EPIC THINGS TO DO IN VALDEZ ALASKA

 

It may feel like an end-of-the-road sort of place, but there are countless things to do in Valdez Alaska. Nestled on a strip of land between Prince William Sound and the Chugach Mountains, Valdez feels like a true Alaskan small town.

Wherever you wander there is a spectacular view, with tall coastal mountain peaks sitting majestically in the background. Slightly off the beaten track, this friendly coastal town offers endless wildlife, cracking hikes, top-notch fishing and stunning glaciers.

So check out these Valdez things to do, and see which ones make it onto your Alaska road trip itinerary.

VALDEZ ALASKA MAP

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1. VIEW WORTHINGTON GLACIER

Worthington glacier seen from the roadside

 

One of Alaska’s most accessible must-see glaciers is located in Thompson Pass, at mile 29 of the Richardson Highway. Worthington Glacier is listed as a Natural National Landmark, and at 4 miles long, is regularly topped up by snowfall from the surrounding area.

Whilst you get great views as you travel along the highway, be sure to visit 113-acre Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site. A well-signed turnout to the glacier on your right hand side leads to a large carpark, toilets and a model of the glacier.

Follow a short paved, wheel-chair accessible trail to a viewing platform giving you an up-close view of the glacier. A viewing platform with viewing scopes and interpretive signs are located close to a small lake.

You can take a trail beyond the platform for a closer look, however when we visited the path was closed due to a mudslide.

LOCATION: Mile 29 Richardson Highway | Latitude: 61.17073, Longitude: -145.735 | $5 parking fee.

2. DRIVE THROUGH THOMPSON PASS

At the top of Thompson Pass

 

Thompson Pass forms a 2,600 foot-high gap through the Chugach Mountains and gets walloped by wind, rain and snow from North Pacific storms.

Did you know that average snowfall here exceeds 700 inches, making it the snowiest place in Alaska! Since 1977, oil has flowed through Thompson Pass along a portion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, to the southern terminus in Valdez.

Park up at one of the marked spots on either side of the road to enjoy the wonderful impeded views.

Explore on foot, avoiding the fauna but following a well-tread path for a few minutes to take in the stunning vistas and summer alpine wildflowers scattering the tundra.

Winter brings skiers for the challenging terrain and steep ski runs plus incredible winter scenery.

LOCATION: Latitude: 61.13130296, Longitude: -145.7367325

3. EXPLORE KEYSTONE CANYON & RAILROAD TUNNEL

Between miles 14-17

 

During the railroad era of the early 1900’s, a tunnel was hand-cut into the solid rock of Keystone Canyon. It’s purpose was to utilize the short route from the coast to Kennecott’s copper mines. The tunnel was never completed due to feuding companies.

 

Keystone Canyon is 3 miles in length and connects the upper and lower valleys of Lowe River. It’s almost perpendicular walls are home to stunning Horsetail and Bridal Veil Falls.

The narrow and dark-walled gorge sits at an elevation of 307 feet. Stop at the various pull-ins to view the cascading waterfalls and watch people rafting and white water kayaking along the Lowe River.

LOCATION: Along the Richardson Highway from mile 14 through 17.

4. DISCOVER A LAND OF WATERFALLS

 

Winter weather in Valdez Alaska brings more than 27 feet of average snowfall. This turns Valdez into a land of waterfalls, when the snow melts during spring and summer.

The captivating stretch of road through Keystone Canyon at miles 14 through 17, is an interesting place of geology, history and spectacular waterfalls. Towering over the huge canyon walls are Horsetail falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Rudleston Falls.

One of the most popular things to do in Valdez in winter is ice climbing, when the waterfalls freeze into epic ice curtains, attracting climbers from all over the world.

BRIDAL VEIL FALLS

Beautiful gushing Bridal Veil Falls waterfall

 

These falls are snow-fed and plunge in a classic cascade from Keystone Canyon’s 300-foot cliffs. The high-volume water whooshes down on the east side of the highway and across the Lowe River, looking akin to a brides veil.

