How to Plan a Wild Outdoor Summer Vacation Near Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska is one of the last wild places in the United States that you can explore. This summer don't settle for the same old theme park family vacations. Instead, pack the bear essentials and see how life was meant to be lived, wildly!

Step 1: Learn About Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage is the largest city in the state of Alaska. In fact its population of 275,043 people is nearly two thirds of the state's human population. This city offers a mild summer climate that offers visitors and campers average daily temperatures between 55 degrees F and 78 degrees F. When you plan your Anchorage outdoor summer vacation make sure that you plan for run. Some of the city tourist destinations that you will want to include on your itinerary are the Alaska Zoo, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska Botanical Garden.

Step 2: Make Arrangements for Your Lodging

Since you will be vacationing in one of the most beautiful environments in the world, you should consider forgoing hotel accommodations for more rugged lodging options. Anchorage has a lot of great campgrounds located near the city. The campgrounds that are located within 10 miles of Anchorage include: the Golden Nugget Camper Park, John's RV Park and Motel, Centennial and Lions Campground, and Highlander Camper Park.

If you need the comforts of home you do have the option of staying in a hotel. Anchorage is a good sized city so you have a lot of options to choose from. Some of the hotels that are located in Anchorage include: the Alaskan Samavar Inn, the Anchorage Grand Hotel, the Best Western Golden Lion Hotel, and the Clarion Suites Hotel Anchorage, just to name a few.

Step 3: Plan Your Adventures

The first wild adventure that you can have is a hiking adventure. There are at least 6 trail systems located within 30 miles of Anchorage. One of the closest is the Iditarod Trail, located 5 miles away in Matanuska-Susitna County. Your other options include Bull Rock Trail located 12 miles away in Kenai Peninsula County, Bird Creek Trail located 27 miles away in Anchorage County, Devils Pass Trail located 29 miles away in Kenai Peninsula County, Resurrection Pass National Recreation Trail located 26 miles away in Kenai Peninsula County, and Stetson Creek Trail located 30 miles away in Kenai Peninsula.

If you are interested in natural wonders and beautiful scenery then you may want to plan a trip to one of the nearby national parks. The closest national parks are located about 5 miles from Anchorage, and they are the Katmai National Park & Preserve and the Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. If you are interested in bears and other large mammals then you will want to drive 28 miles to the Denali National Park and Preserve.

If you are after a water adventure then you have several local lakes to choose from. One of the closest lakes to Anchorage is Lake Beebe. It is located about a mile from the city. Other lakes that are located within 10 miles of Anchorage include: Lake Beth, Cann Lake, Caves Lake, Cheney Lake, Fish Lake, Goose Lake, Green Lake, Lazy Lake, Otter Lake, Sixmile Lake, Spring Lake, Triangle Lake, Tuomi Lake, and University Lake.