Exploring Alaska's epic national parks

02.05.2024 - 11:57 / lonelyplanet.com

With vast wilderness making up most of the state, Alaska’s parks and outdoor spaces take center stage for most visitors. Alaska is home to about 60% of the total national park land in the US, covering 56 million acres. 

Of the eight Alaska national parks, only a few are accessible by car and even then a visitor won’t be able to see the entire swath of parkland or coastline in a single visit. But it’s this grand scale that makes for uncrowded experiences full of opportunities to witness the rugged landscapes and wildlife for which Alaska is famous. 

Best park for year-round access 

Located along the George Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Denali National Park & Preserve is the crown jewel of Alaska’s national park system, mostly due to the presence of its namesake mountain, Denali, the High One. Easily reached by car (120 miles south of Fairbanks and 235 miles north of Anchorage) or via the Alaska Railroad, Denali National Park operates from a main entrance hub, where visitors hop on buses to access key activities and attractions.

Denali has one ribbon of road traversing a sliver of its six million acres, and private vehicles are restricted beyond Mile 15. What that offers for recreationalists and wildlife watchers is unobstructed access to view the ‘Big Five’ animals of Interior Alaska: moose, bears, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep. 

In winter, Denali National Park is quiet but no less interesting. Nordic skiers, snowshoers and fat bike enthusiasts will relish the chance to travel the Park Road and surrounding trails as far as they wish, as it is closed during the winter to vehicle traffic. 

Visiting Denali National Park & Preserve

Best park for experienced adrenaline junkies 

Environmental challenges of the Arctic have topped headlines in recent years. As a result, Gates of the Arctic National Park is welcoming adventurous visitors who understand the challenges and joys of exploring this roadless, remote piece of Alaska. At 8.4 million acres, this is a park to be traveled with great respect for its harsh but beautiful environment where wild rivers snake through a tundra-laden landscape. 

There are no established campgrounds in Gates of the Arctic, but there are many guide outfits that take pride in navigating this rugged slice of Alaska. Most people travel from Fairbanks via small plane, reaching one of the smaller communities above the Arctic Circle and journeying out into the tundra from there. 

Visiting Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

Best park for cruise ship visitors

Nearly every major cruise line sails to Glacier Bay’s icy fjords each summer, but it's also a valuable ecosystem for tracking climate change and an excellent place to paddle a kayak or take a hike with a bit