Three Days in Valdez, Alaska

Valdez is a less frequently visited part of Alaska, but definitely one that should be on your list. We spent three days in Valdez and barely scratched the surface of all there is to do in this hidden Alaskan gem.

 The drive from Anchorage to Valdez takes you through high tundra, mountain passes and stunning canyons. You’ll enjoy views of glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife along the way. It is an easy 5 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage but leave plenty of extra time for stops along the way. If you don’t want to drive, you can fly or take the ferry.

Read about the drive from Anchorage to Valdez

Day 1 –  BBQ, Dock Point Park and Salmon Viewing at Crooked Creek

First stop was at the RV Park to set up the trailer. We chose the Valdez KOA because it is a little bit outside of town. Although I miss the convenience of walking into town, I prefer a more secluded campsite and enjoyed the mature trees in and around the park. The park has a playground for the grandchildren and a dog park. Full hookups, tent sites and shower facilities are available. 

If you prefer something closer to town, Eagles Rest RV Park, Bear Paw RV Park, and Bayside RV Park are all within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the harbor. These are great options if you are taking a boat tour or fishing charter and don’t want to drive. If you won’t be camping, there are several options for motels, bed & breakfasts and cabin rentals both in town and a bit more secluded.

After setting up the trailer we headed into town for dinner. We stumbled upon  The Smoke Shack BBQ and were glad we did. The owner serves some of the best barbecue I have ever had. The building is small and only has outside seating but there are several covered picnic tables. There are no restrooms, so go before you go! Combination plates include corn on the cob, baked beans and cole slaw. Go early if you can. Once the meat the owner has smoked for the day is gone, there is no more. He had run out of ribs by the time we got there around 6:00 pm and ran out of brisket soon after.

Because we had our trailer, we didn’t eat out again in Valdez. Check Trip Advisor for other restaurants in Valdez.

Dock Point Park Trail

After dinner, we walked around the Dock Point Park trail. This is an easy .75 mile hike near town. Be sure to keep an eye out for eagles flying or resting in trees nearby. (Alaskan insider tip: Look for white dots in the tops of trees. These are usually the eagle’s bald heads!)

This is a loop trail. There is one steep hill along the loop. Take a right at the fork if you want to walk up the hill, go left if you want to come down the hill. A portion of the trail includes a boardwalk through grass and wildflower meadows. Plenty of parking is available off Kobuk Drive, east of the harbor. 

Salmon Viewing at Crooked Creek

On our way back to the campground, we stopped at Crooked Creek to view the salmon running. There is a spot for parking at Mile 0.5 on the Richardson Highway and a viewing point. Be sure to go inside the log cabin to see a live feed from the underwater camera when the salmon are spawning (mid-July through Labor Day). Keep an eye out for bear that occasionally stop to enjoy an easy meal. 

We were visiting over Labor Day Weekend which is near the end of the spawning season. For that reason, we saw many dead or dying salmon. Salmon stop eating once they enter fresh water and subsist on their fat reserves. After their journey back to their spawning grounds, they naturally die after the females release their eggs and the males fertilize them.

Although some might be distressed by this, it is a clear indication of the strength and determination these fish need in order to return to their spawning habitat and their importance to the entire ecosystem. As the salmon decompose, they release nutrients they accumulated while in the ocean into the streams and rivers. Their carcasses provide food for birds and mammals in the area. 


Day 2 – Fishing at Allison Point and Exploring Downtown Valdez

Chances are, if you are thinking of visiting Valdez, you like to fish. The waters around Valdez hold the largest recreational fishery in Prince William Sound. From the shore, you’ll be able to catch pink and silver salmon. You’ll need to head out on the water to catch king salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and Pacific halibut. If you don’t have your own boat, you can rent a boat or hire a charter. 

This is a great website to learn more about fishing in the Port of Valdez and Valdez Arm. 


We planned to fish from shore and drove out to Allison Point. From the Richardson Highway, Dayville Road follows the shoreline out to the point, passing the Solomon Gulch Hatchery and ending at the Valdez Marine Terminal, the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. There are parking areas along the water’s edge and roadside parking is legal. Depending on the time of day, you could have trouble finding a spot. 

