national parks in alaska list

You never know what to expect on a journey to this untamed land. Kodiak Island lies just off the Katmai Coast to the east. Parks to visit: 8 Duration of journey: Month of August, 2017 (yep, we’re planning way ahead). Gates of the Arctic National Park is easily one of the wildest places I have ever been to. Here, you’ll find incredible wilderness paired with a unique history. While the big names like Denali and Glacier Bay National Park top the list, some of the smaller and more remote national parks in Alaska are also worth a visit. Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 459-3730. Today, some of the park’s best hiking trails lead you to the old mines. This protected area of Alaska is located in the Alaska panhandle near the city of Juneau. They have convenient accommodations nearby and well-developed tours that make exploring easier for the casual visitor. Acreage – as of September 23, 2000, Federal Land – 601,839.20 McCarthy is one of my favorite places! List of National Parks in the United States 2020. Glacier Bay National Park is located on the Southeast Alaska coast, about 65 air miles northwest of Juneau These look amazing! Kobuk Valley National Park was proclaimed a national monument 01 Dec 1978, and established as a national park 02 Dec 1980. The park had been proclaimed as Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument on 01 Dec 1978. Things to Do: Backpacking, boating, camping, hiking, hunting. 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. 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. Noatak National Preserve is a backpacker’s dream. 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. In fact, in total, there are 16 national parks in Alaska. Kenai Fjords National Park lies south and west of Seward, Alaska, 130 road miles south of Anchorage, on the Seward Highway. While that seems like it was a long time ago, the park remains a constant reminder of Alaska’s position along the Ring of Fire. Where to Stay: There are three hotels in Nome. There are no roads from Nome to the preserve. 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. Just how many national parks there are depend on your definition of national parks. Visiting these parks can be incredibly expensive, as many require air travel to remote parts of Alaska. From Anchorage, it is about 2.5 hours to Seward by car. The visitor center in Kotzebue, officially called the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center, also serves Kobuk Valley, Gates of the Arctic, Bering Land Bridge, and Noatak. With climate change, many summers also include horrific wildfires. Connect with other national park enthusiasts by joining. Visit in July or September for the best bear viewing. Getting there may be a chore, but your experience in this incredible national park will be worth every minute (and dollar spent). Support the villages as much as possible. There’s exceptional access to five parks in particular. Things to Do: Boating, camping, fishing, hunting, Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 246-3305. Elias in Alaska: at over 8 million acres (32,375 km 2), it is larger than each of the nine smallest states. To help personalize content, analyze traffic patterns, and provide a safer experience, we use cookies. Where to Stay: The park hosts a number of public-use cabins. However, the most visited park in all of Alaska is not any of these. How to Get There: You can fly to Noatak National Preserve from Kotzebue or Bettles. Top Alaska Parks: See reviews and photos of parks in Alaska, United States on Tripadvisor. I’ve only been to the one in Sitka. The grand elements of Sitka National Historical Park transport you back in time to a world colonialized by Russians. You can take a bus from Brooks Camp to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, the site of a volcanic eruption. Tag : Alaska national parks list , national parks in alaska , List of National Parks in the United States 2020, Welcome to Wrangell St Elias National Park. 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. The beautiful fjords found here are impeccably preserved with no development. For the purpose of this blog post I checked the official list of How to Get There: Most visitors take an Alaskan cruise through the Inside Passage. This includes national parks, rivers, monuments, preserves, and historical parks. Kobuk Valley National Park was proclaimed a national monument 01 Dec 1978, and established as a national park 02 Dec 1980. Alaska’s state park system is managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. At the closest point, the highway is about 4 miles from the park boundary. Flights to Kotzebue leave daily from Anchorage. Non-Federal Land – 68,143.79 By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to allow us to collect information using cookies. It is one of the best national parks in Alaska that witness most visitors than any other parts of Alaska. Alaska never had a chance to become overdeveloped or spoiled, as conservation was an early initiative in many of its most beautiful natural attractions. The wilderness that comprises Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a composite of ecosystems representative of many diverse regions throughout Alaska. 