The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the warmer weather is upon us! We’ve gathered together these 7 easy spring hikes in Alaska that you need to put on your to-do list this summer. They’re easy enough to do with the whole family, so you’ll want to take everyone along on your next outing. Get on out there next weekend, and welcome spring while on one of these fun hikes.
- Liberty Falls Trail, Chitina, Alaska
Stephanie Lapp / AllTrails The Liberty Falls Trailhead is in the Liberty Falls State Recreation Site, where there are beautiful little campsites, plenty of parking, and even a bridge over the creek at the base of the waterfall. The trail itself is 2.3 miles, out and back, and relatively easy. It’s a little steep at the beginning, round trip elevation gain is 538 feet total, but quickly evens out. The views from the top are stunning, and the picnic spots are perfect for lunch after your hike.
- Nugget Falls Trail, Juneau, Alaska
Matthew Conroy / AllTrails The Nugget Falls Trail starts at Mendenhall Glacier, and it’s an easy two-mile out-and-back hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls in Alaska. The trail itself is easy to follow, and the photo ops at the ends are one in a million. You’ll only hike 121 feet high over the duration of the trail, and the gravel is groomed and easy to follow. Pro tip: take this hike in the early morning, before the crowds arrive to have the place to yourself!
- Calvin and Coyle Trail, Homer, Alaska
Maui Paddler/Hiker / AllTrails This super easy trail in Homer, Alaska takes you out to a field by the airport, with some great views of the mountains across the bay. The trail is 1.3 miles long, with only 104 feet of elevation gain, and plenty of boardwalks to cross. It’s a quiet trail, so this is a good spot for some peace and quiet; and maybe even a moose or two!
- Rainbow Falls Trail, Wrangell, Alaska
AllTrails User The Rainbow Falls Trail is known for its beautiful waterfall, and ease of access. The trail is only 1.4 miles long and covers 534 feet of elevation gain. This short but steep hike will offer beautiful views at the waterfall viewing platform. There are many longer trails branching out from the waterfall, so you can make this into a more intensive hike if you’d like to explore further.
- Perseverance Trail, Juneau, Alaska
Jonathan Decker / AllTrails This amazing trail brings you out to a stunning waterfall. Frequently touted as the best hike in Juneau, locals frequent this spot with the whole family. The 4.6-mile round trip goes by quickly because there’s so much to see! You will hike 1,145 feet of elevation gain, but it’s a gradual ascent with no technical parts. This is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in Alaska’s capital.
- Potter Marsh Trail, Anchorage, Alaska
David Schroedle / AllTrails Potter Marsh is right at the edge of Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city. This short boardwalk trail takes you up and over the marsh where you can get a bird’s eye view of the Coastal Wildlife Refuge. You’ll spot dozens of species of bird, plenty of moose, towering mountains, and maybe even a bear or two. The hike is wheelchair accessible and 4 feet wide. This is a great place to soak in the views with your family.
- Savage River Loop, Denali National Park, Alaska
Gene Shymanski / AllTrails This little gem is located inside Denali National Park. The trailhead is 13 miles in on the park road, and there’s plenty of parking and even an outhouse to use if you need. The trail itself is short and sweet, 2.1 miles, and loops around Savage River. You’ll hike about 413 feet of elevation gain, unless you want to take one of the spur trails at the bridge and ascend up to the ridges nearby. Stay alert, because you’re in bear country!
Did we miss any fun spring hikes in Alaska for our list? What do you think of the ones we highlighted? Have you done any of them before? Let us know in the comments below!
Stephanie Lapp / AllTrails
The Liberty Falls Trailhead is in the Liberty Falls State Recreation Site, where there are beautiful little campsites, plenty of parking, and even a bridge over the creek at the base of the waterfall. The trail itself is 2.3 miles, out and back, and relatively easy. It’s a little steep at the beginning, round trip elevation gain is 538 feet total, but quickly evens out. The views from the top are stunning, and the picnic spots are perfect for lunch after your hike.
Matthew Conroy / AllTrails
The Nugget Falls Trail starts at Mendenhall Glacier, and it’s an easy two-mile out-and-back hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls in Alaska. The trail itself is easy to follow, and the photo ops at the ends are one in a million. You’ll only hike 121 feet high over the duration of the trail, and the gravel is groomed and easy to follow. Pro tip: take this hike in the early morning, before the crowds arrive to have the place to yourself!
Maui Paddler/Hiker / AllTrails
This super easy trail in Homer, Alaska takes you out to a field by the airport, with some great views of the mountains across the bay. The trail is 1.3 miles long, with only 104 feet of elevation gain, and plenty of boardwalks to cross. It’s a quiet trail, so this is a good spot for some peace and quiet; and maybe even a moose or two!
AllTrails User
The Rainbow Falls Trail is known for its beautiful waterfall, and ease of access. The trail is only 1.4 miles long and covers 534 feet of elevation gain. This short but steep hike will offer beautiful views at the waterfall viewing platform. There are many longer trails branching out from the waterfall, so you can make this into a more intensive hike if you’d like to explore further.
Jonathan Decker / AllTrails
This amazing trail brings you out to a stunning waterfall. Frequently touted as the best hike in Juneau, locals frequent this spot with the whole family. The 4.6-mile round trip goes by quickly because there’s so much to see! You will hike 1,145 feet of elevation gain, but it’s a gradual ascent with no technical parts. This is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in Alaska’s capital.
David Schroedle / AllTrails
Potter Marsh is right at the edge of Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city. This short boardwalk trail takes you up and over the marsh where you can get a bird’s eye view of the Coastal Wildlife Refuge. You’ll spot dozens of species of bird, plenty of moose, towering mountains, and maybe even a bear or two. The hike is wheelchair accessible and 4 feet wide. This is a great place to soak in the views with your family.
Gene Shymanski / AllTrails
This little gem is located inside Denali National Park. The trailhead is 13 miles in on the park road, and there’s plenty of parking and even an outhouse to use if you need. The trail itself is short and sweet, 2.1 miles, and loops around Savage River. You’ll hike about 413 feet of elevation gain, unless you want to take one of the spur trails at the bridge and ascend up to the ridges nearby. Stay alert, because you’re in bear country!
If you’re looking for more great things to do this spring, check out The Ultimate Alaska Waterfalls Road Trip Is Here And It’s Incredible.
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Address: Healy, AK 99743, USAAddress: 2999 E 154th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99516, USAAddress: Rainbow Falls Trail, Wrangell, AK 99929, USAAddress: Calvin & Coyle Nature Trail, Homer, AK 99603, USAAddress: Perseverance Trail, Juneau, AK 99801, USAAddress: Nugget Falls, Juneau, AK 99801, USAAddress: Liberty Falls State Recreation Site, Liberty Falls State Recreation Site Rd, Chitina, AK 99566, USA
