Denali National Park is located in southcentral Alaska. The park’s main attraction is the totem poles built by the Tlingit and Haida peoples. While most access the park via cruise ship, flying into Gustavus and planning your own visit can be extremely rewarding. Extensive planning and preparation are required to visit these parks. Discover Alaska’s National Parks from the highest mountains to the harshest glaciers, in national parks like Denali, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell-St. Elias. Keep in mind that the weather in this region is very unpredictable and makes traveling to Aniakchak extremely difficult. Luckily, Anchorage is in the center of it all and offers many ways to enjoy the parks. This includes national parks, rivers, monuments, preserves, and historical parks. This preserve protects two incredible river systems: the historic and vital Yukon and the rapid Charley. Things to Do: Backpacking, bear viewing, boating, camping, fishing, flight-seeing, hiking, hunting, trapping, Where to Stay: Gold Creek Lodge, Brooks Camp, Brooks Lodge. Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the most unique national parks in Alaska as well as the United States. Denali National Park Frolicking through fields of wildflowers will divulge unique shorebirds, some making their way north all the way from South America, and the qiviut (inner wool layer) of muskoxen. This includes national parks, rivers, monuments, preserves, and historical parks. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is 150 miles southwest of Anchorage, on the west side of the Cook Inlet, at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula. Things to Do: Camping, dog mushing, fishing, floating, hiking, hunting, winter activities. Check the official websites for each park you plan to visit for the most up to date information regarding the pandemic. If you hope to spend more time here, fly or take a ferry to Gustavus. List of parks in Alaska. Things to Do: Boating, camping, fishing, hunting, Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 246-3305. Where to Stay: There are no lodges inside the park. But, honestly, after reading this I wanna visit all of them . Bettles itself is not located within the national park, so an additional flight will be required to enter its boundaries. The best time to visit is from June to September. Kodiak Island lies just off the Katmai Coast to the east. Either taking Inside Passage, a ferry system along the Pacific Coast, or driving on a highway through Canada. The closest lodging is found in Kotzebue, Alaska. Riley has been visiting national parks for as long as she can remember. How to Get There: Air services to Cape Krusernstern depart from Kotzebue, Alaska. 1.Denali National Park From there, you can drive further into the park on one of its two dirt roads to Nabesna or McCarthy. Furthermore, an expansive natural wildland is located here with incredible wildlife and unique plants. Alaska’s 4 Most Popular And Accessible Parks. An itinerary connecting Kenai Fjords National Park, south of Anchorage, and Denali National Park, to the north, is probably Alaska… Katmai National Park and Preserve was proclaimed as Katmai National Monument on 24 Sep 1918 and established as a national park and preserve on 02 Dec 1980. Parts of the state are also located in rainforest climates, so expect wet conditions and fog. Where to Stay: The park hosts a number of public-use cabins. Where to Stay: Lake Clark maintains multiple public use cabins. If you’re floating the Kobuk River, call and ask about conditions before you arrive. There are also boats from King Salmon to Katmai’s famous Brooks Camp. Where to Stay: There are no lodges within the park. Furthermore, many of the national parks in Alaska do not have roads or trails. Elias in Alaska: at over 8 million acres (32,375 km 2), it is larger than each of the nine smallest states. Total Park and Preserve area: 8,202,517 acres . It is one of the best national parks in Alaska that witness most visitors than any other parts of Alaska. How to Get There: You can fly to Kobuk Valley from Kotzebue or float in on the Kobuk River. The same visitor center also services Katmai, Lake Clark, Aniakchak, and the NPS-affiliated Aleutian World War II Heritage Area. According to its official website, “Lake Clark preserves the ancestral homelands of the Dena’ina people, an intact ecosystem at the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, and a rich cultural wilderness.” Residents still depend on the land here to survive, as do the local wild animals. Alaska's National Parks. The river is a prime territory for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a true wilderness experience. The beautiful fjords found here are impeccably preserved with no development. It includes the central section of the Kobuk River, the 25-square-mile (40.3 km) Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, and the Little Kobuk and Hunt River and dunes, which were created by the grinding action of ancient glaciers and carried by wind to the valley. National Parks in Alaska. By area, Alaska holds more than half of America’s national park lands. Furthermore, you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of the region. 