15 Places in Alaska You Must See Before You Die
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
There’s so much to see in Alaska. We have 663,300 square miles, three million lakes, 16 national parks and no shortage of wild, pristine beauty. With so many choices, you’ll be hard pressed to see it all. Here are the 15 places in our state that you absolutely must see before you die.
Visit Brooks River in Katmai National Park to see brown bears fishing and frolicking in their natural habitat. More than 2,200 bears live in the park.
The Chugach National Forest covers nearly 7 million acres, so you’re likely to find plenty of solitude here. Hike into a lake (Tern Lake is pictured here) and bask in the wild beauty of this place.
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The drive over Hatcher Pass is nerve-wracking in places, but views like this make it well worth it.
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It’s not just for cruise ships and freighters - kayakers come from all over the world to paddle around its fjords and visit its many isolated islands.
Sea otters, bald eagles, mountain goats and black bears are in abundance at Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll also find dozens of glaciers.
Kinkaid Park, in Anchorage, is a unique blend of municipal park, wildlife and rugged Alaskan beauty. Where else can you walk on the beach, play disc golf or soccer, ice fish, ski and see moose, bears, fox and other wildlife?
Take the aerial tram at Alyeska Resort to see the stunning view on the ride to the top. You’ll climb 2,028 feet and have a bird’s-eye-view of the valley below.
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Home of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Kodiak Island is famous for its bears, but it has much more to offer. Explore the 3,670 square mile island to see tons of wildlife, enjoy Kodiak’s many restaurants or camp at one of its secluded, remote campgrounds.
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It’s the highest mountain peak in the North America, at 20,310 feet. Visit Denali National Park and Preserve to see it...and a host of other spectacular wonders.
This thirteen-mile-long glacier is shrinking every year; see it while you still can. While you’re there, check out the visitor center to learn more about glaciers and the Tongass National Forest .
Slana Slough, near the tiny town of Tok, is just one example of a truly remote spot in our beautiful state. Visit Slana for its unique solitude...or find your own remote spot.
Tracy Arm, near Juneau, is over 30 miles long. Its emerald-green waters and sheer cliffs are awe-inspiring. See the Twin Sawyer Glaciers at the far end.
Hike the Winner Creek Trail, where you’ll cross the Winner Creek Gorge, then make your way across the creek on a hand tram. Don’t look down...it’s 100 feet to the water!
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It’s a strenuous 8-mile hike to the Harding Icefield. You’ll climb 1,000 feet in elevation each mile, but it’s well worth the work. The enormous icefield is one of just four icefields left in the country.
The Alaskan Highway is 1,387 miles long, but you don’t have to travel all of it to see some beautiful Alaskan scenery. The best way to appreciate our state is to explore it - pick a section and set out on a road trip.
What are your favorite places in Alaska?
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