11 Best Things To Do in Valdez, Alaska (From A Local)

Valdez is one of the snowiest places in the United States, and during the winter they receive an average of over 300 inches of snow every year! However, it's still one of the most beautiful cities in Alaska in my opinion, and if you're able to I highly recommend adding a stop here to explore the area. Located about 5.5 hours from Anchorage, Valdez has stunning mountain peaks and an abundance of wildlife. Along the way you'll sneak your way through Thompson Pass, some canyons, and even by Worthington Glacier.​

​My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates.
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To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi.

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Getting to Valdez and Where to Stay

Like most places in Alaska, there are a few different ways to get to Valdez. The first is to drive there, and the other is to take the Alaska Marine Highway - I've done both. Driving from Anchorage will take about 5.5 hours each way, and to be fair it takes just about that long if you take the ferry, but the scenic drive to Valdez is one of my favorites, and I recommend driving at least one way. Like I mentioned above, it takes you through canyons, next to waterfalls, and through Thompson Pass - an area that has snow almost year round.

Taking the ferry will be significantly more expensive, and from my personal experience (after getting delayed 6 hours) our ferry ride ended up being completely in the dark and we weren't able to see any of the views or wildlife we were hoping for, so in a sense it was a bit of a waste. However, it's worth noting that if you plan to travel during June or July, it should stay bright enough to enjoy the views even if you're going through the night.​

If you plan to spend the night in Valdez, which I recommend given how far it is from other popular destinations, there are a few places I would recommend staying at.

• Best Western - very centrally located, with some great lounge areas and included breakfast with some views of the harbor
• Valdez Glacier Campground - about 5 miles out of town, located very close to the Valdez Glacier Lake and perfect for those looking for a camping spot or secluded RV sites
• Valdez KOA - a more established campground, with wifi, showers, and even small cabins for rent

My Favorite Tours Near Valdez :
- Stan Stephens Meares Glacier Cruise
- Stan Stephens Columbia Glacier Cruise
- Helicopter to Glacier

11 Best Things to Do in Valdez

1. Glacier View Park & Lake
Right next to the Valdez Glacier Campground, you can find the Glacier View Park & Lake. There's a small parking area here, and after a short walk to the lake you'll be rewarded with stunning views of a glacier lake with mountainous backdrops. The area close to shore tends to get a little muddy, so if you're able to I recommend bringing a kayak and heading further back into the lake.

2. Solomon Gulch Hatchery
If you head towards the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, you'll have the chance to see a variety of wildlife. Salmon, sea lions, seals, and even bears frequent this area - so it's important to stay aware while exploring. There's a large parking lot here for visitors, but during the summer months it can still get crowded. Because of the large amount of salmon during the summer, it's essential to keep an eye out for bears. There's also a self guided tour you can do here along the cement walkway.

3. Bridal Veil Falls & Horsetail Falls
​Located a few miles out of town, both of these waterfalls can be seen directly from the road! There's even a pull off here so you can stop and enjoy the views. Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Keystone Canyon at a towering 600 feet tall, with Horsetail Falls just next door - if you're driving to Valdez you'll go right by these - so you can stop on your way in or out of town.

4. Drive Through Thompson Pass
As one of the most picturesque mountain views in Alaska, even if you don't plan to stop in Thompson Pass it's at least admiring the views during your drive in and out of Valdez. The top of the pass can get very windy - but trust me when I say the views are worth it! The craziest part is that often times there's usually snow year round.

5. Hike to Worthington Glacier
​Located about 30 miles outside of Valdez, Worthington Glacier is best accessed in the summer time once the snow has melted (even in the summer, chances are you could still see some snow). The trail is well maintained and paved, but like other hikes it's important to remember to follow the signs and any posted rules they have. In order to make it to the lake front views of the glacier, you'll need to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot. (Note, pictured above is Mears Glacier, not Worthington Glacier.)

6. Drive (or Walk) the Marina & Kelsey Dock
​There aren't many other places you can literally drive your car out onto a dock, but Valdez has one. Here you can sit, enjoy a coffee, go fishing, and search for wildlife out in the water - or just watch the locals. If you're lucky, you might even spot a few whales, and if you're really up for an adventure, you can book a spot on the Alaska Marine Highway and head towards Whittier.

7. Do Some Shopping
In downtown Valdez you'll find a number of boutique stores and gift shops in addition to the downtown restaurants - personally, the gift shop inside Anadyr Adventures is my favorite - but you can find all sorts of unique souvenirs in the Valdez shops.

8. Glacier & Wildlife Cruise
​As one of my ultimate favorite glacier and wildlife cruises in Alaska, the Stan Stephen's Cruise goes above and beyond, plus the views are truly stunning. I've cruised with them multiple times and every time I've seen a calving glacier, whales, and other incredible wildlife.

9. Search for Wildlife (Including Bunnies)
Did you know that the town of Valdez has pet bunnies? Maybe not actually pet bunnies, but if you walk around town soon enough you'll see a few hopping around. Valdez is also a great place to search for other wildlife, on a trip last fall, I saw 15+ black bears over one weekend! My favorite places to search for wildlife are the Solomon Gulch Hatchery and driving along the Dayville Road.

10. Fishing for Salmon
​Valdez is one of the most fun places to fish - with the incredible tide changes and the thick crowds during peak salmon runs - it's essential to stay aware of your surroundings and have a sense of what you're doing. Make sure to have your Alaska state fishing license, and head out to Alison Point with your waders - or waterproof boots if you're staying on shore.

11. Grab Some Local Bites to Eat
​Although Valdez isn't exactly known for their delicious cuisine, there are still quite a few places to grab a bite in town. Some of my personal favorites are Nat Shack, The Coffee Co., The 7 C's Crepes, and Valdez Brewing.

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit
-> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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