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How Many National Parks Are in Alaska?
Alaska is home to 8 U.S. National Parks, not to mention many other National Monuments, National Preserves, and Historical Parks.
Learn more about each park in our detailed blog post below.
List of National Parks in Alaska
The eight National Parks in Alaska are Denali, Katmai, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, Lake Clark, and Gates of the Arctic.
National Parks of Alaska with John Hall’s Alaska
Do you want to witness Alaska’s National Parks firsthand? With John Hall’s Alaska – you can! Join our 14-day National Parks of Alaska tour with visits to Lake Clark, Katmai, Wrangell-St. Elias, Gates of the Arctic, Denali, and Kenai Fjords National Park. Learn more here.
Denali National Park and Preserve
The vast landscapes of Denali National Park are rendezvous for wildlife large and small the park’s six million acres provide an unrivaled place to see wild animals from high alpine tundra all the way down into lowland taiga forests. Home to Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, the park is also known for its legendary wildlife such as moose, caribou, bears, and wolves!
Kenai Fjords National Park
The Harding Icefield is the most extensive ice-covered area in North America. It’s no wonder that this vast expanse of frozen water, known as Kenai Fjords National Park has been declared one of Alaska’s greatest natural wonders and home to an array of animal species including bears!
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
This park holds so much beauty! According to NPS.gov, “Wrangell, at 14,163 feet, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America. The Nabesna Glacier, at approximately 53 miles, is the longest valley glacier in North America and the world’s longest interior valley glacier.”
Katmai National Park and Preserve
Katmai National Park and Preserve has been a preserve of America’s natural beauty since 1980. The park is not only famous for its volcanoes, but also for brown bears that live in the area and pristine waterways with an abundance of fish.
Kobuk Valley National Park
This National Park is very different from the rest of the National Parks in Alaska, with its massive dunes; Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is the largest active high-latitude dry climate desert on Earth. Animals found at this park include brown bears, caribou, and muskox.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
“The purpose of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is to preserve the vast, wild, undeveloped character and environmental integrity of Alaska’s central Brooks Range and to provide opportunities for wilderness recreation.” – From NPS.gov
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
The beauty of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is its pure rugged wilderness. There are no roads leading to the park and it can only be accessed by boat or small plane. It is known for its volcanoes, steams, mountains, salmon runs, and where you can find bears foraging.
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay National Park is a land of wonder, beauty, and an astounding 1,045 tidewater and terrestrial glaciers. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Glacier Bay was inscribed as a Biosphere Reverse in 1986. Within the park are two Tlingit ancestral homelands, the park works closely with local Native American communities to manage this protected area.
Largest National Park in Alaska
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest National Park in Alaska. With 13.2 million acres of wilderness, mountains, and wildlife – this National Park is one to add to your bucket list!
Overview: How Many National Parks Are in Alaska?
Alaska is a land of rugged natural wilderness beauty, and the eight National Parks we’ve highlighted are some of the best examples. If you haven’t had a chance to visit any of these parks yet, we highly recommend adding them to your travel bucket list. From Denali National Park’s soaring peaks to Kenai Fjords National Park’s glacier-carved coastline, Alaska is home to some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.
Book your National Parks of Alaska tour with John Hall’s Alaska today!