As you drive along the water’s edge, you’ll be able to see where people are standing to fish. In some spots you’ll be fishing from large rocky areas. Other spots have larger beach areas. These are great if you have children or other friends/family who will be watching but not fishing. Choose a parking spot close to where you want to be. There are paved ramps down to the shoreline at each of the parking lots which also have restrooms. However, you may need to do some rock scrambling at the last portion of the ramps.

You’ll find paths down the embankment at other spots along the road. Some of the paths are steep and rocky so be prepared for a little scramble. 



The salmon at the shoreline are mostly pinks (which locals don’t rate highly as the flesh is a bit mushy) and silvers. On the day we were there, the fishermen were catching mostly pinks but we did see an occasional silver. Unfortunately, not on any of our lines!

Be aware of the tide schedule when you are fishing from shore. The tides can come in quickly and rapidly take over your shore-side fishing spot. We arrived around 11:00 am and enjoyed about 10 feet of rocky shoreline. The water gradually rose until we left around 2:00 pm with only a few feet of shoreline. Since we had our grandchildren with us, it was time to leave when they lost their beach playground! 

Exploring Downtown Valdez

After fishing, we drove back to Valdez and parked at the corner of Chitina Ave. and N. Harbor Drive. From here you can walk around Valdez in a loop, ending up back at your car. 

Start your walk on N. Harbor Drive where you’ll find gift shops and restaurants. From there, we headed east towards the Convention Center. You’ll find the trailhead for the Overlook Trail on Clifton Court.  From the top of the hill you’ll have a good view of the harbor and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline terminus to the south and the town to the north. 

The trail ends on Hazelet Ave. Walk north and turn right on Fairbanks Drive. Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center on Fairbanks Drive. My favorite thing there was the annual Town Photo taken every year during Gold Rush Days. Walk south on Tatitlek Ave and stop in at the Valdez Museum. From here, choose your own route back towards the harbor. Be sure to stop into Prospector Outfitters if you are in need of any outdoor or fishing gear.

Day 3 – Mineral Creek Trail, Old Valdez Town Site, Solomon Gulch Hatchery

Mineral Creek Trail

 Mineral Creek Trail is a beautiful, easily accessible trail just outside of Valdez. For me, this hike was the highlight of the trip. Just north of town, you’ll find Mineral Creek Road. From here it’s a five mile drive to the trailhead.

The road winds through a beautiful valley with waterfalls on either side. This area of Alaska falls wihin America’s northernmost temperate rainforest.  It is very common for the valley to be misty and foggy.

If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle with plenty of clearance, you should have no problem driving the entire five miles. If not, drive until you don’t feel comfortable taking your vehicle any further. Find a wide spot in the road to park and hike the rest of the way in. There is a creek crossing at Horsetail Creek about 2 miles in. It was easily crossable with our 4WD Chevy Colorado and the 4WD Honda Pilot with us. You’ll have to make your own assessment about the crossing. 

We were able to drive in 4 miles until the road got too rough for the Pilot. We parked at a pullout and walked the final mile of the road to the trailhead. The trailhead is easily recognizable by the entrance gate.

From the gate, the trail winds back another .8 miles. At the end of the trail you will find the ruins of the Stamp Mill. The mill was built in 1923 and was used to crush rock containing gold ore. 

We didn’t make it to the end of the trail due to the rock slide you will encounter about .75 miles of the way in. My grandchildren, ages 1½, 2½ and 9 years old were with us and it was just a bit too dicey to cross with them. Other than that portion, the trail is easily done by children and dogs. The rock slide area is accessible with caution and the trail is clear after that.


Mineral Creek Trail is in bear country so be sure to take precautions. Make noise as you hike. Bears will usually move away from you before you even see them. Carry bear spray and a gun if you are comfortable with that. Don’t bring food with you. 

Click here for a map to more hiking trails in the Valdez area. I am looking forward to exploring more of them during our next trip.

Old Valdez Town Site

Take a walk (or drive) through history at the original Valdez Town Site. The 1964 earthquake and subsequent tsunami destroyed many of the town’s homes and buildings. Although many buildings were left standing, it was determined that the ground was unstable and the decision was made to move the town 4 miles to the west. 52 buildings were moved to the new site and the rest were burned.

Today, the area is not much more than a few streets and marshland. The Valdez Museum has created an interpretive tour of the old town site. As you walk or drive the streets, numbered placards identify where the original buildings stood. Download or print the map to learn more about the people and buildings that experienced the earthquake.

Solomon Gulch Hatchery

The Solomon Gulch Hatchery uses the ocean ranching method to raise pink and coho salmon stock in Prince William Sound. Strictly regulated by the State of Alaska, the hatchery incubates 270 million pink salmon and 2 million coho salmon every year. Eggs and sperm are removed from salmon that return to spawn each summer. The eggs are fertilized and nurtured throughout the winter.

In the spring, the young fry are sent to offshore pens where they are fed until they reach a certain weight. Then they are released into the open sea. The salmon return to the hatchery waters in Valdez when they are adults and ready to spawn. Approximately 15.8 million pink and 83,000 coho salmon return each year. 

The returning salmon congregate outside the hatchery waiting for their turn to enter the fish ladder which leads to the hatchery. This “waiting room” makes an ideal spot for seals, sea lions and bears to come for an easy lunch. 

Definitely include the hatchery of your things to do while in Valdez, Alaska. The self-guided tour takes about half an hour.


 Other things to do in Valdez, Alaska

Kayaking

Glacier and Wildlife Viewing Tours

Visit Shoup Bay

Museums

Flight Seeing

Pangaea Adventures and Anadyr Adventures offer a variety of single and multi-day adventures in the Valdez area.

 Stan Stephens Cruises and   Lulu Belle Tours offer wildlife and glacier cruises from Valdez Harbor.

Valdez, Alaska FAQs

Getting to Valdez

Fly: it’s just a 45 minute flight from Anchorage to Valdez. A great option if you are short on time. Both RavnAir and Alaska Airlines have flights to Valdez.

Ferry: Taking the Alaska State Ferry is a great option if you have more time. Catch the ferry in Whittier, just an hour from Anchorage. You’ll spend about six hours on the ferry enjoying the amazing views and wildlife spotting. Click here for more information about the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Drive: It’s a five and a half hour drive from Anchorage to Valdez through some of the prettiest scenery in the state.

When To Go

Summertime is the best time to explore all that Valdez has to offer including hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, and whale and glacier cruises. Summer high temperatures range from the 50s to low 70s. Rain is always a possibility. Visit at the end of July for the Annual Valdez Gold Rush Days. 

Spring and Fall are great times to visit because the crowds will be less and the temperatures are still moderate. Many businesses in Valdez are seasonal so check opening and closing dates if you will be traveling in the shoulder seasons. Average high temperatures in both the spring and fall are in the 40s and 50s. 

Winter is the perfect time for a visit if you are a cold weather sports enthusiastic. Valdez is the snowiest city in America, getting about 300 inches of snow a year! This snow provides great winter sports opportunities including heliskiing, snowboarding, ice climbing and snowmobiling. Be sure to call it a “snow machine” if you want to sound like an Alaskan! Winter highs are in the 20s and 30s. Visit in February for the 10-day Frosty Fever Festival.


Where To Stay

There are three RV Parks within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the harbor: Eagles Rest RV Park, Bear Paw RV Park, and Bayside RV Park

Valdez KOA is 5 miles out of town and is a good alternative if you want a more secluded campsite and don’t mind driving into town.

 If you won’t be camping, there are several options for motels, bed & breakfasts and cabin rentals.

Will I need a car in Valdez

If you are staying in town and catching a fishing charter or cruise of Prince William Sound, you won’t need a car. Most hotels are within walking distance to the harbor. However, if you want to explore the area outside of town, a car is a must.

A Brief History of Valdez, Alaska

Gold miners were the first outsiders to settle Valdez. Arriving by boat through Prince William Sound, they sought a passage to the interior of Alaska. The trail they created through Keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass became the Richardson Highway, the first highway in Alaska, which currently connects Valdez to Fairbanks. 

In 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake shook Valdez for more than 4 minutes. Much of the town was destroyed by the earthquake and resulting tsunami and fires. Realizing the original townsite was built on unstable ground, 52 buildings were moved 4 miles east and a new port was created. 

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline ends in Valdez, which is the northernmost ice-free port in North America. 18 storage tanks collect and hold oil which has traveled 800 miles through the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay in the north. The oil is then loaded onto tankers and sent to markets. 

In 1989, The Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled more than 10 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. Valdez, the town closest to the spill, tripled in size almost overnight as Exxon used it as a base for the cleanup. More than 10,000 people were brought to Valdez and had to be supplied with lodging, food, and supplies.


Read about the drive from Anchorage to Valdez