List of National Natural Landmarks in Alaska facts for kids
The National Natural Landmarks in Alaska are special places that show off Alaska's amazing natural beauty. There are 16 of these landmarks in Alaska. They are part of nearly 600 such sites across the United States. These landmarks protect important geological features like volcanoes and glaciers. They also protect special places for animals and plants.
The first five landmarks in Alaska were chosen in 1967. The newest ones were added in 1976. Some of these natural wonders are in areas without local government, called the Unorganized Borough. Others are in organized areas, like the Aleutians East Borough, which has the most with four. These landmarks vary greatly in size, from small areas to very large ones. They are owned by different groups, including private people, the state, and the federal government.
Alaska's National Natural Landmarks
What are National Natural Landmarks?
The National Park Service helps manage the National Natural Landmarks Program. This program is part of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service decides which places are special enough to be landmarks. They tell the owners and then suggest them for the landmark list.
The Secretary of the Interior makes the final decision. This decision is based on specific rules. Both public and private lands can become landmarks. Owners can say no if they don't want their land to be a landmark. Being a landmark helps protect these places. It can offer tax benefits and grants to help keep them safe.
Discover Alaska's Natural Wonders
Alaska is home to many incredible natural landmarks. Each one protects a unique part of the state's environment. From giant volcanoes to rare animal habitats, these places are important for science and nature.
| Name | Image | Date | Location | Borough | Ownership | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aniakchak Crater |  |
1967 | 56°54′21″N 158°12′32″W / 56.905833°N 158.208889°W | Lake and Peninsula Borough | Federal | This huge volcanic caldera is part of the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve. It last erupted in 1931. It is one of the world's largest explosive craters and holds Surprise Lake. |
| Arrigetch Peaks |  |
1968 | 67°25′00″N 154°11′00″W / 67.416667°N 154.183333°W | Unorganized Borough | Federal | These tall granite peaks are in Gates of the Arctic National Park. They rise above valleys with tundra and forests. They show how rock types can change suddenly from metamorphic to granitic rock. |
| Bogoslof Island |  |
1967 | 53°55′38″N 168°02′04″W / 53.927222°N 168.034444°W | Unorganized Borough | Federal | This volcanic island has had new eruptions, even as recently as 1992. Bogoslof is a home for endangered Steller sea lions and many bird species. It is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range |  |
1968 | 61°00′02″N 163°00′02″W / 61.000556°N 163.000556°W | Unorganized Borough | Federal, state, private | This area has coastal and upland tundra with lakes and streams. It is a nesting ground for many bird species. These include black brant, cackling, and emperor geese. |
| Iliamna Volcano |  |
1976 | 60°02′00″N 153°04′00″W / 60.033333°N 153.066667°W | Kenai Peninsula Borough | Federal | This is an active stratovolcano with a summit that is 10,016-foot (3,053 m) high. It has at least 10 glaciers. It is a part of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. |
| Lake George |  |
1967 | 61°15′00″N 148°37′00″W / 61.25°N 148.616667°W | Unorganized Borough | Federal, state, private | When it was named a landmark, Lake George was the biggest glacier-dammed lake in North America. It was held back by the Knik Glacier. |
| Malaspina Glacier |  |
1968 | 59°55′09″N 140°31′58″W / 59.919167°N 140.532778°W | Yakutat City and Borough | Federal, state, private | Explorers have known about Malaspina for over 200 years. It is the largest piedmont glacier in North America. It is also one of the largest worldwide, outside of ice-cap regions. Most of it is in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. |
| McNeil River State Game Sanctuary |  |
1968 | 59°01′00″N 154°28′00″W / 59.016667°N 154.466667°W | Kenai Peninsula Borough | State | This is a permanent safe place for brown bears and other animals. Many bears gather here to fish in the McNeil River. This makes it a great place to watch them. |
| Mount Veniaminof |  |
1967 | 56°11′53″N 159°23′27″W / 56.198056°N 159.390833°W | Aleutians East Borough | Federal | Located in Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, Veniaminof has a large ice field inside its crater. This 25 square miles (64.75 km2) ice field is the biggest crater-glacier in the US. It also has an active volcanic vent. This glacial vent is the only one of its kind in North America. |
| Redoubt Volcano |  |
1976 | 60°29′07″N 152°44′35″W / 60.485278°N 152.743056°W | Kenai Peninsula Borough | Federal | This is an active stratovolcano in Lake Clark National Park. Among 76 major volcanoes in the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands, Redoubt is the second tallest. |
| Shishaldin Volcano |  |
1967 | 54°45′21″N 163°58′03″W / 54.755833°N 163.9675°W | Aleutians East Borough | Federal | Shishaldin is an explosive stratovolcano with a nearly perfect cone shape. It is located in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. It is the tallest volcano on Unimak Island. |
| Simeonof National Wildlife Refuge |  |
1968 | 54°53′41″N 159°16′26″W / 54.89479124°N 159.273751°W | Aleutians East Borough | Federal | This refuge provides a home for many mammals and birds. It also has perfect areas for sea otters to rest and gather, called hauling grounds. |
| Unga Island |  |
1968 | 55°15′38″N 160°41′42″W / 55.260556°N 160.695°W | Aleutians East Borough | State, private | Unga Island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It has petrified remains of an ancient sequoia or metasequoia forest. This forest was buried by volcanic activity long ago. These tree remains show what Alaska's environment and climate were like before humans arrived. |
| Walker Lake |  |
1968 | 67°07′36″N 154°21′47″W / 67.126667°N 154.363056°W | Northwest Arctic Borough | Federal, state, private | This mountain lake is at the northern edge of where forests grow. It shows a range of environments, from white spruce trees to rocky slopes. These slopes, called talus slopes, rise 2,000 feet (610 m) above the lake and have no plant growth. |
| Walrus Islands |  |
1968 | 57°10′57″N 169°56′49″W / 57.182617°N 169.946822°W | Unorganized Borough | State | This is the only important place in the US where male walruses gather to rest. It is also the southernmost main gathering area in the world for them. Seven islands make up the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary. |
| Worthington Glacier |  |
1968 | 61°10′13″N 145°45′48″W / 61.170278°N 145.763333°W | Unorganized Borough | State | Worthington Glacier is one of the easiest glaciers to reach by road in Alaska. It shows great examples of major glacier features. These range from the piles of rock at its end, called terminal moraines, to its snow-gathering areas, called accumulation zones. |