Top Tip: Park directly across from the falls in a west-side pullout at Mile 13.9. If crossing the road be aware of traffic. The two-mile Valdez Goat Trail starts at the south end of the falls pullout.

HORSETAIL FALLS

Lovely cascading Horsetail Falls waterfall

 

Located just a few hundred yards away from Bridal Veil Falls are these lovely fanning out cascade falls. Plunging down the west-side of a 300-foot cliff inside Keystone Canyon, they are easy to view straight from your vehicle.

Top Tip: Pull into the parking area on the west side of the Richardson highway at about Mile 13.5. The waterfall can be approached on foot. We sat in our RV and had a cuppa with a fantastic view!

5. TAKE A SELF-GUIDED TOUR AROUND SOLOMON GULCH HATCHERY

Spot the bald eagle sitting in the tree!

 

Located along Dayville Road, a self-guided tour of Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery is one of the best free things to do in Valdez AK. Built in 1981, the facility is permitted to incubate and rear millions of salmon, making it the largest single-species salmon hatchery in North America.

About 250 million pink salmon and 1.8 million Coho salmon are released each year with adults returning in vast numbers.

Wildlife viewing opportunities are rife, especially from July through September when the salmon return to the hatchery to spawn. This makes the beach and weir a hotspot for eagles, sea lions, seals and bears coming in for a feed.

Those looking for free things to do in Valdez AK will be interested to hear that you can take a free self-guided tour along the hatchery walkway, May through October.

Weir at the hatchery with a fantastic backdrop

 

Interpretive display panels and interactive video explain both the history and economic benefits of the hatchery. View the fish ladder and weir as you learn about the types and life cycles of salmon.

We visited in June and found the tour extremely interesting. Sadly though, we were a bit early for the salmon returning and can only imagine what an epic sight this must bring with it!

LOCATION: 1561 Dayville Road. Just beyond the hatchery is a large parking area including space for RVs.

6. LEARN ABOUT OLD TOWN VALDEZ

 

Did you know that the town of Valdez you visit today, is actually 4 miles down the road from its original site. Enjoying prosperous Gold Rush-era roots, the town landscape was decimated forever by the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.

The resulting tsunami caused 32 deaths and the demise of the town. History buffs can explore the old town marked with signage and a cemetery. Artifacts from the old town can be viewed in Valdez Museum.

A free guided tour of Old Town Valdez featuring information about 18 historic sites, is an easy 1.7 mile walk and takes about 1 hour to complete. 

7. VIEW VALDEZ GLACIER LAKE & VALDEZ GLACIER

View from the shoreline, with glacier in the background

 

Valdez Glacier Lake is over 6oo feet deep with an interesting history. During the Gold Rush of 1898, Valdez Glacier was crossed by gold-seekers due to its long gradual descent.

Located in the Chugach Mountains, the 20-mile valley glacier terminates in Valdez, with the runoff creating a beautiful lake.

Valdez Glacier is going through a dramatic shedding phase and is rapidly retreating. Huge icebergs are breaking off and the safest way to view the glacier is on a guided kayaking or canoeing tour.

Beautiful backdrop of the Chugach Mountains

 

Top Tip: No overnight camping is allowed between 10pm and 6am, which includes tents and RV’s.

8. ENJOY LOCAL HIKING TRAILS

View along the Dock Point Trail

 

Valdez has plenty of scenic trails ranging from a short flat stroll to a longer more challenging hike. Whether you want a hike close to town or one along the Richardson Highway, here’s a great selection for you:

SHORTER/EASY TRAILS:

• Overlook Trail:

  0.4 mile return | 30 mins | 50ft – get a great view over the town and Port Valdez on this easy trail, reached via some steps up Civic Center Hill.

