How to get there: By road (Richardson Highway), by Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Whittier or Cordova, or by air Best time to visit: May through September
Recommended stay: 2-3 Nights
Known for: Tidewater glaciers, salmon and halibut fishing, Prince William Sound wildlife cruises, and the 1964 earthquake/Trans-Alaska Pipeline history
No time to dive deep? Here’s the snack-sized version!
Surrounded by dramatic peaks, tidewater glaciers, and cascading waterfalls, Valdez blends raw natural beauty with deep-rooted resilience. Set on a fjord in Prince William Sound, this coastal gem offers unforgettable glacier cruises, wildlife tours, and sea kayaking adventures amid calving icebergs and playful sea otters. Once destroyed by the 1964 earthquake and marked by the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the town today thrives with rich history, incredible glacier tours, lucrative fishing derbies, and a welcoming harbor town vibe. Whether you’re exploring Columbia Glacier or strolling past the small boat harbor, Valdez is where adventure meets awe at every turn.
Why Visit Valdez?
Cruise among tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound, including Columbia and Meares Glaciers.
Drive one of Alaska’s most scenic highways through Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass.
Experience world-class halibut and salmon fishing, wildlife viewing, and sea kayaking.
Explore waterfalls, glaciers, and mountain scenery just minutes from downtown.
Discover one of Alaska’s richest stories of resilience — from the 1964 earthquake to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Valdez Alaska is a beautiful coastal Alaska city. It sits nestled on the shores of Prince William Sound and is famous for being the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. However, Valdez is far from an industrial town. It has a spectacular mix of tidewater glaciers, forests and mountains unequaled in the State and offers incredible recreational opportunities from sea kayaking, hiking and camping.
After you see the breathtaking mountain scenery and experience glacier and wildlife viewing in Prince William Sound, you will see that even Mother Nature has her favorites.
Located on the north shore of a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is only 120 air miles east of Anchorage but is a 305 mile drive via the Richardson and Glenn Highways.
It is also the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Construction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline terminal and other cargo transportation facilities brought rapid growth in the 1970s.
Valdez is a travelers dream with excellent campgrounds and hotels and numerous restaurants. It has so many incredible tours and attractions that is impossible to choose a favorite.
There are two outstanding Glacier tours; Stan Stephens Cruises and Glacier Wildlife Cruises, both of which would be the highlight of any Alaska vacation. These glacier tours take visitors to the nearby Columbia Glacier, which is one of the largest tidewater glaciers in Alaska. Columbia Glacier is a fast moving glacier that has receded 12 miles since 1986.
To reach Valdez by road, travelers must take the Richardson Highway, which starts at mile 0 in Valdez and leads 364 miles to Fairbanks, Alaska.
Only a few miles outside Valdez the Richardson Highway passes through nearby Keystone Canyon and Worthington Glacier. Two natural wonders that make the drive to Valdez a spectacular road trip.
Keystone Canyon has a number of very tall waterfalls that cascade down the sheer walls. The most impressive of which is Bridal Veil falls at mile 13.5 of the Richardson Highway. Worthington Glacier is at mile 29 in the Thompson Pass, which is the highest pass on the Richardson Highway.
Driving to Valdez from Anchorage is 304 miles via the Richardson Highway (115 miles) and the Glenn Highway (189 miles). By air, it is only 119 miles.
Valdez Alaska is internationally famous for two main reasons: first, it was severely affected by the March 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Prince William Sound, which was the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded (9.2 magnitude).
The earthquake resulted in a tsunami that destroyed the original city, killing 30 people. Rather than abandon their town, Valdez residents elected to simply move it—literally—four miles away. They chose a rock-firm area which had been suggested as an alternate location for the town in 1911. Some moved their older homes but most built new, modern structures.
Secondly, Valdez was also severely affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill that took place in Prince William Sound. This oil spill was the largest oil spill in U.S. history at the time and severely affected the eco-system and marine life of the Sound for years.
Discover Valdez has maps and information for Valdez and the rest of Alaska. Welcoming staff are ready to assist you in finding your way around. Valdez t-shirts, mugs, hats, pins and postcards are available. Feel free to relax in their lounge and use the Wi-fi. 309 Fairbanks Dr. 907-835-2984 www.valdezalaska.org
The city was named in 1790 by Senor Fidalgo for the celebrated Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdez y Basan. In 1898 it became a debarkation point for prospectors seeking a route to Dawson City and the Klondike gold fields. Gold was soon discovered in the area and the city was incorporated in 1901.
Miners and supply packers founded the community of Valdez at the turn of the century. In 1899, a pack trail was opened from the town to the gold fields in the upper Yukon basin and became Alaska’s first highway, the Richardson. It had several names as it was known first as the Eagle Trail, and later as Valdez-Fairbanks Wagon Road.
