5 National & State Parks In Alaska You Have To Visit

Home to an estimated 100,000 glaciers, 17 of America’s 20 highest peaks, and 6,640 miles of striking coastline, Alaska is a powerhouse of natural beauty. Its national and state parks are no exception, boasting some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes, landmarks, and terrains, from sweeping fjords to the tallest mountain in North America. While the 49th state is an ever-popular cruise ship route, these breathtaking parks beckon travelers off ship. Whether paddling past coves, hiking across glaciers, or picnicking next to an alpine lake, these are the top national and state parks in Alaska you have to visit in your lifetime.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Dynamic, diverse, and oh-so-dramatic, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a treasure trove of beauty in the Southeast Alaskan Wilderness. The 3.3 million-acre park has it all: miles of temperate rainforest-lined coastline, over 1,000 glaciers, the Fairweather Range, and fjords as far as the eye can see. It is a prominent cruise-ship stop and one of the most spectacular destinations along the Inside Passage, one of the Natural Wonders of Alaska.

For travelers venturing beyond their cruise ship, Bartlett Cove is the best gateway to Glacier Bay’s splendor. Here, guests can discover the wild shoreline and 4 bewitching hiking paths, including the scenic Forest Loop Trail. Kayak rentals are also available on-site, as is a public dock. In the summer months, many also prefer to board one of the Daily Tour Boats, operated through Bartlett Cove’s Glacier Bay Lodge. Led by a Park Ranger Naturalist tour guide, travelers can sit in awe of the passing scenes, from tidewater glaciers to marine wildlife like sea lions and harbor porpoises.

Kenai Fjords National Park

A magical place “where the ice age lingers,” Kenai Fjords National Park is a wonderland of tidewater glaciers and ice-carved fjords, embodying quintessential Alaska. Sitting on the southeastern side of the Kenai Peninsula, the 600,000-acre park is home to some of Alaska’s most-photographed landscapes. The Harding Icefield is its crown jewel, supplying the nearly 40 glaciers that carved the park’s dramatic valleys and sea-filled fjords.

Much like Glacier Bay National Park, most activities in Kenai Fjords National Park are water-based. Boat agencies like Kenai Fjords Tours offer their Classic Kenai Fjords Park Tours from May through September, featuring whale watching and breathtaking views of the area’s glaciers and coastal rainforests. Alternatively, travelers can get face-to-face with one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers right on land. The only area in the park accessible by road, the mesmerizing Exit Glacier can be viewed from paths like the Glacier Overlook Trail and Glacier View Loop Trail.

Denali National Park And Preserve

Set in the heart of Southcentral Alaska, Denali National Park and Preserve is a hiker’s paradise, home to North America’s tallest mountain. Denali, the namesake mountain, fittingly translates to “the tall one” in the native Koyukon language. Towering 20,310 feet above sea level at its highest peak, the mountain and surrounding terrain boast extraordinary vistas and natural scenes. With just one road winding through the 6 million-acre park, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the vast Alaskan wilderness.

From June through mid-September, ranger-led Guided Nature Walks offer an easy pace with scenic views departing from the Denali Visitor Center. Although Denali National Park is largely trail-less, a few marked routes can also be self-explored near the entrance, including the Horseshoe Lake Trail and Mount Healy Overlook Trail. Alternatively, off-trail hiking and backcountry backpacking offer their own jaw-dropping sights and scenes, including alpine tundra, boreal forests, and glaciers.

Chugach State Park

If off-trail hiking sounds too intimidating for your taste, Chugach State Park is a vast and stunning alternative, offering 280 miles of trails to explore. Another Southcentral Alaska gem, the state park spans nearly half a million acres, with a diverse and rugged topography. To the east, travelers can encounter the Wrangell and Chugach Mountains, as well as the renowned Prince William Sound. To the north and west, Chugach State Park is also bordered by the beautiful Alaska Range.

Easily accessed from Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, Chugach State Park is an outdoor playground. A short drive from the city’s downtown, the Hillside Trail System is popular for its mountain views, drawing hikers and bikers to picturesque paths like the Powerline Trail. This route also connects to the Panorama View Trail, a spellbinding ski path groomed each winter. Other noteworthy routes include waterfall hikes and waterfront paths like the Falls Creek Trail and Eklutna Lakeside Trail, both gorgeous spots to enjoy a picnic with a view.

Kachemak Bay State Park & Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park

Returning to Alaska’s coast, Kachemak Bay State Park offers a more secluded outdoor escape with an enchanting blend of land and sea. Founded in 1972 as Alaska’s first state park, the remote and rugged region is adjoined to Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park to the south. Often treated as a unit, the 2 parks encompass nearly 400,000 acres of coastline, coastal forest, glaciers, and parts of the striking Kenai Mountains.

Getting to the parks is an adventure in itself, as both require an airplane ride or water taxi from the friendly town of Homer. After crossing Kachemak Bay, water taxi services like Kachemak Bay Adventures will drop you off at spots like the Glacier Lake Trail, a 3-mile route leading to glacier-filled Grewingk Glacier Lake. Alternatively, their Water Taxi & Kayak Rental Package is a great way to explore the parks’ surrounding bay waters and coves. Paddling is also the best chance for wildlife spotting, with the potential to spot harbor seals, sea otters, and orcas.

Explore Alaska’s Wild Side

While cruise ships offer fabulous sightseeing, Alaska’s national and state parks are an essential detour if you want to get the most out of your time in the 49th state. Whether driving to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, picnicking along an alpine lake in Chugach State Park, or off-trail hiking in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska’s parks offer an adventure for every pace. From its tallest mountain to its largest fjord, the beauty here is among the best in the world.