The largest state in the United States of America, Alaska is home to more than half of America’s national parklands.
Thanks to being the most sparsely populated U.S. state, Alaska’s natural beauty and vast wilderness are unexploited. With as many as 17 national parks and over 10 national wildlife refuges, the state has an ample number of options for the nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The state capital Juneau has no road access but luckily Anchorage is in the center of all national parks. Look for United Airlines reservation to discover the best of Alaska’s national parks.
1. Denali National Park – The most popular national park in Alaska, Denali National Park houses North America’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley. The park is six million acres of wild land and wildlife that can be best explored in summers. Grizzly bears, Dall sheep, caribou and moose can be seen roaming an unfenced land. The vast area and its inhabitants can be explored only via a single road that divides the park into two halves. Private vehicles are allowed to drive only a small part of the road and the rest of the park and road can be traveled only on a bus trip. The bus trips that are available only in the summer season can be booked in advance. So book United Airlines tickets as well as the bus trip to get the most out of your visit to Alaska.
2. Kenai Fjords National Park – This is one park where glaciers, waves and mountains meet. Easily accessible by road, rail and boat, Kenai Fjords draws a large number of visitors in summers. The mountains in the park are the originating point for over 40 glaciers. The marine wildlife including gray and humpback whales can be explored best through Kenai Fjord Tours that depart from Seward. The Harding Icefield Trail hiking is the most sought after activity in the park in winters.
3. Katmai National Park – This national park is a well-protected habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. Established in 1918, Katmai is a well-known brown bear viewing area. Book last minute flights through United Reservations and visit Katmai during summers and winters to see rivers and streams full of salmon. Loads of salmon mean more chances of watching a bear snap a jumping salmon.
4. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve – The park contains some of the world’s most impressive tidewater glaciers. Emerald green forests, snow-capped mountains and spectacular glaciers await the visitors at the Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Brown and black bears, moose, seals, mountain goats and over 200 species of birds inhabit the park. The park that is a part of one of the largest internationally protected Biosphere Reserves in the world is recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
5. Kobuk Valley National Park – Spread over 1,795,280 acres of land, the park is quite popular for the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. Owing to its location entirely above the Arctic Circle, the park sees fewer tourists as compared to other national parks in Alaska. Look for Air Canada flight deals to see nearly 500,000 caribou migrate through the park. Almost no reptiles or amphibians can be found in this park because of extreme temperature.