• Dock Point Trail:

  0.8 mile loop | 30 Minutes | 50ft – the trail follows along a section of peninsula between the Duck Flats and Port Valdez. Look out for bald eagles – we saw two! A popular local walk with great views, especially if short on time.

• Homestead Trail:

  Approx. 1 mile return | 30 mins | 20ft – a gravel path through the woods.

MODERATE & CHALLENGING/LONGER TRAILS:

• John Hunter Memorial Trail:

  3.8 miles return | 2-2.5 hours return | 700ft – Previously called the Solomon Gulch Trail, this trail runs alongside the Trans Alaska Pipeline, but you won’t see the pipeline as it is underground. It takes you up to two different viewpoints of Solomon Lake and its two dams.

• Mineral Creek Trail: 12 miles return | 6 hours return | 800ft – the wide gravel path winds its way through Mineral Creek Canyon, ending at an abandoned stamp mill.

From Mineral Creek Drive downtown, a gravel path at the end of the neighborhood marks the start of the trail. Latitude: 61.13981715, Longitude: -146.36641077

• Shoup Bay Trail Section A: 6.5 mile return | 4 hours return | 680 ft – Section A is the better maintained part of the trail, leading from town and crossing streams and open meadow. Your reward is great views of Port Valdez ending at a remote camping site at Gold Creek.

The famous “Trail Of ’98” led prospectors from Valdez Port to Interior Alaska during the Gold Rush. These road-accessible trails just off the Richardson Highway, are broken into four sections: Keystone Canyon Pack Trail, Goat Trail, Wagon Road and Thompson Pass Pack Trail.

Top Tip: Visit Valdez Parks & Recreation Center at 314 Clifton Court for trails maps.

9. STROLL ALONG THE WATERFRONT

 

With its gorgeous location at the head of a fjord on Prince William Sound, some of the best views are found along the waterfront in downtown Valdez. Stroll along North Harbor Drive towards Kelsey Dock where you will find food, drink, local culture and fantastic sights.

10. DISCOVER TIDAL GLACIERS ON A BOAT CRUISE

 

Prince William Sound has relatively calm waters and an abundance of marine wildlife such as orcas, humpback whales, seals, and sea lions. Valdez is a great place to take a glacier tour to view tidewater glaciers calve as the breaking ice cracks and splashes.

Close to Valdez are three tidal glaciers:

• Shoup Glacier is located in Shoup Bay, 8 miles west of Valdez and is accessible by kayak, boat, helicopter and foot.
• Columbia Glacier calves into Prince William Sound, is the second largest tidewater glacier in North America and the largest in the Sound.
• Meares Glacier is one of the only advancing tidewater glaciers in North America.

One of the favourite activities in Valdez is to take a Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise.

Stan Stephens is a fam­i­ly-run com­pa­ny oper­at­ing out of Valdez and has great cus­tomer ser­vice.

Offering two daily tours, one which features Columbia Glacier and the other Meares Glacier, you’ll like­ly see an abundance of wildlife such as sea otters, horned and tuft­ed puffins, cor­morants, hump­back whales, and even bald eagles.

You will also learn about mining history, the effect of the Exxon Valdez disaster, fishing and the wildlife that call the Sound home. A light meal is served on board and staff are on hand to answer any questions.

We took the Columbia Glacier Cruise which is great for those on limited time. The day was incredible and informative and we were lucky to see humpback whales, a pod of orca whales, puffins, sea otters, bald eagles and sea lions.

MEARES GLACIER EXCURSION

• Departs 9am | 7.5-8 hours long | Adult $170 | Runs June through August

 

COLUMBIA GLACIER CRUISE

Columbia Glacier

 

• Departs 10.30AM | 6 hours long | Adult $145 | Runs mid May to mid September

11. TAKE A FISHING TOUR

The catch is hung up and weighed here

 

Fishing in Alaska in general is phenomenal, and fishing in Valdez Alaska is no exception. In fact the town is home to the oldest fishing derbies in Alaska.

