Accessible Travel in Alaska
Alaska is accessible for all. Whether you are interested in a guided tour package or independent adventures to experience Alaska's vast natural beauty and rich culture, there are a wide variety of year-round vacation experiences that are accessible for visitors in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility. If you opt for cruise travel, shore excursions at popular ports of call have sightseeing options that include lift-assisted motorcoaches or rail cars. Try a helicopter ride above a glacier or watch whales from a wheelchair-accessible boat. For people with sensitivity to noise and light, some cruise companies offer sensory-friendly options, menu alternatives, and private activities.
Service animals are welcome in all public facilities, and national parks have brochures available in braille and large print for visually impaired visitors (call ahead to ensure availability). At most national parks, American Sign Language interpretations are available upon request with advanced notice for ranger presentations. In Denali National Park & Preserve, a popular visitor destination, tour buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts. Be advised that not all national park trails meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Adaptive gear for skiing and other recreational activities is available through organizations such as Southcentral Alaska’s Challenge Alaska and Southeast Alaska Independent Living. Many public and private campgrounds offer accessible campsites, and individual tour providers may offer adaptive gear for activities such as kayaking and fishing upon request.
Accessible Travel Trip Ideas
- Multi-day Cruises
- Train trips on the Alaska Railroad and White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
- Motorcoach tours
- Whale watching, glacier viewing, and river day cruises
- Flightseeing tours
- Denali National Park bus tours
- Chena Hot Springs
- Fishing charters specifically designed for accessibility
- Museums, cultural centers, and wildlife conservation centers
- Accessible trails in national parks and public lands
Accessible Travel Resources
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game wildlife viewing areas with wheelchair accessible facilities
- ADA Facilities in Alaska State Parks
- Challenge Alaska, offering adaptive sports and therapeutic recreation in Southcentral Alaska
- SAIL (Southeast Alaska Independent Living), offering adaptive recreation opportunities in Southeast Alaska
- Travel Juneau Accessible Tourism
- Visit Anchorage Accessibility Page
- NCOA Mobility-Friendly Travel Guide
Accessible Travel Partners
Browse our list of businesses that offer accessible tours, accommodations, and transportation in Alaska. Use the Cities and Categories drop-downs at the top of the grid listing to sort businesses by location and business type. Please contact businesses directly for more information on their accessibility options and to reserve in advance.
Ice climbing or glacier trekking on Knik Glacier offers a unique & exhilarating adventure for all ages & skill sets. The awe-inspiring ice...
Scenic, diverse Ketchikan is a coastal island located within Alaska's Inside Passage and surrounded by the magnificent Tongass National Forest...
Alaskan winters provide a whole new set of unique experiences for visitors from around the world and as an Alaskan owned and operated company...
Chena Hot Springs Resort is the most developed year round hot springs in Alaska. 60 scenic miles from Fairbanks, the Resort has 80 rooms, 8 dry...
Experience the thrill you only get from a helicopter with Outbound Heli Adventures! Fly down the scenic Knik River Valley, with sweeping views of...
Tonglen Lake Lodge is located 7 miles south of the main entrance to Denali National Park in a secluded wilderness setting away from the crowds...
Tutka Bay Lodge is a 4-star property nestled at the head of a rugged nine-mile fjord in the greater Kachemak Bay area near Homer. The lodge sits...
We've flown thousands of satisfied guests since we began in 1982. Fly from Anchorage to Denali or Katmai National Parks, Brooks Falls, the...
Adventure Tours by Train to Spencer Glacier on both southbound trains - Glacier Discovery and Coastal Classic Alaska Railroads. Raft, Kayak &...
Alaska Coach Tours was formed in 2004 for the purpose of providing ground transportation and tour services for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Regent...
Denali Backcountry Lodge will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. With the partial closure of Denali Park Road, our all-inclusive...
Alaska’s Best Wildlife and Glacier Cruise Since 1978 There’s no telling what magical sights await as you journey up the coast from Seward on one...
Alaska's most scenic glacier & river trips. Chugach Adventures offers rafting & kayaking from Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, or Whittier via the...
Waterfall Resort Alaska is known the world over for the astounding number of king and silver salmon, halibut, lingcod, and other sport fish...
See more of the real Alaska! Alaska is big, beautiful and logistically challenging! Make sure you have someone that knows the intricacies of...
The City of Unalaska provides a place that's a little quieter, a little less hurried and a lot less like the rest of the world.
Located on...
Turnagain Brewing is your one-stop shop for all things local! Featuring exclusively Alaskan-made music in our tasting room, rotating local art on...
Sockeye Cycle Co. specializes in guided bicycle tours of Alaska, remote areas of Canada's Northern British Columbia, and the Yukon.
At our...
Glacier treks and helicopter vista hikes in the Chugach National Forest to Spencer Glacier. Our Glacier Treks onto Spencer Glacier is...
Alaska Galore Tours is a locally owned and operated tour business based in Juneau. Owners Louis Juergens and Jamie Letterman have over 30 years...