Through her experiences, she has learned to navigate the challenges that can come with visiting other countries and cultures. Alaska’s 4 Most Popular And Accessible Parks. Denali National Park. Alaska. © 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. What Should I Not Miss on My Vacation to Alaska? The country’s largest national park represents everything that is compelling about Alaska.It is vast—bigger than Switzerland. epicurean via E+ Collection / Getty Images. Wild animals large and small roam un-fenced lands, living as they have for ages. Parks also might charge other fees, such as for parking, groups, camping or hiking. #2 of 3 Nature & Parks in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve “ One day, we explored the Forest Trail , Beach Trail, Campground, Tlingit Trail, and Bartlett Lake Trail. On an island amid towering spruce and hemlock, Sitka National Historical Park preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit. 2. Meandering west towards Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea, the Alagnak traverses the beautiful Alaska Peninsula, providing an unparalleled opportunity to experience the unique wilderness, wildlife, and cultural heritage of southwest Alaska. Whether you float the mighty Yukon River or paddle the Charley River's whitewater, your memories will last a lifetime. With eight national parks to choose from, travelers might need to narrow down their list a bit. Sugpiaq people relied on these resources to nurture a life entwined with the sea. Both states top the list having eight each. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water. While each national park in Alaska has something unique to offer nature enthusiasts, a few parks stick out more than the others. Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road. Alaska is known for so much more than its extreme temperatures; the state is home to a plethora of glaciers, islands, active volcanoes, forests and majestic wildlife. 2010 visitorship: 444,530 Size: 3,283,246 acres Closest lodge: Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve lies at the continental crossroads that greatly influenced the distribution of life in the Western Hemisphere during the Pleistocene Epoch. Wild River. Hana has been to nearly 30 countries and counting. The headwaters of Alagnak Wild River lie within the rugged Aleutian Range of neighboring Katmai National Park and Preserve. Promising to change visitors’ experiences and interaction with the wildlife around them, Denali offers 39 documented species of mammals and over 650 species of flowing plants, as well as a generous range of slopes and valleys. Method: Driving to Alaska with Oscar the Outback, our own vehicle. Bears, salmon, and volcanoes are the major attraction in this wildlife-rich nature preserve. Wild rivers meander through glacier-carved valleys, caribou migrate along age-old trails, endless summer light fades into aurora-lit night skies of winter. Alagnak Wild River. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears in Lake Clark National Park. Sitka National Historic Park/Totem Park. The park was founded by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. World Atlas: How Many National Parks Are There in the United States? There's no better way to get a closer look at what this state has to offer than by visiting Alaska's national parks. Expert RVers visited 231 RV Parks in Alaska. Their journey shaped them, and changed the people they encountered and the north forever. Today, the park remembers the trails, boomtowns, and stories of the Klondike Gold Rush. As one of North America's largest mountain-ringed river basins with an intact ecosystem, the Noatak River environs features some of the Arctic's finest arrays of plants and animals. 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 Wildlife Refuge One of Alaska’s most famous parks, Denali National Park shines in the winter season. The following is a list of the ten least visited national parks through August 2009. Headlines screamed "Gold!" In all, 24 sites in Alaska are affiliated with the National Park Service in some way, but only eight of those are considered national parks. How to See Alaska's National Parks (5:37) Here’s an overview of what you need to know. She has spent the last five years traveling the world and living abroad and has lived in South Korea and Israel. With very long daylight hours, the period from mid-May to mid-September is ideal, though it's highly recommended to visit between June 15 and July 15 to avoid rain and more unpredictable weather overall. During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangax^ (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested battleground in the Pacific. The Kobuk River is an ancient and current path for people and wildlife. The Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the national park service sites in Alaska. National parks are areas of land designated by the United States for the purpose of preservation and conservation. The following chart provides a list of US National Parks by state. Yellowstone National Park became the first official national park in the United States in the late 1800s, and shortly after, during Woodrow Wilson's presidency, the National Park Service was born. Katmai National Park and Preserve. Alaska's top five most popular parks by visitorship are Glacier Bay… There are more National Parks in California and Alaska than any other state. Alaska’s parks, forests, and refuges are rich and varied. This center and three others statewide provide trip-planning, interpretation, and education for all ages. Some larger states have more than one. Solitude, tranquility and wilderness await. Wildlife thrives in icy waters and lush forests around this vast expanse of ice. Alaska’s most-visited national parks are the ones most accessible from the road system or on a cruise. It remains virtually unchanged except by the forces of nature. Figures are for the fiscal year that ended 9/30/2019. They are listed below: 8. Alaska's top five most popular parks by visitorship are Glacier Bay, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias and Katmai. Escape civilization and hang out with caribou at Kobuk Valley. This protected area of Alaska is located in the Alaska panhandle near the city of Juneau. Additionally, tour guides can help arrange transportation, accommodations and park passes and provide meaningful guided experiences. The river is classified as a national wild and scenic river, and offers stunning wilderness float-trip opportunities - from deep in the Brooks Range to the tidewater of the Chukchi Sea. During this time of year, temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, dropping to a refreshing 40 to 50 degrees at night. More than 114 beach ridges provide evidence of human use for 5,000 years. Travelers along it see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, 20,310' Denali. From sea to summit, Glacier Bay offers limitless opportunities for adventure and inspiration. