Alaska, the largest state in the United States, is covered with beautiful forests, rushing rivers, and tall mountains. North of Anchorage, around 237 miles away, lies Denali National Park, a gorgeous park that is carefully protected, full of wildlife and great hiking trails. Further south in the port city of Seward, there are day cruises that offer whale watching opportunities and magnificent views of Kenai Fjords National Park. Northeast of Seward, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has many opportunities to hike, containing numerous glaciers, lakes, and mountain streams and is home to a rich variety of wildlife. Those three attractions are some of the best Alaska has to offer.
Denali National Park is the most well-known attraction in Alaska. The park is one of the largest in the United States, and contains North America’s highest mountain, Mt. Denali (originally called Mt. St. Kinley), at 20,320 feet. A single road leads into the park. After paying the $10 entrance fee, which covers 7 days, it is recommended to visit the visitor’s center, where there are maps, showing the possible trails to hike. However, even with the entrance fee, most of the park is still closed, as only park approved buses are permitted to travel inside beyond the Savage River. There are still many trails before that cutoff point, such as the Mount Healy Overlook Trail, which offers a sweeping view of Denali. Bus fees vary depending on how far in the bus will travel. Travelling past the Savage River offers a much greater chance of seeing wildlife. There are many moose and caribou, and if lucky, there is a possibility of seeing a grizzly bear or a wolf. Between hiking and admiring the sweeping views of wide river valleys, tundra, high alpine ranges, and glacier-draped mountains, most stay at this park for many days.
In the small yet charming town of Seward, there are many tour groups offering day-cruises. These cruises
Alaska
By Bridget X.