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. 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. Kobuk Valley National Park is enclosed by the Baird and Waring mountains. Things to Do: Backpacking, bear viewing, boating, camping, fishing, flight-seeing, hiking, hunting, trapping, Where to Stay: Gold Creek Lodge, Brooks Camp, Brooks Lodge. Get our latest sent right to your inbox. Read about one of my favorite trails in all of the national parks in Alaska. One day, Riley hopes to visit all 422 national parks. Bettles itself is not located within the national park, so an additional flight will be required to enter its boundaries. Katmai National Park This Alaskan national park is 4 million acres of geological phenomena. There are shuttle bus companies operating in the park to help you get around. How to Get There: Portions of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park are on Alaska’s road system. While the other national parks in Alaska might break the bank, visiting Denali can be much more affordable and it is less of a logistical headache. How to Get There: There are no roads to the preserve. How to Get There: Sitka is located on Baranof Island in Alaska’s southeast archipelago, also known as the Inside Passage. How to Get There: Most air taxis depart from King Salmon and drop you off in remote areas of the park. They line the scenic coastal trail leading you through historic Sitka’s stunning seaside views. This is especially true if you hope to get up-close-and-personal with these ice sheets before it’s too late. Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 442-3890. I especially want to see the old mine near McCarthy. Any time of year, it can snow in Alaska. Scheduled air service is available year-round from Juneau to Gustavus. This page may contain affiliate links. Visiting requires flying from Anchorage to a nearby village such as King Salmon, then take another flight to Port Alsworth or the park’s backcountry. 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. Therefore, the viewing platform has a maximum of 40 people at a time and a one-hour time limit for viewing. There are also boats from King Salmon to Katmai’s famous Brooks Camp. Here you’ll find massive mountains that shoot straight up from the ocean, rugged rainforests, diverse wildlife, stunning fjords, and giant glaciers. You can also take a ferry to Skagway from various ports. 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. How to Get There: Most air taxis depart from King Salmon and drop you off in remote areas of the park. Central Alaska; 6,075,029 acres. Prepare for the weather. Alaska's National Parks. A Acadia American Samoa Arches B Badlands Big Bend Biscayne Black Canyon of the Gunnison Bryce Canyon The Yukon Quest sled dog race also passes through, utilizing the Slaven’s Roadhouse as a dog drop point and rest stop. Thanks for the info! I’m Riley, and I think it’s safe to say that I kind of love national parks. This includes national parks, rivers, monuments, preserves, and historical parks. It’s amazing how different Denali can be on the road compared to just one mile off of it. Redoubt and Mt. A visit to any of the Alaska national parks will take your breath away. Ferries depart from Juneau as well. From Nome, you’ll need to charter a plane to fly into the official parklands. This astounding wild sanctuary lies entirely above the Arctic Circle, making it the northern-most national park in America. Luckily, Anchorage is in the center of it all and offers many ways to enjoy the parks. Long ago, Russia and the United States were connected by a massive land bridge called Beringia. 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. Furthermore, you can access the Yukon River along other roadways in Alaska and Canada, such as the Dalton and Top-of-the-World highways. For history lovers, there are 430 places on the National Register of Historic Places along with 634 places on the Heritage Documentation Program. Furthermore, there are many activities for visitors to enjoy in this remote Alaskan national park. 2.Gates of the Arctic National Park One day, I hope to see them all. If you hope to spend more time here, fly or take a ferry to Gustavus. It can also be reached on foot, by boat, or on a snowmobile. The river is a prime territory for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a true wilderness experience. 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). Download our free national parks checklists by signing up for e-mail updates. Famous for its grizzly bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve has so much more to offer. Alternatively, you can take a floatplane, land in the river, and hike two miles to the sand dunes. Some years, the river is still frozen in June! 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. Be courteous and remember that you are a visitor in their home. 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. They were formed during two periods of glaciation when large tracts of ice compounded rock to sand and left the remnants. 