The waters of Prince William Sound are home to salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and halibut, and for anglers, one of the best things to do in Alaska is to take a charter fishing trip for a day.

Packages usually include tackle, bait, weighing and cleaning your catch, which can then be cut and either shipped or taken home with you.

While the main catches are enormous halibut and king salmon, a variety of trips are available. We couldn’t believe how popular fishing is in Alaska and the sheer sizes of fish caught.

LOCATION: Valdez Saltwater Adventures @ Valdez Small Boat Harbor are just one of the local outfitters.

12. LEARN ABOUT VALDEZ HISTORY AT A MUSEUM

Valdez Museum is just one of the town’s great museums

 

Valdez has a vibrant rich history and heritage. From its early Alaska Native settlers, gold rush prospector days and devastating Good Friday Earthquake. To the building of the terminal for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, largest oil spill in American history and present day.

Some great places to learn more about the town’s history include:

VALDEZ MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL ARCHIVE:

The museum occupies two separate buildings, although plans are in motion to rebuild a new, larger space. Exhibits include the history of the pipeline, Gold Rush, the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and the history of the town and Prince William Sound.

The museum on Hazelet Avenue has a fabulous 1:20 scale model of the Old Town Valdez in intricate detail, as it would have looked prior to the 1964 earthquake.

LOCATION: 217 Egan Drive & 436 S. Hazelet

MAXINE AND JESSE WHITNEY MUSEUM:

This museum boasts one of the largest collections of Alaska Native art and artifacts in the world. These were painstakingly put together by the Whitney’s who came to Alaska in 1947.

Displays include ivory carvings, beadwork, masks, Native Alaskan dolls and taxidermy mounts.

LOCATION: 303 Lowe Street

Other places to see the rich history and culture of Valdez are along Mineral Creek Trail, the remains of Old Town Valdez and vantage points of Valdez Marine Terminal.

13. TAKE A GUIDED TASTING TOUR AT VALDEZ BREWING

 

Valdez Brewing have a selection of 10 Craft Beers, 2 Hard Seltzers, and 2 Sodas on Tap year round. What better way to learn more about the brew process than on one of the 45-minute tours of the custom brewhouse and cellar.

If you are a beer drinker a visit here is one of the fun things to do in Valdez. After learning how the various equipment works, what better way to finish your tour than with a tasting flight of four 4oz beers!

Price Per person $20 | 141 Galena Drive

14. SPOT WILDLIFE ON LAND

 

Even if you don’t get out on the water, you can discover wildlife all around town if you keep looking and hit some popular wildlife-viewing spots. Whether you drive or are on foot, here are some possibilities to view:

BROWN AND BLACK BEARS:

• Along the Richardson Highway and Dayville Road from April through September.
• Just outside of downtown is a viewing platform over Crooked Creek, at the US Forest Service cabin on the Richardson Highway. In late summer the bears feed on spawning pink and chum salmon.
• Duck Flats across from Crooked Creek is a favourite spot for bears to forage for fish or edible plants.
• Bears feed on the returning salmon at the weir of Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery from July through October.

 

BALD EAGLES:

• The harbour area is a great place to spot bald eagles that sweep in and sit high in the trees.
• Solomon Hatchery, Duck Flats, Forest Service Salmon Viewpoint, Mineral Creek and along trail paths.

 

STELLAR SEA LIONS:

Can often be seen feeding on salmon at the Hatchery during summer months.

 

SALMON:

• Great salmon spawing areas are Mineral Creek, Forest Service Viewing Platform and of course the Hatchery.

 

BIRDS:

• Duck Flats tidal wetlands are popular spots for harlequin ducks, red-necked grebes, great blue herons, bald eagles and arctic terns.

PLANNING TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO VALDEZ

WHERE IS VALDEZ ALASKA?

