Overview
Valdez is found in Southcentral Alaska on Prince William Sound. It is pronounced locally as "val-DEEZ", not like the Spanish surname.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Valdez
Valdez Museum
Pipeline Terminal
Mineral Creek Trail
This easy trail is a 1.75 mi round trip through a valley filled with mountains and waterfalls. The W.L. Smith Stamp Mill, built in 1913 and used in conjunction with the nearby Mountain King Mine, is at the end of the tra…
Copper River Salmon Charters
Copper River Salmon Charters has been offering quality Chinook (King Salmon) and Sockeye (Red Salmon) Salmon charters in the tributaries to the Copper River in the beautiful Copper Valley since the early 1980s.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Jul. Summer highs reach about 64°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Oct.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- VDZ Valdez Pioneer Field, Valdez — 3 mi away. Directions
- CDV Merle K (Mudhole) Smith Airport, Cordova — 53 mi away. Directions
- ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage — 122 mi away (major hub). Directions
To reach Valdez from Anchorage, there are some options. Quickest is to fly to Valdez Airport. Flights are offered by Ravn Alaska (formerly Era Aviation) from Anchorage. If the weather is clear on your 45-min flight, you'll get great views of the Chugach mountains. Or in a full day you could drive the Richardson Highway. Or, you could drive or go by rail to Whittier and try to get a boat across Prince William Sound. The boat trip would take at least four hours. However, most boats from Whittier only offer day trips - glacier sight seeing and fishing - there isn't a scheduled ferry between Whittier and Valdez.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $75–$89 a night (typical $89), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$120, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$260.
Options are grouped as Media in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Pipeline Terminal, Valdez Museum
- Lunch Mike's Palace
- Afternoon Mineral Creek Trail, Copper River Salmon Charters
- Dinner The Fat Mermaid
- Evening Valdez Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Valdez is known as the town in Alaska with the highest annual snowfall. For example, as of late January 2012, Valdez had received more than 10 meters of snowfall, and was using extraordinary measures (such as the National Guard) to deal with it).
Climate
Visitor information
Get in
To reach Valdez from Anchorage, there are some options. Quickest is to fly to Valdez Airport. Flights are offered by Ravn Alaska (formerly Era Aviation) from Anchorage. If the weather is clear on your 45-min flight, you'll get great views of the Chugach mountains. Or in a full day you could drive the Richardson Highway. Or, you could drive or go by rail to Whittier and try to get a boat across Prince William Sound. The boat trip would take at least four hours. However, most boats from Whittier only offer day trips - glacier sight seeing and fishing - there isn't a scheduled ferry between Whittier and Valdez.
Get around
No public transport. Car and bike rental are available. The new airport is a couple of miles out of town, so if arriving by air, you'll need to get a taxi into town to avoid a tedious trudge. Once in town, walking is a good way to get around, as the town itself is small.
See
Do
Popular activities are mainly outdoor pursuits and include whitewater Rafting on the Lowe River through Keystone Canyon. Sea kayaking in Prince William Sound is offered by a couple of operators will ferry you and a canoe to places such as Shoup Bay, where you can spend the day kayaking in protected waters surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and seabird colonies. Heli skiing and snowboarding are possible in Thompson Pass while, hiking and cross country skiing is available on groomed Mineral Creek trails. Other activities include ice climbing, glacier tours in Prince William Sound, and elderhostel at Prince William Sound Community College.
Do Mineral Creek Trail
This easy trail is a 1.75 mi round trip through a valley filled with mountains and waterfalls. The W.L. Smith Stamp Mill, built in 1913 and used in conjunction with the nearby Mountain King Mine, is at the end of the trail.
Eat
Eat The Fat Mermaid
Pub food with view overlooking the marina.
Eat Mike's Palace
Mike's Palace offers a variety of service options to accommodate different preferences. Whether you prefer outdoor seating, curbside pickup, no-contact delivery, delivery, takeout or dine-in.
Drink
Drink Valdez Brewing
Valdez Brewing is a local craft beer brewery in Valdez Alaska.
Sleep
Media
- KCHU Radio 770am
- KVAK Radio 1230am and 93.3fm
Nearby
My experience
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