Best Things to Do and See in Valdez, Alaska
Valdez is a charming and small community nestled in a beautiful fjord surrounded by towering peaks carefully carved by the movement of glaciers, which are still visible today. There is an abundance of land and marine wildlife, including sea lions, brown bears, eagles, salmon, and more. The weather in Valdez is often rainy, but if you happen to visit on a sunny day, you are in for a treat!
Valdez (pronounced Valdeez) was named by a Spanish cartographer in 1790 after the Spanish Admiral Antonio Valdés, head of the Spanish Marines. The community began to grow after 1899 when a road was constructed to connect the town with the interior city of Fairbanks. Valdez has survived several catastrophic events in the last century, including the deadly 1964 Alaska Earthquake and the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, which devastated the local ecosystem. Valdez is also the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which transports oil from Alaska's north slope in Prudhoe Bay.
Valdez has a population of just under 4,000 people. The town's thriving fishing industry, encompassing both commercial and tourism sectors, drives its economy. Though many visitors to Alaska tend to skip Valdez due to its offbeat location, it's only about a 5.5-hour drive from Anchorage or a 6.5-hour drive from Fairbanks, both of which offer beautiful scenery. To reach Valdez, you have to drive over Thompson Pass, renowned as one of the snowiest places in Alaska. As you descend through the waterfall-lined Keystone Canyon, you will arrive at the mouth of the fjord, surrounded by tall mountains. Another option for reaching Valdez is to take a ferry from Whittier, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Anchorage. However, make sure to plan your trip in advance, as the ferry only operates on specific dates. Once in Valdez, you can enjoy many activities, including chartered fishing trips, glacier cruises, wildlife watching, glacier lake kayaking, and more! Many local businesses in Valdez offer guided services to help you enjoy some of these activities better.
We have spent a significant amount of time in Valdez and would love to share how we'd spend a perfect couple of days in this charming town.
Is Valdez, Alaska worth visiting?
Though Valdez is a little off the beaten path, it is one of the places we often recommend visiting. The road to Valdez from Anchorage or Fairbanks is beautiful, with picturesque stops. The town is filled with friendly people excited to share a little of their life and make you feel like a real local. Every time we visit Valdez, we have been lucky to view tons of wildlife, including bears, sea lions, eagles, and more. There are many exciting activities, including kayaking, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing, and hiking. It is often rainy in Valdez, but this should not stop you from making the trip!
3 Travel Tips Before Visiting Valdez
Travel with bear spray and practice bear safety precautions, as black and brown bears are common in Valdez.
Valdez can be a very rainy destination, so be sure to pack your best rain gear and maintain a cheerful attitude!
Take care of your tours and accommodation long in advance. Valdez is a small town and a very popular summer destination.
What to do in Valdez - Best Activities and Locations
Visit Worthington Glacier
As you approach Valdez, you will notice the Worthington Glacier, which is one of the first exciting stops you will visit. This glacier is visible from the road and is easily accessible from the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site. There is a large parking area, and you must pay for parking or display your Alaska State Parks Pass sticker on your windshield. From the parking area, there is a paved trail that is wheelchair accessible and leads to a viewing platform. Along the way, there are several signs with information about the glacier. This area is open until winter snow conditions close it off. Keep in mind that large groups with bus tours also stop here to take a walk around as it is a popular place.
Drive Over Thompson Pass
To get to Valdez, you'll need to cross the summit of Thompson Pass. The pass reaches an elevation of 2,678 feet and is known for being one of the snowiest locations in Alaska. On average, there is an annual snowfall of over 500 inches! Although the trail along this pass was used by Alaska Native Ahtna People for generations, the official road was constructed in 1899 for use by Klondike Gold Rush miners. One interesting fact about this road is that the first automobiles drove the entire length of it in 1913! The views of the mountains from the top of the pass are stunning. It's worth taking a walk and spending some time here.
View the Waterfalls in Keystone Canyon
After enjoying the views from the top of Thompson Pass, you will descend into Keystone Canyon. This canyon is filled with waterfalls (especially after heavy rains!), enormous rock walls, and history. The most famous waterfalls in the canyon are Horsetail Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which cascade down steep cliff edges. The canyon transforms into a popular destination for ice climbers in the winter. During the early 1900s, copper and gold mining was prevalent in this area. There was even an unsuccessful attempt to build a railroad through the canyon. A large tunnel, which was built at the time, can still be seen here.
Explore the Harbor
When you arrive in Valdez, you will probably be hungry. We recommend heading towards the harbor area of town. Here, you will find a few small food trucks and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. Scroll down to see some of our favorite restaurant recommendations.
After eating, you can take a stroll around the harbor. It's fun to look at the boats. If you're lucky, you might have a chance to see some of the giant fish that are brought in off the fishing boats. Near the harbor, there is also a nice walk/gentle hike called the Dock Point Trail. This trail offers some of the best views of Harbor Cove, the Duck Flat wetlands, and some of the wildlife in the area. The trail runs along a small peninsula with overlook platforms for safe viewing. This is a family-friendly trail!
