Visit

Plan to take the ferry from Whittier to Cordova, which is a short, scenic drive from Anchorage or Seward. Bring your camera, your binoculars, your hiking boots, rain gear and sunglasses. Dress in layers to prepare for both sun and rain. As soon as you board the ferry, your adventure has begun with a cruise across picturesque Prince William Sound.

Upon arriving to Cordova, you may want to check in to your lodging, grab a quick bite to eat and take in the view of Cordova from the water by way of the Breakwater Boardwalk in the bustling Cordova Harbor. Here you’re likely to see eagles, ravens, sea otters and fishing boats getting ready for the next fishing opener.

With the long sunlit days you can easily fit a nice hike up to Mid-Way or Top Station on Ski Hill in the early morning before breakfast and afterwards visit the shops on First Street and around town. Remember to send a few postcards to friends and family back in the city! You can pick up souvenirs and handmade artisan products at nearly every local retailer; the Cordova Museum and the Native Village of Eyak’s Ilanka Cultural Center carries these products along with a beautiful array of information and exhibits highlighting local history and culture.

Before you head out on a longer hike such as Heney Ridge Trail at the end of Whitshed Road or Crater Lake on Power Creek Road; be sure to pack a lunch, a water bottle and of course your camera. You’ll experience one breathtaking vista after another.

With all the hiking you’ve done and spectacular views you’ve seen an evening on the patio at a local eatery is likely in order! The Reluctant Fisherman, Baja Taco, or The Powder House all offer outdoor seating to complement their delicious dishes. If you’ve brought your bike with you or choose to rent one in town, you still have time to take a leisurely ride out to Fleming Spit (or “Hippie Cove” as it’s called by the locals) to watch a late sunset, salmon jumping, more eagles, ravens, otters, seals and maybe even a coyote!

On your last full day in Cordova, plan to head “Out the Road”. Pack a lunch and snacks and plenty of water or pick something up ready-made at the grocery store’s deli counter. Your first stop along the Copper River Highway, a designated Alaska Scenic Byway, could be the USFS viewing station at 9 mile. It’s a great introduction to the Copper River Delta situated across from a wide-open pond with resident beavers and swans and even a muskrat or two.

From here you can head farther out the road to mile 14 and to Sheridan Glacier for a picnic breakfast. There are a handful of picnic tables, the trailhead for Sheridan Mountain Trail and the easement trail across The Eyak Corporation lands to Sheridan Glacier. A short 15-minute walk and you’ll find yourself on a glacial moraine.

After your visit with Sheridan, your next stop on the Delta should be Alaganik Slough at 17 mile. Your commitment to the dusty gravel road can be rewarded by an afternoon in this favorite spot. You might see moose grazing on the green growth that covers the area, minks fishing in their favorite spots along the slough and wetlands covered in wildflowers in the spring. Take a leisurely walk along the boardwalk with interpretive signs that end at a magnificent vista.

To wrap up your day, you can drive the remaining 20 miles of highway to the end of the road at mile 36.5 where the mighty Copper River has reclaimed the area where a bridge once allowed passage further on to the Million Dollar Bridge. The views are well worth the drive there and back with plenty of places to pull off the road to take a picture, take in the view and breathe the fresh air.

You get to conclude your visit to Cordova with another cruise across Prince William Sound to see more Orca whales, more seals, more salmon jumping and more fishing families out on the water making a living.

You’ve got a few ideas now on how to fill up two great days in Cordova planning for two scenic on-water ferry travel days. Give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions.

Sitting in a window seat on your flight in or out of Cordova is highly recommended in order to take in the multiple glaciers that flow from the Chugach mountain range and into the Copper River Delta and out to the Gulf of Alaska. The world’s richest waters are a magnificent sight to behold from above. 

Upon arriving at the Cordova airport, you may pick up your shuttle or pre-reserved rental car . On your way into town stop in at Powder House Bar & Grill for a late lunch or early dinner before checking in to your lodging.

On an evening stroll take in the views of Cordova from the water by way of the Breakwater Boardwalk in the bustling Cordova Harbor. Here you’re likely to see eagles, ravens, sea otters and fishing boats getting ready for the next fishing opener.

With the long sunlit days of summer, you can easily fit a nice hike up to Mid-Way on Ski Hill to watch the sunset. Make sure you purchase and take with you some water and an after-hike snack. 

On your first full day in Cordova, plan to head “Out the Road”.  First take it all in by foot then from above. Pack a lunch, snacks and plenty of water or pick something up ready-made at the grocery store’s deli counter. Your first stop along the Copper River Highway, a designated Alaska Scenic Byway, could be the USFS viewing station at 9 mile. It’s a great introduction to the Copper River Delta situated across from a wide-open pond with resident beavers and swans and even a muskrat or two.

From here you can head farther out the road to mile 14 and to Sheridan Glacier for a picnic breakfast. There are a handful of picnic tables, the trailhead for Sheridan Mountain Trail and the easement trail across The Eyak Corporation lands to Sheridan Glacier. A short 15-minute walk and you’ll find yourself on a glacial moraine.

After your visit with Sheridan, your next stop on the Delta should be Alaganik Slough at 17 mile. Your commitment to the dusty gravel road can be rewarded by an afternoon in this favorite spot. You might see moose grazing on the green growth that covers the area, minks fishing in their favorite spots along the slough and wetlands covered in wildflowers in the spring. Take a leisurely walk along the boardwalk with interpretive signs that end at a magnificent vista.

Head back in toward town to hop into a helicopter to see Sheridan Glacier, moose, bears, goats, and an array of birds up close and personal while flying just a few hundred feet over the wetlands of the Copper River Delta and Chugach mountains.

If you’ve brought your bike with you or choose to rent one in town, wake up and bike out to hike a trail such as Eyak River Trail (5.5 mi on the Copper River Hwy) or Crater Lake on Power Creek Road; be sure to pack a lunch, a water bottle and of course your camera. You’ll experience one breathtaking vista after another.

With all the hiking and biking you’ve done and spectacular views you’ve seen an evening on the patio at a local eatery is likely in order! The Reluctant Fisherman or Baja Taco all offer outdoor seating to complement their delicious dishes. 

 You still have time to take a leisurely ride out to Fleming Spit (or “Hippie Cove” as it’s called by the locals) to watch a late sunset, salmon jumping, more eagles, ravens, otters, seals and maybe even a coyote!

Before you take flight spend your last morning sipping on a heartwarming cup of coffee from one of our 4 cafes (Kayak Cafe, The Jump, Whales Tail, The Little Cordova Bakery) visit the shops on First Street and around town. Remember to send a few postcards to friends and family back in the city! You can pick up souvenirs and handmade artisan products at nearly every local retailer; the Cordova Museum and the Native Village of Eyak’s Ilanka Cultural Center carries these products along with a beautiful array of information and exhibits highlighting local history and culture.

Give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions.