Alaska Flightseeing Tours
Alaska is not a place you can fully understand from the ground. The scale of the landscape, the emptiness of the horizon, the way mountains rise from tundra without a single road in sight—these things only make sense from the air. That’s what a flightseeing tour offers: a perspective you can’t get any other way.
Golden Eagle Outfitters has flown Alaska’s backcountry since 2010 . We operate air taxi services and flightseeing tours from Fairbanks, Delta Junction, and Kotzebue, with access to some of the most remote national parks and wilderness areas in North America. Whether you want a scenic flight over the Alaska Range, a landing on a glacier, or a drop-off deep in the wilderness for hiking or camping, we can get you there. To see the full range of our national park options, visit our Alaska National Park Tours page.
What Our Alaska Flightseeing Tours Include
Scenic Flights Over Iconic Landscapes
Our routes cover some of Alaska’s most dramatic terrain. Depending on where you fly, you might see the Black Rapids Glacier, the Alaska Range, the Tanana Valley, or the vast tundra of the Arctic . We tailor each route to what you want to see. For trips that include a glacier landing, see our Alaska Glacier Tours page.
Remote Landings
Many of our tours include the option to land and explore. That could mean stepping onto the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, walking along a gravel riverbank in Gates of the Arctic, or standing on a glacier at 4,000 feet . These aren’t places you can reach any other way. Our Alaska National Park Tours page covers all five parks we access.
Wildlife Viewing From Above and Below
Alaska’s wildlife doesn’t perform on schedule, but the odds are good. From the air, you might spot moose in the Tanana Valley, caribou herds on their seasonal migrations, grizzly bears foraging near rivers, or Dall sheep on mountain ridges . On the ground, you might see even more. For trips focused on photography and wildlife, a private charter gives you the flexibility to stop when you want.
Air Taxi and Drop-Off Services
Not every flight is a tour. We also provide air taxi services for hunters, anglers, hikers, campers, and photographers who need to get deep into the backcountry . We’ll drop you at a remote lake, a riverbank, or a tundra ridge, and we’ll pick you up when you’re ready. For multi-day river trips, see our Remote Wilderness Float Trips page.
Popular Flightseeing Routes and Tours
National Park Tours
Alaska has eight national parks, and five of them are accessible from our bases. Our national park tours include:
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Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve — Landing on a riverbank in one of the most remote parks in the country
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Kobuk Valley National Park — Landing on the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, a surreal landscape in the Arctic
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Noatak National Preserve — Flying over one of the largest protected river basins in the world
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Cape Krusenstern National Monument — Beach landings near archaeological sites
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Bering Land Bridge National Preserve — Tundra ridgelines and volcanic hot springs
We offer a Two-Park Combo (Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley, about 4 hours), a Three-Park Loop (Noatak, Krusenstern, and Bering, 2–3 hours), and the All Five Parks tour (about 8 hours with short stops) . For complete details on each itinerary, visit our Alaska National Park Tours page.
Glacier Tours
Our glacier tours fly through the Alaska Range and land on a remote gravel airstrip perched above the Trident Glacier. You’ll have time to hike, photograph, and stand on ice that’s been there for centuries . For more on this specific route, see our Alaska Glacier Tours page.
Fly-In Fishing
We fly anglers into remote Arctic rivers and lakes where the fishing is world-class and the crowds are nonexistent. Target species include Dolly Varden, Sheefish, Arctic Grayling, Chum Salmon, and Northern Pike . Visit our Alaska World-Class Fishing page for details on species, seasons, and trip options.
Float Trips and Wilderness Drop-Offs
For multi-day adventures, we offer drop-offs for float trips, base camps, and backcountry expeditions. We’ll coordinate your pick-up location and time so you can focus on the journey . See our Remote Wilderness Float Trips page for route options.
Aircraft and Capacity
We fly two types of aircraft depending on group size and destination:
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Cessna 206 — Fits up to 5 passengers, ideal for smaller groups and tighter landing zones
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DeHavilland Otter — Fits up to 10 passengers, with more room for gear
All flights are conducted by experienced Alaskan bush pilots. Safety is our first priority, and we fly year-round, weather permitting . For private charter options, contact us directly.
What to Know Before You Book
Weather Flexibility Is Essential
Alaska weather changes quickly, and safety always comes first. We may need to delay or reschedule a flight if conditions aren’t right. Most travelers plan a buffer day or two in their itinerary for this reason . We’ll communicate clearly about conditions and options.
Booking in Advance
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially during peak summer months. Our aircraft are in high demand, and popular routes fill up quickly.
What to Bring
Dress in layers. Even in summer, temperatures at altitude and on glaciers can be cold. Bring a camera, sunglasses, and any medications you need. If you’re doing a drop-off, pack for the conditions you’ll encounter in the backcountry.
Why Fly With Golden Eagle Outfitters
We’re a family-run operation based in Kotzebue and Delta Junction . Our pilots have flown these routes for years, and we know the land, the weather, and the best places to land . We’re not a large tour company—we’re a small team that takes pride in showing people the Alaska we know.
Our passengers consistently mention the skill of our pilots, the safety of our operations, and the personal attention they receive . We’d be glad to have you aboard.
Related Services
Along with flightseeing tours, Golden Eagle Outfitters offers:
- Alaska National Park Tours — Guided flights to Gates of the Arctic, Kobuk Valley, and beyond
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Alaska Glacier Tours — Land on a living glacier in the Alaska Range
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Alaska World-Class Fishing — Fly-in fishing on remote Arctic rivers
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Remote Wilderness Float Trips — Multi-day river expeditions with air support
Questions About Alaska Flightseeing Tours
What is a flightseeing tour?
A flightseeing tour is a scenic flight over a landscape that’s difficult or impossible to reach by road. In Alaska, flightseeing is often the only way to see national parks, glaciers, and remote wilderness areas.
How long do your tours last?
Tour lengths vary. Scenic flights can be as short as an hour, while national park tours and multi-park itineraries can last 4 to 8 hours or more . We also offer custom flights based on your schedule. For a full list of national park options, see our Alaska National Park Tours page.
Can you drop us off in the wilderness and pick us up later?
Yes. We provide air taxi and drop-off services for hikers, campers, anglers, and photographers who want to spend time in the backcountry . We’ll coordinate the pick-up time and location with you. For float trip drop-offs, see our Remote Wilderness Float Trips page.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety is our top priority. If conditions aren’t safe to fly, we’ll reschedule or adjust the route. Many travelers plan an extra day in their itinerary to account for weather delays .
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for summer travel. Popular routes and aircraft fill up quickly.
Do you fly year-round?
We operate year-round, weather permitting . Winter flights offer a different perspective on the Alaska landscape.
What should I bring on a flight?
Dress in layers, bring a camera, and pack any medications you need. For drop-offs, pack for the conditions you’ll encounter in the backcountry. If you’re heading out for a fly-in fishing trip, see our Alaska World-Class Fishing page for specific gear recommendations.