Day Trips & Excursions: West Coast

Nearby Destinations

Accessible Locations within Day-Trip Distance:

From Nome: Council, Teller, Taylor. These former mining towns are on gravel roads. Remote villages (e.g., White Mountain, Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island, Little Diomede) are accessible by scheduled or charter bush plane.

Transportation Options

Regional airlines (e.g., Bering Air, Grant Aviation) offer scheduled flights. Charter planes offer flexibility.
Rental vehicles or local guides with ATVs/snowmachines for limited road systems around Nome.
Local boat operators for river transportation in summer.
Organized tours are practical for remote areas or village visits.

Natural Escapes

The West Coast's natural areas give profound opportunities for connection with the wild.

Parks & Reserves

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve is accessible for day trips via charter flight from Nome. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge: Explore by charter plane or local boat from Bethel.

Scenic Landscapes

Bush plane tours give aerial views of vast tundra.
Explore the wild Bering Sea beaches near Nome.
Northern Lights are visible from September to April.

Seasonal Phenomena

Witness massive bird migrations in spring and fall, as millions of birds pass through or breed in the region.

More Natural Wonders

Bird Migration: Millions of birds pass through or breed here.
Northern Lights: See from remote, dark places.
Bering Sea Beaches: Wild and expansive near Nome.

Cultural Excursions & Local Life

Historical Sites

Explore Gold Rush ghost towns and mining sites along the Nome roads.
Visit a local village by bush plane (e.g., Elim, Gambell).
No significant agricultural areas on the West Coast.
No traditional pilgrimage sites.

Rural & Village Life

Arrange village visits through local Native corporations or tour operators.
These visits give deep cultural insights.
Bush plane travel is common for village access.
Focus on subsistence communities.

Multi-Day Extensions

Pribilof Islands (St. Paul or St. George) for birding and fur seals.2-3 Days
Remote Fishing Lodge in Bristol Bay for immersive fishing.2-3 Days
Village Immersion with homestays or cultural activities.2-3 Days
Plan ample buffer days for travel.Buffer Days

Anchorage/Fairbanks for urban experiences and museums.Next Destinations
Denali National Park for mountain scenery and wildlife.Next Destinations
Southeast Alaska for rainforests and Tlingit/Haida cultures.Next Destinations
All multi-day extensions need additional domestic flights.Flight Connections

Itinerary Considerations

Consider Anchorage -> Nome -> St. Paul Island -> Anchorage for diverse experiences. Alternatively, Anchorage -> Bethel -> a Kuskokwim River village -> Anchorage deepens Yup'ik culture.

Trip Planning Notes

To truly appreciate the West Coast, consider adding multi-day extensions to your itinerary.

Recommended Extensions

Multi-day extensions enhance the experience.

Remote Fishing Lodge

Extend your trip with a 2-3 day stay at a fly-in fishing lodge in Bristol Bay.

Village Immersion

Spend 2-3 days in a smaller Alaska Native village. Arrange homestays or cultural activities.

Logical Next Destinations

After exploring the West Coast, consider further Alaskan adventures.

Beyond the West Coast

Anchorage/Fairbanks: For urban Alaska and museums.
Denali National Park: Iconic scenery and wildlife.
Southeast Alaska: Rainforests and Inside Passage cruises.

Pribilof Islands

Fly from Anchorage to St. Paul for 2-3 days of world-class birding and northern fur seal viewing. A unique, remote destination.

Island Exploration

Requires specific flight arrangements from Anchorage.
Offers intensive wildlife viewing.
Excellent for birding and photography.

Suggested Longer Routes

Route 1: Anchorage -> Nome -> St. Paul Island -> AnchorageDiverse Experiences

Route 2: Anchorage -> Bethel -> Kuskokwim River village -> AnchorageDeep Dive into Yup'ik Culture

Booking Flights: Book well in advance.Advance Booking

Buffer Days: Plan ample buffer days for travel.Travel Buffers

Long-Term Stays: Not typical for tourism; usually for work.Work/Research

Rental Info: Rentals rare and expensive for long-term.High Cost

Planning Reminder

All multi-day extensions need additional domestic flights from your West Coast hub back to Anchorage or Fairbanks, and then onward connections.
Book flights well in advance for these journeys.
Ample buffer days are suggested for regional travel.
Long-term stays are generally for work or research, not typical tourist itineraries.

Itinerary Highlights

Tailor your journey to specific interests with these suggestions.

Adventure & Outdoor

The West Coast offers rugged outdoor experiences.

Summer Activities

Multi-day fishing charter or lodge stay in Bristol Bay.
Hire a local guide for off-trail tundra hiking.
Bush plane tour for aerial views.

Winter Activities

Embrace the cold for unique experiences.

Winter Wonders

Guided snowmachine tour.
Dog mushing experience.
Northern Lights viewing on clear nights.

Family-Friendly Itinerary

Focus on Nome for its Iditarod history and accessible road trips.

Activities for Families

Explore the Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum.
Accessible road trips around Nome.
Bethel culture, if comfortable with unique travel.

Art & Architecture Emphasis

Discover the region's cultural expressions.

Cultural Exploration

Visit Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue.
See Katirvik Cultural Center in Bethel for Native art.
Observe traditional and contemporary architecture in villages.

Budget Considerations

Maximizing your budget on the West Coast.

Shoulder Season

Travel in May or September for potentially lower prices.

Focus on One Hub

Explore one main town to minimize expensive inter-village flights.

Self-Catering

Prioritize cooking your own meals whenever possible.

Seasonal Insights

Summer means long daylight and wildlife. Winter offers Northern Lights and snow activities. Off-season travel needs cold-weather gear and weather preparedness, but brings solitude.

Day Trips & Excursions