Alaska is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., it borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Yukon territory to the east; it also shares a maritime border with the Russian Federation’s Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to the west, just across the Bering Strait. To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas of the Arctic Ocean, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest.
Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined.
By area, Alaska holds more than half of America’s national park lands. With 17 national park units and 16 national wildlife refuges, the options may seem limitless.
Luckily, Anchorage is in the center of it all and offers many ways to enjoy the parks. There’s exceptional access to five parks in particular. They hold tremendous glaciers, wildlife like moose, bear, wolves, and caribou in stunning abundance, and outdoor opportunities unlike those anywhere else.
Alaska national parks are show-stopping. Whales feed and otters bob in the glacier-filled Kenai Fjords National Park. Denali National Park is home to North America’s tallest peak and amazing wildlife. Take off for bear viewing, hiking, or fishing in Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park. Mighty Wrangell-Saint Elias has glaciers larger than Rhode Island, and a copper mining history runs deep.
Photo: Julia Weinmaster
Juneau
Homer
Denali National Park
South Sawyer Glacier area
Denali National Park
Tracy Arm Fjord (with Sawyer Glacier in the background)
View from Alyeska resort
Juneau
On top of Mendelhall Glacier
Homer
Tracy Arm Fjord
Tracy Arm Fjord
Top of Mendelhall Glacier
Caribou crossing the road at Denali National Park
Denali
Juneau
Tracy Arm Fjord
Cheval Island (Kenai Peninsula)
Tracy Arm Fjord