Discover Valdez: Fjord Landscapes, History and Nature

Valdez combines a striking fjord landscape with an impressive history and diverse opportunities for active days. Port Valdez is a natural fjord that extends approximately 11 miles inland from Prince William Sound. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Valdez can therefore plan their stay according to different interests: with trails through the landscape, insights into the town’s history, wildlife viewing or excursions on the water.

Fjord Landscapes and Trails Around Valdez

Valdez’s municipal trail network includes more than 20 miles of seasonal summer and winter trails and offers recreational opportunities year-round. This allows you to plan your stay in different ways: you can focus on walks and physical activity or include the trails as part of a varied day. Mountain biking is also among the local activities on offer. It is possible on the Alder Flow Trail in Nayurluku Park.

Another scenic destination is the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site at Thompson Pass. It is located 28 miles north of Valdez on the Richardson Highway and allows visitors to observe a glacier. Valdez is connected to Alaska’s road network and can be reached by land, sea and air.

Culture and History in Valdez

Valdez is located in the traditional territory of the Sugpiaq, who have inhabited the coastal areas of southcentral Alaska for more than 7,500 years. At the Valdez Museum on Egan, you can learn more about early exploration, Indigenous culture, the gold rush and the founding of Valdez. Exhibits include restored fire engines from around the turn of the century, a lighthouse lens from Prince William Sound, and reconstructions of a prospector’s cabin and an early Valdez living room.

The “Remembering Old Valdez” exhibit is particularly vivid. Its scale model of Old Town Valdez, built at a scale of 1:20, includes more than 400 buildings and 60 city blocks. It shows what the town looked like shortly before the 1964 earthquake. About four miles outside present-day Valdez, you can also find the original townsite, known as “Old Valdez” or “Old Town.” It has been preserved as a memorial site and as a walking tour through Valdez’s history.

Water, Wildlife Viewing and Special Experiences

At the Valdez Small Boat Harbor, there is a launch site for kayaking on Port Valdez. From Valdez, several tour companies offer day cruises on Prince William Sound to Columbia Glacier or Meares Glacier. This allows you to combine your stay either with your own activity on the water or with an organized day trip, without equating the different forms of experience.

Nature observation is also part of the character of the surrounding area. At Shoup Bay State Marine Park, located near the mouth of Port Valdez, wildlife can be observed via an overgrown footpath or by boat. Along Dayville Road toward the Pipeline Terminal, opportunities to observe bears and sea lions are available in the late evening, especially when salmon return to the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery. This time-related condition is part of the planning. Ice climbing is available in Valdez year-round, except in April.

The Right Base for Your Stay

A holiday apartment or holiday home in Valdez can be a good base if you want to combine culture, trails, water-based experiences and excursions into the surrounding area. The main consideration is which aspects you want to focus on: the museum and Old Valdez are suited to a history-oriented stay, while glacier viewing, kayaking, wildlife viewing or a day cruise suggest different daily plans. Families can take different interests into account without structuring every stage of the trip in the same way. When searching for accommodation, check which excursions you actually want to include and whether you would rather spend your time in Valdez or in the wider surrounding landscape.

Other Places for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also look at Tonsina, Cordova, Copperville, Slana, Tatitlek, Copper Center and Glennallen. Valdez itself offers an unusual combination of fjord, regional history, trails, glaciers and wildlife viewing.

For the higher-level travel overview: Valdez-Cordova Census Area.