A Quick Guide To Hope, Alaska

Updated April 2025, A Quick Guide To Hope, Alaska was originally published in July 2020

Just an hour and a half drive south of Anchorage, Hope is the perfect getaway from the city located right across Cook Inlet. Established in 1896, Hope City had its heyday during the Alaskan gold rush as a mining town.

Not much has happened in Hope over the years, however, the town was deeply affected by the 1964 Earthquake like much the rest of Southcentral Alaska. Hope still has a small-town feel to it, though the population swells to many times its normal 190 on summer weekends during a good run.

Obviously, the gold rush is (mostly) behind us these days, so the main attraction for weekenders coming to Hope is for the fishing at the mouth of Resurrection Creek.

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Things To Do In Hope, Alaska

Go Fishing

Head down to Resurrection Creek when the pinks are running and get to fishing. You won’t miss the crowd down there in boots in waders. You will need an Alaska fishing license before casting out, so grab yours here.

Hike Resurrection Pass

Hope sits at the northern end of the Resurrection Pass Trail with the trail connecting to nearby Cooper Landing. Resurrection Pass Trail is one of the most popular multi-day hikes in Alaska.