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Adorned with breathtaking glaciers and scenic parks that are as big as the state itself, Alaska is home to some of the huge, exuberant national parks that add to the beauty of the state. Alaska. Denali National Park. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. Enjoy—and please share your feedback with us. Chugach State Park. With 17 national park units and 16 national wildlife refuges, the options may seem limitless. Currently, the United States National Parks have grown in number to 58. For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Check out this list of the most popular Alaska national parks in descending order: Glacier Bay National Park. Denali National … There’s exceptional access to five parks in … Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The NPS is controlled by the Department of the Interior and consists of everything from public lands to national forests and national monuments. Either taking Inside Passage, a ferry system along the Pacific Coast, or driving on a highway through Canada. On the rooftop of the world, the Iñupiat Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska, tells the story of the Iñupiat people. Totem Bight State Historical Park. This vast 6 million-acre wilderness also harbors abundant wildlife in a landscape that ranges from lush forests to harsh alpine tundra, with opportunities for: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve: Directions, Noatak National Preserve: Nature & Science, Tongass National Forest: Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, Information on Tourist Attractions in Alaska, Alaska Cruises with Land Excursion to Denali National Park, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights. This rugged, beautiful land is filled with opportunities for adventure. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. 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. To learn more, visit her website at www.hanalarockwriting.com. This landscape is a vibrant reminder of Alaska's location in the volcanically active "Ring of Fire," as it is home to an impressive six mile (10 km) wide, 2,500 ft (762 m) deep caldera formed during a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago. Geology, cultural history, gold rush remnants, wildlife, and vast scenery will be a part of your experience. The Inupiat continue to use the area today. The United States has 62 protected areas known as national parks that are … Parks to visit: 8 Duration of journey: Month of August, 2017 (yep, we’re planning way ahead). State Parks in Alaska‎ Kachemak Bay State Park. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw invasion by Japanese forces, the occupation of two islands; a mass relocation of Unangax^ civilians; a 15-month air war; and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater. Wrangell-St. Elias is a vast national park that rises from the ocean all the way up to 18,008 ft. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined! This list includes all units managed by the National Park System, including national parks, national monuments, national historic sites, national battlefields, national preserves, and other related sites. Have a website? The system contains over 120 units spanning over three million acres (one million two hundred thousand hectares), making it far larger than any other state park system in the United States. Established in 1980, Kenai Fjords National Park near the town of Seward, AK has some of the best of Alaska’s National Parks. Denali National Park is infamous for its namesake peak, the tallest mountain in North America which stands proudly at 20,310’. Alaska, the largest non-contiguous state of the US, and the country’s largest state by total area is home to eight national parks. They have thrived for thousands of years in one of the harshest climates on Earth, hunting the bowhead, or "Agviq." Luckily, Anchorage is in the center of it all and offers many ways to enjoy the parks. Alaska has the second-most national parks in the United States by state, following California, which has nine. This vast landscape does not contain any roads or trails. Otherwise, travelers should look up each park's requirements to see what the entrance fees are and whether or not the visit requires a reservation. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. List of parks in Alaska. Independence Mine State Historical Park. National Parks in Alaska Two National Parks in 1 Week An itinerary connecting Kenai Fjords National Park, south of Anchorage, and Denali National Park, to the north, is probably Alaska's most popular land trip for first-time visitors. Alaska’s state park system is managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Glacier Bay National Park hosts the most visitors of any park in Alaska. While each national park in Alaska has something unique to offer nature enthusiasts, a few parks stick out more than the others. Within this wild landscape, people continue to live off the land as they have done for centuries. The national parks in Alaska are no less than a visual delight. Caribou, sand dunes, the Kobuk River, Onion Portage - just some of the facets of Kobuk Valley National Park. Located in Interior Alaska, Yukon-Charley Rivers offers exploration in a largely untouched landscape. The quiet waters and abundant glaciers of Glacier Bay National Park are a popular cruise ship destination . Alaska Public Lands Anchorage, AK. By area, Alaska holds more than half of America’s national park lands. Browse through this list of 8 best national parks in Alaska and see it for yourself. Having grown up in Florida, I’ve learned a thing or two about my hometown 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. Kenai Fjords National Park. However, the most visited park in all of Alaska is not any of these. Yet the park has the Harding Ice Field, one of the largest in the United States with more than 40 glaciers. Parks. The Alagnak River corridor runs from neighboring Katmai National Park to the Bering Sea along the Alaska Peninsula. By ... Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve. But, the strongest element will be solitude. Today, shrinking glaciers bear witness to the effects of our changing climate. Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park, and hidden gems in between. National Parks have been open to the American public since 1872 and every year more and more people visit these fascinating destinations. Most people know that Alaska is extremely cold, but that's only for a few months out of the year. It is a vital landscape for indigenous communities who depend on the land just as their ancestors did for many generations. Denali State Park. Access 2918 reviews, 510 photos & 590 tips of every rv park & campground in Alaska. Half a million caribou migrate through, their tracks crisscrossing sculpted dunes. Given its remote location and challenging weather conditions, Aniakchak is one of the most wild and least visited places in the National Park System. At 669,000 acres it is a relatively small park by Alaska standards. Denali. National Park Service: Denali Fees and Passes, National Park Service: Alaska Parks List View, Princess Lodges: Most Popular National Parks Alaska, National Parks Conservation Association: Trivia Challenge – The Most-Visited National Park Site in Alaska. Travelers come here to challenge themselves via strenuous hikes or simply to take a scenic drive. It is located near the town of Seward and the Harding Icefield (one of US’ largest ice fields) is its most prominent feature. If you were wondering how many national parks in Alaska are worth taking a tour of, there are as many as 10. The absolute best time to visit Alaska's national parks is during the summer season. In the 19th century, these lonely seas swarmed with commercial whalemen from New England, who also sought the bowhead for its valuable baleen and blubber. 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. Pixabay Photo. Guided Alaska Camping Trips. In fact, it's not even considered a national park, though it is affiliated with the NPS. National Preserve. All Alaska's national parks are open year round, but many have limited or no services available during our coldest months. With miles upon miles of lush landscapes filled with forests, mountains, lakes and North America's tallest peak, Denali, it's no wonder why people come from all over the world to visit Alaska. Go for a scenic drive through Denali National Park. Here’s a complete list of the national parks in Florida, including everything you need to begin planning your visit.. All 11 of the national parks in Florida are some of the most unique in the country. Detail from our America National Parks map. At the edge of the Kenai Peninsula lies a land where the ice age lingers. North of the Arctic Circle, the monument forms 70 miles of shoreline on the Chukchi Sea. This park is Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, and it's spectacular. Hike the Savage River Loop Trail in Denali. Hana has been writing about her travel experiences for several years and has been published in print magazines like Travel Ideas and Ensemble Vacations, as well as websites such as Tour Amigo, The Culture Trip, REI, and Orbitz. National Monument & Preserve. National Historic Area. The dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Laying eyes on this monster is well worth the visit, but after you’ve checked that off your bucket list, there is so much to experience in the 6 million acres of this Alaska national park. Park visitors are awed by Tlingit and Haida totem poles standing along the park’s scenic coastal trail, and the restored Russian Bishop’s House speaks of Russia’s little known colonial legacy in North America. Denali National Park & Preserve. America's 49th state, Alaska, is one of the most spectacular places in the country, especially for nature lovers. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park. Join a guided camping trip with Infinite Adventures! Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. “ Our small cruise ship dropped anchor and we explored the area led by a ranger naturalist. Of these, 62 have a national park designation. They offer 9, 12, and 20-day itineraries covering the highlights of Southcentral, Alaska. The list is arranged by the number of visitors in that year and begins with the least visited park in the U.S. Information was obtained from the Los Angeles Times article, "America's Hidden Gems: The 20-Least Crowded National Parks in 2009." See the northern lights in the Gates of the Arctic. Proudly displaying North America‘s tallest mountain and over six million acres of land, Denali is one of Alaska’s most popular national parks. NPS Photo. Vast wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds from as far away as South America. Explore the most popular national parks in Alaska with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Best national parks (5) Kenai Fjords National Park #1 - Kenai Fjords National Park. Founded in 1917, Denali National Park (formerly Mount McKinley National Park) was the world's first National Park established to conserve wildlife. Hikers and boaters can see carpets of wildflowers among shrubs containing wisps of qiviut from muskoxen. Nearly 40 glaciers flow from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords' crowning feature. National Parks in Alaska: A Complete List of All 16. Your adventure awaits. 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. There are 59 national parks in the United States. 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