Although Alaska is the largest state in America, it can also call itself the least populous state. You will find many beautiful pieces of nature that you will definitely want to capture with your camera, but the cities are also interesting to visit.
Traffic In Alaska And The Surrounding Area
According to 800Zipcodes, Alaska is the northernmost state of America and, in addition to the eight hundred km long peninsula, also includes a number of islands. The state borders no other US state: Alaska borders Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort Sea to the north, the Bering Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
Countless miles with a view of a jagged landscape full of green forests and snow-capped mountains, glaciers, fjords and rolling hills. In Alaska you always take the scenic route to get to your destination. On lonely roads you drive from one landscape into the next, while a beautiful view reveals itself after every bend.
Alaska’s traffic laws differ from those of other US states. The traffic limits here are often slightly lower: in built-up areas you can drive 25 mph (40 km/h) and on other roads 55 mph (88 km/h), as long as these are not alleys or roads that are close to a school or business district. Some interstates and freeways have a speed limit of 65 mph (105 km/h), but this is clearly marked.
Alaska law requires you to keep your headlights on longer during the winter months, and some roads even require you to turn on your headlights at any time of the year. That is why many residents always drive with their headlights on anyway.
Tip: One of the most beautiful routes in Alaska is the Denali Highway. Here you drive right through the interior of Alaska, enjoying beautiful views. This route is nearly 140 miles long and connects Paxson to Cantwell. Please note that the Denali Highway is closed from October to mid-May each year.
Stroll Through Beautiful Juneau
One of these cities is Juneau, the beautiful capital of Alaska nestled between the rainforests of the Alaskan Panhandle. Especially if you stay here for a few days, the rental car will be the solution to explore the beautiful surroundings. But first, stroll through the narrow streets of the historic center or stroll along the waterfront with the mountains of St. Juneau and Mt. Roberts as background. Visit the Alaska State Museum to learn about Alaska’s six largest indigenous peoples. You will learn how these peoples adapted to the harsh weather conditions and through an exhibition, attention is also paid to the time when Alaska was in Russian hands. Then end your visit with a nice view of an eagle’s nest.
From Juneau you can take a number of unforgettable excursions such as a whale watching cruise, a canoe trip or an adventure rafting trip. But the Mount Roberts Tramway is also special: with a gondola you glide along the harbor to Mount Roberts. Here you make a short climb over the Mt. Roberts Alpine Trail and then be rewarded with a panoramic view of the mountains, valleys and snow gullies of Glacier Bay.
Admire The Unique Ice Field
Twenty miles north of Juneau is Alaska’s most popular attraction: Mendenhall Glacier. This is one of many glaciers that have emerged from the massive Juneau Icefield. Glacier Mendenhall is the tip of an iceberg and the ice field covers about 3,500 square kilometers. In the visitor center there are various exhibitions where you can learn a lot about the unique nature of the area. In addition, there are several short hiking trails such as Steep Creek Trail that takes you to viewing platforms, and Nugget Falls Trails where you can admire a waterfall.
Go On An Adventure In Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park is located in southern Alaska. The park is located on a peninsula and can therefore only be reached by boat or plane. It is one of the largest protected natural areas in the state. World famous in the park is Brooke Falls, the river where brown bears annually hunt for salmon in the small falls. From several viewing platforms you can look out over the river, the waterfalls and the bears waiting for their catch. The park is known for its fifteen volcanoes, five of which are active. The park was designated a national park in 1980 to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. This area gets its name from the smoke that continued to rise from the ground for years after the Novarupta erupted in 1912. Now you can see a unique lunar landscape here. In addition, the park has a rugged coastline.