the traditions, art, and stories of Alaska's indigenous peoples. You'll get to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural heritage of the Athabascan people through interactive displays, fascinating artifacts, and engaging educational programs. From traditional crafts to historical photographs, every exhibit at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center offers a unique and enlightening glimpse into the enduring legacy of Alaska's native communities.

See The Northern Lights In Fairbanks

Although some might argue that the best Alaskan tours happen during the summer months, winter is a very popular time to visit Alaska! Gondwana Ecotours offers an exclusive Northern Lights trip that includes aurora watching, dog sledding, a trip to a hot spring, and more.

• A visit to Chena Hot Springs.
• Entry to the Ice Sculpture Museum & the Museum of the North.
• A visit to Reindeer Ranch.
• Daily activities planned by local guides.
• Guided tour of a local homestead.
• Personal wake-up calls from your experienced aurora guide when the Northern lights are active.

Not only will you see the greatest light show on earth during one of Gondwana’s Alaska land tours, but you’ll have the chance to explore local culture in Fairbanks by day.

Exploring The Interior’s National Parks

Of course, there is more to the Interior of Alaska than Fairbanks or Denali National Park. Both Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Glacier Bay Park and Preserve call the Interior home. These parks are even more remote than Denali, and often require a fly-in to access their beauty. It’s a good idea to reserve one of the many Alaska adventure travel tours available to visitors. Experienced guides can handle the logistics of travel in this remote region for you, while you simply enjoy the ride.

• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – this park is accessible from Tok or McCarthy, but most visitors fly in. The park is vast and mountainous, so it is best for those experienced in hiking, mountaineering, or rafting. Visitor services in the park are limited in comparison to Denali, but you’ll find endless opportunities for hiking, camping, rafting, glacier trekking, and wildlife viewing within the mountainous terrain. However, with 13.2 million acres, hiring an experienced guide is a good idea. The historic mining town of McCarthy lies within the boundaries of the park, too. Once the site of a fully operational copper mine, the old mining buildings have been restored for visitors to explore. The town of McCarthy itself offers entertainment and can make a great base camp for your park adventures.
• Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve – located west of Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park is home to a coastal rainforest. It is also a marine and terrestrial wilderness sanctuary. Glacier Bay has more than 50 named glaciers. Most of the people who come to the park arrive by way of a cruise ship (large or small), and most enter through the West Arm towards the Margerie Glacier. If you want to experience a glacier as it calves, Glacier Bay is the park for you! As an added bonus, a cruise through the bay’s waters is the perfect opportunity to spot whales and other marine species.

You don’t have to look far to find the best Alaska tours – local guides and expert tour operators are standing by to make these Alaska adventure travel tours exciting for every visitor.  Whether you want to see snow-capped mountains, endless stretches of tundra, or majestic glaciers rising from the water, Alaska’s interior region has it all.

Alaska Tours to Witness the Tallest Mountain

Embarking on an Alaska tour to witness the tallest mountain in North America is a journey of awe and wonder. Standing majestically at 20,310 feet, Denali captivates visitors with its sheer size and commanding presence. As you traverse through the rugged Alaskan wilderness, guided by experienced experts, anticipation builds with each mile closer to this iconic peak. Whether you choose to explore by scenic flight, wilderness trek, or immersive bus tour, every moment offers breathtaking vistas of towering mountains, sweeping valleys, and pristine glaciers. Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of elusive wildlife such as grizzly bears, caribou, and Dall sheep that call this remote wilderness home. As you stand in the shadow of Denali, you'll feel a profound sense of reverence for the untamed beauty of Alaska's natural landscapes, leaving you with memories of an unforgettable journey to the pinnacle of North America.