Alaska State Parks

Alaska is a land of superlatives....both places and wildlife. Alaska is literally a world of unspoiled Lands. The heavy hitters of Alaska's protected lands are the National Parks, National Forests, Wildlife Refuges and other huge swaths of federal lands. In between these conservation giants are over 100 local wilderness gems, collectively protected as Alaska State Parks.

Savvy travelers and Alaska residents enjoy many of their recreation activities in these State Parks. Some of the most popular activities include those things enjoyed on Great Alaska's itineraries: fishing for trophy Rainbow Trout and Pacific Salmon, offshore fishing for halibut and rockfish, hiking along salmon spawning streams to alpine meadows. Perhaps wildlife viewing is your thing? spot whales and Stellar Sea Lions between calving glaciers. Want to break a sweat? try mountain biking in glaciated valleys of the Chugach. Whitewater? try rafting on rivers mild to wild, and there is so much more.

Frequently Asked Questions Raven Has Answers

The state parks in Alaska are managed by the Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, created at Statehood in 1959. Here is their mission: The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor recreation opportunities and conserves and interprets natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use, enjoyment, and welfare of the people. What could be better!

Alaska's state parks are central to just about all of Great Alaska's trips. Of course we don't visit all 100+ state parks on our trips, but we do visit Kachemak Bay State Park, Chugach State Park, Denali State Park, Kenai River Special Management Area, Deep Creek & Clam Gulch parks, Resurrection Bay State Marine Park, and others.

There are many special places in Alaska besides the more known National Parks, but these spots are often less well known and may not have traffic of the National Parks. That's where Great Alaska's local knowledge comes in handy. We take you to the best great places, and we support you with the best gear and trained guides so you have the best experience possible. No guesswork, no hassle, no rentals or hiring the right operators. We maximize your peak experiences and minimize your challenges...then we make sure the drinks are cold and the appetizers hot when you get back to lodge that night!.

Are the State Parks protected?

Commercial activities within the Alaska State Park system are permitted to ensure that visitors enjoy a safe and quality experience. Great Alaska holds permits from a number of the land managers including the Kenai National Wildife Refuge, Alaska State Parks, Chugach National Forest, Lake Clark National Park and others. If you'd like to know more about permitting and stakeholders , we are happy to talk about it.

How can I view wildlife in Alaska State Parks?

Wildlife really IS wild, so you never know exactly when or where you will see a Moose or an Orca pod. At Great Alaska we increase your chances of wildlife viewing by building itineraries that put you in the best spots for certain species. For example, one day we may do a Bald Eagle float on the Kenai River, and the next fly to our BearCamp to spend a night or two in premium bear habitat. We may return to go on a whale watching and marine wildlife & glacier tour in Kenai Fjords, followed by a hike in Chugach State Park where we may spot a black bear or spawning salmon. Most trips are 7 days but we offer 3, 5 and 10 day trips as well.

In addition to sharing the amazing Kenai with our guests, protection of our environment and all of it's unique and amazing wildlife is at the core of all adventure travel and wilderness fishing experiences, and since 2010, Great Alaska Adventures is proud to be certified as a sustainable Travel Destination from Adventure Green Alaska - Alaska's recognized tourism certification program.

Find out more about sustainability