Watch for Wildlife
Valdez is home to a variety of animals, including brown bears, black bears, sea lions, seals, sea otters, eagles, and salmon. One of the best places for wildlife viewing is on the south side of the fjord on Dayville Road. Along this road, there are many opportunities to stop and observe wildlife. On the ocean side of the road, it's easy to spot sea lions resting while seals and sea otters play and feed in the water. Brown and black bears are commonly seen on the mountainside of the road, coming out of the forest to fish in the waters and streams at the base of the mountain.
If you choose to view wildlife in Valdez, please be respectful and keep a safe distance from any bears and other wildlife in the area.
Go Kayaking
Glacier kayaking in Valdez is one of our highlights. Valdez Glacier Lake is a beautiful spot filled with floating icebergs that have broken off the Valdez Glacier. Kayaking through the majestic icebergs is an experience that you will remember forever. The lake is easily accessible by car, and there is free parking along the shore. While the lake is open for people to kayak on their own, extreme caution is advised as the icebergs can be unpredictable. We highly recommend joining a guided kayaking tour of the lake. If you're interested in a more adventurous kayak trip to areas like Shoup Glacier or Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, we recommend checking out the tours offered by Pangea Adventures.
Tour Valdez by E-Bike
To enhance your adventurous day in Valdez, we recommend renting e-bikes. Valdez has an excellent trail system that extends from the town's entrance to the harbor, along Old Valdez, and all the way to the south side of the fjord. What better way to explore these trails than with e-bikes? These fast and easy-to-use machines are tons of fun. You can ride the bikes to have lunch at the harbor, explore the interactive tour in Old Valdez, and get to see wildlife up close. You won't want to miss out on this enjoyable activity. It's one of the highlights of visiting Valdez!
Learn more about renting e-bikes from Valdez Stay and Play.
Visit the Valdez Old Town
The present-day location of Valdez is different from the original town site. The remnants of Old Valdez can be found about 4 miles from the current town. The city was forced to move after the devastating 1964 Alaska Earthquake, which was the largest recorded earthquake to strike North America, measuring 8.4-8.6 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake destroyed everything in town, including streets, homes, businesses, and docks. It also triggered a large underwater landslide, resulting in the tragic loss of thirty-one lives. As a result of this event, the town was compelled to relocate to a safer location.
The Valdez Museum has developed an interactive walking tour of the original Valdez Townsite. Numerous signs with QR codes are placed throughout the area, allowing you to scan them with your phone to access stories about the now-gone locations.
Experience the beauty of Prince William Sound
A full day in Valdez is a perfect occasion to enjoy the wonders of Prince William Sound on one of the day cruises. During these tours, you will have the opportunity to explore the sound and observe wildlife, including whales, as well as endless mountainscapes and a spectacular glacier view. The cruises typically last around 6-8 hours and most of them provide a light lunch or snacks aboard the boat. The bigger vessels offer heated cabins, spacious outdoor decks, and large viewing windows. You will learn about the history of the region, including fishing, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, oil, early explorers, and mining while enjoying the stunning views.
Go Hiking in Valdez
If you still have energy left or are just looking for a hike to regain your land legs after a day at sea, we recommend visiting the John Hunter Memorial Trail. The John Hunter Memorial Trail, formerly known as Solomon Gulch Trail, is a 3.8-mile advanced out-and-back trail. This trail has an elevation gain of 700 feet and can be steep in places. Along the trail, there is a fish hatchery, which was created to provide a closer look at the hatchery’s dam, lake, and aqueducts. It also offers a good view of the Port of Valdez. At the end of the hike, there is a beautiful lake. Be cautious of black bears and brown bears on this trail. Remember to always hike with knowledge of wildlife safety and take necessary precautions.
Give Local Restaurants a Chance
The Potato offers a variety of meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including breakfast burritos, wraps, burgers, and, of course, fries!
The Nat Shack is an outdoor eatery that serves artisan tacos and Cal-Mex cuisine. Their standout item is the crunch wrap - absolutely delicious!
You might not think that the restaurant of a Best Western Hotel offers exciting dining, but it is actually one of the best places to enjoy freshly caught fish in Valdez! The restaurant is situated on the harbor, with windows offering world-class views..
The Coffee Co. is just a block from the harbor and offers, in our opinion, the finest coffee in town!
This is a natural food grocery store with a small cafe that serves soup, grilled paninis, smoothies, and baked goods daily. It’s a great lunch spot!
Read more about this cafe in our article Tips for Vegetarian Travel in Alaska.
Situated in the center of Valdez, this brewery produces local craft beers and sodas for non-drinkers as well. While they don't offer food, you're welcome to bring your own meal or grab something from Poor Betty's Po' Boys located in the parking lot. It's the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring the town.
If you have any questions about planning your trip to Alaska, please visit our Design Your Trip page.
Read more about what to do in other towns in Alaska, such as Seward and Homer.
