The 10 best family beaches in Alaska – kid-friendly beach vacation!
Alaska, a beautiful and scenic state, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
The pristine beaches are perfect for family fun as you enjoy activities together like fishing, boating, kayaking, surfing and more.
The most amazing thing about the beaches of Alaska is that you can not only spend time with your family, but also enjoy breathtaking views of Mother Nature.
Pack your bags and buckle up, because you're about to find the best family beaches in Alaska that guarantee the ultimate short vacation your loved ones will never forget!
1. Rotary Beach – Ketchikan
3507 S Tongass Hwy
Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 228-6625
Rotary Beach, also known as Buggy Beach, is located in the quaint town of Ketchikan. This shoreline offers the most beautiful views of the ocean and mountains.
Why we recommend this beach
I highly recommend visiting Rotary Beach as it is the best place to escape the cycle of your daily life and enjoy some quality time with your family in nature. Your loved ones will love watching the beach's occasional visitors: Seals, salmon and seabirds.
This popular beach has a tide pool where your kids can have an enjoyable time splashing and swimming in the water.
Rotary Beach has a kid-friendly shoreline with amenities like a playground perfect for keeping your little ones well entertained; a fire pit for cozy and warm campfires; a picnic table and grills where you can easily eat or prepare your meals; and a restroom for convenience.
Rotary Beach is located near one of the best family hotels in Alaska , Salmon Falls Resort , with breathtaking views, spacious family suites and top-notch amenities.
Expert Tip
It is best to wear your aqua shoes to protect your feet while swimming as the beach has some small rocks and pebbles.
Recommended nearby hotel: Salmon Falls Resort
2. Kincaid Beach – Anchorage
9401 Raspberry Rd
Anchorage, AK 99502
(907) 343-6397
Kincaid Beach is Alaska's hidden gem and offers visitors a great oceanfront experience.
Why we recommend this beach
Kincaid Beach is perfect if you and your family are looking for a quiet beach away from crowds and city noise. To get to this secret beach, you'll need to take a 3.2 km scenic hike. When you finally reach the coast, you'll appreciate the tranquility and beautiful views.
Features sand dunes where your kids can run around and play, and picnic tables to comfortably enjoy your packaged meal.
This is the perfect place to relax and read a good book while your kids play mud fights, build sand castles, play tag or collect unique shells.
Expert Tip
Don't go too far into the ocean when swimming, as the waves can get quite strong.
Recommended nearby hotel: Hotel Captain Cook
3. Fossil Beach – Kodiak
41520 Pasagshak Rd
Kodiak, AK 99615
(907) 277-4321
This amazing shoreline, nestled on the charming island of Kodiak, is the perfect place to plan a summer vacation with its sky blue waters, soft sand, and emerald greenery.
Why we recommend this beach
Fossil Beach is ideal for family outings in the summer, as you can not only enjoy the water, but also see the beautiful flowers in full bloom.
Fun Alaska activities with kids include swimming in the water, building sand castles, exploring Fossil Beach while searching for unique shells and fossils, and whale watching. Even your teenagers can have fun surfing in the water.
In some cases, you may even see wildlife like bison and seals visiting the beach.
Expert Tip
Before you come here, make sure you pack all the necessities your family might need, as there are no stores or restaurants nearby.
Recommended hotel nearby: Shelikof Lodge
4. Bishop's beach – Homer
600 East Fairview Ave
Homer AK 99603
(907) 235-6090
Alaska's beaches are known for being breathtakingly beautiful and offer a stunning backdrop of mountains, abundant greenery and the ocean. Bishop's Beach is a prime example of this and one of the best destinations for families.
Why we recommend this beach
I recommend visiting Bishop's Beach because it is one of the most beautiful family friendly beaches in Alaska. When you come here, you can enjoy time with your family while swimming in the tide pools, which are great for kids, or have a simple picnic while breathing in the fresh Alaskan air.
The beach has nearby restrooms, convenient if you have kids; a covered pavilion, ideal when you need a break from the sun; a fire pit for campfire evenings with your family while you eat smores; and a barbecue grill and picnic tables to enjoy your meals in comfort.
Expert Tip
Be sure to plan time for a hike on the Beluga Slough Trail. Once you reach the top, your reward is a breathtaking view of Homer.
Recommended nearby hotel: Best Western Bidarka Inn
5. Kenai Beach – Kenai
332 Airport Way
Kenai, AK 99611
(907) 283-8261
Kenai Beach is divided into two sections: North and South. It is a wonderful place to watch the sunset and get away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.
Why we recommend this beach
Kenai Beach is the ideal place for an unforgettable family vacation in Alaska . Connect with your loved ones as you spend the morning walking the beach, building sandcastles, flying kites, or exploring the surrounding area.