Valdez sits at mile 0 of the Richardson Highway, 305 miles (about 6 hours) from Anchorage via the Richardson and Glenn Highways, and 364 miles from Fairbanks via the Richardson Highway alone. The final stretch into town passes through Keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass, making the drive itself one of the highlights of a Valdez trip.
Flying
Valdez is 120 air miles from Anchorage, with scheduled flights connecting the two cities in under an hour — a fast alternative for travelers short on time.
Ferry
The Alaska Marine Highway System runs regular ferry service between Valdez, Whittier, and Cordova, making it possible to combine a Prince William Sound road trip with a ferry crossing rather than backtracking on the highway.
Cruise Ship
Valdez is a port of call for a number of small and mid-sized cruise lines — including Silversea, Viking, Azamara, UnCruise Adventures, and HX Expeditions — rather than the largest mega-ships, which keeps the town’s cruise days lower-key than ports like Juneau or Skagway.
Bear Paw RV Park offers full hookups, a dump station, cable TV, free Wi-fi & separate tenting area. Centrally located across from the small boat harbor and less than a block to most shops and tours. They also have an adult only RV park on the waterfront.
Valdez RV Park has a wide range of sites from tent, water & electric only to premium sites with full hookups and Bay front views. 30/50 amp sites, pull-throughs, restrooms, Laundromat, Wi-fi. Tickets for local attractions available. Within walking distance of Valdez harbor and restaurants. 230 Richardson Highway. 907-835-4455
Eagle’s Rest RV Park in Valdez is a Good Sam RV Park with full hookups, 70 foot pull throughs, separate tent camping area, clean hot showers, laundromat and dump station. Cozy modern cabins are also available.
Things to do in Valdez
Valdez has tons of attractions, which makes it one of the most popular destinations in all of Alaska.
Glacier & Wildlife Cruises
Prince William Sound is one of the most glacier-dense stretches of coastline in Alaska, and a day cruise out of Valdez harbor is the single most popular activity in town. Two long-running operators, Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises and the LuLu Belle / Glacier Wildlife Cruises, run daily trips into the Sound. Expect regular sightings of sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, humpback whales, and seabirds along the route.
Humpback whales — Regularly spotted in Prince William Sound during the summer feeding season, often visible from glacier and wildlife cruises.
Orcas — Both resident and transient pods pass through the Sound; sightings are less frequent than humpbacks but do occur on wildlife tours.
Sea otters — Common around the harbor and along cruise routes; Prince William Sound has one of the largest sea otter populations in Alaska.
Harbor seals — Frequently seen hauled out on icebergs near Columbia and Meares Glaciers.
Bald eagles — Present year-round around the harbor, river mouths, and salmon streams.
Stan Stephens Cruises provide visitors to Valdez Alaska a chance to experience it all – amazing glaciers, exciting wildlife, and fascinating history all in the calm waters of Prince William Sound. The Stephens family have been sharing the fjords and passageways of Prince William Sound with guests for over 40 years and it shows. This is one of the best tours in All of Alaska. Guests will have ample opportunity to see the amazing icebergs at Columbia Glacier, witness the awesome calving at Meares Glacier or view seals, sea otters, sea lions, whales, eagles, or puffins.
Lu-Lu Belle / Glacier Wildlife Cruises and Captain Fred Rodolf have been showing visitors the wildlife of Prince William Sound and the Columbia Glacier since 1979. Experience spectacular calving events as the ice falls into Columbia Bay, just 1/4 mile (conditions permitting) from the boat. Have a close encounter with the wildlife of Prince William Sound on this amazing tour.
Columbia Glacier
One of Alaska’s largest tidewater glaciers and one of its fastest-retreating, Columbia Glacier has receded roughly 12 miles since 1986. Its calving face regularly launches icebergs into the Sound, and most Valdez glacier cruises build their route around it.
Meares Glacier
A quieter alternative to Columbia, Meares Glacier is one of the few tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound that is still advancing rather than retreating, making for reliably active calving.
Valdez Glacier Lake
Closer to town and accessible by road, Valdez Glacier Lake sits at the face of the Valdez Glacier and is popular for kayaking, small-boat iceberg viewing, and photography without booking a full-day cruise.
Kayaking
Sea kayaking on Port Valdez and Valdez Glacier Lake ranges from calm, guided paddles among icebergs to multi-day trips into Prince William Sound. Several outfitters offer half-day rentals and guided glacier-lake paddles suited to first-timers.
