Alaska is a wild wonderland with rugged mountains, expansive glaciers, dense forests, and vast tundras. It’s a land where the sky seems more significant, the wilderness feels wilder, and every corner offers an opportunity for adventure. If you’re craving untouched nature and the kind of wild landscapes that make your soul feel alive, then Alaska national parks are calling your name. With eight jaw-dropping national parks to choose from, you’re about to embark on a journey through the most pristine and beautiful landscapes the United States has to offer.

1.Denali National Park: A Wilderness Icon

Denali National Park is Alaska’s crown jewel. Covering over six million acres, this massive wilderness area is home to North America’s tallest peak, Denali (formerly Mount McKinley). You know you’re in for something special when the mountain demands your attention, standing 20,310 feet high. But let’s be honest — Denali isn’t just about that one massive mountain.

Wildlife and Wilderness Encounters

Denali is like the ultimate wildlife safari, except it’s cold, and you probably wear three layers. Grizzly bears, moose, Dall sheep, and wolves are like a who’s who of Alaskan wildlife. You’re as likely to see a moose as you are to see your neighbor back home. And the best part? There are no roads through the park, just a single 92-mile road where only park-approved buses are allowed. Translation? It’s quiet and wild and feels like you’ve been transported to another era.

What to Do in Denali

• Take a Bus Tour: You can’t drive through most of Denali, so hop on a park bus. You’ll see wildlife, vast tundra, and, if lucky, a cloudless view of Denali.
• Hiking and Backcountry Camping: Want to get off the beaten path? Denali is perfect for seasoned hikers looking for an authentic backcountry experience. Just make sure you’re bear-aware.
• Dog Sledding: Denali is one of the few national parks that uses dog sled teams in the winter. Want a slice of this old Alaskan tradition? You can watch a demo at the kennels or, if you’re lucky, ride along.

2. Glacier Bay National Park: Alaska’s Frozen Wonderland

Glacier Bay National Park is the place to go if you’re into glaciers. Imagine being surrounded by towering walls of ice and listening to the thunderous cracks of glaciers calving into the sea. Yep, that’s Glacier Bay in a nutshell. This park offers one of the most jaw-dropping examples of glacial retreat in the world—a process that’s still happening today.

Sea Kayaking Among Glaciers

Picture this: you’re gliding through calm waters, crisp and clean air, and suddenly, a whale breaches in the distance. Glacier Bay is a kayaker’s dream. You can paddle your way through fjords and get up close to glaciers, and if you’re lucky (and by lucky, I mean fortunate), you might even see a glacier calving right in front of you.

Marine Life Galore

Glacier Bay isn’t just about ice; it’s also home to some of Alaska’s most affluent marine life. Humpback whales, sea otters, and seals all call this place home. Not to mention the birdlife — puffins, eagles, and other species soar through the sky like it’s their private airspace.

3. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: The Largest U.S. National Park

Wrangell-St. Elias Alaska National Parks is so large that it’s challenging to comprehend. At 13.2 million acres, it’s bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined. Yes, you read that right. The park is an authentic wilderness experience with jagged mountain ranges, massive glaciers, and rivers that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure

If you thrive in remote areas and love having nature all to yourself, this is the park for you. Hiking, ice climbing, and even glacier skiing are all on the menu. Don’t expect big crowds here — you might not see anyone else for days.

Exploring Kennecott Mines

Take a trip to the old Kennecott Copper Mines for a little slice of history. It’s like stepping back in time, with century-old structures still standing and offering a glimpse into Alaska’s mining past. Plus, it’s a great contrast to the rugged natural beauty that surrounds it.

4. Kenai Fjords National Park: Where Land Meets the Sea

The results are spectacular in the Kenai Fjords, where glaciers meet the ocean. This park is located on the Kenai Peninsula and is best explored by boat. Think of Kenai Fjords as Glacier Bay’s little sibling — it’s just as beautiful but in a more intimate setting.

Cruising Among Glaciers

Most people visit the Kenai Fjords by hopping on a boat tour. The tours wind through the fjords, past towering cliffs, and right up to the park’s namesake glaciers. Along the way, keep an eye out for whales and sea lions. Pro tip: dress in layers because it can get chilly on the water.

The Exit Glacier Hike

Want to get up close and personal with a glacier? The Exit Glacier is the park’s most accessible glacier, and you can hike right up to its base. The trail offers spectacular views and a first-hand look at the effects of climate change, as the glacier has been retreating for decades.

