Alaska in the fall is something spectacular. Although the state usually heads from summer through fall and into winter in a matter of weeks, fall colors in Alaska are bright and beautiful before they flare out! Coloring the mountainsides of Seward Highway, this gorgeous two-hour fall foliage drive in Alaska highlights some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the state!

The drive from Anchorage to Seward, Alaska is 126 miles of pure beauty.
DCSL / Flickr
The Seward Highway comes out of Anchorage and hugs the Turnagain Arm while traveling parallel to the Chugach Mountain Range. The twists and turns highlight view after view!
The stunning bright fall foliage tumbles down the mountainsides to the highway.
Sujohn Das / Flickr
You can see this progression as it moves down the mountains! Sometimes, depending on when during autumn you're driving this route, you'll see "termination dust" crowning the tops of the mountains.
"Termination dust" is an Alaskan term for when snowfall begins to land and stick to the mountains.
DCSL / Flickr
It starts at the top and slowly creeps down, following behind the fall colors. It makes for a beautiful transition into winter!

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All along the highway, you'll see bright bursts of color, not just in the trees, but on the wildflowers too!
Jay Galvin / Flickr
Fireweed will burst bright pink in early autumn, and there are many ground plants whose leaves turn red as the weather cools. The birch and aspen will glow bright yellow among the green spruce trees!
There are so many stunning sights along the highway and plenty of places to pull over and take in all of the beauty.
DCSL / Flickr
With fall weather in Alaska, especially along the Seward Highway, you'll find it can be wet. But that can make for stunning vistas, especially when the clouds hang low in the valleys between the mountains.
There are even great places for you to get out and walk around to immerse yourself in the fall beauty.
Paxson Woelber / Flickr
There are some lovely pedestrian walkways, especially around the Hope turnoff area on the Seward Highway. There's even a bridge that allows you to look down into the canyon to see stunning autumn views! (Also, don't forget to bring bear spray when you hike into the brush in Alaska.)
No matter where you are along the drive, you'll find something spectacular to see!
Peter Rintels / Flickr
From the shores of Cook Inlet to the glacial blues of Kenai Lake, the gold, yellow, and red colors of fall blend in perfectly with their Alaskan surroundings. A trip to see this autumn foliage is a perfect way to spend an afternoon!

Check out this time-lapse video of driving the Seward Highway in the fall:

Have you had a chance to drive the Seward Highway to see Alaska’s fall colors? What did you think? What month during the year did you do your fall foliage drive in Alaska? Let us know in the comments!

When you get to the end of the highway, make sure to check out this Seward restaurant that was once a historic railroad car!

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More to Explore

Natural Beauty in Alaska

William Suphan | August 02, 2023

What are the most incredible natural attractions in Alaska?

The most incredible natural attractions in Alaska include:

  • Finger Mountain. Located in the arctic tundra, this is a granite rock formation that is a lone spire in the vastness of the tundra.
  • Shisaldin Volcano. Take a boat out to the Aleutian Islands to see this and other active volcanoes, each of which is a magnificent sight.
  • Afognak Island. The vibrant colors here are a stark contrast between the azure blue of the waters and the vivid green of the forests. 
  • Lake Iliamna. This is a gigantic lake that is 77 miles long, 22 miles wide, and nearly 1000 feet deep with tiny villages scattered along its shores.

Discover more about the most incredible natural attractions in Alaska. 

What are some bucket list natural wonders in Alaska?

Bucket list natural wonders in Alaska include:

  • Mendenhall Glacier. It’s best to take a tour here as it’s easy to get lost in the ice caves, but it is truly spectacular to see.
  • Bering Glacier. This is the largest glacier in Alaska at 126 miles long, however, get to it soon as it’s melting with all the rest.
  • Tongass National Forest. This old-growth rainforest is utterly gorgeous and is teeming with wildlife. It’s the largest temperate rainforest in the nation.
  • Denali. This is the most famous mountain in the state and also the tallest in the North American continent at 20,310 feet tall.

Find out more about bucket list natural wonders in Alaska. 

What are the most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska?

The most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska include:

  • Indian River Trail in Sitka. This is an unbelievably gorgeous temperate rainforest with waterfalls and footbridges with ruching creeks and verdant trees.
  • Eagle River Nature Center. Walk the footbridges that hover above the wetlands that are full of wildlife and beautiful trees.
  • Triple Lakes Trail in Denali. This is one of the more strenuous hikes but the views are breathtaking and well worth the effort.
  • Perseverance Trail in Juneau. Take this trail over footbridges and boardwalks to scenic and lush forests that are simply stunning.

Learn more about the most beautiful hiking trails in Alaska. 

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Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK, USA