4.Katmai National Park It was designated a World Heritage Site on the 24th of Oct 1979, and wilderness designated on the 2nd of Dec 1980. Alaska never had a chance to become overdeveloped or spoiled, as conservation was an early initiative in many of its most beautiful natural attractions. You can also access the park by boat via multiple rivers, though this will also require an initial flight. No tour of Alaska is complete without visiting at least one of its eight stunning national parks. Things to Do: Backpacking, camping, fishing, flight-seeing, floating, hiking, hunting. Denali towers at 20,310 feet), Denali National Park boasts more than six million acres of wilderness and just one main road (only 15 miles of which are paved). With 17 national park units and 16 national wildlife refuges, the options may seem limitless. Visitation averages 4,000 recreational visits per year. Many Alaska national parks include Native Corporation Lands. National Monument & Preserve Aniakchak King Salmon, AK. The Anchorage Interagency Visitor Center helps visitors and residents to have meaningful, safe, enjoyable experiences on public lands, and encourages them to sustain the natural and cultural resources of Alaska. Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 459-3730. Be courteous and remember that you are a visitor in their home. How to Get There: Portions of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park are on Alaska’s road system. I’d love to visit Denali! Denali is the only national park in Alaska more than 100 years old; in fact, it’s the only national park in Alaska established before 1980. How to Get There: Kenai Fjord is one of the few national parks in Alaska you can drive to. Denali National Park and Preserve is located in the interior of Alaska, concentrated on the highest mountain of Denali (previously known as Mt.Mckinley) and stands majestically at a height of 20,310 feet. Things to Do: Backpacking, day tours, fishing, floating, hiking, hunting, mountaineering, wildlife viewing, winter activities, Where to Stay: McCarthy Cabins, Sawing Logzz, Klutina Kate’s, Caribou Cabin, Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 822-5234. Method: Driving to Alaska with Oscar the Outback, our own vehicle. They have convenient accommodations nearby and well-developed tours that make exploring easier for the casual visitor. Things to Do: Backpacking, birding, boating, camping, cycling, fishing, flight-seeing, hiking, mountaineering, mushing, skiing, sled dog kennels, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, stargazing, wildlife viewing, Park Entrance Fee: $15 per person, valid for 7 days, Where to Stay: McKinley Chalet, Denali Bluffs, Grizzly Bear Resort, Grande Denali Lodge, Touch of Wilderness, Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 683-9532. You could see bald eagles, mountain goats, puffins, and a variety of marine life as you travel through the park by boat. A Acadia American Samoa Arches B Badlands Big Bend Biscayne Black Canyon of the Gunnison Bryce Canyon Alaska's top five most popular parks by visitorship are Glacier Bay, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias and Katmai. How to Get There: Most air taxis depart from King Salmon and drop you off in remote areas of the park. Denali National Park & Preserve One of the most iconic national parks in Alaska, Denali National Park & Preserve is home to North America's tallest peak – 20,310-foot Mount Denali. Denali Park’s headquarters is located along Alaska Route 3, the George Parks Highway, approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska and 125 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska and 12 miles south of Healy, Alaska. Alaska - List View. One of the largest state parks in the U.S.—only Alaska’s Wood-Tikchik State Park and California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are larger—, Chugach State Park is also definitely the most accessible park to see wildlife in Alaska. Glacier Bay National Park is located on the Southeast Alaska coast, about 65 air miles northwest of Juneau It is arguably the most accessible of all the national parks in Alaska because it is on the road system and there is a road going into the park. From here, you can arrange for an air taxi to drop you off in a more remote location or set off on foot into the wilderness. It is home to the world’s largest and most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century – the 1912 Novarupta. For history lovers, there are 430 places on the National Register of Historic Places along with 634 places on the Heritage Documentation Program. You can also get to spot some huge glaciers melting into the ocean if you decide to take a boat ride. The preserve interprets the history of this important link and the impacts it has had on our lives today. Tips for Visiting the National Parks in Alaska, How to Get to the National Parks in Alaska, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, 10 Local Tips for Visiting Denali National Park to Make Your Trip Spectacular, The Expert Travel Guide to Denali National Park, Travel Guide for Gates of the Arctic National Park, All 62 National Parks Ranked by Popularity, View all posts by Riley (The Parks Expert), Things to Do in Yosemite Valley: The Heart of Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park Itinerary: How to Spend Three Days in Olympic National Park, 15 of the Best Hikes in Acadia National Park: Exploring Mount Desert Island, 15 Best Hikes in Sequoia National Park That Will Inspire You. From one of these villages, you’ll need to reserve an authorized air taxi. According to the Wikipedia list of National Parks, if you sort out parks by size, Alaskan parks take up seven spots out of the top 10, including the four top places. Glacier Bay National Park. Today, some of the park’s best hiking trails lead you to the old mines. For many, trips to Alaska’s national parks are the capstone on a lifetime of #parkchasing. How to Get There: There are no roads to the preserve. Flights depart from Anchorage to Kotzebue daily. Camping wherever possible. Katmai National Park This Alaskan national park is 4 