8 Day's in Alaska

Alaska 8-Day National Parks Adventure Itinerary (with Pricing)

Alaska is more than just a destination — it's a world of wild beauty, where towering mountains kiss the clouds, glaciers crack into icy blue waters, and wildlife roams freely through vast, untouched lands. This 8-day road trip through three of Alaska’s most iconic national parks was nothing short of breathtaking. From the stillness of Denali to the roaring calving glaciers of Kenai Fjords and the remote wonder of Wrangell–St.. Elias, here’s how we lived out a true wilderness dream — with full costs included to help you plan yours.

Day 1: Arrival + Anchorage Adventures + Drive to Denali

• We took a direct flight from Chicago to Anchorage on Alaska Airlines, about 6 hours and 30 minutes of smooth travel. The airline was comfortable, and the views flying into Alaska were already hinting at the wild beauty ahead.

• Landed in Anchorage around 1 PM and picked up our rental car right at the airport.

• First stop: Gallo Mexican Grill for lunch. We spent a relaxing hour here enjoying fresh, flavorful food. The kimchi fried rice was especially good. We paid around $30 for two people, and one pleasant surprise, there’s no sales tax in Alaska, so what you see is what you pay!

• By 4 PM, we were ready for our first hike, Flattop Mountain, just 20 minutes outside the city. It’s a 3-mile round-trip trail, steep and challenging at times, but the panoramic views from the top were the perfect welcome to Alaska. We spent about 2 hours hiking and soaking in the scenery.

• After the hike, we made a quick stop at Costco to pick up essentials like water, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals for the days ahead.

• Then we drove to Lake Hood, the world’s largest seaplane base, where we watched several planes take off and land on water a unique and mesmerizing experience.

• While on our way to pick up our friends from the airport, we decided to circle around the Airport Loop and were rewarded with a rare wildlife sighting a mama moose with three calves, which is highly uncommon. We lingered about 15 minutes, completely in awe.

• Picked up our friends around 10 PM, and grabbed a quick late-night dinner at Taco Bell before hitting the road.

• The night ended with a 2-hour scenic drive to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Despite it being midnight when we arrived, the sky was still light a magical experience thanks to Alaska’s northern latitude. And it’s a good thing too driving in the dark isn’t recommended here due to potential wildlife crossings.

Cost:

• Flight from Chicago to Anchorage round-trip (Alaska Airlines): $350 per person + checked luggage: $35

• Lunch + Dinner around $50

• 3-night stay at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (May 24–27): $542.71 – A truly magical place perched on a hilltop with a direct view of Denali on clear days. The rustic wooden architecture gives it a cozy, wilderness-lodge charm, and the tranquil setting quickly became one of my favorite locations of the entire trip. This is shared by 4 people so $136 per person for three days

Day 2: Viewpoints, Curry Ridge Hike & Denali Flight Tour

• We started the day early by stepping out of the lodge by 8:00 AM with a stop at Denali Viewpoint South, just 8 minutes from our lodge. A short 0.5-mile hike led us to sweeping views of Denali, standing proudly in the distance. The trail only took about 15 minutes but set the perfect tone for a day full of mountain magic.

• By 9:00 AM, we hit the Curry Ridge Trail, one of the best hikes in the Denali State Park area. The 6.5-mile loop climbs gradually through forested switchbacks and opens up into alpine meadows with postcard-perfect views of Denali on a clear day. It took us about 3 hours, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

• After the hike, we made our way to Talkeetna (a 1-hour drive from Curry Ridge Trail), a quirky, artsy little town that feels frozen in time. We grabbed some quick bites and strolled through its colorful shops and galleries, soaking up the small-town charm.

• The highlight of the day? An epic summit flightseeing tour with Talkeetna Air Taxi from 4–6 PM. This wasn’t just any flight. We soared right over Denali and even landed on a glacier. Only about 30% of visitors get clear views of Denali, and we were lucky to be part of that! The feeling of standing on a glacier, surrounded by nothing but silence and snow, was surreal.

• We wrapped the day with a relaxing dinner at Mountain High Pizza Pie in Talkeetna. Their wood-fired crust was the perfect ending to a day filled with adventure.

Cost:

• Denali Summit Flight Tour: $722 per person. A splurge, but the glacier landing and clear Denali views are bucket-list worthy.

• Lunch, we carried some ready-to-eat food ( highly recommended if you want to cut down cost). Dinner was around $25 per person

• Lodge stay is included in the Day 1 cost

Day 3: Denali Wilderness Bus Tour + Sled Dogs + Savage River Hike

• We left our lodge around 3 AM, and although it was technically night, the sky was still glowing; we never really saw complete darkness in Alaska. One of the many surreal experiences of this trip. That soft, lingering light made the 2-hour drive to the Denali Bus Depot feel safe and even more beautiful. The road cut through a sea of towering peaks, and we were constantly surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Every few miles felt like a new desktop wallpaper, and the chance of spotting wildlife kept us wide-eyed and alert.

