Valdez, Alaska- The hidden Gem of Alaska

Valdez, Alaska, is a hidden gem nestled in Prince William Sound, surrounded by towering mountains and stunning glaciers. Known for its rich history in gold rush and oil transport, Valdez offers a blend of natural beauty and adventure. In summer, the town becomes a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The scenic drive to Valdez along the Richardson Highway is breathtaking, with views of waterfalls, rivers, and glaciers. Valdez is also famous for its bear viewing, especially near the Solomon Gulch Hatchery during the salmon run. The town's small but welcoming community, along with its local restaurants and shops, adds to its charm. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply want to relax in a beautiful setting, Valdez has something to offer everyone.

For details see this video:

Reaching Valdez:

Valdez is located on the Richardson Highway, which runs from Valdez to Fairbanks.

If you’re driving from Anchorage, you’ll take the Glenn Highway and then connect to the Richardson Highway.

If you’re planning to drive from Denali National Park, you have three options: you can go through Fairbanks via the Richardson Highway, through Wasilla via the George Parks Highway, Glenn Highway, and Richardson Highway, or take the Denali Highway and connect to the Richardson Highway. Keep in mind that the Denali Highway is unpaved but well-maintained. Please plan your route keeping the season and road advisory in mind.

All these routes are breathtaking. We drove from Anchorage, taking the Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway. 

Some highlights of the Glenn Highway include the Matanuska Glacier, Dall Sheep viewing at Sheep Mountain, Eureka Summit, black spruce forests, and many other scenic stops. 

A major highlight of the Richardson Highway is Thompson Pass, a 2,678-foot-high mountain pass through the Chugach Mountains near Valdez, Alaska. 

Valdez Accommodation:

In Valdez, accommodations are limited. If you’re planning to travel during peak summer, make sure to book your accommodations weeks in advance to give yourself more options and preferences. In Valdez, you might find options like cabins, hotels, and guesthouses. We preferred to stay in a hotel, We were a bit late in booking accommodation in Valdez and were restricted to limited options. We stayed in Glacier Hotel which is right in front of Valdez Museum and a short distance walk from Valdez harbor. This hotel is not bad at all and breakfast was included, I was surprised by the wonderful hot breakfast, in fact, we ended up extending our stay in the hotel for one additional day. But again, remember hotel options are limited, if you want more options then try booking in advance.

If you’re planning to use an RV, there are plenty of options for RV parks and campgrounds. However, plan ahead and book your preferred RV park or campground based on availability.

For those who prefer more adventure, camping is a great option, and there are multiple camping sites available in Valdez.

Valdez Activities:

Valdez offers a lot of activity options. Some major ones include hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, exploring Valdez Glacier Lake, visiting Solomon Gulch Hatchery, Valdez Museum, Valdez Harbor, Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls & Trail, taking a day cruise on Prince William Sound, and going on a flightseeing tour. Planning your activities in advance will help you decide how many days you want to stay in Valdez.

In our case, I wish I had done more research on Valdez before planning. We initially planned to stay for one day, but after arriving in Valdez we realized we needed at least one more day. We ended up changing our travel plans to stay an extra day in Valdez. 

Bug/Mosquito Repellent, Bear Alert:

Make sure to keep some bug/mosquito repellent handy, especially if you’re planning to do outdoor activities or stay at a campground. You’ll need repellent, or at least try to wear loose, long-sleeve shirts and pants. Don’t let mosquitoes or bugs spoil your vacation.

Valdez offers good bear-viewing opportunities, and there’s a chance you may encounter a black or brown bear. Stay alert to your surroundings, and make sure to keep your pets and small children close to you.

Fishing and shipping fish from Valdez:

Valdez is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for salmon and halibut. Many visitors enjoy chartered fishing trips in Prince William Sound. After a successful day of fishing, local services can clean, fillet, and package your catch for shipping. Shipping fish home is easy, as these services can vacuum-seal, freeze, and arrange shipment to ensure your fish arrives fresh. Be sure to check regulations on fish limits and shipping guidelines before you go.

When to visit Solomon Gulch Hatchery:

The best time to visit Solomon Gulch Hatchery in Valdez during the summer is typically during high tide and early in the morning or late in the evening. These times offer the best chances to see salmon returning to the hatchery, as they are more active during cooler parts of the day. Additionally, visiting during these times increases your chances of spotting wildlife, such as bears and sea lions, that come to feed on the salmon. The peak salmon return time in Valdez typically occurs from late July to early September. We were there in early July, so not experience much of salmon returns, nor bears. however, during high tide, we saw sea otters and sea lions.

Food and grocery options:

There are a few local restaurants to explore in Valdez. You'll find all types of food; we tried several salmon recipes, but there are many options, including Asian cuisine. We liked a few restaurants in Valdez, some more than others, but I prefer not to name specific places here. Most of these restaurants are locally owned, and some are seasonal. I don’t feel it’s fair to prefer one over another or to give a negative review of any restaurant. I recommend exploring the food options based on your preferences, and I’m sure you’ll find something you like.

There aren’t many grocery stores that we came across, but there is a Safeway that was open until 12:00 am while we were there. We also saw Eagle Grocery and Valdez Food Cache, but there may be more that we didn’t come across.

Please see the YouTube video for more details:

 -Thank you