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List of Alaska state parks facts for kids

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Akparkhead2
Logo of the Alaska State Park system
Blueberry Lake campsite
Campsite at Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site in the Chugach Mountains
Denalibeyersflatcalm
Denali seen from Denali State Park

Alaska has an amazing system of state parks! These parks are managed by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. They are looked after by the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

Alaska's state park system is huge. It covers over 3.4 million acres. This makes it the largest state park system in the United States. It's much bigger than any other state's parks!

The park system started in 1970. Three big parks were created then. These were Denali State Park, Chugach State Park, and Kachemak Bay State Park. They are still very popular today. Wood-Tikchik State Park is the largest state park in the whole country. It makes up about 15% of all state park land in the U.S. The division manages different types of parks. These include full state parks, recreation areas, recreation sites, and historic sites.

Parks Near Anchorage

The Anchorage area is home to a very large park.

Parks in the Copper River Basin

Libertyfalls
Liberty Falls

The Copper River Basin has several places to explore.

Parks in Interior Alaska

Interior Alaska has many state parks. They are grouped by nearby towns.

Parks Near Fairbanks

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Chena River State Recreation Area in autumn, seen from the "Angel Rocks" trail

The Fairbanks area offers many outdoor spots.

  • Birch Lake State Recreation Site
  • Chena River State Recreation Area
  • Chena River State Recreation Site
  • Harding Lake State Recreation Area
  • Lower Chatanika River State Recreation Area
  • Salcha River State Recreation Site
  • Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site

Parks Near Delta Junction

Quartzlake
Boat launch at Quartz Lake State Recreation Area

Around Delta Junction, you can find these parks.

  • Big Delta State Historical Park
  • Clearwater State Recreation Site
  • Delta State Recreation Site
  • Donnelly Creek State Recreation Site
  • Fielding Lake State Recreation Site
  • Quartz Lake State Recreation Area

Parks Near Tok

The Tok area also has places to visit.

  • Eagle Trail State Recreation Site
  • Moon Lake State Recreation Site
  • Tok River State Recreation Site

Parks on the Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula is a popular area. It has many parks for different activities.

Parks Near Homer

Sunrise on Kachemak Bay
Sunrise on Kachemak Bay

Around Homer, you can find these coastal parks.

  • Anchor River State Recreation Area
  • Deep Creek State Recreation Area
  • Diamond Creek State Recreation Area
  • Stariski State Recreation Site
  • Kachemak Bay State Park and Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park
  • Ninilchik State Recreation Area

Parks Near Kenai and Soldotna

Stormy Lake bay
Stormy Lake at Captain Cook State Recreation Area

The Kenai and Soldotna area has many recreation spots.

  • Captain Cook State Recreation Area
  • Clam Gulch State Recreation Area
  • Crooked Creek State Recreation Site
  • Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
  • Kasilof River State Recreation Site
  • Kenai River Special Management Area
  • Morgan’s Landing State Recreation Area
  • Scout Lake State Recreation Site

Parks Near Seward

The Seward area offers beautiful marine parks.

  • Caines Head State Recreation Area
  • Driftwood Bay State Marine Park
  • Lowell Point State Recreation Site
  • Safety Cove State Marine Park
  • Sandspit Point State Marine Park
  • Sunny Cove State Marine Park
  • Thumb Cove State Marine Park

Parks on Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island has unique parks. They include island and river sites.

  • Afognak Island State Park
  • Buskin River State Recreation Site
  • Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park
  • Pasagshak River State Recreation Site
  • Shuyak Island State Park
  • Woody Island State Recreation Site

Parks in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley

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Lake Louise State Recreation Area
Matglacier
Matanuska Glacier seen from the State Recreation Area

This valley is home to many diverse parks.

  • Big Lake North State Recreation Area
  • Big Lake South State Recreation Site
  • Blair Lake State Recreation Site
  • Denali State Park
  • Lake Louise State Recreation Area
  • Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
  • Nancy Lake State Recreation Site
  • Finger Lake State Recreation Area
  • Hatcher Pass East Special Management Area
  • Independence Mine State Historical Park
  • Kepler-Bradley Lakes State Recreation Area
  • King Mountain State Recreation Site
  • Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site
  • Montana Creek State Recreation Site
  • Rocky Lake State Recreation Site
  • Summit Lake State Recreation Site
  • Tokositna River State Recreation Site
  • Willow Creek State Recreation Area

Parks in Prince William Sound

Chugach Blueberry Lake SRS
View from Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site
Worthington Glacier
Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site

Prince William Sound has many marine parks. These are great for boating.

  • Bettles Bay State Marine Park
  • Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site
  • Boswell Bay Beaches State Marine Park
  • Canoe Passage State Marine Park
  • Decision Point State Marine Park
  • Entry Cove State Marine Park
  • Granite Bay State Marine Park
  • Horseshoe Bay State Marine Park
  • Jack Bay State Marine Park
  • Kayak Island State Marine Park
  • Sawmill Bay State Marine Park
  • Shoup Bay State Marine Park
  • South Esther Island State Marine Park
  • Surprise Cove State Marine Park
  • Surprise Ridge State Marine Park
  • Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site
  • Ziegler Cove State Marine Park

Parks in Southeast Alaska

Southeast Alaska has many beautiful parks. They are often near water.

Parks Near Haines and Skagway

This area is known for its eagles and islands.

Parks Near Juneau

The capital city area has several parks.

  • Eagle Beach State Recreation Area
  • Ernest Gruening State Historical Park
  • Funter Bay State Marine Park
  • Juneau Trail System
  • Oliver Inlet State Marine Park
  • Point Bridget State Park
  • Shelter Island State Marine Park
  • St. James Bay State Marine Park
  • Taku Harbor State Marine Park
  • Wickersham State Historic Site

Parks Near Ketchikan

Ketchikan has parks with unique features.

  • Black Sands Beach State Marine Park
  • Dall Bay State Marine Park
  • Grindall Island State Marine Park
  • Refuge Cove State Recreation Site
  • Settlers Cove State Recreation Site
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park

Parks Near Sitka

Sitka's parks include historic sites.

Parks Near Wrangell and Petersburg

This area has marine parks and historic sites.

  • Beecher Pass State Marine Park
  • Joe Mace Island State Marine Park
  • Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site
  • Thoms Place State Marine Park

Parks in Southwest Alaska

Southwest Alaska is home to the largest state park.

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