Established in Alaska since 1992
Very nice- wonderful accommodations! Thank you!
-Susan and Mike Hurdy- Cabin: #16
They provided a wonderful experience for our family. The day tours were AWESOME. We will try to do this every year!!
Levi G. from Bloomington, IN - May, 2009
What a lovely experience we had! I will recommend this place to anyone who is coming to Alaska. You have a wonderful staff, very friendly and welcoming. THANKS!
Steve Y. from Kenwood, PA - August, 2008
Alaska is a great place to take a family vacation. Although often associated with adrenaline-junky adventurers, twentysomethings on road trips, and retired couples, the Last Frontier is also a great family travel destination. Continue reading for advice and links on lodging, transportation, activities and pre-planned Alaska family vacation tours. Please do not forget to check our Alaska family cruise page, where you will get lots of ideas on Alaska cruise and tours for your whole family.
Alaska has plenty of lodging options for families ranging from resorts to cabins. Cabins are a great option for family travel. They create a cozy, traditional atmosphere that's perfect for brining families together. Alaska Denali Tours offers two different cabin accommodations: Denali Cabins and Denali Backcountry Lodge.
Denali Cabins is located just a few miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park and is perfect for families, offering the privacy and comfort of individual cedar cabins away from the crowds with easy access to a wide range of activities. Have a large family? Family suites that sleep six are available. And don't worry, you'll still have all the amenities, including electricity, hot and cold water, a private bath with shower, outdoor hot tubs, a deluxe continental breakfast, and more.
Denali Backcountry Lodge is perfect for families looking for a true wilderness experience. Located in Kantishna, an area at the very end of the 95-mile Denali National Park road (map), the lodge is an exclusive Alaska resort. Enjoy family activities like guided hiking, bus tours, wildlife watching, mountain biking, gold panning, and evening presentations on natural history. Beautiful cedar cabins sleep up to four guests, with other lodge buildings (including gazebos) available for relaxing and enjoying the views.
Hotels are available in larger city centers. A wide range of family-friendly hotels are available in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Talkeetna, and Wasilla.
Alaska is a big state, and it takes a long time to get just about anywhere. However, getting there is a huge part of the adventure and a great opportunity to share sights, sounds, and experiences with your family.
Travel by Motorcoach is a convenient, comfortable, and affordable option. Coaches feature comfortable seats, large windows to take in the great views, on-board restrooms, and knowledgeable drivers, and connect perfectly with other services inside Denali National Park. The buses even stop to let you take pictures. Best of all, mom and dad don't have to miss out on the sights and deal with the stress of driving.
Alaska Railroad travel is a great option for families. Spectacular views, comfortable seats, and the opportunity to stretch your legs make this a good fit and a lot of fun, especially for younger children. (map of Alaska Railroad System)
Car rentals are great for families that like to go at their own pace. Stop at roadside pull outs to take pictures. Pull over and check out that authentic Alaskan eatery. A wide range of choices are available starting in Anchorage, Seward, and Fairbanks, including mini-vans and SUVs for larger families.
Alaska family activities are as wide and varied as the state itself.
The most popular way to see Denali is by bus. The Denali Backcountry Adventure is the most complete tour of the park, traveling to the very end of the park road (map). It includes an experienced tour guide, a hearty buffet-style lunch, a long stop at a backcountry lodge location, and, of course, spectacular scenery. However, take care in booking this trip if you have small children. It's a long day (13 hours) for short attention spans and you are responsible for bringing your own child safety seat for children that require it.
Rafting near Denali National Park can be fun for everyone. If you're a more adventurous family, choose a whitewater run. For those with younger children or seeking less adventure, scenic floats are also available.
See Mt. McKinley, hike on a glacier, and more with Alaska flightseeing. Denali flightseeing is available all summer long by plane and helicopter.
Cruises are a fun way for the whole family to spend the day together. Options include Kenai Fjords, Prince William Sound, and Portage Glacier.
Fairbanks offers plenty of family fun. Tour a goldmine, learn about historical Fairbanks, or take a scenic trip on the Riverboat Discovery Tour. For a true adventure, travel north to the Arctic Circle and beyond.
To see more options, go to this list of Alaska Vacation Tours.
Planning an Alaska family vacation can be confusing with so much to do and so much ground to cover. Booking a tour arranged by an Alaska tour company is a great way to move past the logistical headaches and ensure that your time in Alaska will be spent in the best way possible. For a wide range of pre-packaged tours as well as help with customizing a tour suited to your family's specific needs, take a look at this list of Alaska vacation tours.
Family Trip to Alaska - May 2007: Funny stills and videos of a family trip to Alaska in May, 2007. Locations include Kenai, Seward, Homer, Denali National Park and Talkeetna.
Himali & Family's Alaska Kenai Peninsula Trip: A fun family trip to the Kenai River, Clam Gulch and Homer including beautiful views of Homer Spit and our northern summer flowers.
