10 State Park Beaches in Alaska To Visit Before Summer Is Over

Beach outings in Alaska look a little different than those in the Lower 48. Here, it's a little less toes-in-the-sand with a side of chasing barrel waves and a little more rock hopping and tide pooling, with a side of wind chill. But we wouldn't be here if we didn't love the pristine wildness of it all!

Admittedly, summer in Alaska is all too short. Fortunately, the end of the warmer season also means fewer crowds, which makes it the perfect time to create those last-minute beach memories before fall hits. In terms of scenery, you really can't go wrong with a visit to any of Alaska's beaches, but these underrated state parks—both on and off the coast—boast endless beaches and come with an extra dose of "Only in Alaska" moodiness that you're absolutely going to love.

1. Pasagshak State Recreation Site

Alaska isn't known for surf culture the way Southern California is, but for the wildest ocean adventure of your life, the Last Frontier has a few epic surfing spots of its own. If you're heading to Kodiak Island to admire the local wildlife, be sure to stop by Pasagshak State Recreation Site too, because this overlooked state park is hiding one of the coolest places to shred a few waves. Here, the aptly-named Surfer's Beach is a bucket list surf spot for those looking to take their skills to the next level in one of the most scenic spots in the country. A quick trail to this relatively remote black sand beach offers sweeping views, massive waves, endless wildlife, and even camping opportunities for those who plan ahead. Not too far away, Buskin River State Recreation Site offers riverfront beaches galore.

2. Lowell Point State Recreation Site

The jaw-dropping panoramas of Alaska's Resurrection Bay are the main event at Lowell Point State Recreation Area in Seward, which boasts stunning bay views, history, and unique recreation opportunities all in one. Exploring the 19-acre site varies wildly between high and low tides, but low tide reveals a scenic stretch of beach between Tonsina Point and North Beach that can be cautiously hiked. Bald eagles, sea otters, and sea lions are plentiful here, and you'll find numerous kayak outfitters in Seward that will show you around the Bay. If you prefer to stay on land, you can also hike toward the historic Caines Head/Fort McGilvray when the tide is out.

3. Kachemak Bay State Park

Where else in the U.S. can you stroll along a beach that's practically at the toe of 30 square miles of ancient ice? Easily one of the most spectacular hikes in the state, the Grewingk Glacier Lake Trail is a 3-mile jaunt through enormous old-growth trees that opens up to one of the most incredible views: Grewingk Glacier, which is slowly, imperceptibly flowing into Grewingk Glacier Lake. You can enjoy lounging on the beach, feeling small in comparison to the natural wonders on all sides as you watch icebergs drift by, or spend some time admiring the plentiful wildlife that call this spot an all-you-can-eat buffet. Of course, this isn't the only beach in Kachemak Bay State Park. China Poot Bay, Quarry Beach, Sadie Cove, and numerous other nooks can all be found here.

4. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park

Fort Abercrombie may be best known for its WWII bunkers and historical ruins, but this unique 182-acre state park in Kodiak is pretty special for more reasons as well. In fact, there are few state parks in Alaska that can boast quite as much scenic diversity: sheer tide-pounded cliffs, dense spruce forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and even a glittering lake. Beaches abound in nearly every corner of the park, so take your pick between the traditional pebble and sand beach experience or enjoy a shady, waterfront respite in the trees. Either way, tent camping is particularly phenomenal here.

5. Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site

Beach strolling, tidepooling, and clamming are just a few of the many ways that Alaskans "beach," but how about digging into a little ancient history too? Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell is one of the most unique beaches in the state due to its dozens of 8,000-year-old rock carvings, but it's also a pretty corner of the state, with weather that is milder than many of Alaska's other beaches. So in addition to admiring thousands of years of tribal history, true beach-lounging is definitely an option here as well. Or, like the original peoples who left these historic carvings behind, maybe even cast a line or two.

6. Settlers Cove State Recreation Site

Settlers Cove is a cozy little overlooked nook within a temperate rainforest that offers peace, quiet, and an escape that's a little outside the norm in Alaska. Dense stands of hemlock, spruce, and cedar feel more like something out of Western Washington than the Gulf of Alaska, with mist hanging heavy in between branches and wet dirt underfoot. Multiple trails wind through the trees with peek-a-boo water views (and waterfalls!), but you can also head down to the Passage to hop around the rocks, snap photos, and enjoy the water up close from the mixed sand/rock beach. The views are stellar from here—so stellar, in fact, that you might want to pitch a tent here and stick around for a weekend of beach camping and sunrise kayaking.

7. Chugach State Park

No list of Alaska beaches could be complete without mentioning Chugach State Park. As one of the largest state parks in the entire country, Chugach boasts hundreds of miles of oceanfront, the rugged wonders of three different mountain ranges, glaciers, ice fields, wilderness areas, and so much more. The beaches here are far too many to name, but the iconic Turnagain Arm is one of the most beautiful spots in the park (the boretide here is another epic surfing opportunity), plus visitors will also find the stunning Beluga Point and numerous other beachy alcoves along the Seward Highway.

8. Eagle Beach State Recreation Area

In season, this is a great place to spot eagles (hence the name), but casual beachgoers passing through Juneau will love Eagle Beach State Recreation Area for all of its many natural wonder-spotting opportunities too. Without any hiking needed, this beach shows off views of Lynn Canal, the Chilkat Mountains, and the Juneau Mountains all in one fell swoop. In between waterfront strolls, you can also pop into the trees to dip your toes in the Eagle River, and at night, snuggle up in one of the on-site cabins so you can wake up to gorgeous views right outside your front door.

9. Chilkat State Park

Just south of Haines, a narrow road winds through forest and along the shoreline before reaching the entrance to Chilkat State Park. The trees thin out, and suddenly the mountains tower ahead across the water with their snow-lined ridges. From the main lot, trails branch off toward the coast and into the woods, but the Battery Point Trail is the best place to start. This easy hike leads to a rocky beach on Chilkat Inlet with unobstructed glacier views and tantalizingly frigid water that's a shock to the senses in the best way. Camping here is an absolute dream.

10. Captain Cook State Recreation Area

This remote state recreation area north of Kenai is a true hidden gem that offers everything from strolling along the shores of Stormy Lake and the Swanson River to seashell and agate hunting on Cook Inlet's ocean-swept shores. With few visitors and little in the way of distractions, the beaches at Captain Cook State Recreation Area are perfect for bird watching, berry picking, and admiring the coast's wildest animal residents from a distance, like beluga whales. You can also camp here at the surprisingly large Discovery Campground, or enjoy a scenic, romantic picnic at the Discovery Picnic Area.

Summer may have breezed by all too quickly, but there's still plenty of time to get out there before the snow hits! Of course, in true Alaska fashion, even some of the most beautiful beaches in the state come with some risks, regardless of season. Quicksand is one of them. You'll also want to keep a close eye on the tide no matter which beach you choose to visit.

Looking for options a little closer to you? They didn't make the list this time around, but some other underrated state parks with great beaches include Anchor River, Harding Lake, Fielding Lake, Wood-Tikchik, and Oliver Inlet State Marine Park (just to name a few). Alaska has almost 34,000 miles of coastline to explore, not to mention its many inland lake and river beaches, so make it your mission to explore every sandy corner that you can—in fact, you can even use Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to help get you on your way. There's a lot to love here!