Undeniably one of the best national parks in Alaska, Denali is located approximately two hours from Fairbanks and four from Anchorage. Rangers and Huna Tlingit cultural guides will come aboard to answer questions and explain the significance of this spectacular place. If You Cruise, Make It A Means to an End Cruises are a great way to see Alaska's coastal mountains, glaciers, marine wildlife, and towns. Marvel at the Grand Canyon, paddle the Everglades and rock climb in Joshua Tree; all with your trusted travel companion. A visit here is the highlight of any trip to Alaska, whether you view the jaw-dropping scenery from the water, a hiking trail, or the air. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, I would like to receive electronic Promotional messages from Celebrity Cruises Inc. You can unsubscribe at anytime. Denali is the homeland of the Koyukon and Denaina Athabaskan people. Here are five tips to see the real Alaska: Cruises are a great way to see Alaskas coastal mountains, glaciers, marine wildlife, and towns. If youre up for that, you might be thinking about bringing your own car to Alaska and if so, read my complete guide to driving to Alaska here. Arguably the most iconic of Alaska's national parks, Denali National Park is home to North America's highest peak, 20,310-foot Denali, and 6 million acres of high-alpine terrain. Denali and Kenai Fjords are also accessible by bus and train. In addition to being huge, it also includes 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. Specialbuses (with driver-guides) ply its one arterial road penetrating deep into the interior through a sweeping landscape of empty tundra empty except for wildlife. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. How to Visit Alaska's 8 National Parks From Someone | ALASKA.ORG Today, most live in the village of Hoonah, across Icy Strait as advancing glacier ice forced them to relocate. The park, which is set in the rugged and unspoiled wilderness of Alaska, is expansive at 8,472,506 acres (34,287 km2) and its size provides each and every visitor with plenty of elbow room. Katmai is also home to many active volcanoes including Novarupta, home to the largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century worldwide in 1912. Others, such as the isolated Gates of the Artic offer the opportunity to truly get away from it all. It is packed with stunning scenes at every turn and abundant wildlife. Which Alaska national parks can you drive to? Best Large Ship Cruise: Royal Caribbean International. The sun does not set at all in June and early July, and only dips briefly below the horizon the rest of July. My husband, Jay, spent several summers doing archaeology field work in Gates of the Arctic National Park and I am one of the lucky people whos had the opportunity to visit this remote Alaska National Park and get to meet some of the people who live there. Katmai is the homeland of the Yupik and Alutiiq people. Overwhelmed by choices? Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Harding is one of only four remaining icefields in the U.S. Resurrection Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park. Its usually quite affordable for a lot of peace of mind. Alaska National Parks - Glacier Bay, Denali, Kenai Fjords There are no lodges or accommodations in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Vessels tentatively track the coast, diverting into deep inlets to get close to giant tidewater glaciers as they discharge their enormous chunks of ice into the sea. No one should attempt to head into the park on their own without extensive backcountry experience as there are no services and no way to communicate without a satellite phone. One of the best things to do in Sitka is to walk the mile-long woodland Totem Trail through glens of ferns, shrubs, and woodland flowers to admire 18 colorful and elaborate totem poles built by the Tlingit and Haida people. Growing up . 5 herranton 7 mo. When Is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu? Only select cruise lines, including Princess Cruises and Holland America, can visit Glacier Bay. Chugach State Park. Black bears and brown bears are both present in large numbers in all Alaska national parks. National parks are a defining feature of Alaska. The rest you could, in theory, access from a ship. There is no entrance fee for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Whichever month you visit, dont miss our top must-see Alaska cruise destinations: Stretching for over 500 miles from Puget Sound into the Gulf of Alaska, this seemingly never-ending passage is a photographers dream. Alaska National Parks | Visit Anchorage The Brooks Camp campground fills in a couple minutes for the entire summer when permits become available (usually in early January) so youll need to plan ahead for this one. She had come all this way to see Denali (Mt. You wont be short of things to do as you explore the town and discover its eateries, shops and history. Alaska National Parks are huge, stunningly beautiful and a little extra work to get to. (The National Park Service (NPS) reported 312 million recreation visits in 2022 alone a 5 percent increase from 2021.). There are no roads, services, campgrounds or scheduled transportation into the park. More than 80 years ago, caribou numbers in Canadas Northwest Territories started to decline a serious threat to the Inuit people who called the region. Gates of the Arctic National Park is the homeland of the Nunamiut people, the most recent hunter gatherer people in North America. If thats a little high, here are tips to see Alaska on a budget. Alaska Itinerary at a Glance. There are small islands dotted along the coast and hidden coves waiting to be discovered. