National Parks Near Anchorage, AK
Around 57 million acres of land in Alaska is designated as federal wilderness. This means that your trip to Anchorage, AK, should include a trip to one or more Alaska National Parks, and you have your choice of some great ones. From unique wildlife encounters to miles of hiking and camping, the local National Parks provide an exciting experience in nature. Here's a look at three National Parks near Anchorage that you can't miss:
Denali National Park & Preserve
Home to North America's tallest peak, Mount Denali, formerly Mount McKinley, Denali National Park & Preserve is on many must-see lists. The park has sweeping views in every direction that will take your breath away. The park includes more than six million acres of wilderness, and it's bisected by a single road that runs through the park.
With indoor picnic areas and a sled dog kennel, Denali doesn't close during the winter months. You can explore the park on snowshoes, skis, or bikes. You can bring your own sled and dogs to explore the winter trails or snowmobiles that are allowed in certain areas. It's possible to see the aurora, or northern lights, when night arrives.
In the summer months, wildlife viewing and hiking replace snowmobiles, and the park teems with activity. You can attend a ranger program or take a nature walk. There are seven trails, each with amazing views to help you enjoy the beauty of the park.
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
As one of the best places to view bears in the United States, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is a hotspot for people looking for a unique experience seeing black and brown bears in their natural habitat. From Anchorage, Lake Clark is only accessible via small aircraft. There are three main areas to view bears, Chinitna Bay, Crescent Lake, and Silver Salmon Creek. When the salmon run, you can see black and brown bears flocking to Crescent Lake for a meal.
From camping and hiking to fishing and hunting, this National Park is a great location for people who love spending time outdoors. You can even go whitewater rafting in the park. The park is open year-round, but there are fewer available amenities during the winter months, and the park can be more difficult to navigate.
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Filled with brown bears, Katmai National Park & Preserve is another popular spot for wildlife viewing. There are lookout platforms at Brooks Camp, where you can safely watch bears as they dine on the arriving salmon. To get to Brooks Camp, most visitors fly in with a guide in a small aircraft. The location is remote. In fact, the entire park cannot be accessed by car, so you should plan accordingly.
This National Park features wilderness landscapes that include tundra, forests, lakes, and mountains. In addition to bear-watching, you can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and camping in Katmai National Park. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is home to an active volcanic area, and it is the focus of a lot of scientific research.
Katmai National Park is also home to the wildly popular Fat Bear Week which is an annual bracket style tournament created by the Park Rangers that pits individual bears against each other. Voting takes place over the 7 days on www.fatbearweek.org. People vote for their favorite bear for a wide variety of reasons but, in the end, only one reigns supreme.
Book a Room at The Historic Anchorage Hotel Today!
Centrally located in the downtown area, The Historic Anchorage Hotel feels like stepping into the past. The current hotel, was first built in 1936 as the annex to the original hotel that opened in 1916 and hosted many famous people, including Will Rogers and Wiley Post. As with any hotel with a colorful history, The Historic Anchorage Hotel is even home to some hauntings. You can visit all the National Parks on this list while making the hotel your home away from home. Book your room today.
Featured Image: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock
