As you plan your trip to Alaska, be mindful of the advice in the introduction. To improve your experience of the natural vistas and wildlife, you need to spend as much time as possible in the best places. For the most part, those “best places” are the US and Canadian national parks. Denali, Glacier Bay, Kluane, Tombstone, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, Misty Fjords, Gates of the Arctic. These are magical places.
These are places where the forces that shape our planet are on show, day by day, hour by hour. Pick itineraries that give you the most time in the parks you want to visit. There are a number of picture books and guidebooks for each park. Here is a sample of those available online:
For Denali: In Denali: A Photographic Essay Of Denali National Park And Preserve Alaska
by Kim Heacox.
For Glacier Bay: Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
,
For Yukon’s amazing Kluane Park: Kluane National Park Hiking Guide
.
For the “Marine Denali”, Exploring Alaska’s Kenai Fjords
.
There are also National Park Service publications available on the various parks.
Our highest recommendation goes to Denali: A Literary Anthology
. This excellent compilation takes you through the myths and legends, early exploration, adventure stories and fascinating commentary about Denali National Park. Because Denali will likely be a centerpiece for your vacation, this is a must-read. You will thoroughly enjoy it.
