Article Summary: National Parks Near Anchorage
National Parks near Anchorage. When you think about the Last Frontier then think about glaciers, national parks, the vast wilderness, Northern lights and the midnight sun. Alaska’s got it going on!
In this article, we’ll familiarize you with the incredible national parks near Anchorage.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Between mountains and an inlet, surrounded by national parks and filled with Alaska wildlife, Anchorage combines the best of Alaska: Experience a city with wide-open spaces, all the comforts of home, some of the coolest views in the state, and the warm hospitality of the Land of the Midnight Sun.
But it’s also home to some of the most fantastic national parks on the planet!
So, What Is A National Park?
We get asked that question a lot because there’s a difference between a “national park” and a “national park site.” To help you understand that difference you might want to check out our article titled: What Is A National Park Really?
Now let’s go ahead with 5 reasons why you’ll want to travel from Anchorage to one of these incredible places.
Table Of Contents: National Parks Near Anchorage
Which of Alaska’s National Parks Can You Drive To?
You can drive to 3 of Alaska’s 8 national parks. The Alaska national parks you can drive to are Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell St Elias National Park.
Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park are both accessible by train and bus.
The parks that are exclusively accessed by small planes are Lake Clark National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Katmai National Park.
Best National Parks Near Anchorage
1. Denali National Park
Distance From Anchorage: Four hours via AK-3 N.
Denali National Park is a 6 million acre wilderness area located in central Alaska. It is home to Mount Denali (also known as Mount McKinley), which is the highest peak in North America, standing at an elevation of 20,310 feet.
The park was established in 1917 as Mount McKinley National Park, and was renamed to Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980.
The park’s landscape is diverse, with lowland taiga forests, high-altitude tundra, glaciers, rivers, and alpine meadows. The park’s wildlife is equally diverse, with grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and over 130 species of birds.
Denali National Park is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers a range of recreational activities, including backpacking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
There are also several road systems within the park, including the 92-mile Denali Park Road, which provides visitors with access to some of the most stunning views of the Alaskan wilderness.
Visitors can also take guided bus tours of the park, which provide a comfortable and safe way to see the park’s breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Overall, Denali National Park is a truly unique and magnificent place that offers a true wilderness experience for visitors.
Best Things to Do Denali National Park
- Bus Tour – Take the bus deep into the park and experience America’s greatest frontier up close and personal.
- Bike Tour – Rent a bike and take it past where the private cars can go experiencing all of the park’s greatest wonders in the open air.
- Hike the Savage Alpine Trail – If you’re feeling adventurous then we highly recommend you hike the Savage Alpine Trail (8miles RT / 1500ft elevation gain). This hike is widely considered one of the best hikes in the park and is accessible via the Savage River area.
- Wildlife – Denali is home to a wide array of apex predators and unbelievable wildlife including grizzly bears, bald eagles, caribou, porcupines, and more.
- Camping – Take the bus to a campsite and spend the night in Alaska’s flagship national park on a bucket list experience.
CHECK OUT: 10 FASCINATING Facts About Denali National Park
2. Katmai National Park
Distance From Anchorage: 253 miles.
You can not drive to Katmai, Brooks Camp, or King Salmon from Anchorage, Alaska. Most destinations in Katmai National Park & Preserve are directly accessed via air taxi flights from Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, King Salmon, Kodiak, and other nearby Alaska towns and villages.
Katmai National Park and Preserve is a vast wilderness area located in southwestern Alaska. It was established in 1918 to protect the famous Brooks River and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is an area filled with volcanic ash and steam vents.
The park covers an area of over 4 million acres and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including brown bears, salmon, moose, and caribou.
CHECK OUT: 11 FASCINATING Facts About Katmai National Park & Preserve
The Valley Of 10,000 Smokes
One of the main attractions of Katmai National Park is the Brooks River, which is a popular destination for fishing and wildlife viewing. The Brooks River is home to one of the largest populations of brown bears in Alaska, and visitors can observe these magnificent animals as they fish for salmon in the river.
Another highlight of the park is the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which is a unique volcanic landscape filled with steam vents and ash deposits. The valley was formed by a massive volcanic eruption in 1912, and visitors can hike through the area and see the steam vents and volcanic formations up close.
Katmai National Park also offers a range of recreational activities, including backpacking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The park is accessible by boat or small plane, and visitors can also stay in the park at one of the several backcountry cabins or campgrounds.
8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks: Helpful Guide For Visiting
Best Things to Do Katmai National Park
- Brooks Falls Bear Watching – The world famous Katmai National Park bear camera resides at Brooks Falls. Getting to Brooks Falls is not cheap requiring yet another non-commercial flight. From King Salmon it the cost to Brooks Falls is around $300. Once here, behold the best bear viewing on the planet via a safe viewing platform.
- Fishing – There is a reason the bears congregate in such numbers at Brooks Falls – world class salmon runs down the Brooks River. This makes for world class fishing opportunities.
- See the Valley of 10,000 Smokes – Katmai National Park is home to some epic volcanic landscapes, perhaps none as famous or breathtaking as the Valley of 10,000 Smokes. From Brooks Camp, bus tours are available to this spectacular valley. The tour costs about $100 round trip with lunch included.
- Flight-Seeing Katmai National Park – The best way to get a grasp of the scale and scope of Katmai National Park’s epic volcanic landscape is via the air. Flight-seeing tours from Brooks run just over $200 per person for an hour of flight time.
To learn everything you need to know before traveling to this national park check out our article:
8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks: Helpful Guide For Visiting
3. Kenai Fjords National Park
Distance From Anchorage: Two hours & 15 minutes via AK-1 S & State Hwy 9.
