If you want to enjoy the full Alaska experience at your leisure, you should take a scenic drive on the Glenn Highway. From Glennallen to Anchorage, this 189-mile highway will take you through incredible scenery, including glaciers, mountains and rivers. Take time to stop on your journey and enjoy a short hike or take advantage of the photo opportunities while you explore all of the amazing things to do in Alaska. The entire route is paved and runs parallel with the Mentasta and Wrangell mountain ranges.
Things to see and do along the Glenn Highway
Your drive starts in Glennallen Alaska, the gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the United States. So even before you move further, you have the opportunity to explore the incredible natural beauty of the area.
Alaska Wildlife Museum
After an exhilarating experience at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Take a break and check out the Alaska Wildlife Museum. Although the museum is relatively small, you will see life-sized bear, moose, mountain goats, Wolverines and other animals on display.
Eureka Summit
This is the Glenn Highway’s highest point, and Alaska’s premier recreation destination. Here, you can exchange your car or motorhome for snow machines or ATVs. Eureka Summit gives you an excuse to take another break even if it’s just to take in the incredible views.
Outdoor Trails
From the Eureka Roadhouse, you will find an area marked as Public Access that will take you to some of the scenic trails in the area, leading to the Belanger Pass, Syncline Mountains and the Caribou Creek. You can choose to hike, bike or a bit of both to any of these destinations.
Jackass Creek
It is not the creek or the view that makes Jackass Creek very popular, but the sign itself. You have to admit it's pretty funny, and definitely worth sharing on social media. So go ahead, strike a pose in front of Jackass Creek’s sign.
Dall Sheep Viewing
The three-mile stretch after the Jackass Creek is where Dall sheep and mountain goats hang out. Since they choose to spend time up on the cliffs, far from predators, you will have to keep an eye out to spot these sure-footed sheep high in the mountains.
Lions Head Trail
This rock outcropping beside the Matanuska Glacier would probably look familiar to you, as it has appeared in magazines and advertisements all over the state. It's also a great venue for rock climbing. But you will have to be in good shape to reach the top that offers amazing views.
Matanuska Glacier
Never seen a massive sheet of ice before? Make sure to take a stop at the Matanuska Glacier, and explore its ice-cold beauty. Don't miss the opportunity to get up close and touch the towering glacier and see the roaring Matanuska River at the same time.
Other areas you shouldn't miss are the Pinochle Circle Road, the glacial River, the King Mountain Campground, and the Kings River. Upon reaching Anchorage, there will be a whole lot more to explore.
