The Most Amazing Places to Visit In Alaska

Alaska, nicknamed “The Last Frontier” because of its large amount of unsettled land, is located in the northwest of the United States. The state is known for excellent fishing, lots of wildlife, expansive wilderness, Alaska Native heritage, incredible landscapes and scenery and more. There are many beautiful places to see, things to learn and exciting adventures to be had in Alaska. Here are some of the most amazing places to visit in Alaska.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is one of the most visited national parks in Alaska. It has incredible glaciers, mountains and forests that make for some of the most unforgettable scenery in the world. It is also home to wildlife including mountain goats, Sitka blacktail deer, wolves, moose and bald eagles. The area is also perfect for whale watching. The park is a popular visit on a cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage, so the best time to cruise Alaska is important to know for being able to spot humpback whales.

Denali National Park and Preserve

Denali National Park and Preserve is a huge national park and preserve of Alaska’s wilderness. Denali, which is the tallest mountain in North America, can be climbed by those seeking an adventure, while those looking to learn have many opportunities to do so at the Murie Science and Learning Center. The park is also a great place for fishing, rafting, biking, hiking, camping, flightseeing and for seeing wildlife. Whether backpacking or on a bus tour, visitors of the park can see many different kinds of animals in their natural habitat. The park is home to many animals including lynx, black bears, Arctic ground squirrels, foxes, marmots, hares and many bird species including the golden eagle. The park is also known for being the best spot to see all five of what’s known as The Big Five, which includes moose, grizzly bears, caribou, gray wolves and Dall sheep. While at the preserve, visitors may even be able to view the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights. The preserve has very little light pollution, which means that on a clear night, this stunning phenomenon can be seen.

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve is another park known for its beautiful forests and wildlife. It is especially famous for Brooks Falls, where many brown bears, or grizzly bears, can be found catching salmon. It is a perfect spot for viewing brown bears and many photographs of the bears catching the salmon have been taken here. There is even a yearly event, Fat Bear Week, in which viewers can vote for their favorite bear. The park is also a popular spot for kayaking, rafting, hiking and fishing.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park has many forests and glaciers and is also known for the Harding Icefield and Exit Glacier, which visitors can hike up to. On the Harding Icefield Trail, visitors can take a challenging day hike to get stunning views of the icefield. The park is also a great spot for kayaking, which gives visitors the opportunity to see the glaciers and the fjords as well as look for wildlife.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge is known for being a perfect spot for bear viewing and fishing for salmon, but is also great for photography, rafting, kayaking and camping. The refuge has diverse landscapes including meadows, forests, tundra, lakes and streams. These different habitats make the refuge a home for many different types of wildlife including the Kodiak brown bear, tundra vole, river otters, red foxes, beavers, mountain goats, reindeer, elk and hundreds of species of birds. There is also the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center located in the city of Kodiak, where visitors can learn more about the Kodiak brown bear.

The wildlife, scenery and opportunity for adventure make Alaska a unique place to visit. These are just a few of the many amazing places to visit in Alaska.