Valdez is located at the head of a deep-water fjord on Prince William Sound in Southcentral Alaska. A pretty coastal town at the south end of the Richardson Highway, Valdez is famous as the jumping off point for the 1898 Alaska Gold Rush and the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.

GETTING TO VALDEZ

The journey to Valdez is just as stunning as the destination itself. We visited as part of an amazing road trip around Alaska.

BY ROAD:

The drive from Anchorage, Fairbanks or Tok greets you with incredible scenery of mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers.

• Anchorage to Valdez – 299 miles/6 hours via Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway.
• Fairbanks to Valdez – 362 miles/6.5 hours via Richardson Highway.
• Tok to Valdez – 254 miles/4.5 hours via Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway.

BY FERRY:

Alaska Marine Highway have vehicle ferry services which cruise from both Whittier and Cordova.

BY AIR:

If you fancy soaring through towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains and across glacial ice fields then you are in luck! Local air services and private charters run daily, whisking you from Anchorage in just 45 minutes.

BEST TIME TO VISIT VALDEZ ALASKA

Valdez Alaska weather is fickle and weather predictions notoriously inaccurate (here’s looking at you UK!). Due to some microclimates in the area, weather in Thompson Pass, downtown and out on the Sound can all be different.

Overall, the best time to visit Valdez is during June through August when boat tours run and restaurants etc. are open. These are the warmest months (48°F-64°F) with longer daylight hours.

We visited in June and had reasonable weather. The key is not to let the rain put you off as it is usually a brief shower.

• Summertime – great for boat cruises, hiking and wildlife spotting
• September to May – Chance to spot the northern lights
• Winter – great for winter trails, ice climbing, snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling.

HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN VALDEZ?

We suggest a minimum of 2 nights. You could comfortably fill 3 days. A boat tour will fill up a whole day as will other guided tours such as a fishing charters, kayaking or flightseeing. Another day can be spent wandering local trails and museums, with a third day hiking in the Chugach Mountains.

RESTAURANTS IN VALDEZ ALASKA

Dinner at The Fat Mermaid

 

For such a small town Valdez boasts a great variety of eateries amidst stunning surroundings. From burgers and seafood to cafes, restaurants and food trucks, you’ll find something tasty and authentically Alaskan to satisfy your hunger.

Just some options we can recommend:

• The Coffee Co: 130 Meals Avenue – breakfast coffee and baked goods. We came here 3 mornings and can say the food was delicious!
• Nat Shack: May be a simple food truck but their tacos are divine. This outdoor eatery and takeout is situated right on North Harbor Drive. We had The Shack and Alaskan Halibut tacos which were yummy.
• The Potato: On North Harbor Drive, overlooking Valdez Harbor, this food shack’s menu is built around their hand cut curly fries. The pulled pork po’boy will have you shouting for seconds.
• The Fat Mermaid: Serves great options with great views. Simple Alaska seafood at its best.

You can enjoy an array of fresh fish such as halibut, rockfish, salmon and Alaskan King crab, all courtesy of the Copper River and Prince William Sound.

LODGING IN VALDEZ ALASKA

Bear Paw RV Park II

 

Valdez is so delightful on account of its small-town charm. But that doesn’t mean a lack of great accommodation options. There are hotels, lodges, motels, bed & breakfasts, camping and RV sites to choose from.

HOTELS IN VALDEZ

CAMPING IN VALDEZ

• Eagles Rest RV Park

  & Cabins

  – 139 East Pioneer Drive

• Bear Paw Camper Park – RV’s only on two separate parks, with Bear Paw RV Park II, an adult only park.

• Blueberry Lake Campsites

  – 23 Richardson Highway

• Valdez KOA Journey – 3181 Richardson Highway

There are certainly plenty of things to do in Valdez Alaska to keep you occupied for a few days. Whether you take a tour, cruise Prince William Sound or hike a scenic trail you will be rewarded with spectacular views and a warm local welcome.

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