The top national parks in Alaska

Considered by many outdoor enthusiasts as America’s last frontier (and nicknamed as such), Alaska is famous for its vast wilderness, stunning vistas, and variety of flora and fauna. Here are some of the must-visit national parks in the largest U.S. state. 

Image source: expeditionsalaska.com

Gates of the Arctic For the most authentic sense of wilderness, the wild rivers and glacier-carved valleys of this national park are a must-see, especially since the park itself has no road access. The pair of mountains surrounding the park are said to resemble its gates. The Gates of the Arctic is a sanctuary for many animals, including more than 145 species of birds. 

Wrangell-St Elias This is Alaska’s largest national park, located at Mount St. Elias which stands at over 18,000 feet tall and offering breathtaking views of over 13.2 million acres of land. This humongous park is larger than Switzerland and features a wide range of peaks and glaciers to marvel at. 

Glacier Bay Glacier Bay gets the most number of visitors of any national park in Alaska for its over three million acres of mountains, glaciers, a rainforest, and wild coastlines. It is one of the world’s largest international protected areas. 

Katmai Katmai is a protected reserve for bears and is a declared historical monument. It is also home to an active volcano, which at one point was recorded as having the largest volcanic eruption in Alaska’s recorded history. 

Image source: rootsrated.com

Hi there, my name is Allen R. Hartman, a retired professional photographer who loves the great outdoors. I’m mostly drawn to the unspoiled beauty of the U.S.’s national parks. More travel and photography reads here.