There are few places left in the world where silence is loud, and Alaska is one of them.
The scenic beauty offers the perfect haven for travelers to breathe, reflect, and reconnect. So, if you’re itching to get away from the stressors of daily life, Alaska’s wilderness invites you on a transformative journey inward.
Planning Your Journey: What to Consider
Venturing into Alaska’s wilderness isn’t something you should do on a whim. This adventure requires careful planning, so here are some important things to keep in mind:
Timing
Alaska’s seasons can be dramatic, so make sure to plan your trip at the right time of the year. June to August offers some of the best weather and you get to enjoy longer daylight hours. Spring and autumn offer fewer crowds, but the weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly.
Getting There
Jumping on a flight is certainly one of the fastest ways to get to Alaskan shores, but you could also turn your trip into a real adventure by booking an Alaskan cruise. That way, you can soak in the coastal views and relax before diving into the wilderness.
Know Your Limits
Lastly, it’s important to remember that Alaska's terrain varies wildly. You can choose to experience anything from gentle valleys to unforgiving backcountry, so decide what your limits are before you put the final touches on your trip.
Best Spots for Solitude Seekers
If it's a quiet reflection you’re after, here are some of the best spots to visit during your trip.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
If you fly into Anchorage and drive a few hours to McCarthy or Copper Center, you will reach Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
This impressive national park is bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined, so you’ll have plenty of space to roam and time to take in the glaciers, rugged peaks, and even abandoned mining towns.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Travelling to Lake Clark National Park is a bucket-list trip as you can only reach it by small plane.
The park is remote, pristine, and dramatic because of how varied the landscape is. From volcanoes and lakes to beautiful coastlines, this is a culmination of everything that Alaska has to offer. There are also some amazing wildlife-spotting opportunities, especially at Crescent Lake and Silver Salmon Creek, where you can find brown bears.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
If you fly from Fairbanks to the small village of Bettles or Coldfoot, you’ll be able to charter a bush plane into the park.
Gates of the Arctic is pure wilderness! There are no roads, trails, or visitor centres, so come prepared. You might not see another human for days, so there’s no better solitude trip than this.
Kobuk Valley National Park
Heading to northwest Alaska is where you will find Kobuk National Park, which is famous for the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes.
Since this is one of the least-visited national parks, it’s everything you could hope for if you want a time out from the real world. Try and plan your visit around the caribou migration to witness nature’s spectacle—you won’t regret it.
Arctic National Wildlife Reserve
Spanning over 19 million acres, this wildlife reserve can only be reached by small charter planes. Raw, untouched, and humbling due to the sheer size, it will take your breath away.
Not only is this one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the U.S., but it’s also home to wildlife such as Arctic wolves, grizzlies, and caribou.
Alaska Awaits!
In a world that rarely slows down, Alaska offers a space where you can be still, breathe, and listen to the quiet hum of the earth, if that’s what your soul is craving. Its wild, remote landscapes demand careful planning but will reward you with unparalleled solitude and beauty, making the trip totally worth it.