5. Gates of the Arctic National Park: A Wilderness Untouched

Head to Gates of the Arctic National Park if you want true isolation. This park is so remote that there are no roads, no trails, and barely any signs of human activity. It’s located above the Arctic Circle, and if you’re up for it, you’ll need a bush plane to get there. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those looking for an extreme wilderness adventure, it’s the holy grail.

Trekking Through the Arctic Tundra

You won’t find paved trails or visitor centers here. You will find endless tundra, towering peaks, and a sense of freedom that’s hard to describe. Backpackers and seasoned adventurers come here to experience the true wilderness.

Caribou Migrations and Northern Lights

The park is a vital habitat for the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, which migrates through the area each year. If you time your visit right, you might witness thousands of caribou moving across the landscape. And, if you’re lucky enough to be there in winter, the Northern Lights will dance across the sky, adding magic to an already surreal experience.

6. Katmai National Park: Bear Watching and Volcanic Landscapes

Katmai National Park is famous for one thing: bears—specifically, the brown bears congregating at Brooks Falls to fish for salmon. The sight of a giant grizzly plucking a fish from mid-air is something that needs to be seen to be believed.

Bear Watching at Brooks Camp

Located on the shores of Naknek Lake, Brooks Camp serves as the park’s summer headquarters and is the focal point for bear viewing and other activities. The camp offers daily ranger-led park tours, a store, a restaurant, a campground, kayak rentals, and the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Most visitors to Katmai arrive by boat or floatplane from King Salmon Anchorage, Homer, or Kodiak. The town is separate from Katmai by road. At Brooks Camp, ships and hovercraft load and unload passengers directly along the shore.

Brooks Camp is the park’s main attraction, and for good reason. It’s one of the world’s best places to watch wild bears. To receive a brief bear safety orientation, visitors to Brooks Camp must check in at the visitor center. From there, a path and floating bridge take you to the park’s most well-liked sights, including several platforms where you may see bears gazing out over the Brooks River.

The best place to see salmon jumping spectacularly is from the deck at Brook Falls, where 900-pound brown bears with gaping mouths are waiting at the top of the waterfall to be photographed. There’s been a fantastic run of sockeye salmon, so much so that up to twelve bears have been fishing in the region simultaneously.  

Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

Since there are no official trails in this park area, people with backcountry and route-finding skills frequently hike and camp in the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. Bus trips departing daily from Brooks Camp travel to Three Forks Overlook and return, making stops to pick up backpackers and hikers.

Beyond the bears, Katmai offers incredible volcanic landscapes. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a surreal area filled with ash flows from a massive volcanic eruption in 1912. It feels like another planet, and the stark beauty is unforgettable.

7. Lake Clark National Park: Where Volcanoes and Bears Collide

Visitors often overlook Lake Clark National Park, but it’s one of Alaska’s hidden gems. The park is home to two active volcanoes, countless lakes, and, of course, bears. This is the one if you’re looking for a park that offers a little bit of everything.

Volcano Viewing

Lake Clark is dominated by two active volcanoes, Iliamna and Redoubt, both of which have erupted recently. You can hike to get a closer look at these volcanic wonders or simply admire them from afar. Either way, they add a dramatic backdrop to the already stunning scenery.

Fishing and Bear Viewing

Lake Clark is also an angler’s paradise, with some of the best fishing in Alaska. And where there are fish, there are bears. Like Katmai, Lake Clark offers excellent opportunities to watch bears in their natural habitat, especially during the salmon runs.

8. Kobuk Valley National Park: The Hidden Dunes of Alaska

Kobuk Valley National Park is perhaps the most unusual of Alaska’s national parks. Here, you’ll find something unexpected — dunes. Yes, in the middle of Alaska. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes cover 25 square miles and rise to 100 feet high, making them one of the most unique landscapes in the state.

Exploring the Dunes

The dunes result from ancient glaciers grinding down rocks into fine sand. Today, you can explore this desert-like landscape and marvel at the contrast between the surrounding tundra and the vast dunes. It’s a place that will make you question everything you thought you knew about Alaska.

Witnessing the Caribou Migration

Kobuk Valley is also a prime spot to witness the migration of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd. Twice a year, thousands of caribou pass through the park, creating an ancient and awe-inspiring spectacle.

Conclusion: Alaska National Parks Are a Wilderness Paradise

Alaska national parks offer something for every adventurer, from the towering peaks of Denali to the icy waters of Glacier Bay and the remote tundra of Gates of the Arctic. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just looking to experience nature in its purest form, these parks provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with the wild.