On my roadtrip to Alaska, I spent about 4 weeks in the state, and I have to say that Valdez was my favorite city (town). And driving around and talking to other tourists, any of them that had been to Valdez also said it was their favorite. I will never forget the first time I drove into Valdez during the early morning, with the sun shining but fog on the sea, and Sea Lions and Sea Otters swimming about as silver salmon are jumping and Bald Eagles are searching for breakfast in the mud flats. These are the best things to do in Valdez.
Driving to Valdez, Alaska
Unless you’re visiting McCarthy and Kennecott area of Wrangell St. Elias National Park, you will find that the driving to Valdez, AK will take you 117 miles out of your way than anywhere else in Alaska. At the junction of Highways 1 and 4, the Glenn and Richardson highways, you will continue the Richardson Highway to the oil pipeline terminus of Valdez, AK. This is one of the best drives in the state of Alaska. The highlights of the drive include the Worthington Glacier and magnificent waterfalls in Keystone Canyon.
Worthington Glacier
This retreating glacier creates a picture postcard view as you come around the bend of the Richardson Highway. There’s a state-run park to visit the glacier, including a hike to the base or even above the glacier. Parking is $5 and there’s no camping, although it is possible to boondock camp to the west of the glacier on one of the many pull outs with incredible views of Thompson Pass.
Waterfalls
Valdez is famous for its waterfalls, and two of the most spectacular ones can be seen from the Richardson Highway as you drive through Keystone Canyon on your way to Valdez – Bridal Veil Falls and Horsetail Falls. Both falls have an area you can pull off the highway to get great photos.
A Cruise to the Columbia Glacier
If you can afford it, the one of the best things to do in Valdez is a Glacier Cruise. There are two very highly recommended wildlife and glacier cruise companies in the town of Valdez, and based on taking several glacier cruises around Alaska, I think these companies offer the best value. Read here about my day out on the Lu-Lu Belle boat to view sea birds, wildlife, and the incredible Columbia Glacier.
Valdez Glacier & Iceberg Lake
The namesake glacier of Valdez is retreating, and is now barely visible from the town. You can take the airport road, paved half way but keep on going on the gravel to the informal recreation area at a lake with small icebergs floating until they finally get captured by the current of the Valdez Glacier creek and they float out towards the Prince William Sound.
Solomon Gulch Salmon Hatchery
A great free activity is a vist to the Solomon Gulch Hatchery. There’s a self-guided tour but the real highlight is the wildlife. During my visit in mid July, the gates to the stream weren’t open yet, so there were 1000’s of salmon swarming to swim up the stream. And several Steller Sea Lions and Sea Otters were taking the advantage to pick them off one by one. If you visit later in the season, it’s possible to sea Black and Brown (Coastal Grizzly) Bears catching salmon as well. Insider tip: visit at high tide, this is when you can see the Sea Lions and Sea Otters out hunting.
Another Insider tip: there’s a hike nearby the hatchery that goes up to Solomon Lake, where the hatchery waters originate but I had met several people who said to not do that hike – unless you solely want to do it for exercise. It was difficult and without the same great views you get from driving around.
Valdez Museum & Annex
The local museum is a nice collection of historical artifacts and art. It’s an especially good thing to visit if you happen to be in Valdez on a rainy day. Insider tip: Make sure you watch the video about the 1964 earthquake and make sure you visit the so called “Annex” near the ferry port which has a scale replica of the town prior to the earthquake.
Valdez Old Town and Cemetery
There isn’t much left of Valdez Old Town – the town prior to the 1964 earthquake. The 1964 earthquake has been the world’s second strongest recorded earthquake at 9.2 on the Richter Scale. The old town area was deemed to be unstable so the entire town was moved to the current location. All that remains now is a few slabs. You can pick up a map of old town at the Valdez Museum. Not far from the Old Town is a cemetery. There are a few Russian graves here, but the reason to stop is to see the carved marble bear, with real bear teeth.
See the Rabbits!
There are loads of feral rabbits around Valdez. They started as some pets that got loose or released and they multiplied. You can see them all around town and even at the harbor. They come in all domestic rabbit colors – white, brown, black and everything in between.
Kayaking
There are a couple companies in town that will take you kayaking, in the harbor, at Columbia Glacier, or even in the iceberg lake of Valdez Glacier. I was tempted to buy an inflatable kayak to bring on my trip to Alaska, but ultimately decided there wasn’t enough room in my Ford Transit Connect Camper Van, but seeing this calm lake, made me so wish I had a kayak to paddle around. Would have been a once in a lifetime chance to paddle with icebergs for free! Insider tip: bring your own Inflatable Kayak or SUP but be careful – a fall into the icy water could cause immediate hypothermia. If you’re not experienced, it’s best to go with one of the adventure companies. Especially stay away from the glacier and any icebergs that might calve – these 3 people found out the hard way in 2019.
Valdez Harbor
Unlike some of the other harbor towns of Alaska, Valdez has plenty of free parking around, with 48 hours of free parking! The harbor is very pleasant with lots of places to sit or stand and watch the views of mountains or ships coming or going. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Sea Otter having fun in the harbor. Insider tip: If you’re camping and in need of a shower, $4 will get you a 12 minute shower. Make sure you go to the new harbor bathrooms, located in the new part of the small boat harbor – brand new, spacious, clean, and private.
Peter Pan Cannery
You can visit the shop of the Peter Pan Cannery, the largest cannery in Valdez. They have fresh fish and seafood as well as canned salmon, snacks, and Peter Pan merchandise.
Catch a Movie at the Civic Center Cinema
I like visiting small town cinemas. Sure, they’re not IMAX megaplexes, but they’re cheap and it’s fun to check out a new theater. The Valdez movie theater happens to be located in the Civic Center. I didn’t get a chance to go to a movie on this trip because I was busy doing all the other fun things to do in Valdez, but the cinema is a good evening or rainy day activity in Valdez.
Where to stay in Valdez
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Most people camp in Valdez, there are several RV campgrounds and boondocking sights around. In fact, Valdez is home to some of my favorite free places to camp in Alaska. The city run Valdez Glacier Campground has lots of spots and hot showers included for $20 a spot. But there are also a couple of nice hotels around town if you’re not camping (Check Rates and Availability of Hotels and Motels in Valdez).
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