Alaska’s wilderness is unparalleled. Spanning a staggering 663,267 square miles, Alaska's landscapes vary from icy fjords to colossal mountains, with lush rainforests and sprawling tundra tucked in each extreme.
Given its enormity, it's no surprise that the state is home to some of the largest national parks in the U.S., with the average park here covering a mind-boggling 13,000 square miles. However, the sheer magnitude of every park coupled with the remote nature of these parks makes planning a trip a challenging endeavor.
While you can visit some of Alaska’s national parks relatively easily, most of these parks are only accessible by boat or bush plane. While this makes these parks some of the least visited parks in the US, it can also create quite the headache for planning.
Due to their remoteness and the dense wildlife found in each park, guided tours that handle your travel itinerary and provide expert wildlife guides are one of the best options for visiting Alaska’s national parks easily and safely.
In this guide, I’ll run through each national park, with a quick overview of what to see, what kind of tours are available, and where you will need to go to access these tours.
An excellent tip to remember when considering visiting these parks is that many tours book up in advance during the summer season – so if you have your heart set on a particular adventure, be sure to book a few months in advance to secure your spot.
Denali National Park and Preserve
Home to North America's tallest peak, Mount McKinley (Denali), this park promises vast wilderness, vibrant wildlife, and views of gorgeous mountains.
- Tours might include wildlife viewing adventures, guided hikes, and bus journeys into the heart of the park.
- Many experiences originate from the Denali Park entrance, with diverse offerings from day-trips to extended explorations.
- Access: Denali is one of the few National Parks in Alaska where you can drive to, however, you cannot drive a personal car into the park. You will need to take the park shuttle to access further than 15 miles into the park.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Spanning the Arctic Divide, Gates of the Arctic offers a pristine, untouched Arctic landscape, making it an adventurer's dream. This is one of Alaska’s most remote parks and one of its most northern, making it a true Alaskan adventure for the hardy traveler.
- Tours can include mesmerizing flyovers or intense guided backpacking treks.
- For aerial adventures and entrance into the park, air taxi services are available from Fairbanks or Bettles.
- Access: No roads lead directly into the park. Most visitors access via air taxi or by driving the Dalton Highway and taking a backcountry trail into the park (though this is only advised for experienced backcountry hikers).
Katmai National Park and Preserve
With a landscape dotted with volcanoes and lakes, Katmai stands out for its incredible brown bear population. Due to the dense bear population, guided tours are strongly recommended when visiting this park and tours help navigate the logistic complications of getting here.
- Tours are 100% the way to see this park. Day and multi-day bear viewings, fishing tours, and river tours are available. Visitors can stay in remote lodges or camp in the park.
- King Salmon serves as a popular launch point, giving access to prime bear-watching locales like Brooks Camp. Other tours also depart from Homer and Kodiak, with a multi-day camping trip to Hallo Bay available from Kodial.
- Access: No roads lead to the park, so travelers will need to take an air taxi or boat into the park.
Kobuk Valley National Park
The Arctic's astonishing sand dunes in Kobuk Valley are a surreal sight. The juxtaposition of dunes and icy terrains offers a unique spectacle and this is an incredible landscape to explore if you are an experienced backcountry camper.
- Tours might encompass flightseeing over the iconic dunes or river trips on the Kobuk.
- Access: With no road access, visiting this park requires air taxis, typically departing from Kotzebue or Bettles.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
A rich tapestry of habitats from coastal rainforests to active volcanoes makes Lake Clark a spectacular park to explore. This is also a great alternative to Katmai, if you’re looking for a bear viewing option.
- Tours here could range from bear viewing expeditions to immersive fishing trips and coastline exploration. You can also book a multi-day rafting trip or plan to camp alone in the park (though you will need to still book transportation to and from the park).
- Anchorage and Homer are the departure points, offering bush plane and float plane options (there is one operator in Homer that allows for a day trip via boat to the park).
- Access: Only accessible by boat or bush plane.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Holding the title of the U.S.'s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias offers a mosaic of glaciers, mountains, and old mining sites.
- Tours here are diverse, from flightseeing escapades to backcountry adventures and historical mining site explorations.
Tour operations often kick off in towns like McCarthy and Kennecott, serving as gateways to this mammoth park. - Access: While you can drive to parts of this park in the summer, the roads are very rough and not well maintained. A better option is to hop on the park shuttle from McCarthy or book a flightseeing trip over the park.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay is a haven for glaciers, fjords, and marine life. This water-based park is a favorite for cruise ships and sailing adventures.
- Tours here are predominantly boat trips that travel around the glaciers. Kayaking excursions and wildlife spotting voyages are also popular options.
Various cruise companies and operators offer specialized trips to unveil the magic of Glacier Bay. - Access: No road access, so you will need to fly in by bush/float plane or take a boat. If you want to see the glaciers and get close to marine wildlife, definitely look into booking a day cruise through this beautiful park.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Situated on the Kenai Peninsula, this park boasts a rugged coastline peppered with glaciers and a plethora of marine wildlife. There is also a drivable portion of this park that allows access to Exit Glacier, a favorite hiking trail for families and history enthusiasts.
- Tours could encompass boat trips for glacier and wildlife viewing, kayaking journeys, and hiking trails.
Seward serves as the major hub, with numerous day tours and multi-day trips departing daily from the docks. - Access: Most of the park is only accessible by water via boat tours or water taxi, however you can drive to a portion of the park via Herman Leirer Road out of Seward (this road is closed in the winter).
