Contents
Valdez | Introduction
Valdez is located at the terminus of glaciers in the eastern part of Prince William Sound. Though small, with a population of just a few thousand, Valdez has a robust economy. It is the endpoint of the Alaska Pipeline and the northernmost ice-free port in the United States. For tourists, Valdez is a beautiful port town, often referred to as "Little Switzerland of Alaska" and a prime spot for glacier cruises.
Valdez | 2-Day Itinerary
We stayed in Valdez for two nights. Originally, we planned to spend three days and two nights, including a much-anticipated icebreaker cruise. Unfortunately, due to rough seas, the cruise was canceled. As a result, we ended up with only one and a half days in Valdez. During this time, we drove to nearby attractions, including Bridal Veil Falls, Worthington Glacier, the Valdez harbor, the Old Railroad Tunnel, and Wrangell St. Elias National Park, exploring this charming Alaskan town thoroughly.
From our experience, we recommend that anyone planning a trip to Alaska be aware that the itinerary can be heavily influenced by the weather. Although cruise tickets can often be rescheduled, we decided not to delay our subsequent plans and opted for a refund. If you want to ensure all your activities go smoothly, it's best to allow extra buffer days. However, even with extra days, there's no guarantee, as some tourists have waited three days without success.
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Valdez | Transportation
As a port city, Valdez is accessible both by road and by ferry. Taking the ferry can be more convenient. For example, the distance from Whittier to Valdez is 357 miles by road but only 90 miles by sea. Details on ferry travel were mentioned earlier.
Valdez | Richardson Highway
Richardson Highway is the main road into and out of Valdez, and it offers stunning scenic views. On our first day in Valdez, we enjoyed simply driving and taking in the beautiful scenery. In the summer, the weather can be lovely, with green landscapes contrasting against the snowy peaks, though the weather can be quite variable.
We saw an avalanche site along the way, which was fascinating for us as we come from a place that never sees snow. It looked almost like a tourist spot, and there were work crews dealing with the aftermath of recent rains.
Attractions | Bridal Veil Falls
The first notable sight on Richardson Highway out of Valdez is Bridal Veil Falls, about 18 miles away. It's impossible to miss as it’s right by the road. In summer, you can hike the Keystone Canyon Pack Trail, a 2.6-mile trail adjacent to the falls. In winter, the falls freeze, becoming a haven for ice climbing, with an annual Ice Climbing Festival held there.
Attractions | Worthington Glacier
Continuing along Richardson Highway, the next major attraction is Worthington Glacier. This glacier is close to the highway, visible from your car.
It’s an accessible glacier with a pavilion at the trailhead providing detailed explanations about glaciers, their formation, and types.
Walking up the trail brings you close to the glacier. The blue ice looks surreal and is fascinating to see up close, although it appears more muddy and gritty than the pristine blue often seen in photos due to the silt carried by the moving ice. We ventured right up to the glacier, but it’s essential to be cautious as the terrain is slippery and not officially regulated.
Attractions | Old Railroad Tunnel
The Old Railroad Tunnel is a small, incomplete tunnel from a failed early 20th-century railroad project intended to boost Valdez's port status. Although the project was abandoned, the tunnel remains a quaint roadside attraction.
Wrangell St Elias National Park
Wrangell St Elias National Park | Introduction
Wrangell St Elias National ParkIt is the largest national park in the United States, with an area as large as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Switzerland combined! However, because of its remote location and low level of development, it is not easy to go deep into this national park. The only areas that are easier to access by rental car are Copper Center and Chitina, which are the two more westerly areas, and you can only touch the edge of the park.
Almost all the other roads into the hinterland of the National Park are narrow, winding and non-tarmac, and the road conditions vary greatly with the weather. If you really want to go deeper into the park, a better way is to find a local shuttle service or take an air taxi.
Wrangell St Elias National Park | Copper Center Area
The Copper Center area, at the park's western edge, is the most accessible, home to the park’s headquarters. It’s about an hour’s drive north from Valdez on Richardson Highway. The Copper Center Visitor Center is the largest in the park, featuring cultural and historical exhibits and a picnic area, making it a great rest stop on the highway.
Trails | Boreal Forest Trail
The Boreal Forest Trail is a 0.5-mile loop trail around the visitor center, highly recommended for a half-hour walk. The trail offers a viewing platform with expansive views of the Wrangell-St. Elias mountains. However, in summer, mosquitoes are plentiful, so bring insect repellent.
The Boreal Forest Trail connects to the Copper River Bluff Trail and Valdez Trail. The Copper River Bluff Trail is a 0.5-mile loop with a viewing platform overlooking the Copper River. The Valdez Trail is a historic route once used to transport supplies to Valdez.
Wrangell St Elias National Park | Chitina Region
Initially, we planned only to visit Copper Center, but with extra time from the canceled cruise, we ventured into the Chitina area. This region sees few tourists and is more about preserving natural resources than recreation. Local residents can hunt seasonally within the park, maintaining traditional lifestyles.
Chitina has a ghost town atmosphere with remnants from the gold rush era, now largely abandoned except for a few stores serving hunters and campers. We encountered heavy rain upon entering Chitina, and the narrow, unpaved McCarthy Road beyond the ranger station was too challenging for our rental car.
Valdez Dining | Alaskan Halibut House
Valdez is a quaint town with few restaurants. We dined at the Alaskan Halibut House, which specializes in fish and chips with various fish options. We enjoyed the rockfish and halibut baskets, appreciating the fresh, local fish and the restaurant’s reasonable prices.
Further reading
- Exploring Alaska: A 9-Day Self-Drive Adventure
- Alaska Road Trip: Discovering History and Art at the Anchorage Museum
- Alaska Road Trip: One-Day Guide to Denali National Park
- Alaska Road Trip: Scenic Ferry Ride on the Alaska Marine Highway to Whittier
- Discover Valdez: Two-Day Road Trip Including Worthington Glacier and Wrangell St Elias National Park
- Matanuska Glacier: The Easiest Glacier to Traverse in Alaska
- Exploring Kenai Fjords National Park: A Day Trip from Seward
- Experience the Excitement: Dog Sledding with Ididaride in Seward
- Alaska Road Trip: Exploring Homer, the Halibut Capital
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