alaska-state-parks

Kachemak Bay State Park — 400,000 roadless acres across the bay from Homer — offers the Grewingk Glacier hike, sea kayaking, brown bears, and some of the best accessible backcountry on the Kenai Peninsula.

Alaska has the largest state park system in the US. Here's your complete guide to the best parks near Anchorage, how to camp them, and what to expect in 2026.

Guide to Alaska State Parks near Anchorage: Chugach State Park trails, Eklutna Lake kayaking and biking, and Portage Valley day-trip options for 2026.

132 lakes linked by portage trails, one hour north of Anchorage. Alaska's best flatwater canoe camping, loons, and backcountry lake sites.

Two hours north of Anchorage, Denali State Park offers stunning mountain views, Byers Lake camping, and the Kesugi Ridge Trail above the Alaska Range.

Bird Creek, Eklutna Lake, Chugach State Park backcountry, and Portage Valley: the best camping near Anchorage in 2026, with booking tips and bear safety.

Explore Chugach State Park near Anchorage in 2026: hiking all skill levels, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and wildlife watching in 495,000 acres.