Wednesday, February 24, 2010
National and State Parks in Alaska
Alaska has more land in national parks, wilderness areas and national wildlife refuges than all the other states combined. Denali National Park and Preserve is home to North America’s tallest peak, Mt. McKinley and the admission fee to this park is very nominal. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a marine preserve where 17 spectacular glaciers meet tidewater and seals float on icebergs. Huge coastal brown bears fish for salmon in the Brooks River and other wild, remote clear-water streams at Katmai National Park and Preserve is a mixture of volcanic moonscape, rugged coast, large lake systems, mountains and forested low lands on the Alaska Peninsula.
On the Kenai Fjords National Park known for its tide water glaciers, rugged fjords and abundant marine wild life. The country’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias east of Anchorage along the Canadian border s six times the size of Yellowstone. Chugach State Park near Anchorage, has more than 100 mi of hiking trails, wildlife viewing and easily accessible wilderness. Denali State Park has a ridge top trail with views of the Alaska Range and public use cabins.