Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Source: https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:20
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Find Your Way Into Alaska State Parks...
Explore the outdoors...
See the history...
Discover the majesty...
Annual
Passes
Public Use
Cabins
Park and
Trail Maps
Latest
News
A System of Dreams
That's what Neil Johannsen, the longest-serving director
of Alaska State Parks, calls the state agency that started out simply—the result of
the dreams of a few hardy individuals—and now oversees more than 156 park units
from Alaska's far north to the tips of Southeast. Alaska's park system encompasses
some three-million acres of land and water; by far the most acreage of any state
park system in the country.
Learn more about our State Parks History
Explore
Northern
With 16 state parks spanning 400 square miles the Northern Region provides plenty of room to play and learn. During long summer days, folks float rivers, cool off in area lakes, go camping and fishing, hike through forests, spend time at public use cabins, or take in Alaska history at Big Delta State Historical Park.
Go to the Northern Region
Mat-Su Valley and Copper River Basin
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley area parks make up some of the most popular outdoor destinations of all the Alaska State Parks system. Park areas within this region extend as far North as Denali State Park, and as far south as the Little Susitna River.
Go to the Mat-Su Valley Region
.
Chugach
Chugach State Park is located in Southcentral Alaska mostly within the Municipality of Anchorage. The park contains approximately 495,000 acres of land and is one of the four largest state parks in the United States.
Go to Chugach State Park
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai-Prince William Sound Region state parks offer world class recreation opportunities. The recreation opportunities are as diverse as the geography and include opportunities to sportfish on the Kenai River, hike in Kachemak Bay State Park, kayak in the state marine parks in Prince William Sound, and rent a public use cabin in Resurrection Bay. The opportunities in these state parks are only limited by your imagination.
Go to the Kenai-Prince William Sound Region
Kodiak Island
There are six state parks in and around Kodiak Island. Ft. Abercrombie State Historical Park, Buskin River State Recreation Site, and Pasagshak River State Recreation Site are on the Kodiak road system. Shuyak Island State Park, Afognak Island State Park, and Woody Island State Recreation Site are accessible by boat or float plane.
Go to the Kodiak Island Region
Southwest
The Southwest Region covers Kodiak Island area State Parks and Wood-Tikchik State Park/Lake Aleknagik State Recreation Site.
Go to the Southwest Region
Southeast
The Southeast state parks are located within the Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest national forest, which covers most of Southeast Alaska and surrounds the famous Inside Passage. The various parks offer chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of "wild" Alaska. From these parks, you can hike near glaciers or on boardwalk trails, fish in streams or the ocean, or just relax at a remote cabin.
Go to the Southeast Region
Donate To
Alaska State Parks
Latest News Release:
Alaska State Parks to Release 2026 Parking Pass
And, parking fees waived day after Thanksgiving
November 21, 2025 (Anchorage, AK)
- Alaska State Parks announces the 2026 Annual Parking Pass release and free parking at all park facilities on Friday, Nov. 28, to encourage Alaskans to get outside during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend...
Read more
More News:
9/5/25
Neil Johannsen Presents the First 25 Years of Alaska State Parks
8/25/25
Director's Order Regarding Closure of the Rodak Loop Trail Chugach State Park
4/18/25
Chugach State Park Earth Day Clean-Up Event at Thunderbird Falls
2/24/25
Alaska State Parks Introduces Two New Cabins in Kodiak
2/24/25
State Parks combining Citizen Advisory Boards in Southeast Alaska
2/3/25
Alaska State Parks Introduces Two New Cabins in Kodiak
All news
Volunteer
Alaska State Parks depends on volunteers to help manage and maintain our parks.
Volunteers provide services that would not otherwise be offered. In turn, volunteers
receive valuable training and experience for their service. There are several facets to
the VIP program. Perhaps one of them is right for you!
Click for more
Mission Statement
"The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor recreation opportunities
and conserves and interprets natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use,
enjoyment, and welfare of the people."
Accessibility Notice
Donate To
Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Atwood Building
550 West 7th Avenue
Suite 1380
Anchorage, AK 99501
DNR Public Information Center:
(907) 269-8400
Find Your Way Into Alaska State Parks...