Kenai Fjords is perhaps the most accessible of Alaska’s national parks. Unlike most other national parks in Alaska, there is actual driving in the park (however limited) that allows access to hiking trails.
Kenai Fjords National Park is a breathtaking wilderness area located on the Kenai Peninsula of southern Alaska. The park covers an area of over 680,000 acres and is characterized by its rugged coastlines, glacier-carved valleys, and abundant wildlife.
CHECK OUT: 10 SURPRISING Facts About Kenai Fjords National Park
Experience One Of The Largest Icefields In The U.S.
The main attraction of Kenai Fjords National Park is the Harding Icefield, which is one of the largest icefields in the United States. The icefield is surrounded by glaciers that flow down into the park’s fjords, creating a stunning landscape of ice and water.
In addition to the icefield, the park is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, whales, and bald eagles. The park is also a popular destination for kayaking and boating, as visitors can explore the park’s fjords and see the wildlife up close.
The park is accessible by boat or small plane, and there are several tour operators that offer guided boat tours of the park. Visitors can also hike in the park, with several trails leading to scenic vistas and glaciers.
Overall, Kenai Fjords National Park is a truly magnificent place that offers a unique blend of glaciers, wildlife, and rugged coastlines. It is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and majesty of Alaska.
Best Things to Do
- Hike The Harding Ice Field Trail – This is the most popular hike in Kenai Fjords National Park. The entire hike is 8 miles round trip and is considered strenuous as there is over 4000ft of elevation gain.
- See Exit Glacier – Alternatively you can do the shorter route up to exit glacier which is an easy hike that gives hikers great, up close views of a live glacier!
- Go on a scenic ferry tour – Take a day to tour the park the best way, via ferry! This is the best way to see the park as you cover a lot of ground and see some incredible wildlife and scenery up close.
- Go Kayaking – Kayaking is available in Resurrection Bay via water taxis (for a backcountry trip) or via a guided tour from Seward.
To learn everything you need to know before traveling to this national park check out our article:
8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks: Helpful Guide For Visiting
4. Lake Clark National Park
Distance From Anchorage: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a stunning wilderness area located in southwestern Alaska. The park covers an area of over 4 million acres and is characterized by its pristine lakes, glaciers, and abundant wildlife.
The park is named after Lake Clark, which is one of the largest and most scenic lakes in Alaska. The lake is surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers, and is home to several species of fish, including sockeye salmon and rainbow trout.
In addition to the lake, the park is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including brown bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, and visitors can observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitats.
The park is accessible by boat or small plane, and visitors can also hike in the park and explore its glaciers, lakes, and forests. There are several backcountry cabins and campgrounds within the park, allowing visitors to stay in the park and experience its wilderness for an extended period of time.
Best Things to Do
- Proenneke’s Cabin – Visit this historic cabin featured in a PBS documentary set in the stunning wilderness of Lake Clark National Park.
- Wildlife Viewing – Lake Clark National Park is one of the brown bear viewing capitols of the world not to mention moose, eagles, and all sorts of other spectacular wildlife.
- Canoeing & Kayaking – Lake Clark National Park is home to some of the most breath-taking water activities on the planet. Take a canoe or kayak out onto Lake Clark itself and experience it for yourself.
- Fishing – Wild salmon and beautiful trout are the name of the game in this world-class fishing.
- Day Hikes – Take a scenic hike through beautiful Alaskan scenery from Port Alsworth.
To learn everything you need to know before traveling to this national park check out our article:
8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks: Helpful Guide For Visiting
5. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Distance From Anchorage: Four hours & 30 minutes via AK-1 N.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a vast wilderness area located in southeastern Alaska. It covers an area of over 13 million acres, making it one of the largest national parks in the United States. The park is characterized by its rugged mountain ranges, glaciers, and abundant wildlife.
The park is named after two of its most prominent features: the Wrangell Mountains and St. Elias Mountains. These mountains are some of the tallest in North America and are covered in glaciers, creating a stunning landscape of ice and rock.
In addition to its mountains, the park is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. The park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, and visitors can observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitats.
The park is accessible by car, small plane, or boat, and visitors can hike in the park, take guided tours, or stay in the park at one of the several backcountry cabins or campgrounds. There are also several historic mining towns within the park that visitors can explore.
Best Things To Do
- Explore the Historic Kennecot Mine – Many (if not most) of the photos you’ll see of Wrangell St. Elias National Park feature the beautiful and historic Kennecot Mine. Take the shuttle to the mine and soak it in!
- Hike the Root Glacier Trail – Just past the Kennecot Mine is the incredible (and massive) Root Glacier. The trail up to and out on the Glacier is incredibly scenic and not to be missed!
- Drive the McCarthy Road or Nabesna Road – If you’ve got the right (4WD) vehicle we highly recommend a drive down one or both of the park’s roads. Wildlife, camping, scenery, and hiking abound with few other folks.
- Take a Scenic Flight – The absolute best way to make the most of your time and see the park’s grandeur is by air. If you’ve got the budget, flight-seeing in Wrangell is nothing short of epic.
To learn everything you need to know before traveling to this national park check out our article:
8 AMAZING Alaska National Parks: Helpful Guide For Visiting
National Parks Near Anchorage FAQ
There are eight National Parks in Alaska – Denali, Gates of the Arctic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, and Wrangell-St. Elias – and all together they protect some 41,460,625 acres… or roughly the size of Wisconsin!
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Anchorage?
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We’ve spent our entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
Map Of National Parks Near Anchorage
List Of National Parks Near Anchorage
- Denali National Park
- Katmai National Park
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Lake Clark National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
We Hope You’ll Follow Our Journey
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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