With most of the country experiencing record heat this summer, we’re thinking a journey into Alaska’s Last Frontier sounds pretty spectacular – and cool – right now. Backroads offers several opportunities to travel to Alaska, including Alaskan hiking trips and Alaskan bike tours. Take this opportunity to see nature at its finest and enjoy the outdoors without melting the moment you walk outside.

A few fun facts: Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area, spanning nearly 600,000 square miles, more than twice the size of Texas, the next largest state. It’s also the fourth least populated state in the U.S., which makes Alaska a wonderful place to explore the beauty of nature without the crowds.

Alaska has more than 30,000 miles of dramatic tidal shoreline; several active volcanoes, including the “most perfect (symmetrical) volcanic cone on earth;” as well as three million lakes. Sign us up!

Here are the Alaskan adventures we offer:

• Alaska Biking (Classic) – Travel a remote section of Alaska seen by few with adventures in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Prince William Sound and Matanuska Glacier.
• Alaska Walking and Hiking (Classic) – Hike along Exit and Grewingk Glaciers, boat across Kachemak Bay and travel through the towns of Homer and Seward.
• Alaska Adventure Multisport (Classic, Singles+Solos, Family) – No matter who you’re traveling with, you’ll enjoy hiking Harding Icefield Trail, kayaking around Yukon Island, visiting the town of Homer and watching salmon swim upstream.
• Alaska Family Adventure Multisport (Family – Deluxe Camping!) – This trip is new in 2012 and includes biking, hiking, rafting, sea kayaking on the Kenai Peninsula. Highlights from the itinerary will give you and your family the chance to experience everything from snow-clad mountains (in any season!) to viewing marine and wildlife, as well as simply enjoying this wilderness paradise by bike, foot, boat and even dog sled!

Remember how we said this new multisport trip included Deluxe Alaska Camping? Well, we’ve arranged for you to stay at two campgrounds: Slidehole Campground at Anchor Point and Trail River Campground in the Chugach National Forest. And when we say “Deluxe Camping,” you can take that to mean that you get to relax and enjoy your evening as we set up camp, cook dinner, clean up and more! This might just be the kind of camping you’ve been waiting for!

Alaska is on most people’s bucket lists. Why not go ahead and check it off yours this year? Call us to book your Alaskan getaway today at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time.