Explore the outdoors...
See the history...
Discover the majesty...
Annual
Passes
Public Use
Cabins
Park and
Trail Maps
Latest
News
A System of Dreams
That's what Neil Johannsen, the longest-serving director
of Alaska State Parks, calls the state agency that started out simply—the result of
the dreams of a few hardy individuals—and now oversees more than 156 park units
from Alaska's far north to the tips of Southeast. Alaska's park system encompasses
some three-million acres of land and water; by far the most acreage of any state
park system in the country.
Learn more about our State Parks History
Explore
Northern
With 16 state parks spanning 400 square miles the Northern Region provides plenty of room to play and learn. During long summer days, folks float rivers, cool off in area lakes, go camping and fishing, hike through forests, spend time at public use cabins, or take in Alaska history at Big Delta State Historical Park.
Go to the Northern Region
Mat-Su Valley and Copper River Basin
The Matanuska-Susitna Valley area parks make up some of the most popular outdoor destinations of all the Alaska State Parks system. Park areas within this region extend as far North as Denali State Park, and as far south as the Little Susitna River.
Go to the Mat-Su Valley Region
.
Chugach
Chugach State Park is located in Southcentral Alaska mostly within the Municipality of Anchorage. The park contains approximately 495,000 acres of land and is one of the four largest state parks in the United States.
Go to Chugach State Park
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai-Prince William Sound Region state parks offer world class recreation opportunities. The recreation opportunities are as diverse as the geography and include opportunities to sportfish on the Kenai River, hike in Kachemak Bay State Park, kayak in the state marine parks in Prince William Sound, and rent a public use cabin in Resurrection Bay. The opportunities in these state parks are only limited by your imagination.
Go to the Kenai-Prince William Sound Region
Kodiak Island
There are six state parks in and around Kodiak Island. Ft. Abercrombie State Historical Park, Buskin River State Recreation Site, and Pasagshak River State Recreation Site are on the Kodiak road system. Shuyak Island State Park, Afognak Island State Park, and Woody Island State Recreation Site are accessible by boat or float plane.
Go to the Kodiak Island Region
Southwest
The Southwest Region covers Kodiak Island area State Parks and Wood-Tikchik State Park/Lake Aleknagik State Recreation Site.
Go to the Southwest Region
Southeast
The Southeast state parks are located within the Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest national forest, which covers most of Southeast Alaska and surrounds the famous Inside Passage. The various parks offer chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and the breath-taking vistas of "wild" Alaska. From these parks, you can hike near glaciers or on boardwalk trails, fish in streams or the ocean, or just relax at a remote cabin.
Go to the Southeast Region
Donate To
Alaska State Parks
Latest News Release:
Alaska State Parks to Release 2026 Parking Pass
And, parking fees waived day after Thanksgiving
November 21, 2025 (Anchorage, AK)
- Alaska State Parks announces the 2026 Annual Parking Pass release and free parking at all park facilities on Friday, Nov. 28, to encourage Alaskans to get outside during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend...
Read more
More News:
9/5/25
Neil Johannsen Presents the First 25 Years of Alaska State Parks
8/25/25
Director's Order Regarding Closure of the Rodak Loop Trail Chugach State Park
4/18/25
Chugach State Park Earth Day Clean-Up Event at Thunderbird Falls
2/24/25
Alaska State Parks Introduces Two New Cabins in Kodiak
2/24/25
State Parks combining Citizen Advisory Boards in Southeast Alaska
2/3/25
Alaska State Parks Introduces Two New Cabins in Kodiak
All news
Volunteer
Alaska State Parks depends on volunteers to help manage and maintain our parks.
Volunteers provide services that would not otherwise be offered. In turn, volunteers
receive valuable training and experience for their service. There are several facets to
the VIP program. Perhaps one of them is right for you!
Click for more
Mission Statement
"The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation provides outdoor recreation opportunities
and conserves and interprets natural, cultural, and historic resources for the use,
enjoyment, and welfare of the people."
Accessibility Notice
Donate To
Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Atwood Building
550 West 7th Avenue
Suite 1380
Anchorage, AK 99501
DNR Public Information Center:
(907) 269-8400