10 Underrated National Parks and Nature Reserves in Alaska
Alaska’s wild beauty goes far beyond Denali, with hidden national parks and nature reserves offering jaw-dropping landscapes, epic wildlife, and pure solitude.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Alaska is packed with remote and underrated national parks that rival the famous ones in beauty but see a fraction of the crowds. From glacier-studded coastlines to vast tundras teeming with wildlife, these hidden gems are perfect for true adventurers. If you crave untouched wilderness and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, these 10 parks and reserves deserve a spot on your list.
1. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
National Park Service Digital Image Archives on Wikimedia Commons
Few places on Earth feel as wild as Lake Clark, where volcanoes, turquoise lakes, and dense forests create an untouched paradise. It’s only accessible by plane or boat, which means fewer visitors and more chances to spot bears fishing in the rivers. The park is a dream for kayaking, hiking, and backcountry camping, with views that make you feel like the last person on Earth. If you want Alaska’s beauty without the crowds, this is the place to go.
2. Gates of the Arctic National Park
Paxson Woelber on Wikimedia Commons
This is the ultimate no-roads, no-trails, no-limits wilderness adventure. Covering 8.4 million acres of pure Arctic Tundra, Gates of the Arctic is for those who truly want to get off the grid. Visitors can hike through glacier-carved valleys, float down the Kobuk River, or spot caribou on the move. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you want raw, unfiltered nature, it doesn’t get better than this.
3. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
Bigger than Switzerland, Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the U.S., with massive glaciers, towering peaks, and ghost towns from Alaska’s mining days. Despite its size, it remains one of the least visited parks, making it a perfect spot for those who want solitude with a side of epic scenery. You can explore abandoned mines, hike through ice fields, or take a flightseeing tour over jagged mountains.
4. Kobuk Valley National Park
16Terezka on Wikimedia Commons
Where else in the Arctic can you find massive dunes? Kobuk Valley is home to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, a surreal, golden landscape surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Every year, thousands of caribou migrate through the park, making it a prime spot for wildlife lovers. With no roads leading in, the only way to visit is by bush plane—making the journey just as exciting as the destination.
5. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve
Josh Spice on Wikimedia Commons
A true hidden gem, this reserve follows the historic Yukon River, once a lifeline for Gold Rush prospectors. Today, it’s a paradise for paddlers, with wild rapids, quiet river bends, and historic cabins frozen in time. Moose, bears, and bald eagles are common sights along the way, adding to the sense of adventure. It’s a place where history and nature blend seamlessly, perfect for those looking to explore Alaska’s untamed past.
6. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve on Wikimedia Commons
One of the most remote places in the U.S., this preserve is a leftover piece of the ancient land bridge that once connected Asia and North America. It’s a land of steaming hot springs, rolling tundra, and evidence of human history stretching back thousands of years. Adventurous visitors can soak in Serpentine Hot Springs, a natural spa in the middle of the Arctic wilderness. If you want a place that feels like the edge of the world, this is it.
7. Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve
National Park Service Digital Image Archives on Wikimedia Commons
Imagine hiking inside an ancient volcanic crater—Aniakchak lets you do exactly that. This massive, six-mile-wide caldera was formed by a violent eruption 3,500 years ago, and today, it’s one of the most isolated and least-visited national park sites. Inside, you’ll find steaming vents, a bright blue lake, and the wild Aniakchak River roaring through the landscape.
8. Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wikimedia Commons
Stretching from rugged mountains to coastal wetlands, Togiak is a wildlife lover’s dream. It’s home to brown bears, walruses, and some of the best salmon runs in Alaska, attracting fishermen and nature enthusiasts alike. Kayakers and boaters can explore remote fjords, while hikers can trek through untouched alpine valleys. The best part? You’ll likely have the whole place to yourself.
9. Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Pticy uleteli on Wikimedia Commons
This lesser-known refuge is home to Becharof Lake, the second-largest lake in Alaska, surrounded by jagged mountains and teeming with wildlife. It’s a prime spot for bear watching, especially when salmon fill the rivers in late summer. The lake’s waters reflect the towering peaks, creating an unreal, mirror-like effect that makes for stunning photography. If solitude and raw wilderness are what you’re after, Becharof delivers.
10. Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wikimedia Commons
Tucked away in central Alaska, this refuge is a sprawling expanse of rivers, wetlands, and boreal forests. It’s a major part of the annual caribou migration, offering a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest spectacles. The Koyukuk River is perfect for canoeing, taking visitors through wild, untouched landscapes. With so few people ever making it here, it’s one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets.