Valdez, Alaska

Valdez is a port community of roughly 4000 residents located on the northeast section of Prince William Sound. The town is 300 road miles from Anchorage, about six to seven hours by car. Valdez is surrounded by the 5,000 foot tall Chugach Mountains and numerous glaciers, and is often referred to as “Little Switzerland”. The community is also well known as the southern terminus of the trans Alaska pipeline which runs from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The town was nearly destroyed in the 1964 earthquake and consequently was rebuilt about four miles from its original location. Today Valdez’s economy is comprised of a mix of oil, tourism, commercial fishing, seafood processing and shipping.

Valdez Tours and Attractions

One of the most popular trips in Valdez is a day cruise to the mighty Columbia Glacier. We suggest a 6 ½ hour Columbia Glacier cruise with Stan Stephens Cruises, an experienced operator that has been cruising Prince William Sound for over 30 years. Valdez has a number of other tours and attractions including hiking, pipeline tours, rafting and kayaking.

Valdez Fishing

Valdez, Alaska is one of the most active summer communities in all of Prince William Sound. It is home to the oldest fish derby in Alaska and has the well-deserved reputation of being the Pink Salmon capital of the world. Anglers have the opportunity to fish in either salt or fresh water while being surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains and glaciers in the state. Valdez and the surrounding Chugach Mountains offer such awesome alpine scenery that this community is sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland.”

Surrounding salt waters offer opportunities for Pink, Silver, King, and Chum Salmon. Pinks and Silvers can be caught directly from shore as well as by boat. Anglers who venture out into the adjacent seas will encounter all four of these species, as well as Rockfish, Ling Cod, and Pacific Halibut. However, the 800 lb gorilla of the salt-water show is always the Pink. Millions return to Valdez during even-numbered years. Some parts of Port Valdez will actually look black due to the unbelievable numbers of fish.

Salmon that reach the fresh water streams and rivers surrounding Valdez include Pink, Silver, and an occasional Sockeye. Dolly Varden Char can also be found in those same waters. Some nearby ponds and lakes are stocked with Rainbow Trout and anglers who depart the community and head for the interior will also find artic Grayling along the way.