For many, a trip to Alaska has the same pull as a far-flung vacation. As we anticipate the return of international travel, why not ease into things with a visit to the far reaches of our 49th state? Plus, Canada recently banned passenger ships in all its waters until 2022, cutting off the only route to Alaska by sea. That means it’s likely that many of the state’s most touristed parks, like Glacier Bay, will see far fewer visitors this summer.
While much of Alaska is hard to reach and inhospitable, it has a whopping two dozen parks and preserves overseen by the National Park Service that are easy to navigate with enough preparation. We picked five sites that showcase the best of the state and included tips on what to do and where to post up while you’re there. The best times to visit land between mid-June and September, so it’s time to start planning.