If you’re considering a visit to Delta Junction, Alaska, then you’ve come to the right place. The city is nestled in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, and has a population of 931 as of the 2018 estimate. It is located near the confluence of the Delta River and the Tanana River.
Mendenhall Glacier
Mendenhall Glacier is the only glacier accessible by road in Southeast Alaska. It drops 4,500 feet over a distance of 13 miles and is punctuated by waterfalls and lush forests. The glacier has been retreating since the Little Ice Age, but it still holds the ability to calve massive icebergs. Visitors can watch this spectacular natural phenomenon from a visitors center, or hike the many trails in the area for even better views.
Visitors can view the glacier at the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center, which features an indoor viewing area and a 15-minute film. Near the center, there are also five other trails that allow visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the glacier. These include Nugget Falls, Trail of Time, and the East Glacier Trail, which has 500-foot elevation gain and offers spectacular views of the glacier.
Mendenhall Glacier is located 12 miles northwest of Anchorage and is part of the Juneau Icefield. You can drive to the area or take a ferry, and then enjoy the view from the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Once there, you can explore the glacier by taking trails from the glacier to Nugget Falls.
The Alaskan interior has several museums. The Anchorage Museum of History is a good place to learn about the region’s history. The museum’s design was inspired by the landscape of the region. You can also view an award-winning gallery featuring a variety of ecosystems.
The Matanuska glacier is 34 miles long and two miles wide. From its jagged edge, you can get a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The glacier is accessible via Route 10 and Alaska Route 4. It is located in the south-central part of the state.
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
The Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wildersness is a 653,179-acre wilderness area in the southeast corner of Alaska. It is the largest wilderness in the state and features twin Sawyer Glaciers and giant waterfalls. The area is also home to the infamous Tracy Arm Fjord, which is 45 miles south of Juneau.
There is no trail to the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilders, so a kayaker must be experienced before heading into the wilderness. The area is also home to huge cruise ships, which make kayaking difficult. The engine noise and large wakes of these ships make kayaking here a bit scary. However, if you are up for the challenge, you can hike up a steep ravine and escape the cruise ships.
One of the most popular routes from Delta Junction to Fairbanks runs on the Alcan Highway, or Alaska-Canada Highway. This highway was originally built for military use, and it has now become a major highway for travelers in the region. The highway also offers good accommodations and gas stations, so you can rest easily while traveling in the Alaskan wilderness.
Glacier Bay National Park
The pristine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is located on the southern tip of the state. It features deep fjords and wild coastlines and dozens of glaciers. The park can be accessed by seaplane or boat, and is the perfect destination for hiking and exploring.
It is home to one of the world’s most spectacular tidewater glaciers. The area has experienced four major glacial advances and retreats. The area serves as a natural laboratory for scientists studying climate change and natural phenomena. Its mountains rise up to three miles vertically, including Mount Fairweather, the highest peak in southeastern Alaska. The vegetation is varied and can range from barren terrain recovering from glacier retreat to a lush temperate rain forest.
The area is also home to a large population of bears, including black bears and brown bears. There are also blue glacier bears, a rare color phase of black bears. You can also find plenty of outdoor adventures, from mountain biking to hiking. You can even ride the Alaska Railroad, the last full-service railroad in North America. Its private trains are furnished with spacious panorama windows to provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
You can visit Glacier Bay National Park by taking a cruise, or you can choose to explore it on your own. It’s a great way to see the spectacular scenery and meet the local people. Even if you don’t have time to walk through the park, you can relax on the cruise ship’s decks while sipping on a cup of coffee or a beer.
If you are visiting Delta Junction, you should consider visiting Glacier Bay National Park during the summer months. The weather at Glacier Bay is best between May and September, and temperatures in the park generally top out in the fifties and 60s during the day. However, you should be prepared for rainy weather during this time.
Farmer’s Market
If you love to shop for fresh and local produce, you should check out the Delta Junction, Alaska farmers’ market. This market is held near the visitor’s center at the Triangle, where local vendors sell a variety of goods grown in the region. There are also livestock and produce exhibits, craft exhibits, and tractor pulls. You should also check out the Alaska Homestead & Historical Museum, located just east of Delta Junction on the Alaska Highway. It’s the site of an early homestead farm and has a large collection of early farming equipment.
Another great thing about the Delta Junction farmers market is its selection of baked goods. The Highway’s End Farmer’s Market is one of only two in Alaska that has vendors with training and certifications in baking. You can expect to find fresh and delicious baked goods, which make for a great treat. In addition to fresh produce, you can also find artisanal products such as jewelry, pottery, and crafts. The season for the farmers’ market in Delta Junction starts in late June and ends in late July. While you might have to wait a bit to purchase fresh produce, it is well worth the wait.
Donnelly Dome
The Donnelly Dome is a 3-mile roundtrip hike with one mile on the up-and-down slope of the Dome. The hike is moderate in difficulty and is one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in the state. The trip is inexpensive and includes round-trip transportation. The hike is open to anyone who is at least 12 years old. Minors should be accompanied by an adult. Water and snacks are not provided.
If you’re in Delta Junction for the day, you should not miss the opportunity to hike Donnelly Dome. This 3,910-foot dome sits just 20 miles south of Delta Junction and is shadowed by the distant Alaska Range. The hike takes about half a day.
If you’re interested in nature, Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site offers camping near the Donnelly Creek River, one of the largest spring-fed tributaries of the Tanana River. There’s a boardwalk along the river that provides great views of Mount Hayes.
In Delta Junction, there’s a wide variety of parks for everyone to enjoy. Delta State Recreation Site, Clearwater State Recreation Site, Fielding Lake State Recreation Site, and Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site are all within a half-hour’s drive of the town. In addition, the city has a city airstrip and visitors’ services.