Day Trips & Excursions

The Alaska Railroad is your ticket to the most memorable Alaska day trips and excursions. Our summer train schedules pair perfectly with a wide variety of unique Alaska activities: from Anchorage, take the train to Seward for a wildlife and glacier cruise before the return rail journey to Anchorage that evening. Or, spend an afternoon exploring the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop -- a backcountry area only accessible by rail -- with a guided nature walk, ice climbing, or rafting on a glacial river.

Activities abound in every Alaska Railroad destination, and many of the below excursions can be added to customize an Alaska Railroad summer travel package. From flightseeing and glacier cruises to rafting and ice climbing, this is your ultimate guide to summer train trip add-ons.

And, don't forget to check our Specials page for the latest deals on Alaska Railroad day trips. 

Ready to book a day trip or add an excursion to your train ticket? Call 800.544.0552 to book now!

Fly-Out Bear Viewing

Travel deep into the wilds on a fly-out Alaska bear viewing trip. Observe Alaska brown and black bears up close as they congregate in remote, untouched areas of Alaska, near salmon streams and tidal estuaries.

Alaska Helicopter Tours

Enjoy an aerial view of majestic Knik Glacier with Alaska Helicopter Tours, whether you choose to explore by scenic remote landings, a guided glacial walk, or mushing a real Alaska sled dog team on the glacier itself. 

 

RAIL DAY TRIPS FROM ANCHORAGE

Take the train from Anchorage to enjoy the following day trips:

Wilderness Jetboat Excursion

Take a two-hour jetboat adventure; watch for views of Denali. Visit an authentic trapper’s cabin and Alaska Native encampment.

Devil's Canyon Adventure

This five-hour, 130-mile round-trip river excursion through Denali State Park and into the Wild River Park of “Devil’s Gorge” offers a safe, dry and comfortable way to experience whitewater.

Denali Flightseeing

Endless views of the rugged mountains of the Alaska Range, winding rivers of ice and the majestic Denali. Ask about glacier landings.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage.

Dryland Mushing

Experience the thrill of summertime dog mushing at Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey's sled dog kennel. 

Talkeetna Lakes Hike Tour

Explore Talkeetna’s best trail with a knowledgeable naturalist guide. A whole new scene of beauty unfolds around every turn on this three-mile moderate hike.

Talkeetna Canopy Adventure

Learn about the natural environment of Alaska’s boreal forest from an exhilarating vantage point as you zipline amid the treetops on this three-hour canopy tour.

Curry Jetboat Adventure by Rail

Ride the Hurricane Turn Train to Curry and board a jetboat for a ride on the scenic Susitna River, watching for views of wildlife and Denali.

Hurricane Turn Train 

Offering round-trip service from Talkeetna to Hurricane, experience one of the last true flagstop trains in North America: the Hurricane Turn. Backcountry Alaska comes alive along this remote stretch of wilderness you can only access by rail.

 

Tundra Wilderness Tour 

One of the most popular tours of Denali National Park! A narrated bus tour takes you across a spectacular slice of the Alaska Range with mountain views and lots of wildlife.

Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater 

This popular dinner theater highlights Alaska’s frontier past. A family-style, all-you-can-eat dinner of fresh Alaska salmon, BBQ ribs and dessert is served.

Denali Park Zipline Adventure

Soar through the trees and over the tundra on this guided zipline adventure.

Horse Drawn Covered Wagon Ride

Enjoy a relaxing and entertaining expedition into Alaska's scenic backcountry via horse drawn covered wagon. Includes hearty, family-style meal.

River Rafting In Denali

Raft the mighty Nenana River! Choose from a gentle, family-friendly float to a full-day whitewater adventure.

Denali Air Flightseeing Tour (Unavailable Summer 2023)

Breathtaking views, spectacular glaciers, and snow-covered peaks. This fully narrated excursion features incomparable views of the Alaska Range and Denali.

> Available as a rail day trip from Fairbanks.

Denali Highway Jeep Excursion

Stunning panoramas, frequent wildlife sightings and the chance to see spectacular views of Denali make this guided, 4-hour Denali Highway excursion an unforgettable drive.

Explore Denali Hike 

Challenge your senses on an interpretive hike in Denali National Park. Trek through forests with spectacular views of crystal clear lakes and alpine peaks.

