Growing up, children in America are taught that Alaska strictly has polar bears and ice caps to offer, but Alaska is so much more with endless sites to see. Alaska is somewhere all Americans should visit at least once, especially in the summer, where the vegetation and sights are popping.
Denali National Park is the third largest National Park in the United States with six million acres of wildlife. Denali is home to hundreds of grizzly bears, wolves, reindeer, elk, and more than 167 different species of birds- this is an animal lover’s dream. The sights to take in here are absolutely breath-taking and picturesque. I cannot even imagine the sunsets here. Denali also has many Sled Dog Kennels which offers demonstrations and are home to many sled-pulling huskies. This national park also has North America’s highest mountain. It is very important that if one visits this park to follow all of Alaska’s rules and regulations to protect its pristene and wild environment for future generations. Alaska has laws such as the Leave No Trace (LNT) which attempts to prevent any littering.
Alaska is composed of more than 14 islands which allows for some great land and water activities. There are many opportunities to interact with this environment with the ability to kayak through a field of icebergs, go whale watching, cruise through sheltered channels in Southeast Alaska, visit Brooks Falls, and countless more.
In Anchorage, AK, one can go kayaking out on Spencer Lake which features glass, vibrant water and allows individuals to navigate around glaciers. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity as the Alaskan glaciers are melting due to rising temperatures associated with climate change. So this activity could be one that future generations may not get to experience, so it is very important to do this while one still can. Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour takes place at sunrise but is a 12-hour excursion as it requires scenic trainrides to and from this destination.
Seward offers an Eco-certified six-hour cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park where one can take in whales, other wildlife, and glaciers. While the catamaran navigates through many sheltered channels, there are information sessions taught by a National Park Ranger as well as food and drink designed to make this a fully immersive experience.
Katmai National Park provides sanctuary for brown bears, moose, caribou, red fox, wolf, lynx, fish, birds, river otter, mink, marten, weasel, porcupine, hare, beaver, birds of prey, snowshoe hair, red squirrel, and plenty more wildlife. Since one would visit Alaska in the summer, this is the perfect time since this is the Sockeye (red) salmon run where the fish return from the northern Pacific Ocean. Katmai’s website features a Bear Cam, which I would definitely recommend checking out at some point.
Overall, a trip to Alaska can be successfully completed while being environmentally friendly. The biggest focal point is the LNT rules that can ensure one’s trip is Eco-certified and does not leave Alaskan environment worse off than when one arrived. Alaska is beautiful and we must work to slow down the effects of climate change to ensure our future generations can to experience everything this state has to offer.