Update (October 2026): This guest article has been reviewed with geographical corrections and updated information about access to Denali National Park, glacier ice cave safety, and protected areas in Alaska. The six natural attractions remain remarkable destinations, although visiting conditions and access arrangements can change.
If you are bored of staying cooped up, only touring places available inside, we suggest you take a mind-blowing trip to Alaska, where natural wonders never cease. With enough untouched attractions to visit that will last you a lifetime of memories, the country makes for a perfect destination to completely fulfill your desire of getting at least a little closer to what kind of fascinations the world has to offer. First, however, if you are unsure of where to start, check out our list of the 6 Alaska beautiful places, natural wonders of this amazing state!
Table of Contents
Denali
Meaning “The Great One,” Denali is the highest peak in North America, with stunning mountain tops skimming the horizon and stunning wildlife bursting in-between. People usually choose to visit the mountain for the beautiful trails and routes prepared for hikers and strollers. The area is also known as one of the best places to hunt in Alaska.
However, if you are not into spending your time as actively, you can simply explore its grounds, where you will see plenty of wild animals in the area! You might also meet the people who inhabit the territory – Kuyokun natives.
Denali, also officially called Mount McKinley in current U.S. federal naming, is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve. The traditional Indigenous name Denali remains widely used, while the national park itself continues to carry that name. So don’t miss a chance to visit and explore!
Visitor access update (October 2026): Access to the western part of Denali National Park has been affected by the Pretty Rocks landslide since 2021. A new bridge was completed in September 2026, allowing hikers and cyclists to cross the previously damaged section, but park buses continued to operate only as far as East Fork at Mile 43 during the 2026 season. Full bus access along Denali Park Road is expected to resume in 2027. For current road conditions, bus services, and visitor restrictions, check the official Denali National Park updates.
Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve covers approximately 3.28 million acres (13,277 km²) of spectacular landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, forests, and coastal waters. It forms part of the vast international UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by protected areas in Alaska and Canada. The dramatic combination of ice, snow, towering mountains, and clear blue water makes Glacier Bay one of Alaska’s most remarkable natural destinations. For more information, see the official Glacier Bay National Park facts and visitor information.
Glacier Bay is one of the remotest and wildest places in the southern part of Alaska. It is located not far from Juneau and is reachable only by plane or boat. But once you arrive there, you can dive into a fantastic fairy-tale world.
To do that, you can hike, cruise, ice-climb, and even camp here, so take your pick with what appeals to you the most and give into the striking beauty of Alaska!
The Girdwood Ghost Forest
An earthquake in 1964 was very harmful to Southcentral Alaska, landing a severe blow to the shoreline of Turnagain Arm. What was once a place of incredible flora and fauna was flooded and dropped several feet by the seawater, destroying the proud trees.
Nowadays, as Seward Highway approaches Girdwood, travelers can see the haunted forest where the remains of trees lie as a reminder and evidence of the catastrophe. This magnificent place, though destroyed, still looks beautiful, so you should make plans to spend time here. If anything, just to witness that Mother Nature can be cunning and harsh.
Definitely include this as one of your Alaska tours for the dramatic experience of authentic and honest natural scenery!
Glacier Ice Caves
There should not be a surprise that a Northern country such as Alaska has numerous different corners and wonders of ice and frost. Now that you have Glacier Bay on the list, why not dig deeper? Literally! Visit Glacier Ice Caves for a more adventurous experience.
Most of the Glacier Ice Caves are located in the southern part of Alaska, near Anchorage. The most beautiful of them are Mendelhall Ice Caves, the caves in Spenser Glacier, Chugach National Forest, Matanuska Glacier Cave, and the caves of Root & Kennicott Glaciers.
Glacier ice caves are extraordinary natural formations created by melting water, ice movement, and other processes within or beneath glaciers. Their shapes and locations can change rapidly, and some caves disappear completely from one season to another.
However, entering a glacier ice cave can be extremely dangerous. Falling ice, collapsing ceilings, unstable surfaces, and sudden water flows can cause serious accidents. Never assume that a cave is safe simply because it appears stable or because other visitors have entered it. If you want to explore this type of environment, seek professional guidance from an experienced glacier operator and follow current local safety advice. Some ice caves may not be suitable for entry at all, regardless of your experience or equipment.
Of course, none of that matters if you are a huge risk-taker. In that case, pull up your armor of courage, and explore these stunning tunnels!
Afognak Island
Icy as it is, Alaska is also very green! If spending time surrounded by trees is what you require for a successful, relaxing holiday, we suggest you make a note of visiting the Afognak Island in the Kodiak Archipelago.
Impressive greenery is what will lure and keep you in, and watching sea lions retiring near the shore will be a bonus if you are lucky! There are also a few small camping sites and fishing lodges here on the island, so if you are suddenly restless, take your pick!
Part of Afognak Island is protected within Afognak Island State Park, established in 1994. The park preserves extensive coastal forests and remote wilderness landscapes. Visitors can explore parts of the area by boat or floatplane, and several public-use cabins are available for overnight stays through the Alaska State Parks reservation system. Access to some neighboring private lands may require separate permission.
Northern Lights
By far the most popular natural tourist attraction here in Alaska is the opportunity of seeing the mind-blowing Auroras, aka Northern Lights.
This stunning phenomenon that colors the night sky in a spectrum of colors is a frequent sight in the country, wherever they are actually visible to the eye. That is because of the convenient geographical location that results in Alaska being right under the Aurora oval.
Since nature can be unexpected, as always, you should do heavy research before setting off for Aurora hunting so that you know what time is the best to see it. However, if you get lucky, and most likely you will, the experience will be incredible!
Pull out your winter gear, sunglasses, and good mood, because visiting Alaska- one of the best adventure destinations in the USA with its best natural attractions is what is going to make your journey unforgettable! At any time, be curious and brave – you never know if this is your only chance to see these wonders. Have a great, fulfilling trip!
Get more impressions about Alaska from the video below:
Check some books about Alaska:
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
Krasen and Ying Ying
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually. So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration. And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality. Enjoy!
