A land of vast scenery and wildlife, Alaska's expansive landscape offers so much to see, including towering fjords among the backdrop of massive glaciers, endless waterways, and snowy mountains.
Thanks to Alaska’s northern location, cold temperatures, and an abundance of snow, glaciers and fjords can be found all over the state. While often located together, a fjord and glacier are very much distinct from one another as two different geological landforms. These majestic bodies of water were formed when glaciers moved across the land in ancient times, creating deep valleys that eventually filled with melting ice water. Both contribute to the incredible scenery that Alaska is so famous for today.
Here are some of the can’t-miss fjords that are sure to be a highlight of any Alaskan vacation.
Misty Fjords
The appropriately named Misty Fjords are part of a coastal rainforest and the cloud-covered region, which is just east of Ketchikan. The area gets 160 inches of rain each year, creating its “misty” environment. But that does not mean you should not visit Misty Fjords, as it is one of the most impressive fjords in all of Alaska and has been made a National Monument due to its importance.
Its cliffs stretch up as high as 3,000 feet and are flanked by majestic waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. The region has a wide variety of animal life. Mountain goats, brown bears, black bears, moose, wolves, otters, sea lions, seals, porpoises, and sea lions all call this area home. There is also a wide variety of birds, including bald eagles, hummingbirds, trumpeter swans, and herons.
Located in the Tongass National Forest, the largest U.S. National Forest, Misty Fjords is accessible from Ketchikan by boat, kayak, or sightseeing planes. Large cruise ships cannot access the area due to its narrow size, so a day trip excursion from Ketchikan would be the best option for cruisers wanting to explore the fjord.
Kenai Fjords National Park
A place where mountains meet the ocean and ice, this park covers 670,000 acres and includes the Harding Icefield, glaciers, and lush forests. Kenai Fjords, with its jagged rocks topped with evergreen trees and mountain goats, looks like it is from another world.
Conveniently located just outside Seward, Kenai has stunning fjords, which are far more accessible than many others in Alaska. The park is about a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage, which is a major transportation hub in Alaska and a great starting point for a vacation.
This park has some of the most stunning scenery; it has sky-high rock formations, waterfalls, and lagoons. Thanks to the fjord's rich ecosystem, it is home to an abundance of wildlife, including Humpback whales, along with killer and grey whales and a wide variety of birds. Sea lions, seals, and sea otters also inhabit the region. The best views can be seen by hiking or boat tours, as well as a float plane for those who love sky views. Kayaking is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with the natural life of the park. Given its size and with so many things to see, it is easy to spend two days exploring the park and its fjords.
Tracy Arm Fjords
Tracy Arm Fjords’ steep valleys, rugged wilderness, wildlife, icebergs, and waterfalls may make it a must-see destination. Visitors are stunned by its blue water, cascading waterfalls, and the overall sense of remoteness when visiting. Located outside of Juneau, Alaska’s capital, it is a great day trip, heading out by plane or boat.
At the end of the fjords are the North and South Sawyer glaciers, which are known for their sapphire blue colors. As chunks of ice fall off (known as calving), onlookers get quite a show with the thundering sounds and waves.
There is lots of wildlife, including bears, wolves, seals, orcas, and humpback whales providing even more to see and take pictures of. Visitors heading to the passage via cruise ship should be aware, though, that ice can sometimes block the narrow passage, making some parts off-limits.
College Fjord
Located in Prince William Sound in Northern Alaska, College Fjord is an impressive work of nature that contains five tidewater glaciers, five large valley glaciers, and dozens of smaller glaciers. Nineteenth-century explorers named the glaciers for renowned East Coast colleges, including Harvard, which is among the most impressive of the bunch, stretching for 24 miles.
Over 20 miles in length, College Fjord snakes through the rugged Chugach Mountains, where visitors can take in spectacular views as well as see some local marine life, including orcas, beluga whales, otters, and seas. Prince William Sound is known for the most active tidewater glaciers in the world, providing spectacular shows.
The fjord is best seen by boat. While some other Alaskan fjords are too narrow for good views, cruise ship passengers have excellent opportunities to see many of the glaciers at College Fjord. For those who want to see it on their own, boat tours leave from the nearby towns of Whittier, Valdez, and Cordova.
Lynn Canal (Fjord)
Although often referred to as a canal, the Lynn Canal is actually a fjord. Notably, it is the deepest in North America, with a staggering depth of 2,000 feet and 90 miles long. Unlike most fjords, it is a major shipping route that connects Skagway and Haines to Juneau. It played a major role in transporting prospectors to the Klondike goldfields during the Gold Rush of the 19th century.
Its location and easy access provide for a different experience than most other fjords. Despite the marine traffic, the canal is spectacular, lined with snowy mountains. It is best explored from one of the local towns, such as Haines, by boat, ferry, or even catamaran.
It is well known for its marine wildlife, including humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and otters, to name a few. It is famed for its octagonal lighthouse – Eldred Rock Light, constructed in the early 20th century. The historic lighthouse was manned until it was automated by the Coast Guard in 1973.
