Most savvy vacation travelers will tell you the best way to visit the most Instagrammable places in Alaska are via cruise; as many of its prettiest places and photogenic sites can only be reached by air or sea. What's more, a cruise to Alaska makes it convenient to snap that perfect shot, since so many itineraries include cruising along spectacular fjords or past calving glaciers.
Already starting to picture yourself posing for the ultimate photo amidst ancient green spruces and towering, snow-capped peaks? We've put together a list of five of the most Instagrammable spots to reveal some of the prettiest places in Alaska, along with tips for how to reach each one and what equipment to bring with you.
1. The Harding Ice Field — Kenai Fjords National Park
Encompassing nearly 700,000 acres of wild, natural beauty southwest of Seward, Kenai Fjords National Parks is one of the best places to take pictures when you are visiting Alaska. You'll find all kinds of unique photo opportunities here, but one of our favorites is the Harding Icefield. The best way to reach it is by following the Harding Icefield Trail, an 8.2-mile hike that begins at the Exit Glacier area. The trail climbs through lush forests dotted with tranquil meadows before yielding spectacular views of the icefield — a sprawling blanket of snow that stretches all the way to the horizon line.
The trail takes about six to eight hours to complete, and the last stretch rises to an elevation of 3,512 feet. If you don't feel up to hiking all the way out to the icefield, don't worry. Even a one-mile ramble along this trail offers plenty of lovely scenery worth capturing.
2. Sitka National Historic Park
If you're planning an Alaska cruise, try to find an itinerary that includes a stop in Sitka. This lovely northern port is home to lots of scenic trails and ancient evergreen forests, but one of its most photo-worthy sites is Sitka National Historic Park. Commemorating Tlingit and Russian history in Alaska, it was formerly known as Totem Park because of its vast collection of totem poles. During your visit, stroll along two miles of pathways that wind among giant Sitka spruce trees. You'll spot colorful, masterfully carved totem poles along the way. Though many of them are replicas of the centuries-old originals (now stored away for protection against the elements), their beauty and cultural significance make them well worth scoping out.
3. Tracy Arm Fjord
One of the great benefits of taking a cruise to Alaska is that you'll sail past some of the region's most impressive photo opps — like Tracy Arm Fjord. Some cruise itineraries sail along this magnificent stretch of dazzling scenery, known for its calm, sapphire waters, glistening icebergs, and rugged mountains that flank either side of the channel. You don't need to hit a trail or go out of your way at all to capture the fjord's impressive beauty — just hit the ship's top deck for breathtaking panoramic views.
4. Mount Roberts Tramway
The Mount Roberts Tramway is arguably the most iconic attraction in Juneau. It's the region's only aerial tramway and one of the world's most vertical tramways. Visitors line up to take these bright red gondolas 1,800 feet up through misty forests to the Mountain House, where you can take in jaw-dropping views of the Chilkat Mountains, Douglas Island, the Silverbow Basin and the Gastineau Channel. No matter which direction you face, you'll find vistas worth savoring — and snapping photos of. Like Tracy Arm Fjord, one of the best things about this spot is that it requires very little physical effort to reach. Just hop into a gondola and enjoy the ride to the summit.
5. Nooya Lake — Misty Fjords National Monument
If your travels bring you to Ketchikan, do not miss Misty Fjords National Monument. It's hands down one of the most Instagrammable places in Alaska. If you have the time, take a boat or flightseeing tour that stops at Nooya Lake. Accessible only by water or air, it's a true stunner. The water is so still it reflects a mirror image of the snow-capped peaks that rise up around it. And beyond the incredible pictures you'll get here, the total tranquility of the area will leave an equally long-lasting impression.
