National Parks of Alaska

Alaska is called the Last Frontier for a reason. It is a massive state with a diverse landscape that ranges from temperate ranges to the Arctic tundra. It has North America’s tallest mountain along with a whole host of mountain ranges. The National Parks of Alaska protects millions of acres of this remote landscape. There are currently twenty-three National Park Service Site in Alaska and two associated sites.

Fourteen of Alaska’s National Parks are two units that are treated as a single unit. Basically, Alaska has seven parks that are a National Preserve attached to another NPS Unit. Most park visitors do not differentiate these duel units as two units and when they visit one unit of the park, they count that visit as a visit to both units. For this reason some consider Alaska to have 16 National Parks Services Units while others consider Alaska to have 23 National Parks Units.

Official National Parks of Alaska

• Alagnak Wild River
• Aniakchak National Monument
• Aniakchak National Preserve
• Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
• Cape Krusenstern National Monument
• Denali National Park
• Denali National Preserve
• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Gates of the Arctic National Preserve
• Glacier Bay National Park
• Glacier Bay National Preserve
• Katmai National Park
• Katmai National Preserve
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Lake Clark National Preserve
• Noatak National Preserve
• Sitka National Historical Park
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Preserve
• Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Associated sites of Alaska

• Aleutian World War II National Historic Area
• Inupiat Heritage Center

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Map of National Parks in Alaska

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Alaska National Parks

Alaska is part of the West Coast Region.

Alagnak Wild River

Alagnak Wild River protects a 64-mile Alanak River that runs from Kukaklek Lake in Katmai National Park and Preserve and flows into the Kvichak River and then on to Bristol Bay. This remote Alaskan river fills with salmon during the summer and fall. The salmon feast attracts a large population of grizzly and black bears. Other Alaskan wildlife such as foxes, beavers, wolverines, otters, and minks can be found on the river corridor.

Visitors to Alagnak come to enjoy its water and wild landscape. Most visitors will spend their time on the river either wildlife viewing of fly fishing.

Alagnak Wild River was established in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

Things to do in Alagnak Wild River: Boating, camping, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing

How to get to Alagnak Wild River: There are no roads to Alagnak Wild River. Alagnak Wild River can only be reached via air taxi. Please check the list of authorized air taxis.

Alagnak Wild River’s visitor center is located in King Salmon, Alaska. King Salmon is the main visitor center for most southwestern Alaska National Parks including Aniakchak, Katmai, Lake Clark, , and the NPS-affiliated Aleutian World War II Heritage Area

Where to Stay in Alagnak Wild River: There only lodging in Alagnak is Alaska Trophy Adventure Lodge and Alagnak Wilderness Camps. There are several other wilderness lodges in the surrounding area. Lodging is available in King Salmon.

Alagnak Wild River Entrance Fee: Free

Alagnak Wild River Official Website: Click Here

Map of Alagnak Wild River: Download

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is two National Park Service Units and constantly holds the title as least visited National Park Service Unit. In 2017 and 2018, the monument only saw 100 visitors. The park is notorious for this weather. Rangers will tell stories of being stuck weeks longer than planned and visitors tell of spending days in King Salmon waiting for their weather window to fly in.

The most popular feature of the park is the 6-mile wide Aniakchak Caldera. This caldera was formed by a volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago. Most of the park is made of volcanic coastal and mountain habitats. It’s the weather is cool and wet and the region is home to most of Alaska’s major wildlife including caribou, moose, brown bears, wolves and wolverines.

Aniakchak National Monument was established on December 1, 1978. In 1980, the monument was expanded and the national preserve around it was established with the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).

Things to do in Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: Backpacking, boating, camping, flightseeing, hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing

How to get to Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: There are no roads to Aniakchak. Aniakchak can only be reached via air taxi. Please check the list of authorized air taxis. Visiting is a challenge on a good day. Aniakchak’s weather is unpredictable and finding a weather window to fly into/out of the monument can be a challenge. Plan for extra time in King Salmon or Aniakchak on your visit.

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve’s visitor center is located in King Salmon, Alaska. King Salmon is the main visitor center for most southwestern Alaska National Parks including Alagnak, Katmai, Lake Clark, , and the NPS-affiliated Aleutian World War II Heritage Area.

Where to Stay in Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: There are no lodges in Aniakchak. The only way to spend the night is to camp. Lodging is available in King Salmon.

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Entrance Fee: Free

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Official Website: Click Here

Map of Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: