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    Looking for the best backpacking in Alaska? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Alaska. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Backpacking Spots in and near Alaska

    • Anchorage, Alaska

      Hike Byron Glacier

      4.8
      To begin on this adventure, you first have to find the trailhead. Drive out on the highway to Girdwood, and turn left at the sign that says "Portage Glacier". Towards the end of the road, it Ys and you take a right, then another right. Follow this road, and the first parking lot on your right is ...
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    • Palmer, Alaska

      Hike Reed Lakes, AK

      5.0
      18 mi / 1850 ft gain
      The trail head starts at the small unpaved parking lot which is free, (it was very full though because of berry picking). The trail starts off wide and flat as you walk through a beautiful valley surrounded by trees and giant granite mountain peaks. The trail changes to an upward climb with lots...
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    • Palmer, Alaska

      Hut to Hut Across Alaska's Talkeetna Mountains

      31 mi / 4800 ft gain
      Cooling temps and changing colors often prompt us to squeeze in one more trip. And in the mountains of Alaska, it really is a squeeze. The time from peak fall colors to the first snow cover can be as short as a week. This autumn we chose to expand on a popular trek in the Talkeetna Mountains nort...
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    • Healy, Alaska

      Summit Igloo Mountain

      3.76 mi / 2385 ft gain
      Make no mistake, this is a unkempt, social trail. Starting at the base of the mountain at the McKinley Park Road sign for Big Creek/Igloo Mountain Campground, begin hiking northeast towards a faint social trail heading up the mountain. Once you reach the first false peak approximately 1/3 of your...
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    • Anchorage, Alaska

      Hike the Crow Pass National Historic Trail

      4.0
      22.6 mi / 3100 ft gain
      Starting at an elevation of 600 feet from the Eagle River Nature Center, the trail runs through the Eagle River Valley and climbs over Crow Pass to Girdwood.The trail follows the river for almost 12 miles before requiring a ford. Fords can be very dangerous and it is very important to understand ...
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    • Anchorage, Alaska

      Hike to Rabbit Lake & McHugh Peak

      4.5
      5 mi / 200 ft gain
      Rabbit lake and McHugh peak easy way in trail starts at Canyon Road off DeArmoun. This road is still not completely paved and I recommend you drive slow. You must arrived early to obtain parking spots on the weekends otherwise you'll be fine. Parking is free. The change of elevation is minimum ye...
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    • Palmer, Alaska

      Hike to Alaska's Mint Hut

      5.0
      9 mi / 2500 ft gain
      Start your adventure by driving 1.5 hours north of Anchorage to the Gold Mint Trailhead about 20 mins away from the town of Palmer. Pay for parking, there is a day fee and a camping (choose either depending on your ambitions).  This trail can be broken down in four (unequal) sections.  The easy s...
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    • Palmer, Alaska

      Hike the Gold Mint Trail

      16 mi
      Hiking through this valley really shows off the amazing landscape of Alaska.The trailhead starts at mile 13.7 on Hatcher Pass Rd. There is a big parking lot ($5 for a day pass). The trail has mile markers for the first 5 miles and is fairly well groomed, although you do have to do a little bushwh...
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    • Anchorage, Alaska

      Camp at Chugach State Park

      3 mi
      All trails start from the Eagle River Nature Center, located in the Chugach Forest. There are many different trails and loops (from less than a mile to 25 miles), so no matter your experience, there is a good trail for you. A trail map of the area is available here.There are cabins located about ...
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    • Healy, Alaska

      Backpack the Mt. Eielson Loop

      16 mi / 2000 ft gain
      If you are looking for an overnight backpacking trip in Denali National Park with spectacular views of Denali, this is a great option. There is no trail and if you happen upon one, DO NOT follow it. The best part about Denali is that there are not many trails and most of the park is designated wi...
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    • Seward, Alaska

      Backpack the Caines Head Coastal Trail

      4.3
      7 mi / 650 ft gain
      This hike begins near a family friendly visiting area, good bathrooms, and well kept parking lot. You will start out on a gravel path, which seems like it was created for horses, for about 1.5 miles until the path opens up to views of the ocean, mountains, and a bridge leading you over a river an...
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    • Chitina, Alaska

      Backpack to Donoho Basin

      7 mi / 600 ft gain
      If you’ve never been to the park, Wrangell is 13.2 million acres, the largest national park in the United States, roughly the size of Switzerland. Access is limited. There is only one main road into the center of the park, which dead ends in the town of Kennecott, a historic copper mining area. I...
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    • Seward, Alaska

      Hike to Callisto Canyon Cabin

      4 mi / 500 ft gain
      Follow the signs south of Seward to Lowell Point. This is the trailhead. The first mile of the trail is about a mile long. You descend a well-maintained trail from the trailhead about 500 feet to the coast. Many people just hike this portion for a short trip to enjoy the beach.Once you reach the ...
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    • Trapper Creek, Alaska

      Backpack Kesugi Ridge

      4.7
      27.4 mi / 4650 ft gain
      Kesugi Ridge is a 27.4 mile point-to-point trail from Little Coal Creek to Byer's Lake in Alaska's Denali State Park. To get to the trailhead from Anchorage, take the Park's Highway north to the parking area at Little Coal Creek Trailhead at milepost 163.9. The trail quickly climbs about 1,750 f...
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    • Skagway, Alaska

      Upper Dewey Lake Trail

      5.0
      5.5 mi / 3169 ft gain
      The Dewey Lake trail system leads visitors to Skagway on adventures to multiple remarkable destinations, including Lower Dewey Lake, Sturgill's Landing, Icy Lake, Upper Reid Falls, Upper Dewey Lake and Devil's Punch Bowl. Each trail extends from a single trail head located closest to the cruise ...
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    • Seward, Alaska

      Hike Alpine Trail, Caines Head State Recreation Area

      3.0
      3 mi
      The Alpine Trail is only accessible via the Caines Head Trail System, located at Lowell Point. (Distance and elevation listed are for the Alpine trail itself, not for the coastal trail leading up to it. More info on those can be found here: http://dnr.alaska.gov/Assets/u... )From parking at Lowel...
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