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. If you visit in June or July, prepare for large quantities of mosquitoes and other insects. How to Get There: Flights depart from Fairbanks to Anaktuvuk Pass daily. Things to Do: Camping, dog mushing, fishing, floating, hiking, hunting, winter activities. Please check your email for further instructions. The same visitor center also services Katmai, Lake Clark, Aniakchak, and the NPS-affiliated Aleutian World War II Heritage Area. Here is a list of Alaskan national parks that you can visit: 1. From one of these villages, you’ll need to reserve an authorized air taxi. Thousands of people came here in search of gold and riches, and only a handful of lucky travelers achieved their dream. Never miss a post! This preserve protects two incredible river systems: the historic and vital Yukon and the rapid Charley. The largest national park is Wrangell–St. Where to Stay: There are no lodges within the park. 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. I highly recommend the tour to Fox Island, which includes a sea kayaking excursion. The Noatak River is also a Wild and Scenic River, leading from the Brooks Range through the preserve to the Chukchi Sea. It is home to the world’s largest and most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century – the 1912 Novarupta. You can also get to spot some huge glaciers melting into the ocean if you decide to take a boat ride. You can also visit the Morris-Thompson Cultural Center in Fairbanks or the visitor center in Eagle. The smallest park is Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri, at approximately 192.83 acres (0.7804 km 2). You can drive to Copper Center, the park’s headquarters, from Anchorage or Fairbanks. Glacier Bay National Park. Plus, gain unrestricted access to our resource library full of hundreds of national park checklists. Two main villages serve as access points to the park. Check the official websites for each park you plan to visit for the most up to date information regarding the pandemic. In fact, in total, there are 16 national parks in Alaska. Flights depart from Anchorage to Kotzebue daily. The town of Kennecott hosted a large copper mining operation, pictured above. Speak to a Park Ranger: Call (907) 644-3626. The system contains over 120 units spanning 3,427,895 acres, making it far larger than any other state park system in the United States. The preserve features one of the largest mountain-ringed river basins and some of the Arctic region’s most diverse plants and animals. For many, trips to Alaska’s national parks are the capstone on a lifetime of #parkchasing. It is a truly special place of awe and wonder. Travel options from mid-May through September include scheduled and charter air services, a passenger ferry, cruise ships, tour boats and charter boats. Flights to King Salmon leave daily from Homer and Anchorage. 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. 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. Some of our list … It was designated a World Heritage Site on the 24th of Oct 1979, and wilderness designated on the 2nd of Dec 1980. Lastly, if you drive the Dalton Highway you can walk into the park. How to Get There: Denali National Park is about five hours from Anchorage and two hours from Fairbanks by car. Part of one of the world’s largest internationally protected areas, Glacier Bay protects striking scenery. 7.Lake Clark National Park This isolated park protects the continent’s northernmost sand dunes. Pack extra food in case poor weather interrupts your travel plans. It’s important to do your research and learn how to behave around wild animals in the state. Iliamna. Native Alaskans here have depended on the river and nearby lands for thousands of years, and you’ll find yourself in the same situation as you travel. Multiple ferries service the island and you can take flights from Juneau, Anchorage, and Seattle daily. The best time to visit is from June to September. Where to Stay: There are no lodges inside the park. 6.Kobuk Valley National Park 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. Another popular access point is Bettles, also serviced by daily flights from Fairbanks. You can reach King Salmon by daily commercial flights from Anchorage or Homer. By area, Alaska holds more than half of America’s national park lands. 5.Kenai Fjords National Park How to Get There: You can fly to Kobuk Valley from Kotzebue or float in on the Kobuk River. While floating down the mighty Yukon, one can’t help but imagine what it must have been like to do the same centuries before. National Parks in Alaska. Download Free Checklists and Itineraries! Denali National Park Here, you can find evidence of humans dating back 5,000 years. Furthermore, an expansive natural wildland is located here with incredible wildlife and unique plants. Arctic ever since I saw a NatGeo special on it years ago most famous national parks: reviews. And 16 national parks in Alaska: a Complete list of national:... The weather in this region is very unpredictable and makes traveling to Aniakchak extremely difficult, plants geology. 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