7 Stunning Winter Scenes From Alaska’s National Parks
The seasons are changing, and winter has begun in our great state! When was the last time you paid a visit to the national parks in Alaska? This breathtaking season offers so many incredible views of our changing landscape no matter where you are. And winter in Alaska’s national parks is one thing that every person on the planet should have the pleasure of experiencing.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. Wrangell - St. Elias National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA
Wrangell - St. Elias holds the distinction of being not just the largest national park in Alaska; but the largest in the entire United States. These 13.2 million acres offer a plethora of things to see and do during the winter months, but the temperatures will be frigid, frequently falling to -30F or colder. But there are still plenty of fun things to do, including cross country skiing, and even snow machining on any public land inside the park, as long as there is adequate snow cover. All Alaska's national parks are open year round, but many have limited or no services available during our coldest months. Click here to read more about this amazing national park in Alaska.
2. Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
One of Alaska’s most famous parks, Denali National Park shines in the winter season. Although rarely visited, these 6 million acres have something amazing to offer all year long. In the wintertime, expect to see stunning aurora borealis at night, and incredible stargazing. Head out into the backcountry for winter camping, cross country skiing or snowshoeing, or visit the gorgeous Denali’s Sled Dogs in the winter.
3. Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, AK 99613, USA
Katmai National Park is famous for its plethora of grizzly viewing opportunities. Even though these giant bears head into hibernation in the winter, there are still plenty of gorgeous winter views of this beautiful park. The rivers and lake freeze over, and the mountains are covered in snow. Consider booking a winter sightseeing tour and fly over this quiet and serene winter area.
Kenai Fjords National Park is accessible through Seward, Alaska, and is filled with over 40 tidewater glaciers. Visiting these glaciers in the Gulf of Alaska is hard in the winter, as weather can be extreme in the ocean. Exit Glacier, and Harding Icefield, are two beautiful and slightly more accessible areas during the winter season inside Kenai Fjords National Park.
5. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Port Alsworth, AK 99653, USA
This beautiful wilderness is located about 120 miles southwest of Anchorage, and only accessible by plane. With volcanoes, the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, and Crescent Lake, this is a stunning area of wilderness that has a gorgeous beauty in the winter time.
6. Kobuk Valley National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park, 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752, USA
Kobuk Valley National Park is known for its sand dunes that many visitors see in the summertime, but that are hidden by snow in the winter. This beautiful area is home to over half a million migrating caribou, and almost 1.8 million acres of backcountry. Snow machining, dog sledding, and cross country skiing can be found in this stunning winter tundra in the coldest months.
7. Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
The Gates of the Arctic National Park is situated right above the Arctic Circle. This stunning northern Alaskan park is completely remote, with no paved roads, and no trails. Visiting this spot is like visiting the ends of the Earth! During winter, the sun barely glows, but the aurora borealis will light your entire night.
There is nowhere as magical as Alaska in the glorious winter season. When was the last time you took time to visit these national parks in Alaska?
Where’s your favorite place to experience winter in Alaska’s national parks? Was it any of these? Let us know in the comments below!
Address: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA
Address: Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, AK 99613, USA
Address: Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, USA
Address: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Port Alsworth, AK 99653, USA
Address: Kobuk Valley National Park, 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752, USA
Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
Address: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
national parks to visit in Alaska
January 13, 2022
Sarah M.
Is Alaska a good place to visit in the winter?
Absolutely — provided you bundle up, of course. One of our favorite places to go during the winter in Alaska is also one of the most beautiful. Alaska is a place of ethereal elegance and beauty, and Mendenhall Glacier is the state’s crown jewel. The ice caves located at the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, are natural ice formations in one of the most extraordinary places on the planet. Calling the Mendenhall Glacier “caves” is a misnomer; this place is an entire frozen kingdom that is 13.6 miles long with an estimated total area of 38 square miles. A place of immense beauty and splendor, there’s nowhere in the world like the ice caves at Mendenhall Glacier, and experiencing this natural wonder in person will be something you’ll never, ever forget!
Where are some other beautiful places in Alaska?
While the above national parks are certainly lovely places to visit, there is so much more beauty to behold in Alaska!Tongass National Forest is one of them. This beautiful land is home to some of the most ancient trees in America. These old-growth trees are usually Sitka spruce, yellow or red cedar, or Western Hemlock; the Western Hemlock tend to be the tallest, and can grow upwards of 135-170 feet tall, with diameters of up to 11 feet. An important part of southeast Alaska, some of these majestic trees are over 1,000 years old; they are an awe-inspiring testament to the history of the area, and a stark reminder of why we need to treat our planet with the upmost respect and care. Of course, there are many, many more beautiful places in Alaska, and this list is a wonderful place to start!
Address: Alaska, USA
Address: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA
Address: Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, AK 99613, USA
Address: Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska, USA
Address: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Port Alsworth, AK 99653, USA
Address: Kobuk Valley National Park, 171 3rd Ave, Kotzebue, AK 99752, USA
Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
Address: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
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Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of an Alaska-based media company. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter, and loves to see and experience new things!
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