Key national parks to visit this summer

Alaska is known for rugged mountains, towering glaciers, wildlife, knockout views and its eight national parks. Here are some of our favorites:

Katmai National Park and Preserve, located by King Salmon, offers opportunities to view bear and spawning salmon. Additionally, a new boardwalk across the Brooks River is currently being constructed.

Kenai Fjords National Park, located near Seward, spans over 587,000 acres and is crowned by the massive Harding Icefield.

Kobuk Valley National Park, located above the Arctic Circle, boasts 25 square miles of towering sand dunes and allows visitors to watch for one of the largest caribou herds.

– Sami Jo Lewis, The Alaska 100