Top Things to do in Alaska
Top Hotels in Alaska
- 1. Pike's Waterfront Lodge
- 2. The Hotel Captain Cook
- 3. Alyeska Resort
- 4. Hyatt Place Anchorage Midtown
- 5. The Lakefront Anchorage
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport
- 7. Land's End Resort
- 8. Driftwood Inn & Homer Seaside Lodges
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Fairbanks Airport
- 10. Best Western Grandma'S Feather Bed
What to do and see in Alaska, United States: The Best Waterfalls
Alaska is divided into five regions: far north, interior, southwest, south central, and inside passage. Although it takes a long time to see the entire state, you can travel through the regions by boat, car, bus, or plane. Hike through the mountains, or venture out on a deep sea fishing or whale watching excursion. Get in touch with nature by camping in the wilderness, or experience your preferred degree of class and luxury in the beautiful, active cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Restaurants in Alaska
1. Brooks Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 309 reviews
Area on the Brooks River where a large number of brown bears spend their summer due to salmon migration.
Reviewed By 907blaked - Tampa, United States
We made a special trip to Katmai National Park from Anchorage to view the grizzly bears, and we were not disappointed. We looked at a couple of different private transportation services to get there, including Rust's and Katmailand. We ultimately settled on Katmailand, and we were not disappointed, even though the price was steep at $895 per person. Our trip started at a private hanger near the Anchorage airport, where we loaded into a nine passenger jet for the one hour and 15 minute flight to King Salmon. The flight left at around 7 AM, arriving in King Salmon at 8:15 AM. King Salmon is the main hub for getting to Brooks Camp, and it seemed like little float planes to and from Brooks Camp were constantly taking off and landing, whether with passengers, supplies, or both. Our flight on a 10 passenger float plane ultimately left at around 9:45 AM and landed at Brooks Camp on Naknek Lake at 10:05 AM. Immediately upon arrival we went to the visitor center for a briefing on bear safety. There was a 10 minute film, followed by a 10 minute life talk from the Ranger. After that, we were allowed to explore the entirety of Brooks Camp on our own. We immediately headed for Brooks Falls, knowing that that was the best place to view the grizzlies. We walked across the brand new bridge that was opened for the 2019 season, which was fantastic (no bear jams!). Several platforms off the bridge allowed you to stop and watch the grizzlies if there were any, and there definitely were each time we crossed it. The walk to Brooks Falls was ultimately around 20 minutes from the visitor center. The upper Falls viewing platform holds only 40 people at a time, and so they have a system for managing the tourists: When you arrive to the upper Falls location, you are given a buzzer similar to what you get at a restaurant by the host when you’re waiting for your table. You are than invited to go to the lower Falls platform viewing area to watch the grizzlies down stream while you wait for your buzzer to ring. Once your buzzer rings, you are permitted to go to the upper Falls for one hour. On the day we were there, the lower downstream area was actually better viewing for the bears then the upper Falls area. This was by far the highlight of our trip to Katmai, and probably even to Alaska overall. As part of our tour reservation through Katmailand, we were provided access to the buffet lunch at the dining lodge. I was not expecting much, but it actually was very good. There was a full salad bar, plus 4 or 5 hot dishes, including beef, chicken fried rice, sticky rice, and beef barley soup. There were also two desserts to choose from, chocolate brownies and pecan bars. There was plenty to eat for the vegan member in our group. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 4 PM, and we were told to check in back at the office near the visitor center and hour in advance. The fact that we had to check in a full hour early was a little disappointing, because once you come back down to the office and visitor center area from the Falls area, it is difficult to get back up to the Falls area for viewing, and so you are essentially "stuck" around the office area for the entire hour before your flight (although they do allow you to hang out on the new bridge, where we could still view some bears). Our flight eventually left around 3:50 PM, and we were headed back to King Salmon and then eventually to Anchorage. Viewing grizzlies at Brooks Falls is something everyone should do if you have the interest and ability! We went on July 12, and we probably saw 35 bears in total, with the maximum at any one time of around 10 or 11.
2. Nugget Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,420 reviews
Reviewed By QuantumMover - San Diego, United States
MUST SEE!! Incredibly beautiful glacier, icebergs, and waterfalls all enclosed by a beautiful natural park. Although we did not see bears, signs were posted around the park to stay alert that bears are typically seen in the area. The Photo Point is a 5 minute walk from the visitor center on a paved road, you can hear the waterfalls and have a spectacular view of the glacier from there. You can also hike to the falls, its 2-3 miles round trip from the visitor center. The video at the center is worth watching, as it explains how the impacts from global warming are measurable.
3. Pitchfork Falls
4. Russian River Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By JosephH778 - Beavercreek, United States
A kayak guide from Seward recommended my wife and I drive to Russian River Falls, hike the 2.1 miles to the falls, and enjoy the salmon run while possibly also seeing some bears. The guide was spot on! After seeing documentaries on TV seeing salmon leap from river level to one another while running the 'gauntlet' of bears, it was a bit surreal to personally witness it! This hike, during salmon run, is most definitely worth the $11 parking fee!
5. Pioneer Falls
6. Barbara Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By TerryT386 - Eagle River, United States
As a neighborhood, we’re having a conversation in the barbara falls area. The directions on the computer maps are correct. We now have non interactive street art (Not mine) that directs you to keep going slow and straight on riverview/waterfall dr. Do not be deceived by the street sign that reads “barbara falls rd”. It will damn you to hell with all the dead ends. You will take your first right at the STOP sign at the bottom of riverview/waterfall. Drive down till you see the fork in the road. Take a left at the fork and try not to park in the fire lane. Have fun. Remember fish will be coming into the confluence of the river soon, and that means bears. Carry bear spray, they live here. This beautiful place is wonderful to hike any time of the year. Bring ice cleats in the winter;) In response to the parking, the entrance is a cul de sac and the no parking signs mean it’s a fire lane. Most of trail heads in residential areas have this issue.
7. Thunderbird Falls
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 249 reviews
Reviewed By hiker1949
This is a moderate to easy difficulty hike of about a mile. Good parking, well marked and wide trail. Restroom at trailhead.
