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Alaska National Parks Featured on USATravelPal.com
USATravelPal.com, a comprehensive travel website in progress, provides comprehensive travel information on over 1500 exciting destinations throughout the United States, including 13 in the eight national parks of Alaska. Alaska and California each have eight national parks, more than any other state. The eight national parks of Alaska are Denali, Gates of the Arctic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, and Wrangell St. Elias. Each one offers its own natural splendor.
Denali National Park and Preserve is the most well-known and visited of Alaska's national parks. Denali is the home of Mount McKinley, also known as Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America. Mount McKinley offers a real challenge for serious mountain climbers. Less ambitious visitors may enjoy some thrilling whitewater rafting and spectacular wildlife viewing.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the northernmost national park, lying completely north of the Arctic Circle. Here, visitors will find a variety of wildlife, including herds of moose, caribou, Dahl sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears. However, there are no campgrounds or hiking trails in this park, which must be explored by car along the Dalton Highway.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is an internationally protected region. Here one finds massive glaciers and deep fjords, as well as a wide variety of plant and animal life, including brown and black bears, moose, mountain goats, sea otters, whales, and seals. This park is only accessible from the nearby town of Gustavus, which is most easily reached by air from Juneau.
Katmai National Park and Preserve, located on the Shilekof Strait in southwestern Alaska, is a nature-lover's paradise. Here you'll find plenty of brown bears and fish in the waterways. Katmai also offers several spectacular hiking trails. Tourists should be prepared for unpredictable weather, however.
Kenai Fjords National Park, located on south central Alaska, offers some breathtaking views of rugged, moutainous coastine. A wide variety of marine life can be seen in the fjords.
Kobuk Valley National Park in northwestern Alaska offers a wide variety of terrain, including sand dunes, glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, and freshwater lakes. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is the largest active sand dune region in North America.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, accessible only by air or on foot, offers more amazing views of volcanoes, glaciers, lakes, and wildlife. Adventure seekers will love this park.
Lastly, Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, in the southeast corner of Alaska, offers an out-of-the-way retreat from Denali, as it becomes more crowded. This park contains nine of the sixteen highest mountain peaks in North America, as well as huge glaciers and canyons, beautiful lakes and rivers, and a wide variety of abundant wildlife.
Alaska's national parks are not to be missed!
