Alaska: Escape The Heat For Your Summer Vacation
Many people think of a summer vacation as lying on a beach in a tropical climate sipping fancy drinks, but if you’re one of those who prefer to get away from the heat and try something a little different, summer is the perfect time to visit the wilds of Alaska.
Into The Alaska Wild
If you want to check out the abundance of wildlife in Alaska, Travel Alaska recommends wildlife refuges or parks for your best chances to see bears, caribou, Dall sheep, or a moose. For safety, you’ll definitely want to use binoculars or a telephoto lens on your camera to get close-up views and photos, and around dawn and dusk are the best times to view most wildlife. As an added bonus, that’s also the best lighting for stunning photos.
But you’re not just limited to land-based wildlife in Alaska, as you can take day cruises to go whale watching and view the sea otters and spot puffins. Whether by land or by sea, don’t forget the many varieties of birds in Alaska, including bald eagles.
Alaska Ecotourism
No matter where you travel, leaving a small footprint is important to preserving nature’s great wonders, but especially in such a pristine environment as Alaska. Be sure to heed any warnings about campfires and stay on established paths to prevent any damage to vegetation.
As the world’s vast wildernesses disappear more and more every year, be sure to do your part to preserve great wonders such as Alaska for future generations. A vacation to Alaska is a great chance to pass on your appreciation for nature and the wilderness to the next generation.
A Park Everywhere You Go
Did you know that more than half of national and state parks in the United States are found in Alaska alone? With 333 million acres of public lands, you can certainly find a park that suits whatever kind of outdoor activities you enjoy, whether it be camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, mountain climbing, or just trying some nature photography. You can even find some of the largest glaciers on earth, and did you know that Alaska boasts ancient rain forests?
For national parks, you can see some of those glaciers if you visit Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, which is a 30-minute plane ride from Juneau. Alaska also features North America’s tallest peak, Denali, at the appropriately named Denali National Park and Preserve, which is easily accessible by road from the major cities of Anchorage or Fairbanks.
At the state level, Alaska has 123 parks, which range from a tiny half an acre to a whopping 1.6 million acres. Some other activities in Alaska’s state parks include rock climbing, horseback riding, ATVs, and even panning for gold. You can rent a cabin to get back to nature and detox from the urban jungle of everyday life.
Likewise, Totem Bight State Historical Park in Ketchikan boasts an impressive collection of historic totem poles. And in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, you can see the historic Kennecott Copper Mine, which towers above the landscape with a backdrop of Alaska’s mountains.
Getting Around Alaska
Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best, and simply driving around the natural wonders of Alaska can be breathtaking. You can also take cruises or tours on private yachts. Don’t forget that not only can air taxis take you to your destination much quicker than driving or where your car can’t even go, but they can provide spectacular views of the landscape as well.
For a real treat, book a ride on the Alaska Railroad, which offers a scenic 467-mile route, including double-decker glass-domed cars, giving you a full view of the passing terrain and mountains.
Alaska makes a refreshing alternative to crowded beaches, overpriced fruity drinks, and tourist traps. So breathe the fresh air and reconnect with nature with an Alaska getaway this summer.
[Image via Shutterstock]
