Hit These 7 Breathtaking State Parks In Alaska For An Unforgettable Summer

Alaska has some incredible outdoor spaces all throughout the state. We rounded up our 7 favorite state parks in Alaska that you need to visit this summer. Grab your gear and a loved one, and head out to explore some of the best that the Last Frontier has to offer!

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Chugach State Park is a quick drive from Anchorage and offers plenty of trails to hike. It has hundreds of thousands of acres to explore, where you can go hiking, camping, skiing, and climbing. Its close proximity to Alaska’s largest city makes it an easy place to enjoy.

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Almost the entirety of Shuyak Island is comprised of parkland. The entire 47,000 acres of the island is devoted to wildlife, and the only tree on the island: Sitka Spruce. The popular Deer Haven to Salmon Cove trail will take you from cabin to cabin along the island, where you can explore the area on an easy hike.

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This incredible state park, at 1.6 million acres, is the largest and most remote state park in the entire United States. 50% of Alaska’s state park land is made up of Wood-Tikchick State Park. This stunning park was created to protect fish and wildlife breeding areas. Visit the two breathtaking lakes in the park that make it its namesake, and camp, fish, or hike this stunning area.

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Point Bridget State Park has 2,800 acres to explore. It's located 40 miles north of Juneau, and offers views of streams, the ocean, and plenty of great hiking trails. Bring a picnic and spend the day exploring this great Alaska State Park.

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Another one in Juneau, this one is situated right on the Chilkat Inlet. There are 9,837 acres to explore, and over 35 campsites to stay in. The park has picnic shelters, trails, and even a boat launch. This is a great place to base your Juneau adventures from!

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Kachemak Bay State Park is located across the bay from Homer. It’s actually Alaska’s very first state park, designated in 1972. This huge state park boasts 198,399 acres, including seven acres of rugged coastline. There are plenty of backcountry hiking opportunities, and many explore the shoreline in their kayaks. You’ll need to take a water taxi or tour company to get across the bay to explore!

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Denali State Park is frequently overshadowed by its more famous counterpart, Denali National Park. It actually shares its western boundary with Denali National Park. The state park has 325,240 acres, which is almost half the size of Rhode Island! The park offers many popular campgrounds, including the in-demand Kesugi-Ken Campground. This is a great park to visit, especially in the summertime.

Have you visited these state parks in Alaska? Which one is your favorite? Any we left of the list that you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for the best national parks in Alaska to visit, be sure to read all about how Seven Of The Largest National Parks Are In Alaska, And You Need To Visit Them All.