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As hordes of travelers will flock to the beaches this spring, we can’t forget how amazing American national parks can be.
Tourism records are being broken all over the world, but some of them are surprising statistics released by the National Park Service shows one state with a few records of its own.
Alaska may seem far away and inaccessible, but that is not the case at all.
This enormous state may be separate from the mainland, but it doesn’t stop travelers from exploring what some say is America’s last frontier.
Glacier Bay National Park
It’s hard to grasp the sheer size of Alaska. Try to think about this: Alaska is home to 8 national parks and Glacier Bay alone 3.3 million hectares of picturesque fjords, breathtaking mountains, pristine calm waters and crystal clear glaciers.
@nicolemsunderland Most beautiful National Park in my opinion 🥰 #glacierbaynationalpark #glacierbay #glacier #Alaska #alaskancruise #hollandamerica ♬ original sound – Nicki | Luxury travel
That’s the tip of the iceberg both figuratively and literally, as this enormous park is just a fraction of a 25 million hectare World Heritage Site, one of the largest protected natural areas in the world.
One look at Glacier Bay makes it easy to see why it’s bucket list worthy. The park welcomed 703,659 visitors, and one of the most common ways to visit the park is by cruise, a mega-popular way to see Alaska’s top natural wonders.
Who wouldn’t want to wake up to some of America’s most stunning scenery? And during the colder months it is of course nice to have a heater!
@erikconover POV waking up in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Doesn’t this view make you want to sail with @Princess Cruises? #PrincessPartner #MedallionClass #RoyalPrincess #PrincessCruises #CruiseTok #Cruise #Cruise ship #AlaskanCruise #property #luxurious life #luxurytravel #luxuryreal estate ♬ Sky Aesthetics – Tollan Kim
Although it’s just as much fun, if not more, to explore the wild, remote country up close for the ultimate adventure.
There are no designated trails in the park, but beaches, meadows, and glacier-free areas are largely walkable.
Klondike Gold Rush
Visitors hiking through the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park will get a history lesson while enjoying the incredible sights and sounds of nature.
@kelseyrosedeleon White Pass Railroad | Skagway, Alaska #Alaska #ak #USA #trip #restiktok #cruise #alaskacruise #alaskatravel #trip #holidays #holidays #hollandamericaline #traveler #mountain #whitepassage #adventure #alaskalife #Cruise ship #train #trainride #skagway #skagwayalaska #skagwaywhitepass ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
Throughout the park are remnants of its historic past, when thousands of miners took part in an extensive gold rush over a century ago.
Klondike, as we’ll call it, begins in the small charming town of Skagway, home to approximately 1,000 local residents and more than 1 million visitors annually.
The park itself received 1.3 million visitors in 2023 to be precise. Although small in size, this city offers great attractions.
While not an epic European train, the White Pass and Yukon Trail does not get the attention this incredibly beautiful route deserves.
@travelwithmevbylisar Beautiful train journey #royalcaribbean #ovationoftheseas #skagway #whitepassage #train #snowmountain ♬ Beautiful nature – Steven Solveig
There are rave reviews for both the train and Klondike, with park guests emphasizing horseback riding, wildlife viewing and “beautiful views.”
Parks of the Northwest Arctic Borough
Even some of the least visited National Parks are seeing an increase and setting new records. The Northwest Arctic Borough is the perfect example of why some consider Alaska a distant destination.
While cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage are relatively easy to get to, going off-road in Alaska is a whole different story.
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But as Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”
Reaching the Northwest Arctic Borough can be quite a trek, but this beautiful region of the state is home to a cluster of parks that are not often visited, but still visited enough last year to claim new records.
Kobuk National Park is only accessible by plane, giving these parks the ultimate bucket list status. The other pair are Noatak National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, accessible by plane or boat in summer.
Compared to mega-popular National Parks, such as Yellowstone, the park’s visitor numbers seem low simply because they are more difficult to reach.
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Those who made the arduous trek loved ‘flightseeing’ and immersing themselves in the wilderness to see untouched nature at its most beautiful, where some parts are so remote you can hear a pin drop in the forest.
Kobuk in particular is home to beautiful sand dunes that are completely unexpected in this climate.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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