Port Valdez is a natural fjord that extends about 11 miles inland from Prince William Sound. In Valdez, this landscape comes together with a municipal network of seasonal summer and winter trails, local history and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The best activities for you may also depend on when you travel.
Fjord, Glacier and Getting There
The city’s trail network includes more than 20 miles of seasonal summer and winter trails and offers recreational opportunities year-round. The seasonal trails provide a practical guide for planning: summer and winter offerings differ, while the trail network offers recreation throughout the year.
Another opportunity to see a glacier is at the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site at Thompson Pass. It is 28 miles north of Valdez on the Richardson Highway. Check the distance and facilities on site before you drive.
You can also plan your trip to Valdez in different ways: the city is connected to Alaska’s road network and can be reached by land, sea and air.
Sugpiaq Culture and Local History
Valdez is located in the traditional territory of the Sugpiaq. The Sugpiaq have inhabited the coastal areas of south-central Alaska for more than 7,500 years. Exhibits at the Valdez Museum on Egan showcase the region’s early exploration, Indigenous culture, the gold rush and the founding of Valdez.
Exhibits include restored turn-of-the-century fire engines and a lighthouse lens from Prince William Sound. Replicas of a prospector’s cabin and an early Valdez living room are also on display. Historical objects and recreated rooms complement the themed exhibits.
The “Remembering Old Valdez” exhibit brings the former town to life with a scale model at 1:20. It includes more than 400 buildings and 60 city blocks, showing Old Town Valdez as it appeared shortly before the 1964 earthquake. The original townsite is about four miles outside present-day Valdez. Known as “Old Valdez” or “Old Town,” it has been preserved as a memorial site and a walking tour through Valdez history.
Trails and Seasonal Activities
For a two-wheeled outing, mountain biking is available on the Alder Flow Trail in Nayurluku Park.
Ice climbing and the Valdez Gold Rush Days Festival also mark different points on the calendar. Ice climbing is offered in Valdez year-round except in April; the festival takes place every August. If either activity is a deciding factor for your trip, check the festival dates or current availability in advance.
Wildlife Viewing and Trips on the Water
At Shoup Bay State Marine Park, near the mouth of Port Valdez, wildlife viewing is possible via an overgrown footpath or by boat. These are two different ways to visit the park; the footpath described is overgrown.
Another opportunity for wildlife viewing is in the late evening along Dayville Road toward the Pipeline Terminal. There are opportunities to see bears and sea lions, especially when salmon return to the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery.
On the water, kayaking and day cruises offer different experiences: Valdez Small Boat Harbor has a launch site for kayaking on Port Valdez. Several tour operators offer day cruises from Valdez into Prince William Sound to Columbia Glacier or Meares Glacier. Operators and schedules may vary; check specific tour dates before making plans.
Travel Dates and Finding Accommodation
If you’re looking for a hotel in Valdez, your preferred travel dates can be a useful first filter. The Gold Rush Days Festival takes place in August, while ice climbing is offered year-round except in April. For wildlife viewing along Dayville Road, the late evening and the salmon’s return provide another timing reference. These differences can help you match your preferred activities to your stay without assuming that there is one ideal time to visit.
Discover more destinations: Copper Center, Tonsina, Glennallen, Cordova, Tatitlek, Copperville, Slana
Return to the regional travel overview: Valdez-Cordova Census Area.
