Posted in Alaska March 26, 2022 by

Take A Virtual Tour Through A Sea Of Mosses and Lichens In Denali National Park In Alaska

If you’ve been stuck inside your house for too long, a virtual tour of Denali National Park is the perfect way to explore our beautiful state without ever leaving your town! This tour is filled with tons of incredible information about some of the smallest inhabitants of one of Alaska’s most famous national parks. You’ll love the opportunity to feel like you’re right inside this state treasure since Denali is THE national park to visit in Alaska.

If you're looking for the best way to explore the state safely, a virtual tour of Denali National Park is a fascinating way to learn more about our park.
Image courtesy of Jeffrey D. Walters via Moment Collection / Getty Images
The National Park Service has put out this program so you can learn more about the mosses and lichens of this park. You can learn about varieties, living conditions, and more.
Mosses and lichens are found all over the state.
National Park Service website
They thrive in many different habitats, including wetlands, alpine areas, boreal forests, and more. They are significant to the ecosystem of Alaska, and this virtual tour will explain why.
You'll read about why mosses and lichens are vitally important to the animal food chain.
Patrick J. Endres via Corbis Documentary / Getty Images
They influence the amount of moisture at ground level, and can be over a foot thick in some areas. This affects other plant life and the entire ecosystem of an area.
You'll find out about all the incredible places you can find mosses and lichen, including small microhabitats.
National Park Service website
From cracks in the sidewalk, to little nooks and crannies in trees, these plants and fungi are hardy little creatures that can withstand drought. However, they have been found to be very susceptible to things like pollution.
Denali National Park has a number of habitats that moss and lichen thrive in.
National Park Service website
You'll find carpets of ankle deep moss and lichen on the boreal forest floor. The organisms that thrive here tend to be some of the largest of the species.
They also thrive in alpine conditions on the surfaces of rocks.
National Park Service website
This is impressive as many living things aren't able to survive in these areas due to the harsh wind and cold temperatures that permeate the area. But these organisms flourish.
You'll learn all of this and more through beautiful photography and tons of interesting written information.
Kal K / 500px via 500px Collection / Getty Images
Take an hour of your afternoon to explore this area, or make it a homeschool project with the kids. However you decide to use this wonderful tool, you'll love learning about these fascinating plant species.

Head here to take the virtual tour on the National Park Service website.

Have you taken the virtual tour of Denali National Park? What did you think? What was the most interesting part? Let us know in the comments below.

Learn more about this beautiful place with 15 Fascinating Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Denali National Park.

Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

National Park to Visit in Alaska

March 31, 2022
Spencer Schneider

What are the best national parks to visit in Alaska?

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by far. It’s actually incredible how big the state is, and with a state that big and remote, you know it’s home to some absolutely magnificent national parks. With 8 national parks to choose from, it can be hard to choose which ones to visit and how to plan a trip, but we are here to help.

Kenai Fjords National Park

Many national parks in Alaska are hard to get to, however, that isn’t a problem with Kenai Fjords and you can actually drive to the park. Kenai Fjords National Park features glaciers where you can go on an 8 miles hike through the ice fields, you can take a ferry tour, or if you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even go kayaking in Resurrection Bay! Kenai Fjords National Park provides some incredible views of the glaciers that are unlike anything you have ever seen. There are also plenty of options for camping in the park whether you want to camp in the backcountry, in developed campgrounds, or prefer staying in a lodge or hotel, there are plenty of options for your trip.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is probably the best-known National Park in Alaska. Home to the highest peak in North America, Denali is a draw for climbers, photographers, and adventurers around the world. One of the most popular trails in Denali National Park is the Savage Alpine Trail, an 8 mile hike that brings you through a small section of the park where you can see wildlife such as grizzly bears and bald eagles. If you are looking to camp in the park, there are 6 different campgrounds located throughout Denali National Park, giving you plenty of options to make your trip a memorable one.

Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA