Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Alaska

Alaska

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in Alaska

Alaska’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20

beautiful natural monuments in Alaska. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!

Last updated: November 14, 2025

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

Although entering the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is not required — you can simply hike most of the trails in this area, if you like — it is an excellent …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Shoreline of Portage Lake

Highlight • Lake

For most people, the broad, sandy shoreline of Portage Lake marks the turnaround point of this hike — or the perfect picnic spot. The glacier is not terrible active but …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

Exit Glacier

Highlight • Natural Monument

The 6.4 km long exit Glacier springs from the Harding ice field. At this glacier the global warming becomes very clear. His loss rates are very dramatic in my opinion. …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Portage Pass trail to Portage Glacier

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Portage Pass has been historically used by Alaska Natives, Russian fur traders, and early settlers. Currently it is used as a migratory route for birds and as a recreational opportunity …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Rocky Ridge on Savage Alpine Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

This section of the Savage Alpine trail takes you on an exposed rocky ridge high above the Denali Park Road. This exciting, challenging, but still well-traveled, portion of trail offers …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Salmon Ladder / Salmon Stairs

Highlight • Structure

A salmon ladder is essentially an artificial waterfall, created to help fish travel farther upstream in a waterway that no longer has its natural contours. The salmon are most plentiful …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Photo Point Trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the visitor center you are in about 10 minutes at the end of the way. It is wheelchair accessible and you have the best view of the glacier from the end point in my opinion.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

West Glacier Overlook

Highlight • Viewpoint

The maintained section of this trail ends after two miles, at a rocky outcrop that offers fine overlooks of Mendenhall Glacier from the west side. A social (unofficial) trail branches …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site

Highlight • Historical Site

Taxis are sometimes in short supply in Wrangell, so it's very common for visitors to walk along Evergreen Avenue to reach Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site. This beach has the …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Bridge over Indian River (a good place to watch salmon in the water)

Highlight • Bridge

Keep an eye out for spawning salmon in the river under the bridge. The runs tend to be strongest in July and August; if you visit far outside that time, …

Tip by

See hikes here

Send to Phone

Save

Already have an account?

Other adventures in Alaska

Around the World in 80 Days

Road Cycling Collection by

Mark Beaumont

Lael Rides Alaska: main road system

Cycling Collection by

Lael

Alaska - mountains, glaciers and national parks

Hiking Collection by

VisitTheUSA

Most popular routes in Alaska

Hiking in Alaska

Easy hikes in Alaska

Cycling in Alaska

Waterfall hikes in Alaska

MTB Trails in Alaska

Running Trails in Alaska

Road Cycling Routes in Alaska

Gravel biking in Alaska

Most popular attractions in Alaska

Places to see

Lakes

Waterfalls

Mountain Peaks

Mountain passes

Huts

Bike Parks

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

With a free komoot account, you can easily find, customize, and navigate endless outdoor adventures around London and beyond.

Join komoot Now

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Find even more amazing natural monuments in Alaska by checking out the top Highlights region by region:

Alaska Range Juneau City And Borough Tongass National Forest Kenai Peninsula Borough Lake And Peninsula Borough Chugach Mountains Anchorage Municipality Denali Borough Anchorage Chugach National Forest Copper River Census Area Juneau

Explore more

Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones in Alaska:

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in Alaska

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

Shoreline of Portage Lake

Exit Glacier

Portage Pass trail to Portage Glacier

Rocky Ridge on Savage Alpine Trail

Salmon Ladder / Salmon Stairs

Photo Point Trail

West Glacier Overlook

Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site

Bridge over Indian River (a good place to watch salmon in the water)

Other adventures in Alaska

Most popular routes in Alaska

Most popular attractions in Alaska

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Explore more

Get ready to conquer new peaks

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️