Discovering the Magnificent National Parks of Alaska

With its expansive wilderness dominating the landscape, Alaska’s parks and outdoor areas are the main attraction for many visitors. The state contains about 60% of all national park land in the US, spanning 56 million acres.

Among the eight national parks in Alaska, only a select few are reachable by car, and even then, visitors won't be able to explore the entirety of the park or its coastline in one trip. Yet, this vastness leads to serene experiences filled with chances to see the breathtaking scenery and wildlife that Alaska is renowned for.

Denali National Park & Preserve

Top park for year-round accessibility

Nestled along the George Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Denali National Park & Preserve stands as the crown jewel of Alaska’s national park system, primarily due to its namesake mountain, Denali, known as the High One. It is easily accessible by car (120 miles south of Fairbanks and 235 miles north of Anchorage) or via the Alaska Railroad. The park operates from a central entrance hub, where visitors can board buses to reach key activities and attractions.

Denali features a single road that cuts through a small portion of its six million acres, with private vehicles limited beyond Mile 15. This restriction provides recreationalists and wildlife watchers unobstructed views of the ‘Big Five’ animals of Interior Alaska: moose, bears, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep.

In winter, Denali National Park remains serene yet captivating. Nordic skiers, snowshoers, and fat bike enthusiasts can enjoy the Park Road and surrounding trails, which are closed to vehicle traffic during the winter months.

Planning Your Visit to Denali National Park & Preserve

• Book your campsites early for the upcoming summer season.

• Participating in bus tours is an excellent way to learn about the park's history and natural features. Visitors can join free bus tours at the depot near the visitor center. Be sure to check in at the visitor center for the complete bus schedule.

• Access beyond Mile 46 of the Park Road is currently closed due to a landslide, with reopening not expected until 2027.

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

Top park for seasoned thrill-seekers

Recent headlines have highlighted the environmental challenges facing the Arctic. In this context, Gates of the Arctic National Park invites intrepid visitors who appreciate the trials and rewards of exploring this untraveled, remote part of Alaska. Spanning 8.4 million acres, this park demands respect for its harsh yet stunning landscape, where wild rivers meander through tundra-filled terrain.

While Gates of the Arctic lacks formal campgrounds, numerous guiding outfits excel at navigating this rugged Alaskan terrain. Most visitors fly from Fairbanks to one of the smaller communities above the Arctic Circle and then venture into the tundra from there.

Exploring Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

• Be prepared for extreme weather conditions and pesky mosquitoes. There's a brief period between late June and late August when the weather is somewhat milder, but it’s never completely predictable. For mosquitoes, consider using head nets and possibly full-body suits, depending on how much they bother you. DEET is the only effective repellent, but even it may not fully fend them off.

• Before heading into the wild, make a solid plan. Know your itinerary and inform someone back home when they should expect to hear from you. Ideally, hire a guide.

• Look for a guiding outfit that can offer expertise, equipment, and food. One of my top recommendations is Alaska Alpine Guides.

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Ideal park for cruise ship visitors

Every major cruise line ventures into the icy fjords of Glacier Bay each summer. Beyond its appeal for cruise-goers, this park serves as a vital ecosystem for observing climate change and offers fantastic opportunities for kayaking and hiking with some prior planning. Covering 3.3 million acres of stunning coastline, mountains, and glaciers, the park's headquarters and visitor center in Bartlett Cove is the first stop for all independent travelers before setting off on their adventures. Here, you’ll find a lodge, restaurant, small interpretive center, and trails that enhance your understanding of Glacier Bay.

Hikers should start their journey from Bartlett Cove, where they can choose from several trails, including the Forest Trail, Tlingit Trail, Shoreline Trail, Bartlett River Trail, or Bartlett Lake Trail. Be sure to grab a map at the visitor center before heading out.

Exploring the park's intricate waterways by kayak is a fantastic way to experience the geological marvels of Glacier Bay up close. Kayaks can be rented in Bartlett Cove or nearby Gustavus, and it's advisable to make reservations in advance during the peak summer months. Local outfitters also offer guided overnight kayaking trips, providing a truly immersive experience in Glacier Bay.

Exploring Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

• Accessing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve by car is not possible. You can opt for day tours from Juneau or take a small plane to Gustavus, with Alaska Seaplanes being the primary commuter airline operating from Juneau.

• While larger cruise lines bypass Bartlett Cove, opting instead to sail deeper into the fjords and return in a few hours, smaller adventure cruises may include a stop in Bartlett Cove. Make sure to check your itinerary and consider booking a day trip through the National Park.

• Always be ready for potential rain and wind; packing waterproof layers and shoes is essential.

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Top spot for bear watching

Katmai is renowned for its massive coastal brown bears that can be seen fishing for salmon from June to September. Access is exclusively by small plane, making it a rugged adventure with limited amenities.

The yearly salmon spawn brings coastal brown bears rushing to the rivers and streams of Katmai National Park & Preserve, a spectacle worth witnessing. It’s crucial to plan ahead, as visitor day and multi-day permits are available each summer for bear viewing at Brooks Falls, Hallo Bay, and other sites. The Park Service enforces strict guidelines for bear interactions. Most visitors arrive by small plane, though commercial flights to King Salmon followed by a boat ride up the Naknek River to Brooks Camp are also options.

Brooks Camp and Falls offer outstanding fishing opportunities as well, but ensure you have a license and consider hiring a professional guide for safety.

Exploring Katmai National Park & Preserve

• The park headquarters are situated in King Salmon, making it an ideal starting and ending point for first-time visitors to gather essential information and safety tips.

