Quick Summary:

  • What makes Alaskan state and national parks special?
    • Alaskan state and national parks are full of incredible natural beauty.
    • Many of these parks are among the last remaining areas of pristine, untouched wilderness in the country.
  • Why do adventurers and explorers visit Alaska?
    • Alaska’s landscape is remote and separate from the rest of the country.
    • Its vast wilderness continues to entice adventurers and explorers, daring them to face its unique challenges.
  • What is the purpose of Alaska's state and national parks?
    • The parks help protect Alaska’s incredible beauty, including its plants and animals.
    • They also serve to showcase Alaska’s landscapes to the world in all their glory.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Afognak Island State Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Afognak Island State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Melissa Kopka/stock.adobe.com

2. Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve | State & National Parks of Alaska
© mscornelius/stock.adobe.com

3. Baranof Castle Hill State Historic Site

Category: Attractions
Baranof Castle Hill State Historic Site | State & National Parks of Alaska
© BirgitKorber/stock.adobe.com

4. Big Delta State Historical Parks

Category: Activities
Big Delta State Historical Parks | State & National Parks of Alaska
© cec72/stock.adobe.com

5. Birch Lake State Recreation Site

Category: Activities
Birch Lake State Recreation Site | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Elizabeth/stock.adobe.com

6. Chilkat State Park

Category: Activities
Chilkat State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© wildnerdpix/stock.adobe.com

7. Chugach State Park

Category: Activities
Chugach State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© 6 AXIS AERIAL/stock.adobe.com

8. Denali State Park

Category: Activities
Denali State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© eileen10/stock.adobe.com

9. Denali National Park

Category: Activities
Denali National Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Lukas/stock.adobe.com

10. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© daniking/stock.adobe.com

11. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Category: Activities
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve | State & National Parks of Alaska
© emperorcosar/stock.adobe.com

12. Grindall Island State Marine Park

Category: Activities
Grindall Island State Marine Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Olonkho/stock.adobe.com

13. Harding Lake State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Harding Lake State Recreation Area | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Roger Asbury/stock.adobe.com

14. Independence Mine State Park

Category: Activities
Independence Mine State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© zlex03/stock.adobe.com

15. Kachemak Bay Wilderness State Park

Category: Activities
Kachemak Bay Wilderness State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Ron/stock.adobe.com

16. Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords | State & National Parks of Alaska
© sekarb/stock.adobe.com

17. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Category: Activities
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve | State & National Parks of Alaska
© ricktravel/stock.adobe.com

18. Liberty Falls State Recreation Site

Category: Activities
Liberty Falls State Recreation Site | State & National Parks of Alaska
© hitchhiker2000/stock.adobe.com

19. Pasagshak State Recreation Site

Category: Activities
Pasagshak State Recreation Site | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Carolyn/stock.adobe.com

20. Point Bridget State Park

Category: Activities
Point Bridget State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© GCapture/stock.adobe.com

21. Shuyak Island State Park

Category: Activities
Shuyak Island State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© bettys4240/stock.adobe.com

22. Summit Lake State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Summit Lake State Recreation Area | State & National Parks of Alaska
© JT Fisherman/stock.adobe.com

23. The Baird Glacier

The Baird Glacier | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Rocky Grimes/stock.adobe.com

24. Totem Bight

Totem Bight | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Enrico/stock.adobe.com

25. Wood-Tikchik State Park

Category: Activities
Wood-Tikchik State Park | State & National Parks of Alaska
© Piotr/stock.adobe.com

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