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Experience Alaskas otherworldly icescapes by sea and then enjoy a one-, two- or three-night stay at McKinley Chalet Resort, our premier accommodation at the doorstep of Denali. Looking down on this icy wilderness, youll get perspective on the fact that just 250 years ago, the whole fjord was occupied by one massive glacier, which has since retreated more than 60 miles. The White Pass was a less steep but equally treacherous route to Lake Bennett, muddy and swampy in summer and bitterly cold in winter. Yes, you can . Enjoy cozy comforts on the high-speed catamaran and wander its outdoor decks as you come within 300 feet of massive tidewater glaciers. If you like to avoid crowds, consider a May visit! Anchorage is Americas ultimate winter adventure-land, How and where to see the northern lights in 2022, One bear has been crowned cuddliest of them all at Fat Bear Week in Alaska, Watch giant brown bears catching salmon on the Katmai bear cam, The travel memories that are getting Lonely Planet staff through lockdown, See Mars disappear behind the moon in a lunar occultation, Where to spot gray whales along along the Pacific coast as migration season gets in full swing, Why this family goes to the most remote spots in the USA for their vacations, Go North: reindeer herding in the Northwest Territories, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Kenai Fjords are located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, the sixth most visited national park in Alaska. There are also numerous scenic hiking trails to enjoy. Be you a first-timecheechako or an experienced sourdough, visiting at least one of these pristine wildernesses is practically de rigueur. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. The floorplan features a unique rear kitchen design with all the amenities of a larger unit. Seeing this from the water is mesmerizing and the scale is incredible; the Margerie Glacier, for example, towers 250 feet tall and a mile wide. Alaska Escorted Group Tours | Travel With a Group During | ALASKA.ORG Traveling into Kobuk Valley should only be attempted by those experienced in backcountry travel and/or as part of a guided trip. Home to the largest population of bears per square meter in the world, you have a great chance of spotting bears there in late summer. The Kenai Fjords National Park cruise takes you in search of whales, eagles, sea otters, porpoises, and more! You can relax into the scenery or get active with some hiking and kayaking. While its outstanding and dramatic natural beauty is undisputed, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park near Skagway essentially tells a human story. Whales are abundant here, and youll often be enchanted by acrobatic humpbacks breaching and tail slapping, or the sleek black-and-white figures of cruising pods of orca. Its the largest study in the world of large-scale glacial retreat, with multiple scientific projects in progress observing the tidewater glaciers and rare ecosystems. I dont recommend trying to visit every Alaska National Park in one trip unless you have a lot of time and really like to move around A LOT. The park includes the Harding Ice Field, the largest ice field completely contained inside the United States, as well as . The best things to do in Alaska with kids - Lonely Planet For indie travelers, the main park nexus is Gustavus, a classic Alaskan outback town where bears are as common as raccoons and the gas pumps look like relics from the 1930s. It isn't easy picking the best Alaska cruise out of Seattle for families. Read my complete guide to visiting Glacier Bay for independent travelers here. Use a local Alaskan travel agent to help you plan a custom land tour. They also serve buffet meals three times a day. Glacier Bay National Park is remote and not accessible by road. Summer is the best time to visit for warmth, with April to June being the driest months. Ask your hosts for advice. A few things to note about weather and seasons in Alaska: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Its a must-do for wildlife fans and active cruisers alike. I'm R.J. Skagway Historic District in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Skagway. Summer is the best time to visit Kenai Fjords, when you can take the spectacular boat tour, kayak and hike around the park. If youre game for that level of travel though, then go for it! Some Alaska cruises spend their entire itinerary at Glacier Bay National Park and understandably so. It is a highly rated Alaska national park tour that shows off a host of magnificent vistas and abundant flora and fauna. Learn more about Denali National Park Denali National Park With over six million acres of diverse landscape, Denali National Park is filled with impressive wildlife and the tallest mountain in North America Denali. 18 Tips for Going on an Alaska Cruise With Kids, 12 Stunning Natural Wonders to See in Italy, 2022 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships Registry: Malta and Ecuador.