• Reservations for Brooks Camp lodge and campground are necessary and can be made starting in January of the travel year. All guests must complete a bear safety class upon arrival and consistently follow bear-aware practices.

• While Katmai attracts bear watchers and anglers from remote lodges, overnight guests should be mindful of limited options for food, water, and self-care. Those experienced in camping in bear country, purifying water, and managing gear in various weather conditions will appreciate the adventure. Remember to pack a BRC (Bear Resistant Container), bear spray, warm waterproof clothing, hiking boots, and shelter. Renting a satellite phone or spot device is also a wise choice.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Top destination for marine wildlife and glacier viewing

For those in search of whales and diverse wildlife, Kenai Fjords National Park is a top choice. Situated just outside the fishing community of Seward, 126 miles south of Anchorage, this park attracts many cruise ship visitors from April to October, yet there are still numerous ways to escape the crowds in this expansive 600,000-acre stretch of southcentral Alaskan wilderness.

Whale-watching and glacier cruises rank as the most favored activities here. Several companies provide more intimate experiences, offering the same breathtaking wildlife and ice views aboard smaller vessels that often include kayaks. For a unique adventure, think about renting a cabin or camping on a secluded beach while exploring the park's rugged coastlines.

Exit Glacier is the sole section of the park reachable by road, and it’s essential to visit, if only to see firsthand the impacts of climate change. Hike parts of the 8.2-mile Harding Icefield Trail starting from the Exit Glacier Visitor Center, which features a challenging 1000 feet of elevation gain for every mile on this full-day trek. Additionally, a short, accessible interpretive nature trail departs from the visitor center, showcasing Exit Glacier’s retreat over the past century and is well worth the stroll.

Planning a Visit to Kenai Fjords National Park

• If you only have one day, embark on a glacier and wildlife cruise into the park (often with a ranger aboard) and, time permitting, drive to Exit Glacier to visit the center.

• The Alaska Railroad provides service from Anchorage to Seward, coordinating arrivals and departures to align with day cruises.

• While hiking, remain bear aware and stick to established trails to protect the delicate alpine ecosystems.

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Kobuk Valley National Park

Best park for ticking off a unique item from your bucket list

Only the most adventurous explorers should consider this rugged and remote national park experience. Situated near the Arctic village of Kotzebue, Kobuk Valley features a unique dune landscape amidst the northern tundra, making it a true anomaly in Alaska's geography. Witnessing the biannual caribou migration (in spring and fall) across these dunes is a remarkable experience, with hundreds of thousands traversing the Kobuk’s valleys.

Accessing Kobuk Valley National Park is quite challenging due to its remoteness. There are no roads leading to the park, so most transportation is handled by planes. Commercial airlines connect Anchorage to Kotzebue or Fairbanks to Bettles. After reaching Kotzebue or Bettles, you’ll need to fly to the park with authorized air taxis. Smaller airlines from Kotzebue also offer regular flights to nearby villages.

Visiting Kobuk Valley National Park

• Before heading to this park, be sure to stop by a Public Lands Information Center in Anchorage or Fairbanks for the latest updates.

• One of the best ways to explore the park is by floating the Kobuk River. Guide services can provide everything you need, including rafts, food, and shelter.

• Don’t miss the chance to visit the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, a stunning highlight of the park and part of a 30-square-mile landscape of gritty earth.

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Best park for secluded camping and fishing

Just 120 air miles from Anchorage, Lake Clark National Park features one of the world’s most pristine salmon fisheries and is centered in the small community of Port Alsworth. Here, visitors can enjoy bear watching, fishing, camping, or paddling on the crystal-clear lakes within the park. Many come to see the historic cabin of Richard Proenneke, who built it by Upper Twin Lake during the summers of 1967 and 1968, primarily using local materials and simple tools.

The peak visiting season runs from July to September. Small air carriers provide daily flights from Anchorage, and gear outfitters in Port Alsworth offer supplies for those wishing to camp, kayak, or canoe the park’s lakes and rivers, staying at established campsites or the two public-use cabins. Additionally, several small lodges and overnight accommodations can be found in the surrounding communities, so it's crucial to make reservations as early as possible.

Exploring Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

• Flights to the park are operated by small planes, which have strict limits on gear capacity. Each airline specifies a weight limit that varies based on passenger weight, gear, and the aircraft type, so it’s important to check the details carefully.

• For bear viewing, consider visiting Chinitna Bay, Crescent Lake, or Silver Salmon Creek.

• The park offers exceptional fishing opportunities, particularly in Crescent Lake and Silver Salmon Creek, where anglers can catch salmon, grayling, or trout.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Top park for uncovering Alaska’s mining heritage

Wrangell-St. Elias stands as the largest national park in the U.S., encompassing 13.2 million acres ideal for climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities. It also features the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, a restored copper mining site and former company town located near McCarthy and the Root Glacier.

The majority of visitors access Wrangell-St. Elias via the Edgerton Highway/McCarthy Road, a 60-mile gravel route that traces the path of the former Copper River Northwestern Railway, which transported copper from Kennecott Mine to Cordova. This renovation showcases the town’s historical significance far from modern civilization.

Wrangell-St. Elias is regarded as a remote haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering diverse opportunities for hiking, climbing, and camping throughout various park units. Engaging a guide service can enhance your experience by providing access to activities like river rafting, glacier trekking, climbing, and primitive camping.

Exploring Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

• Traveling from Anchorage will take at least eight hours, while the drive from Valdez is about five hours.

• Many travelers opt to drive to Glennallen or Chitina and then take a flight to McCarthy, which is just 5 miles from the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.

• Plan to spend at least three nights at Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark to truly appreciate the town, its surrounding glaciers, and the available trails.

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