1. Denali National Park and Preserve
- Location: Interior Alaska (north of Anchorage)
- Highlights:
- Denali (Mount McKinley) – Tallest peak in North America (20,310 ft)
- Wildlife: Grizzly bears, moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep
- Only one road; access by park bus or tour vehicles
- Great for hiking, photography, and wilderness tours
- Best Time to Visit: Late May to early September
2. Kenai Fjords National Park
- Location: Southcentral Alaska (near Seward)
- Highlights:
- Stunning glaciers flowing into the sea
- Boat tours reveal orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and puffins
- Exit Glacier – One of the most accessible glaciers by road and trail
- Activities: Kayaking, wildlife cruises, hiking
3. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
- Location: Southeast Alaska (near Gustavus/Juneau)
- Highlights:
- Over a dozen tidewater glaciers
- Watch massive glaciers calve ice into the bay
- Marine wildlife: whales, seals, porpoises
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Access: Mostly by cruise ship or air
4. Mendenhall Glacier
- Location: Just 12 miles from downtown Juneau
- Highlights:
- One of Alaska’s most photographed glaciers
- Easy trails and spectacular glacier views
- Nugget Falls Trail leads to a massive waterfall next to the glacier
5. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve
- Location: Southeastern Interior Alaska
- Highlights:
- Largest national park in the U.S. (13.2 million acres)
- Home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S.
- Remote hiking, glacier trekking, and scenic flights
- Historic mining towns like McCarthy and Kennecott
6. Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Location: Southwest Alaska (near King Salmon)
- Highlights:
- Famous for brown bears catching salmon at Brooks Falls
- Volcanic landscapes including Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Best place to photograph bears in their natural habitat
7. Inside Passage (Southeast Alaska)
- Highlights:
- Scenic coastal route popular with cruise ships
- Picturesque islands, fjords, and forested mountains
- Visit charming towns: Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau
- Rich Native Alaskan (Tlingit, Haida) culture and Russian heritage
8. Aurora Viewing in Fairbanks
- Location: Interior Alaska
- Highlights:
- Among the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights
- Peak visibility: September to March
- Combine with hot springs (e.g., Chena Hot Springs) for a magical experience
9. Kodiak Island
- Location: Gulf of Alaska, accessible by ferry or air from Anchorage
- Highlights:
- Home to the massive Kodiak brown bear
- Fishing, wildlife viewing, and WWII military history
- Remote and scenic with fewer crowds
10. Nome and the Seward Peninsula
- Location: Western Alaska on the Bering Sea
- Highlights:
- End of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
- Fascinating gold rush history
- Arctic wildlife and traditional Iñupiat culture
- Dramatic sea cliffs and tundra landscapes
11. Valdez
- Location: Prince William Sound
- Highlights:
- Surrounded by glaciers and waterfalls
- Fishing, kayaking, and glacier cruises
- Visit Columbia Glacier and Keystone Canyon
12. Hatcher Pass
- Location: Between Willow and Palmer in Southcentral Alaska
- Highlights:
- Alpine meadows, hiking trails, and mountain scenery
- Visit Independence Mine State Historical Park
- Beautiful in both summer (green hills) and winter (snow sports)
13. Sitka
- Location: Baranof Island, Southeast Alaska
- Highlights:
- Unique blend of Russian and Native Tlingit culture
- Visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral
- Rich history and stunning views of Mount Edgecumbe (volcano)
14. Talkeetna
- Location: South of Denali National Park
- Highlights:
- Gateway for Denali climbers
- Artsy town with cafes and galleries
- Scenic flightseeing tours of Denali and nearby glaciers
15. Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest
- Location: Near Anchorage
- Highlights:
- One of the largest state parks in the U.S.
- Endless trails, alpine lakes, and wildlife
- Flattop Mountain is a popular hike with city views
Bonus: Alaska Railroad Journey
- Route: From Seward → Anchorage → Denali → Fairbanks
- Highlights:
- Scenic train journey through rugged wilderness
- Offers luxury dome cars for panoramic views
- Great alternative to driving for tourists