Riverboat Discovery 

One of Alaska’s top tours – a sternwheeler river adventure. See an operating fish wheel, a bush pilot demo, go ashore for a guided tour of an authentic Alaska Native village, and more.

Historical Fairbanks City Tour 

This narrated motorcoach tour visits all the best highlights of Fairbanks.

Arctic Circle Air Adventure

A round-trip journey by air across the Arctic Circle. Highlights include incredible views of the mighty Yukon River, the Brooks Mountain Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Arctic Circle Drive Adventure

A guided round-trip journey by land across the Arctic Circle along the remote Dalton Highway. Highlights include viewing the trans-Alaska pipeline and the mighty Yukon River.

 

RAIL DAY TRIPS FROM FAIRBANKS

Take the train from Fairbanks to enjoy the following day trip:

Summer Glacier Dog Sled Tour 

Enjoy a spectacular round-trip helicopter ride into the majestic Chugach Mountains and onto Punchbowl Glacier, 3,200 feet above sea level. Once there, drive a team of Alaskan huskies across the snowfield. Includes transfer and glacier gear. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage.

Helicopter Glacier Landing 

Entering the Chugach backcountry you'll witness the iconic Lake George Glacier, Whiteout Glacier, and Colony Glacier. View crystal clear melt water pools in spring and summer. You'll land on a glacier and step out onto the ice and explore. Keep an eye out for moose, bear, and sheep traversing the 20-mile river valley. 

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage.

RAIL DAY TRIPS FROM GIRDWOOD

Take the train from Girdwood to enjoy the following day trips:

6-Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise

Watch for tidewater glaciers and abundant marine wildlife – including humpback whales, orcas, sea lions and more – aboard this six-hour cruise. 

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

6-Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise

Embark on a six-hour coastal catamaran cruise featuring Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park; get an up-close view of tidewater glaciers and watch for wildlife.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

4 Hour Kenai Fjords Cruise 

This 4-hour cruise of protected Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords includes glacier and wildlife viewing.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Resurrection Bay Wildlife Cruise to Fox Island

Learn about the rich history of Resurrection Bay while viewing jagged cliffs, alpine glaciers and marine wildlife. A visit to Fox Island is included.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Seward City Tours

Choose from three guided tours of this charming port town. 

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Real Alaska Tour

This tour is a great way to see Seward in a day. Visit Exit Glacier, pause for lunch at the Resurrection Roadhouse, and enjoy a dog sled ride and tour at the famed Seavey kennel.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Seward Canopy Adventures

The coastal rainforest surrounding Resurrection Bay makes for an incredible backdrop on this 3-hour guided ziplining adventure.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

The 26-Glacier Cruise

Explore the serenity of Esther Passage, view majestic alpine and tidewater glaciers in College and Harriman Fjord and travel in luxurious comfort aboard the Klondike Express – the fastest catamaran in Alaska. This five-hour cruise is fully narrated by a Chugach National Forest Service Ranger.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Glacier Quest Cruise

Cruise into magnificent Blackstone Bay, home to seven glaciers and towering waterfalls. Watch for otters, seals, bears, mountain goats and more. Fully narrated by a Chugach National Forest Service Ranger.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

 

RAIL DAY TRIPS FROM WHITTIER

Pair round-trip rail from Whittier (or return to Girdwood or Anchorage) with the following excursions:

RAIL DAY TRIPS FROM PORTAGE

Take the train from Portage to enjoy the following day trips:

Note: the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop is only accessible by rail.

Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop

Ride the Glacier Discovery Train to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where you’ll disembark to explore this backcountry paradise only accessible by rail. 

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier or Portage.

Spencer Iceberg & Placer River Float

Experienced guides row you right up to picturesque icebergs and offer stunning views of Spencer Glacier. From there, float the pristine Placer River.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier or Portage.

Bears, Trains & Icebergs

Ride the rails, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and raft amid glacial icebergs.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage or Girdwood.

Note: Grandview is only accessible by rail.

Glacier Discovery Train

This rail journey takes you through some of the most scenic areas of the Railbelt: enjoy exceptional views of Trail Glacier, Bartlett Glacier and Spencer Glacier.

> Available as a rail day trip from Anchorage, Girdwood, Whittier, or Portage.