Tidewater glacier cruises
Whittier
Whittier's harbor opens into western Prince William Sound, a maze of glacier-fed fjords and forested islands.
Alaska region guide · Draft
Prince William Sound & Copper River
Tidewater glaciers and forested islands fill Prince William Sound beneath the Chugach Mountains. Whittier and Valdez offer road-linked gateways, while Cordova and the Copper River Delta rely on air and ferry travel.
- Gateway towns
- Whittier, Valdez, Cordova
- Nearest major airport
- Anchorage (ANC); regional airports Valdez (VDZ) and Cordova (CDV)
- Best months
- June–September; winter skiing around Valdez
- Getting there
- Whittier tunnel or Richardson Highway to Valdez; flights or ferry to Cordova.
Overview
Tidewater glaciers and forested islands fill Prince William Sound beneath the Chugach Mountains. Whittier and Valdez offer road-linked gateways, while Cordova and the Copper River Delta rely on air and ferry travel.
Local guides
Inside Prince William Sound & Copper River
Whittier
Whittier's harbor opens into western Prince William Sound, a maze of glacier-fed fjords and forested islands.
Valdez
Valdez sits beneath the Chugach Mountains at the end of the Richardson Highway, with glaciers and waterfalls on the approach.
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Cordova is a fishing town surrounded by rainforest and the Copper River Delta's wetlands; its roads do not connect to the mainland highway network.
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Highlights
Tidewater glaciers and forested islands fill Prince William Sound beneath the Chugach Mountains. Whittier and Valdez offer road-linked gateways, while Cordova and the Copper River Delta rely on air and ferry travel.
Worthington Glacier views and winter skiing
Valdez
Valdez sits beneath the Chugach Mountains at the end of the Richardson Highway, with glaciers and waterfalls on the approach.
Spring shorebird viewing
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Cordova is a fishing town surrounded by rainforest and the Copper River Delta's wetlands; its roads do not connect to the mainland highway network.
Content coming soon
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Mountains
Explore mountains across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Chugach Mountains
Whittier
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Chugach Mountains
Valdez
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Chugach Mountains
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Conditions range from valley walks to technical alpine terrain. Match the route to your experience and obtain local advice.
Content coming soon
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State & National Parks
Explore state & national parks across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Chugach National Forest
Whittier · Valdez · Cordova & Copper River Delta
Check the land manager's current visitor information before arranging travel.
Type: forest
Land manager: US Forest Service
Permits: Confirm reservations, commercial operator permissions and backcountry requirements with the land manager.
Content coming soon
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Hiking
Explore hiking across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Portage Pass Trail
Whittier
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: About 4 mi round trip
Access: Drive through the timed Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel; seasonal rail and ferry services.
Shoup Bay Trail
Valdez
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: About 6.5 mi one way to the upper bay
Access: Richardson Highway, regional flights or scheduled ferry when available.
Sheridan Glacier area trails
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Carry navigation, rain layers and bear-safety equipment; confirm current trail or route conditions.
Difficulty: Variable
Length: Route dependent
Access: Scheduled flights to Cordova or ferry; local road system only.
Content coming soon
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Fishing
Explore fishing across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Prince William Sound
Whittier
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Halibut · Salmon · Rockfish
Port Valdez
Valdez
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Coho salmon · Halibut
Eyak River
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Use current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders; listed species are not a guarantee of an open fishery.
Coho salmon · Cutthroat trout
Current ADF&G sport-fishing regulations and emergency orders
Content coming soon
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Hunting
Explore hunting across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Licenses and land access
Whittier
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 6D
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Valdez
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 6D
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Licenses and land access
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Do not assume that public land allows sport hunting. Verify the precise unit, land designation and any permit before planning.
Game management unit: 6B / 6C
Nonresidents: Nonresidents hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep or mountain goat need a licensed Alaska guide or an eligible Alaska-resident relative; nonresident aliens require a guide for all big game. Check current permits, seasons and emergency orders.
Seasons, permits and land restrictions change. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations before planning a hunt.
Content coming soon
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Four-Wheel Drive & Backroads
Explore four-wheel drive & backroads across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Roads and vehicle access
Whittier
Road access ends at town; tunnel schedule and vehicle fees apply.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Valdez
Richardson Highway and Thompson Pass side roads; check snow and closures.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Roads and vehicle access
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Copper River Highway has access limitations beyond damaged bridges; verify current reach.
Conditions: Verify seasonal openings, washouts and land permissions.
Vehicle: Check rental exclusions; do not enter uncertain water crossings.
Content coming soon
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Rafting & Paddling
Explore rafting & paddling across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Protected-bay kayaking; cold water, tides and glacier hazards
Whittier
Protected-bay kayaking; cold water, tides and glacier hazards
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Shoup Bay kayaking; guided trips and water taxis
Valdez
Shoup Bay kayaking; guided trips and water taxis
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Orca Inlet kayaking; tide and weather planning
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Orca Inlet kayaking; tide and weather planning
Difficulty: Reach- and weather-dependent; obtain local advice
Season: Generally summer; verify water levels, ice and operator schedules
Content coming soon
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Wildlife
Explore wildlife across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Sea otters, seals and whales
Whittier
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Sea lions, otters and black bears
Valdez
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Migrating shorebirds, trumpeter swans and moose
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Use binoculars and keep appropriate distance; bears may be encountered away from viewing sites.
Content coming soon
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Camping
Explore camping across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
USFS cabins by boat; local camping
Whittier
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Valdez campgrounds and Shoup Bay cabins
Valdez
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
USFS campgrounds and cabins
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Facilities and seasons vary; pack out waste and store food securely away from wildlife.
Content coming soon
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Other Activities
Explore other activities across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Tidewater glacier cruises
Whittier
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Worthington Glacier views and winter skiing
Valdez
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Spring shorebird viewing
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Confirm availability directly, and respect community guidance and access permissions.
Content coming soon
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Access & Logistics
Explore access & logistics across Prince William Sound & Copper River. Local access, conditions and permissions vary.
Getting there and around
Whittier
Drive through the timed Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel; seasonal rail and ferry services.
Getting there and around
Valdez
Richardson Highway, regional flights or scheduled ferry when available.
Getting there and around
Cordova & Copper River Delta
Scheduled flights to Cordova or ferry; local road system only.
Content coming soon
Gallery
In pictures
