Valdez–Cordova
Around Valdez–Cordova
Photo: Enrico Blasutto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Alaska · 9235 people
Valdez–Cordova
Locals say Valdez-Cordova · “Little Switzerland”, “The Friendly City”
Where the mountains meet the sea and the salmon run
Glacial TealDeep Ocean BlueSpruce Green
Welcome to Valdez-Cordova, where the mountains meet the sea and the Copper River runs wild. Whether you're here for the salmon, the glaciers, or the quiet of the Delta, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and each other. Come say hello!
Clubs for Valdez–Cordova
No clubs for Valdez–Cordova yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Valdez–Cordova. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Valdez–Cordova. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site A roadside glacier with a short trail to the ice.
- Valdez Museum Local history museum covering the 1964 earthquake and Gold Rush.
- Cordova Historical Museum Museum on Cordova's fishing and Native heritage.
- Thompson Pass High alpine pass on the Richardson Highway with dramatic views.
- Columbia Glacier Massive tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound, viewed by boat.
- Copper River Delta Vast wetland famous for bird migrations, especially shorebirds.
- Outdoors Hike to Worthington Glacier
- Outdoors Kayak in Prince William Sound
- With kids Visit the Valdez Museum
- With kids Picnic at Allison Point
- Evenings Sunset kayak trips
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Locals love fishing charters
- Locals love glacier cruises
Through the year
- Cordova Iceworm Festival February A quirky winter celebration with a giant iceworm, parades, and community fun.
- Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival May Guided birding tours and talks during the massive shorebird migration.
- Valdez Gold Rush Days August A summer festival with a parade, games, and gold panning, celebrating the town's history.
- Valdez Halibut Derby Summer A summer fishing derby with prizes for the biggest halibut.
- Cordova Salmon Jam Summer A community music and salmon feast event (if still held).
Maritime and subarctic: heavy snow in winter, mild summers, with frequent rain. Best time to be out is summer, but each season has its own appeal. Best: June through August for outdoor activities; spring for bird migration; fall for salmon runs; winter for snow sports and aurora.
Talk like a local
- “Cheechako”
- A newcomer to Alaska.
- “Sourdough”
- An old-timer who has spent many winters in Alaska.
- “Breakup”
- The spring thaw when ice breaks up.
- “Outside”
- The rest of the United States (outside Alaska).
Getaways
- Anchorage Alaska's largest city with museums, dining, and flights.
- Kenai Peninsula Fishing towns, glaciers, and the Kenai Fjords.
- Interior Alaska Fairbanks, Denali, and the Yukon River country.
Local flavour
Rooting for Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Kraken
Eat and drink
- Copper River salmon The prized first run of the season
- Halibut Fresh from local waters
- Smoked salmon A local staple, often alder-smoked
- Fish and chips Made with local catch
Where people go
- Fishing harbors Small-boat harbors in Valdez and Cordova
- Tidewater glaciers Glaciers that calve directly into the ocean, like Columbia Glacier
- Floatplane docks Essential for access to remote areas
- Canneries Historic fish processing plants along the waterfront
- Lodges Remote wilderness lodges for fishing and hunting
- Roadhouses Historic stops along the Richardson Highway
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaChugach Census Area and Copper River Census Area, AK. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.