Scenic Drives

On May 7, 2011, in Trip Planning Help, by Justin_Matley
Seward HighwayAlaska DOT information
Seward Highway – Connecting Anchorage to Seward: Skirting the cliffs and shore of the Turnagain Arm and through the mountains and along the rivers of the Kenai Penninsula, this scenic byway is 127 miles long. It also holds designations as a USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway and an All-American Road. Wildlife viewings may include moose, Dall sheep, eagles and perhaps even a beluga whale Along the way, visit Girdwood, Portage Glacier, Summit Lake and Exit Glacier.


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Sterling HighwayAlaska DOT information
Sterling Highway – (2 Segments) From Mile 37 – 75 and Mile 157 – 180: In the Kenai Peninsula, the Sterling Highway branches off of the Seward Highway past Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Anchor Point, and eventually stops at the end of the Homer Spit. Mileage totals 67 miles with 38 in the northern section and 29 in the south. Following these byways will fill your senses with the beauty of the Kenai River, a multitude of lakes and scenic hotspots, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay.


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Glenn HighwayAlaska DOT information
Glenn Highway – From Anchorage to Little Nelchina River: Just imagine, the Talkeetna Mountains bordering the north edge of the highway, Chugach Mountains to the south, winding your way out of the Matanuska Valley and along the Matanuska River and meltwater of the Matanuska Glacier. This byway will direct riders on a collision course with Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and the grandeur of its 13.2 million wild acres. Although the designated byway technically ends at Nelchina River, continuing the tour will be well worth the extra gas and time.


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Richardson Highway (South)Alaska DOT information
Richardson Highway – Glenallen to Valdez: After the terrific tour of Glenn Highway, top off your tank in Glanallen and continue south on the Richardson Highway to Valdez. Take magnificent photos of active volcano, Mount Drum. Marvel at the winding Copper River to the east and the engineering achievement of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline to the west. Glide through the jagged Chugach Mountains to the in-your-face Worthington Glacier, seemingly threatening to grind the highway into gravel. Next, the terrain widens at the entrance of Thompson Pass, then phases into Keystone Canyon, a corridor of cascading waters and rafting adventures. The charismatic, Prince William Sound community of Valdez completes the journey.


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Parks HighwayAlaska DOT information
Parks Highway – Denali State Park to Healy: The intimidating Mount McKinley can be seen through gap in the neighboring mountains long before reaching Denali State. For 116 miles this byway weaves along the Chulitna and Nenana Rivers, bisecting the Alaska Range and Talkeetna Mountains. Along the rivers are numerous public fishing sites where anglers can attempt to catch rainbow trout, grayling, white fish and other species. And, where there are rivers, there’s rafting and kayaking. Then, be sure to take a tour of Denali National Park, with 6 million acres of untouched wilderness landscape and awe inspiring wildlife. Visitors are likely to see grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou and perhaps even the elusive wolf.


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