Hope

The little gold-mining community of Hope sits just across Turnagain Arm from Anchorage. To visit, however, you must drive the 87 mi all the way around the arm. Your reward is a quiet little community that is accessible to but not overrun by tourists. Hope was founded by miners in 1896, and the old log cabins and weathered frame buildings in the town center are favorite photography subjects. You'll find lots of gold-panning, fishing, and hiking opportunities, and the northern trailhead for the 38-mi-long Resurrection Pass Trail is nearby. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for information on campgrounds, cabin rentals, and hikes in the area.