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Many people think of Alaska as a land of endless snow and ice. In reality, it has diverse landscapes, from wildflower-filled meadows to lush temperate rainforests. Only in these small towns can you hike through fields of wildflowers, glaciers, temperate rainforests, and miles of pristine beaches with calm, clear waters. From the views of Mount Denali in Talkeetna to the historical town of Wrangell, there’s so much to discover. So, forget everything you thought you knew about Alaska and check out these stunning small towns!

Seward

Seward is a small port town tucked away on an inlet on the Kenai Peninsula. With breathtaking glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks, and the clear waters of Resurrection Bay, it is a perfect escape for nature lovers. Seward is just north of Kenai Fjords National Park, a stretch of untouched wilderness where you can hike or take a boat tour to watch for orcas and humpback whales.

One of the more popular destinations in Seward is Exit Glacier. It’s one of the most visited glaciers on the planet, thanks to its accessibility. There are a few trails leading to the glacier, and the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail is a flat two-mile hike to the overlook. When you visit Exit Glacier, make sure to stop by the Exit Glacier Nature Center, where you can learn more about this iconic Alaskan ice cap.

Haines

If you love wildlife viewing, Haines is a must-visit! Located on the Alaska Panhandle, it has one of the º£½ÇÉçÇø's largest concentrations of bald eagles! The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve has over 48,000 acres of pure Alaskan wilderness with accessible trails that allow visitors to watch these majestic birds in their natural habitats. If you plan your visit in the fall, you can catch a glimpse of thousands of bald eagles feasting on salmon in the Chilkat River Valley.

With pristine wilderness and amazing views, Haines earned its title as the ‘Adventure Capital of Alaska.’ Nearby, Mount Riley offers trails of various difficulty levels that take you through alpine muskegs and coastal forests with sweeping views of glaciers meeting the ocean at the top. For a trail far off the beaten path, the Chilkat Inlet Coastal Hike is a remote stretch of wilderness with one-of-a-kind mountain, glacier, and ocean views.

Cordova

In the shadows of Mount Eccles between Hawkins Island and Lake Eyak is the remote town of Cordova. Far off the beaten path, this stunning town is well worth the long drive with its dramatic mountain views, pristine waters, and some of the best seafood in the state. The locally caught Salmon at the Reluctant Fisherman Inn is worth the trip alone! Come for the salmon, stay for the amazing views and outdoor adventure unique to this stunning town.

The Chugach National Forest winds through glaciers, temperate rainforests, and snow-capped mountains. There are quite a few trails, but one of the best is the Ski Hill Trail, which you can access from downtown. The scenic climb to the top yields breathtaking views of the Ocra inlet below. The Saddlebag Glacier Trail is another popular spot in Cordova, which takes you through fragrant spruce and cottonwood trees leading to the calming shores of Saddlebag Lake.

Sitka

Once the capital of Russian America, Sitka is a vibrant town with a history as vast as its wilderness. It’s surrounded by lush rainforests and snow-capped mountains on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Sitka National Historical Park is centrally located downtown on the banks of the Indian River. It’s a lovely greenspace with well-maintained hiking trails and was once the site of the Battle of 1804, where the Russians defeated the native Tlingit tribe. The park, as well as the Tlingit and Haida totems, tells the tale of the city of Sitka amidst the vast Alaskan wilderness.

The Alaska Raptor Center is within walking distance from Sitka National Historical Park, a 17-acre sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating birds of prey, such as bald eagles. You can tour the grounds and partake in classes teaching visitors about these native birds. If you want to explore the great Alaskan wilderness, you can hike the º£½ÇÉçÇø's most intact temperature rainforest at the Tongass National Forest. With over 700 miles of accessible to challenging trails, it’s a great way to experience the unique beauty of Alaska.

Wrangell

At the mouth of the Stikine River on the tip of Wrangell Island is the town of Wrangell, one of the oldest towns in Alaska. It has a vibrant history as one of the only towns in Alaska owned by four different nations: Tlingit, Russia, England, and the United States. One of the most stunning spots in the area is Chief Shakes Island, which hosts a collection of historic totems among the dense cottonwood trees. If you want to travel even further back in time, even before the Tlingit people, the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park has rock carvings that are believed to be almost 8,000 years old!

For nature enthusiasts who want to catch a glimpse of the native wildlife, Anan Wildlife Observatory is a great place to visit. It has an elevated platform overlooking the river and valley below. Visitors can safely watch black and brown bears feasting on fish or a bald eagle swoop down to pluck a meal out of the water. The best time of year to visit Wrangell is in late July during the Alaska Bearfest, which celebrates everything bears.

Talkeetna

If you’ve ever wanted to see Mount Denali, Talkeetna serves as a friendly base camp. It’s everything you’d imagine from a small, remote town in the heart of Alaska. There’s a small, colorful downtown area with local general stores and cafes, like Nagley's Store, where you can stock up on supplies before venturing into the wilderness. And the wilderness of Talkeetna is vast.

One of Talkeetna’s biggest attractions is Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in the entirety of the United States. Climbing to the summit is only for skilled climbers, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the view from below. On a clear day, you can see the towering peaks of Mount Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park right off Main Street. To get even closer to the mountain, the Denali National Park and Preserve offers over 7,000 square miles of pristine hiking trails in the shadows of Mount Denali. Fun fact: It’s the third-largest national park, and combined with the preserve, it is bigger than the entire state of New Hampshire.

Homer

On the shores of Kachemak Bay is the understated town of Homer, known for its mountain views and calm waters. Downtown Homer has the vibes of a quiet fishing village with quaint cafes and local shops like the River Cafe. In the heart of the downtown area is Bishops Beach, a popular spot for beachcombing, hiking, or exploring the visitor center to learn more about the area.

With towering glaciers, mountains, and vast wilderness, Homer has plenty of spots to take in the scenery. Homer Baycrest Overlook Point offers sweeping views of the town in the shade of the massive Kenai Mountains in the distance. Or, travel north to Viewpoint Skyline Drive to take in panoramic views of the mountains and glaciers surrounding Bridge Creek Reservoir.

Kodiak

On Kodiak Island (also known as Emerald Isle) sits the stunningly beautiful town of Kodiak. There’s no better example of the great Alaskan wilderness than the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. It spans almost two million acres of spruce forests, desolate tundras, and miles of Pacific coastline. It’s also where 2,500 Kodiak brown bears call home. Fun fact: the Kodiak bear is the fourth largest land mammal in North America!

However, Kodiak isn’t just all about bears. The Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park is a pristine greenspace that was once a military fort during the Second º£½ÇÉçÇø War. You can learn more about this park and the history of bracing for an attack by the Japanese in the 1940s by visiting the Kodiak Military History Museum. It’s a beautiful park 12 months out of the year but comes alive when the wildflowers are in bloom in the summer.

These Stunning Towns Prove That Alaska is Pure Magic

When you want to carve a new path (and take amazing photos along the way), these stunning Alaska towns are worth the drive. While their locations are remote, it only adds to their overall charm. With miles of untouched wilderness, picturesque glaciers, and snow-capped mountains, Alaska offers some of the most unique views in the country. Think of these small cities as gateways into America’s Last Frontier. Before you go, just make sure you have enough camera storage on your phone!