Alaska National Park Photos

With thousands of miles of coastline, an abundant amount of lakes, rivers, and mountains, it's no surprise that Alaska has more National Park Land than any other state.

Denali National Park

Lake Matcharak, Gates of the Arctic

Below are links to more information about each National Park in Alaska along with a brief summary of what each park offers. For more expansive information, you can also visit the National Park Service.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve - As the original "bridge" between Asia and North America, the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve serves as a tool to study the historical migrations of peoples, plants, and animals as well as the future. The majority of this land bridge, once thousands of miles wide, now lies beneath the waters of the Chukchi and Bering Seas.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument - The monument was created in order to protect a series of beach ridges along the southern coast of Cape Krusenstern. The beach ridges contain archeological evidence of prehistoric people and culture - some older than the Greek Civilizations.

Denali National Park and Preserve - Created in 1917, Denali National Park is the oldest park in Alaska and was primarily built to lure tourists and adventurers. Originally named the Mt. Mckinley National Park, Denali National Park and Preserve was re-designated as its name as tribute to the Native Alaskan's original name for Alaska's tallest peak, Denali.

Pederson Glacier, Kenai Fjords

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve - Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is thought of by many as the "wilderness park." Because of its location and remoteness, it is largely untouched by people.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve - Glacier Bay, Y-shaped in nature, boasts 15 tidewater glaciers, deep fjords, and peaks in excess of 15,000 feet.

Katmai National Park and Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve is the source for one of the largest Salmon runs and sees a spectacular congregation of Grizzly Bears as a result of the large food source.

Kenai Fjords National Park - Known for its vast scenery, plant life and wildlife, the Kenai Fjords National Park is visited by thousands every year, but one of the primary goals for establishing the park was to protect the seals & sea lions and to maintain their hauling and breeding areas in their natural state.

Chilkoot Trail, Klondike Gold Rush

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - As a tribute to the Alaskan Gold Rush, this park still offers the adventurer the chance to literally follow in the footsteps of the stampeders as they made their way over the Chilkoot Trail.

Kobuk Valley National Park - The Kobuk Valley sand dunes are actually pre-historic glacial moraine deposits that have been moved around and piled into "dunes" by strong easterly winds.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve - The Kvichak River hosts one of the largest Sockeye Salmon runs and provided the Native Alaskans of this region with their main source of subsistence.

Noatak National Preserve - The Noatak River is designated as one of the Nation's "Wild and Scenic Rivers" and winds from the Brooks Range to the tidewaters of the Chukchi Sea.

Kobuk Valley sand dunes

Sitka National Historical Park - Located on Baranof Island, the Sitka National Historical Park serves as testimony to the history of the Russian influence on Alaska.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve - A designated "World Heritage Site," the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in conjunction with Canada's Kluane National Park form the largest area of protected land in the world.

Mt. Drum, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve - The Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve encompasses two significant rivers and was created largely for it significant contributions to historical sites and events associated with the gold rush on the Yukon river.

Books of Interest:

- Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska - A coffee-table style book with 120 color photos by Mark Kelley of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The photos cover the abundant wildlife (humpback whales, bald eagles, seals, birdlife, and bears), the park's major glaciers, ecosystems, mountain ranges, and recreational users.

- National Geographic Guide to America's Outdoors: Alaska In this practical, informative, richly illustrated guide, National Geographic takes you to the best nature sites in Alaska and tells you what you need to know -- about the landscape, plants, animals, activities, and recreation -- to experience them fully.

- Two in a Red CanoeTraveling in a red canoe named "Lucille," Megan Baldino and Matt Hage embarked on an exciting, summerlong voyage down the "mighty Yukon," from its headwaters at Lake Laberge in western Canada, along 2,000 westward-trending miles, toward the Bering Sea Coast of Alaska.