If You're NearbyNatureGlaciersScenic drives

Valdez

Alaska

A fishing port in a ring of snowy mountains, with a stunning road in, and Columbia Glacier's great ice cruises.

Photo: Joseph from Cabin On The Road, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Richardson Highway passes Worthington Glacier and Keystone Canyon's waterfalls on the way in. It's also the end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and it has hard history: the 1964 earthquake and the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. Cruises reach Columbia Glacier, among the largest tidewater glaciers.

Best Time
June–September
Time Needed
2–3 days
Cost Level
$$$$
Open
Check before you go; hours vary by season
Getting There
About 6 hours by car from Anchorage.

What to See

1 of 3 are free
FreeHalf a day

Richardson Highway

Waterfalls and a glacier you can walk to.

Half a day to 1 day

Columbia Glacier Cruise

Huge icebergs in a Prince William Sound fjord.

1 hour

Valdez Museum

Earthquake and oil stories.

Know Before You Go

  • Weather is often wet and cloudy. Allow time for a good day.

Where to Stay

Stay in town.

Where to Eat

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Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Alaska list.