• The Denali Wilderness Bus Tour departs at 5 AM from the Denali Bus Depot. There’s plenty of parking available at the depot, and it’s a well-organized starting point for your adventure. Snacks and bottled water are provided on the tour, but you’re welcome to bring your own as well. If you're hoping to spot wildlife and trust me, you are an early morning departure gives you the best chance, as animals are more active in the cool hours after sunrise.

Click here to see how to book the Denali Bus Tour

Click here for must-follow Alaska trip tips

• The 5-hour bus ride was nothing short of spectacular. We were treated to unforgettable scenery and an incredible lineup of wildlife: moose, caribou, brown bears, Dall sheep, and even a clear view of Denali herself. We came so close to seeing all of Denali’s ‘Big Five’, just missed the elusive wolf to complete the Grand Slam!

• Around 10 AM, we returned from the tour and stopped for lunch at the Denali Visitor Center Café. The food was simple and warm.

• By early afternoon, we were off to the Alaskan Huskies Sled Dog Demonstration inside the park. Watching the dogs bark and bounce with excitement before a sprint was one of those pure Alaska moments, a blend of tradition, energy, and pride. Parking might be limited there, so I suggest taking a shuttle from the visitor center (it's free). 

• Later in the day, we tackled the Savage River Loop Trail, an easy, scenic 2-mile hike through a winding river valley beneath jagged peaks. It was a calming contrast to the earlier bus tour and gave us a chance to stretch our legs while reflecting on the wildlife we’d seen.

• Back at the lodge that evening, we kept dinner low-key. We heated our ready-to-eat meals, found a cozy spot in the lodge’s communal sitting area, and watched the mountains glow in the soft evening light. It was one of those quiet, grounding moments that reminded us why we came to Alaska in the first place.

Cost:

• Denali Wilderness Bus Tour: $145 per person

• Lunch is $20 per person at Visitors center 

Day 4: Scenic Drive to Seward + Thunderbird Falls Hike

• We left Denali around mid-morning, heading south on one of Alaska’s most scenic highways. The road curved past wide-open valleys, glacier-fed rivers, and towering snow-dusted peaks. The best part? We were never without a view; every stretch felt like a postcard come to life.

• As we passed through Anchorage, we stopped for lunch at Seoul Casa, a Korean-Mexican fusion joint where the kimchi fried rice stole the show. It was one of those offbeat, surprising meals that perfectly hit the spot after a morning on the road.

• With bellies full, we took a quick detour to stretch our legs at Thunderbird Falls Trailhead. This gentle 2-mile round-trip trail winds through lush spruce forest and ends with a scenic overlook of the falls crashing into the canyon below. Peaceful and refreshing, just what we needed.

• We also made time for some classic Alaska roadside stops, perfectly spaced along the way and worth every pause. Here's the list in the exact order we experienced them:

  • Denali Viewpoint (Kashwitna Lake) – early views of the majestic mountain mirrored in calm waters

  • Thunderbird Falls – 25321 Old Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, AK – peaceful forest trail ending in a crashing waterfall

  • South Fork Falls Lookout – River Park Circle, Anchorage, AK – serene and tucked-away cascade spot

  • Beluga Point – dramatic coastal cliffs, prime for spotting whales (in season!)

  • Scenic Waterfalls Viewpoint – Seward Highway – misty falls cascading over mossy rock faces

  • Bird Point – panoramic stop with interpretive signs and sweeping water views

  • Turnagain Arm Viewpoint – iconic inlet with the Chugach Mountains towering behind

  • 601 Crow Creek Rd – Girdwood, AK – charming alpine town backdrop with historic flair

  • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – great spot to safely see bison, bears, moose, and more

  • Portage Valley Recreational Area – glacial landscapes and peaceful picnic spots

  • Juneau Creek Falls – a lesser-known but powerful waterfall in a wooded canyon

  • Exit Glacier Viewpoint – 5CR7+86, Bear Creek, AK – easy access to a glacier face

  • Lowell Creek Waterfalls – waterfall crashing down from cliffs into the harbor area

Cost:

• Our 1-night stay at the historic Hotel Seward cost us $248.92, breaking down to just $62.50 per person among the four of us. This charming, older hotel was packed with captivating photographs of Seward, many dating back to the 1800s and 1900s. Its cozy atmosphere and central location—just a short walk from the harbor—made it the perfect place to relax before our fjord adventure the following day.

• Lunch is around $18 per person - Kimchi Fried Rice

• Dinner consisted of convenient, ready-to-eat meals. (A comprehensive list, along with various options, can be found in our aforementioned tips link.)