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Alaska Adventure Travel

from: Kyle Besser

Alaska is the largest state of the United States and shares the western part of the North American Arctic with Canada. "The Land of the Midnight Sun" retains the frontier spirit of the pioneers who went there in search of gold and adventure. Of course, Alaska adventure travel is much easier today than it was in the late 19th century since it has all the technological benefits of the modern age. Magnificent wilderness parks are just a few miles drive from the downtown areas of Alaska's major cities.

One great way to experience Alaska adventure travel is cruising. There are Alaska adventure travel cruises in Prince William Sound and through the islands of Alaska's panhandle, the strip of coastal land between British Columbia and the ocean. Alaska adventure travel passengers see some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world, and can witness the "birth" of an iceberg when huge chunks of ice fall from glaciers into the sea. This is called "calving." The waters off Alaska are also splendid for whale watching.

If you would like your Alaska travel adventure to be on water but in smaller craft, there are canoe trips that will take you up mighty rivers and across jewel-like lakes. Some canoe tours include overnight camping on islands. You can canoe for days on Alaska's river and lakes and not come across another human being.

In this wilderness land backpacking is a very popular form of Alaska adventure travel. There are well-marked, easy trails for those who do not want too strenuous an experience. For hikers who are in good physical shape and want something more challenging, about three quarters of Alaska's boundless outdoors is there for hikers and backpackers to explore on unmarked trails. However, this type of hiking and backpacking can be dangerous and you really should be experienced and know what you are doing.

Mount McKinley in Alaska is the highest mountain in the United States, so it is not surprising that mountain climbing draws many people to Alaska for adventure travel. For anglers, Alaska is a paradise for fly fishermen and bait fishermen alike. In fact, almost everybody in Alaska fishes for recreation. The principal game fish are salmon, halibut and trout.

Winter sports, of course, are popular for Alaska adventure travel. There is only one actual ski resort for the simple reason that snow covered mountains are everywhere. Cross-country skiing is much more popular among Alaskans than downhill skiing. For something really different on your Alaskan adventure travel, there are dogsled outfitters who can guide you on a dog mushing expedition into the back country. Summer or winter, Alaska is a great place for an adventure travel Alaska vacation.