million acres of geological phenomena. How to Get There: Denali National Park is about five hours from Anchorage and two hours from Fairbanks by car. Some of our list … With climate change, many summers also include horrific wildfires. They were formed during two periods of glaciation when large tracts of ice compounded rock to sand and left the remnants. Things to Do: Backpacking, berry picking, birding, camping, fishing, flightseeing, hiking, hunting, ranger programs, snowmobiling, wildlife viewing. Each is unique, distinct, and gorgeous. The Chigmits, where the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges meet, are an awesome, jagged array of mountains and glaciers which include two active volcanoes, Mt. This single road covers only 92 miles of the park’s 6.2 million acres, and most of the road can only be traveled by bus. You can reach King Salmon by daily commercial flights from Anchorage or Homer. A visit to any of the Alaska national parks will take your breath away. Furthermore, travel into the backcountry and stay in a public use cabin for true solitude. I especially want to see the old mine near McCarthy. This page may contain affiliate links. Boat tours in the park will take you through the fjords to see wildlife and glaciers, but the best way to reach the remote areas of the park is by kayak. Gates of the Arctic National Park is easily one of the wildest places I have ever been to. Alaska’s parks, forests, and refuges are rich and varied. Strong winds continue to bring sand to the current location. To see what these adventurers experienced, you can hike the Chilkoot Trail into Canada and trace their footsteps. Alaska is breathtaking. Alaska has more than just its eight most famous national parks. It also focuses on preserving various wildlife, plants, geology, history, and cultural use. Unfortunately, they do not contain chocolate chips and you cannot eat them. How to Get There: The visitor center is located at 214 Front St. in Nome. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve can be reached only by boat or by plane. Boundary changes were made: 24 Apr 1931; 04 Aug 1942; 20 Jan 1969; 01 Dec 1978; 02 Dec 1980. Covering four million acres, the spectacular scenery stretches from the shores of Cook Inlet, across the Chigmit Mountains, to the tundra covered hills of the western interior. Things to Do: Birding, camping, fishing, flight-seeing, hiking, hunting, kayaking, rafting, Where to Stay: Glacier Bay Lodge, Annie Mae Lodge, Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay. 8.Wrangell – St. Elias National Park One of the highlights is stunning mountains reflected in the bright turquoise lakes you can find throughout the park’s wilderness. Redoubt and Mt. Featuring Simeonof National Wildlife Refuge, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Tuxedni National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Becharof National … Two National Parks in 1 Week. I’m Riley, and I think it’s safe to say that I kind of love national parks. I hope you get to see it one day. Gates of the Arctic National Park is located in Central Brooks Range, about 200 miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska . Download Free Checklists and Itineraries! How to Get There: Flights depart from Fairbanks to Anaktuvuk Pass daily. However, the most visited park in all of Alaska is not any of these. Kobuk Valley National Park is enclosed by the Baird and Waring mountains. By floating the river, you’ll witness unparalleled beauty. Here is a list of Alaskan national parks that you can visit: 1. Lastly, if you drive the Dalton Highway you can walk into the park. 6.Kobuk Valley National Park Flights to King Salmon leave daily from Homer and Anchorage. One Alaska Native community is located within the boundary of the park, and its residents and those of eight other adjacent communities use the park for subsistence hunting, fishing,trapping, and gathering. The town of Kennecott hosted a large copper mining operation, pictured above. Coldfoot, a town you will drive through along the Dalton Highway, also offers air taxi services. You should prepare to be completely self-sufficient and always carry maps, a compass, a GPS unit, and a satellite phone in case of an emergency. Get our latest sent right to your inbox. The GANP is here to help you discover, explore, and learn more about the national parks in Alaska and why we need to protect them. Charles Sheldon conceived the plan to conserve the region as a national park. Some cruise ships also stop here. Gates of the Arctic is teeming with life trying to survive before the next winter arrives, and that includes human beings. This historical park showcases the history of the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska and Canada. National Parks have been open to the American public since 1872 and every year more and more people visit these fascinating destinations. It can also be reached on foot, by boat, or on a snowmobile. Scheduled air service is available year-round from Juneau to Gustavus. From the arches of Zion to the geysers of Yellowstone, there are seemingly infinite expanses of protected parks that can be explored within our nation. Things to Do: Backpacking, boating, camping, fishing, flight-seeing, hiking. Understand Alaska’s wildlife and wildlands. I’ve only been to the one in Sitka. Kobuk Valley National Park is located in northwest Alaska, it is east of the city of Kotzebue, AK and 26 miles north of the Arctic Circle. She explained how the park bus system works, and it all sounds really accessible, but super quiet! You can also hike to Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield, both located just outside the town of Seward.