In the afternoons, go fishing together or just relax and watch wildlife like exotic birds, beluga whales, seals and bald eagles. Watch for the sunset, as Kenai Beach offers a breathtaking view of the sunset.
End the day by snuggling up by the roaring campfire while toasting your marshmallows and telling stories.
Expert Tip
Take your time to explore Kenai to its fullest potential. Your family will love bear watching, visiting the Alaska Sea Life Center, the largest public aquarium in Alaska, or taking glacier tours where you can view glaciers and wildlife aboard a boat.
Recommended nearby hotel: Soldotna Inn
6. Anchor River State Beach – Kenai
157 Sterling Highway
Anchorage, AK 99556
(907) 277-4321
The beach at Anchor River State Park is one of the best recreational spots in Alaska and the best place to fish.
Why we recommend this beach
Anchor River State Beach is a fantastic place to do fun water activities with your family, like kayaking, boating and fishing.
One of the most amazing parts of visiting this beach is seeing the amazing wildlife such as moose, seals, sea otters, beluga whales, beavers, moose and minkes.
Expert Tip
This beach has limited amenities, so be sure to pack anything your family might need, such as toiletries, towels, food, drinks and the like.
Recommended nearby hotel: Beluga Lake Lodge
7. Eagle Beach – Juneau
26 Glacier Highway
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 269-8700
Juneau is the jewel of Alaska and features the beautiful and pristine family-friendly Eagle Beach.
Why we recommend this beach
Visiting Eagle Beach will surely be on your list of best weekend getaways with the family in Alaska. Activities your loved ones will enjoy include kayaking, stand-up paddling and boating. Your family will have the opportunity to go fishing and collect clams and crabs, perfect for preparing delicious and fresh meals. If you are lucky, you may even see amazing pods of humpback whales.
Other family-friendly features include picnic areas where you can cook and eat your meals; easily accessible restrooms for quick assistance; campsites if your family wants to stay overnight; and water stations where you can comfortably get refreshments.
Expert Tip
I suggest wearing wetsuits when swimming as the water can get quite cold here.
Recommended nearby hotel: Juneau Hotel
8. Jewel Lake Beach – Anchorage
4401 W Dimond Blvd
Anchorage, AK 811
(907) 343-4355
Jewel Lake beach is a kid-friendly beach destination with soft sand, clean water and beautiful nature views.
Why we recommend this beach
If you are looking for one of the best beaches in Alaska for kids, Jewel Lake Beach is the best choice for you. Your kids will have a great time swimming in the pristine waters or building sand castles.
The beach also has a nearby playground where your kids can have fun and run around; shaded picnic areas where you can easily eat your meals away from the sun; and a parking lot that makes getting back and forth from your car to the beach much easier.
Other activities you can enjoy together are canoeing, kayaking, fishing for rainbow trout or playing a game of beach volleyball.
Expert tip
It's best to get here early or in the off-season, as this popular beach can get very crowded.
Recommended nearby hotel: Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
9. Goose Lake Park Beach – Anchorage
3038 Widgeon Ln
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 343-4355
Goose Lake Park Beach in the charming city of Anchorage is the ideal beach to spend time with the family and enjoy a wide range of fun activities.
Why we recommend this beach
If you are traveling with children, I highly recommend considering Goose Lake Park Beach as your next beach destination. This is the safest beach in Alaska for your family, as there are lifeguards always on the lookout, and a gated area for swimming.
It's also one of the best beaches for toddlers, as its shallow waters and soft sand are just right for swimming with your little ones. You may even choose not to play in the water because there's a playground that will keep them entertained.
Some of the activities you can do here include kayaking, rafting and fishing. The soft sand is also perfect if you just want to lie in the sun, get a tan or just relax.
Expert Tip
Goose Lake Park Beach is pet friendly. Take your four-legged family along for the ride, but always keep them on a leash.
Recommended nearby hotel: La Quinta by Wyndham Anchorage Airport
10. Wading Beach of Campbell Creek
2365 E 48th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99507
(250) 286-6901
Campbell Creek Wading Beach is popular with locals and tourists because of its cool, clean water, which is great on hot summer days, and scenic forest views.
Why we recommend this beach
Experience one of the best family beach vacations in Alaska while swimming in the refreshing waters of Campbell Creek Wading Beach. This beach also has a nearby playground with slides, swings and climbing frames; and a huge grassy area perfect for playing catch or tag.
Chase your kids in the shallows, teach them to fish, and have a lovely picnic at one of Alaska's best family beaches. Maybe you even discover beavers and otters while splashing around.
Expert Tip
Since you're already there, be sure to walk one of Alaska's most scenic and peaceful trails: the Campbell Creek Greenbelt Trail. You can walk through it on foot or even by bike.