Valdez Fish Derbies holds several derbies and awards more than $70,000 in cash and prizes each year. Visitors just need to purchae a Derby ticket before heading out to fish in Valdez. They run a number of different derbies throughout the year including:
The Halibut Derby (mid May to early September) features weekly and grand prizes for the largest halibut.
The Silver Salmon Derby (end of July to early September) has daily prizes as well as three cash prizes for the biggest fish.
Kids Pink Salmon Derby is held in July,
Tagged Fish Contest with $10,000 prize (late August through early September) and,
The Valdez Women’s Silver Salmon Derby (August).
Sea Fishing
Valdez is one of Alaska’s top halibut ports, with charter boats running daily trips into Prince William Sound throughout the summer.
Salmon Fishing
Valdez’s Silver Salmon Derby and related fish derbies (run by Valdez Fish Derbies) draw anglers from May through early September, with pink, silver, and tagged-fish contests offering cash and prizes.
Hiking
Trails within a short drive of downtown include the Dock Point Trail (an easy loop with harbor and mountain views), the Mineral Creek Trail (an old mining road into the Chugach foothills), and the John Hunter Memorial Trail. Thompson Pass, about 25 miles from town, offers alpine hiking with some of the best wildflower and mountain scenery on the Richardson Highway.
Flightseeing
Helicopter and small-plane flightseeing tours give aerial access to glaciers and terrain that boats and trails can’t reach, including close-up passes over Columbia Glacier and the icefields above Thompson Pass. VS Helicopter Glacier Tours operates out of Valdez.
Museums
The Valdez Museum & Historical Archive, with locations on Egan Drive and the waterfront, covers the town’s Gold Rush origins, the 1964 earthquake and relocation, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill in depth.
The Valdez Museum & Historical Archive brings the stories of the Valdez community’s history alive through programs and activities. They have two locations: 217 Egan Drive and on the waterfront at 436 S. Hazelet.
Alyeska Pipeline Terminal
Valdez is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the Alyeska Marine Terminal across the bay is visible from several points around town. Terminal viewpoints and pipeline history are a natural stop for visitors interested in the town’s oil industry role.
Keystone Canyon
A few miles up the Richardson Highway, Keystone Canyon’s sheer rock walls are lined with waterfalls, the most photographed being Bridal Veil Falls at mile 13.5. It’s an easy pull-off stop for any visitor driving in or out of Valdez.
Thompson Pass
At mile 29 of the Richardson Highway, Thompson Pass is the highest point on the route and home to Worthington Glacier, one of the few glaciers in Alaska accessible by a short walk from a road pullout.
Map of Valdez Alaska
this map of Valdez shows the Richardson Highway
Map of Valdez Alaska
Valdez Alaska FAQS
Is Valdez worth visiting?
Yes. Valdez combines tidewater glacier cruises, some of the best halibut and salmon fishing in Alaska, and one of the state’s most dramatic road approaches through Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass — along with a genuinely compelling history around the 1964 earthquake and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
How many days should I spend in Valdez?
Most visitors get the most out of Valdez with 2 to 3 nights: enough time for a full-day glacier cruise, a fishing charter or hike, and time to explore Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass on the way in or out.
Can you see glaciers without taking a cruise?
Yes. Worthington Glacier at mile 29 of the Richardson Highway is accessible on foot from a roadside parking area, and Valdez Glacier Lake is reachable by car for icebergs and glacier views without booking a boat tour.
What wildlife can you see in Valdez?
Humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, black bears, mountain goats, and spawning salmon are all regularly seen in and around Valdez, particularly on glacier and wildlife cruises in Prince William Sound.
When is salmon season in Valdez?
Salmon runs and the associated fish derbies run from roughly July through early September, with the Silver Salmon Derby, Kids Pink Salmon Derby, and Tagged Fish Contest all taking place in that window.
Can you drive to Valdez?
Yes. Valdez is at mile 0 of the Richardson Highway, 305 miles (about 6 hours) from Anchorage via the Richardson and Glenn Highways, and 364 miles from Fairbanks via the Richardson Highway.
Is Valdez accessible by ferry?
Yes. The Alaska Marine Highway System runs regular ferry service between Valdez, Whittier, and Cordova.
What is the best month to visit Valdez?
May through September is the best window overall, with July and August offering the warmest weather and the peak of salmon season.
Is Valdez family friendly?
Yes. Glacier and wildlife cruises, the Kids Pink Salmon Derby, easy trails like Dock Point, and roadside stops like Worthington Glacier and Bridal Veil Falls all work well for families.
What is Valdez famous for?
Valdez is best known for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline terminal, the 1964 Good Friday earthquake that destroyed and relocated the original townsite, the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, and — for visitors today — its tidewater glaciers and fishing.
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