Is there anywhere worth going in Alaska?

Question

We went to Alaska on our honeymoon; and spent a few days each in Katmai, Denali, and Glacier Bay.

For our 20th anniversary we went back with our two sons. We did day trips to Katmai and landed on a glacier in Denali; rented a car and spent a few days each in Valdez, McCarthy, and Talkeetna.

My wife wants to go again for our 40th, with our sons and their wives.

So... is there anywhere worth going? (bearing in mind that we don't like cities or cruises)

Answer

Absolutely—Alaska has plenty of incredible destinations beyond the typical Denali, Katmai, and Glacier Bay visits. Since you prefer to avoid cities and cruises, there are many options that focus on wilderness, hiking, wildlife, and unique Alaskan experiences.

Here are some suggestions worth considering for a 40th anniversary trip with family:

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: The largest national park in the U.S., with vast glaciers, remote hiking, and stunning mountain scenery. You can explore McCarthy and Kennicott, take glacier walks, or enjoy historic mining sites.
Prince William Sound & Valdez area: Even without a cruise, you can take day trips for kayaking among fjords, viewing glaciers, and spotting marine wildlife. Hiking opportunities around Valdez and backcountry lodge stays are also options.
Brooks Range / Arctic Alaska: For a true off-the-beaten-path adventure, consider visiting the Arctic via Fairbanks. You can explore the Brooks Range for hiking, wildlife, and possibly guided tours to remote rivers and tundra.
Chugach Mountains & Girdwood: Near Anchorage, the Chugach offers incredible backcountry hiking, glaciers, and river valleys. Girdwood has access to the Alyeska ski area and summer hiking trails.
Kenai Peninsula (outside of Seward and Homer): Areas like Cooper Landing or Russian River provide excellent fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing without the crowds of Seward or Homer. Day trips for kayaking or rafting can also be planned.

Other experiences that make Alaska unique include:

Guided glacier hikes or ice climbing on lesser-known glaciers, such as Matanuska Glacier near Palmer.
Wildlife viewing trips in remote areas, including brown bears in the Katmai or Lake Clark regions—without staying in heavily touristed lodges.
Backcountry lodge stays or fly-in adventures to small, remote airstrips for hiking, fishing, or photography. This can be particularly memorable for families who enjoy adventure and solitude.

Given your previous trips, consider combining a remote lodge stay with a few days exploring a lesser-visited national park or region. Wrangell-St. Elias paired with the Kenai Peninsula or Prince William Sound could offer a mix of mountains, glaciers, wildlife, and quiet Alaskan wilderness without stepping onto a cruise ship or into a busy city.

Planning early is crucial for logistics, especially for remote lodges or fly-in experiences, but these destinations provide the authentic, scenic, and adventurous Alaska experience that seems aligned with your family's preferences.