Contents
1. Denali National Park | Best Places to Visit in Alaska
Best Places to Visit in Alaska Denali National Park is the third largest national park in the United States. It contains the highest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley, which is also known as Denali. The name of the mountain remained in dispute for more than 100 years, and in 2015, “Denali” became the official name of the highest peak in North America.
At Denali, the simple pleasures of a scenic car tour and boat excursions may induce a feeling of true accomplishment. This park is studded with glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. Along the way, you’ll experience a range of scenery from glacier meadows to towering spruce trees—even rhinoceroses.
Nestled between the boreal coniferous forest, Alaska’s Denali National Park is home to some of the most stunning scenery on earth. Six million acres in size, this national park is an ideal destination for those who love nature and adventure in the great outdoors.
Denali is home to the densest population of black and grizzly bears in North America. It also contains significant populations of moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and wolverines. Denali National Park is a popular tourist destination for hiking, backpacking, camping and sightseeing.
Why did you visit Alaska? The views are spectacular!
2. Kenai Fjords National Park | Best Places to Visit in Alaska
Just a short drive from Anchorage, the Kenai Fjords National Park offers scenic glacier views and beautiful wildlife. This remote Alaskan park is known for its wildlife-filled fjord areas, and several rivers that plunge down steep cliffs into the ocean. Although there are few places to stay in the park itself due to the icy conditions, many visitors opt to take a guided day trip instead of spending the night there.
There are several options for visiting the Kenai Fjords National Park, including guided tours, day hikes and camping. If you’re planning a short trip to Alaska and don’t have time to explore the park on your own, consider taking a day tour from Anchorage. Most tours leave early in the morning and return around 6 p.m., giving you plenty of time to see some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery.
The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and moose. The area is also known for its abundant bird life, including bald eagles and puffins. The most common activities in the Kenai Fjords National Park are hiking and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore glaciers, fjords and tidewater glaciers from a number of trails within the park.
There are also many ways to get up close with wildlife in the Kenai Fjords National Park, including watching for sea lions on Kayak Island, spotting brown bears during salmon runs and observing humpback whales during their seasonal migration to Alaska.
If you love the cold and large glaciers, then this national park is the place for you. You can enjoy some of the best views of Alaska while learning a bit about how they formed. This place is definitely worth visiting!
3. Inside Passage | Best Places to Visit in Alaska
Southeast Alaska is host to a system of guarded straits and channels known as the Inside Passage. The most popular method of travel is via private yacht, charter boat, or big ship across the fjords. An alternative is to camp off the road at Haines, Skagway, or Hyder.
The Tongass National Forest, which spans 17 million acres and is home to islands, mountains, glaciers, ice fields, fjords, and waterfalls, is located along the coastal route. Prince of Wales Island, one of the biggest islands in the US, is a part of the forest.
The Inside Passage is the most popular way to visit Southeast Alaska. Cruise ships, charter boats, and private yachts travel the waters of the protected passage.
The coastal passage is a collection of sheltered channels and straits in best places to visit in Southeast Alaska.
The US Forest Service describes the island as “an enchanted land of towering trees, crystal lakes and snowcapped mountains.”
Experience the beauty of Alaska’s Inside Passage and visit some of Alaska’s most popular towns along this scenic route. Book your Inside Passage cruise and enjoy the view from your cabin.
4. Glacier Bay National Park | Best Places to Visit in Alaska
A world-renowned spot to admire glaciers, get active outdoors, and see wildlife, Glacier Bay National Park is a destination for many travelers. Kayaks are available for hire or on guided tours, and they’re a fantastic way to explore the area and see a lot at once. Trails for hiking snake through and around glaciers. The John Hopkins Glacier and Muir Inlet, which are off-limits to motorised boats, are two of the most visited and photographed locations in the park.
There are several ways to see the park. The easiest is to take a cruise through Glacier Bay. You can also take a small plane or helicopter ride, but these tend to be expensive.
Glacier Bay National Park is a haven for wildlife, and you’ll be able to see seals, bald eagles, otters, porpoises and whales. You can also spot orcas swimming in the waters around the park. The park is also home to a variety of trees, including Sitka spruce, western hemlock and red cedar. There are more than 1,000 species of plants in Glacier Bay National Park.
5. Alaska Railroad | Best Places to Visit in Alaska
As a prominent feature of Alaska’s history, the Alaska Railroad is still a vital transportation option for those looking to explore this stunning part of the state. Popular destinations along the route include Anchorage and Denali National Park & Preserve, as well as Chugach National Forest. Companies offering unique train experiences include Historic Train Depot Excursions, Chugach Railway Express, and The Midnight Sun Ski Express.
Taking the “Backbone of the Last Frontier” one step further, the Alaska Railroad offers rail tours that bring visitors to Anchorage, Denali National Park & Preserve and many other destinations throughout the Alaska. Our unique Alaska Railroad itineraries feature backcountry skiing packages and special event rides like Halloween Train, where kids can enjoy a Halloween theme while getting a taste of real train travel.
The Alaska Railroad is an iconic symbol of the Last Frontier, transporting people and freight across the state for more than a century. The railroad’s rich history begins with the First Transcontinental Railroad, which was built by Chinese laborers between 1881-1883. best places to visit in alaska
Today, the Alaska Railroad is a vital part of Alaska’s transportation system. It provides a safe, reliable and affordable means for passengers to travel between Anchorage and Fairbanks in just one day.
