Alaska, known as the “Last Frontier,” is home to some of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the United States. With vast stretches of wilderness, towering mountains, glaciers, and abundant wildlife, Alaska offers a unique experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Here are some of the best national parks to visit in Alaska, each offering a distinct glimpse into the beauty of the state.
1. Denali National Park and Preserve
Location: Interior Alaska
Size: 6 million acres
Highlights: Denali (Mt. McKinley), wildlife, hiking trails, scenic drives
Denali National Park is perhaps the most famous park in Alaska, drawing visitors from around the world to see its crown jewel, Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet. The park is accessible by road, and the Denali Park Road, which winds for 92 miles through stunning landscapes, offers travelers the chance to see abundant wildlife like grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep.
Hiking in Denali is unique; rather than established trails, the park encourages “off-trail” exploration, allowing visitors to experience the wilderness up close. For those looking for a less strenuous experience, scenic bus tours provide a comfortable way to see the park’s highlights while learning about the local ecology and history. The summer season offers the best access, but winter also draws visitors for activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and even dog sledding.
2. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Location: Southeastern Alaska
Size: 3.3 million acres
Highlights: Glaciers, marine wildlife, kayaking, boat tours
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, located near Juneau, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning fjords, massive glaciers, and rich marine life. Glacier Bay is accessible primarily by boat, making it a popular stop for cruise ships. Glacier viewing is a major attraction here, as visitors can witness calving glaciers—where chunks of ice break off and crash into the sea—at close range. Some of the most famous glaciers in the park include Margerie Glacier, Lamplugh Glacier, and Reid Glacier.
Kayaking is a popular activity, allowing visitors to navigate the park’s waters and get close to wildlife such as sea otters, seals, and even humpback whales. For those interested in hiking, there are numerous trails near Bartlett Cove, the park’s entrance. The area is also an excellent spot for bird-watching, with more than 200 bird species, including bald eagles, which can be spotted throughout the park.
3. Kenai Fjords National Park
Location: Southcentral Alaska
Size: 669,984 acres
Highlights: Harding Icefield, Exit Glacier, marine wildlife, boat tours
Kenai Fjords National Park, located on the Kenai Peninsula, is famed for the Harding Icefield—a massive icefield feeding more than 40 glaciers. Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the park, where visitors can walk up close and even hike along the Harding Icefield Trail for a breathtaking view of the vast icefield.
Boat tours are a primary way to explore Kenai Fjords, allowing visitors to marvel at coastal fjords, towering cliffs, and marine wildlife such as orcas, puffins, sea lions, and humpback whales. The park is also a great spot for kayaking, providing a more intimate experience with the landscape and the chance to paddle among icebergs. Kenai Fjords is one of Alaska’s most accessible parks, making it an ideal choice for visitors who want to experience Alaska’s icy landscapes without extensive travel.
4. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Location: Southeastern Alaska
Size: 13.2 million acres
Highlights: Glaciers, mountains, historic mining towns, outdoor recreation
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, roughly the size of six Yellowstone National Parks combined. Known for its towering mountains, including nine of the 16 highest peaks in North America, it offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to glacier trekking to mountaineering. The park’s vastness and remote location mean visitors will often find solitude and an uninterrupted connection with nature.
Historic sites such as the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark provide a fascinating glimpse into Alaska’s mining past, where copper mining boomed in the early 1900s. Visitors can tour the preserved mine buildings, making it a unique stop within the park. Due to the park’s remote location, access is typically via small aircraft or rugged roads, but the adventure is well worth the effort for those seeking a truly wild Alaskan experience.
5. Katmai National Park and Preserve
Location: Southwestern Alaska
Size: 4.1 million acres
Highlights: Brown bears, Brooks Falls, volcanoes, fishing
Katmai National Park is famous for its large population of brown bears, which congregate at Brooks Falls to catch spawning salmon during the summer months. The iconic image of bears fishing at the falls draws photographers and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. The park’s remoteness adds to its mystique; access is usually by small plane, and most visitors stay at Brooks Camp to witness the bears up close in a safe, designated viewing area.
Katmai is also known for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an area blanketed in volcanic ash from the 1912 eruption of Novarupta. This otherworldly landscape can be explored on guided tours, which provide insights into the volcanic forces that shaped the region. The park’s rivers and lakes are popular for fishing, with an abundance of rainbow trout and salmon.
6. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Location: Northern Alaska
Size: 8.5 million acres
Highlights: Wilderness, rivers, mountains, Arctic wildlife
Gates of the Arctic National Park is the ultimate wilderness experience, a vast, untouched landscape that offers no roads, trails, or visitor facilities. Located above the Arctic Circle, the park is only accessible by bush plane, and visitors must be prepared for complete self-sufficiency and adventure. This is a place for experienced wilderness travelers who seek solitude, breathtaking landscapes, and encounters with Arctic wildlife, including caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, and wolverines.
Popular activities include backpacking, river floating, and camping, all of which require careful planning due to the park’s remote and harsh conditions. Gates of the Arctic is also home to the Arrigetch Peaks, a group of dramatic granite spires that attract climbers from around the world. For those seeking an unparalleled adventure in one of the most pristine wildernesses on Earth, Gates of the Arctic offers a rare opportunity.
7. Kobuk Valley National Park
Location: Northwestern Alaska
Size: 1.75 million acres
Highlights: Sand dunes, caribou migrations, remote wilderness
Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the most unique parks in Alaska, home to massive sand dunes—the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes—that can reach up to 100 feet high. These dunes are a striking contrast to the surrounding Arctic landscape and make for one of Alaska’s most unusual sights. The park also lies along the migration route of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, one of the largest herds in North America, offering visitors a rare chance to witness this incredible natural event.
The Kobuk River winds through the park, providing opportunities for river floating and fishing. Like Gates of the Arctic, Kobuk Valley is extremely remote, accessible only by air, and offers no developed facilities or roads. However, for those willing to venture into this secluded wilderness, Kobuk Valley offers a truly one-of-a-kind Alaskan experience.
Conclusion
Alaska’s national parks offer some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring natural landscapes on Earth. From the towering heights of Denali to the icy expanses of Glacier Bay and the untouched wilderness of Gates of the Arctic, these parks provide endless opportunities for adventure, wildlife viewing, and solitude. Each park has its own unique appeal, catering to different types of travelers. Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or a curious traveler looking to glimpse Alaska’s iconic landscapes, these national parks showcase the wild, rugged beauty that defines the “Last Frontier.”
