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National parks are at the heart of our Alaska trips. Kenai Fjords, Denali, Glacier Bay, Katmai… Whether you reach them by land on an Alaska national park tour, or by sea on an Alaska national park cruise, we offer the best access, exclusivity and wilderness experience aboard these small ship and wilderness lodge stays.
Skip the crowds and see Alaska national parks at their best, most remote reaches. Learn about choosing an Alaska national park cruise or tour here, then contact our expert team for a more personalized recommendation.
ON THIS PAGE – Alaska National Park Tours:
Cruise or Land Tour?
Glacier Bay Alaska National Park Cruises
Kenai Fjords National Park Tours
Denali Alaska National Park ToursKatmai National Park Tours
Lake Clark National Park Tours
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Choosing an Alaska National Park Cruise or Land-Based Tour?
A primer on choosing your Alaska National Park tour or cruise is to understand the diverse landscape of Alaska, and the distances between many of these Alaska national parks.
In some Alaska national parks like Glacier Bay, access is nearly exclusively by ship (unless you flightsee). So even if you choose to stay on land at a lodge versus overnight aboard a ship, you will still take dayboats to explore the park. So oftentimes an overnight cruise is simply more efficient.
At Katmai National Park, your access is via floatplane. You must fly on a floatplane to embark your ship or stay at a lodge in the park. While for a Lake Clark Alaska national parks tour, you’ll arrive via bush plane.
To visit Denali, you’re looking at a combo of cars, buses and trains to access this Alaska national park deep in Alaska’s interior. No cruises here! Although we can easily plan cruises that include Denali National Park before or after the main cruise itinerary begins or ends.
Anchorage is the hub for Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Lake Clark and Denali Alaska national park tours, while Southeast Alaska’s town of Gustavus is the main gateway for Glacier Bay explorations.
Due to the remoteness of each park, some are more difficult than others to combine together into one trip. Our team of Adventure Specialists are adept at making combination Alaska national park cruise itineraries and tours. Let us help you access an Alaska national parks tour with efficiency and ease.
Alaska National Parks Tours – Details of Each Park
While there are 8 national parks in the state, our Alaska national parks tours focus on 5 key parks that offer the most abundant wildlife, ease of access and best boutique wilderness lodges and small ships that match our curated collections worldwide. Learn a bit more about each park and the cruise and land tour itineraries you’ll find there:
Glacier Bay Alaska National Park Cruises
Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska is our most popular Alaska cruise destination, and we offer a Glacier Bay cruise or tour for every travel style and budget (more than 20 trips to choose from!). The park covers over three million acres with open ocean and fjord coastlines spanning most of its perimeter. It is famed for its beauty, notably witnessed by John Muir in 1897 and afterwards a long line of distinguished scientists and naturalists. Small ships here can best access many of the coves and landings around these hundreds of miles. Access is nearly exclusively by ship (unless you flightsee), and we offer many diverse itineraries to explore this national treasure.
VIEW ALL GLACIER BAY
CRUISES & TOURS
See the full list of trips to Glacier Bay Alaska
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Kenai Fjords Alaska National Park Tours
Covering almost 670,000 acres, Kenai Fjords National Park sits on the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral Alaska, near the town of Seward south of Anchorage. Over 50% of the park is covered in ice, with nearly 40 glaciers flowing from the Harding Icefield, Kenai Fjords’ crowning feature. AdventureSmith’s Kenai Fjords National Park tour itineraries are based at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, the only lodge located within the park boundaries, accessed only by dayboat. Our overnight Kenai National Park cruise itineraries range from short 5-day cruises exploring the park, to epic expeditions across the Aleutians to Japan.
As with all our trips worldwide, the best Kenai Fjords tours are those that explore away from the crowds. Thus, we do not offer any day-only Kenai Fjords tours.
- Kenai Fjords Backcountry Exploreris our itinerary dedicated to best exploring Kenai Fjords. From a spectacular setting on the shore of a protected lagoon in full view of Pedersen Glacier, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge provides an excellent array of activity choices, including kayaking, and bountiful opportunities for wildlife viewing.
- Alaska Wildland Collectioncovers more of the Kenai Peninsula beyond the national park. Raft the Kenai River, explore and hike the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park and then return to Anchorage by the historic Alaska Railroad.
- Ultimate Alaska Adventuretakes adventure to a higher level with more included activities. This trip pairs backcountry adventure and wild Alaska by sea kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park, flying via helicopter onto a glacial snowpack, taking a floatplane journey to a remote mountain lake, horseback riding in Chugach National Forest, riding the Alaska Railroad and more.
- Alaska Coast to Denali Adventure& Alaska Grand Adventureare options to visit two Alaska national parks: Kenai Fjords and Denali. Cruise to Kenai, visit Denali, then return via historic Alaska railroad. Plus rafting and optional flightseeing!
- Sea Star Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise is a 5-day cruise devoted fully to Kenai Fjords National Park tours by boat, hike and kayak. No set itinerary allows the captain to explore the best locations each week.
Denali Alaska National Park Tours
In addition to the last two trips above that also include Kenai Fjords National Park, there are of course numerous Denali-focused trips that hone in on exploring Alaska’s interior wilderness. Learn more about visiting Denali National Park in our dedicated post on the park and its many tours. There’s so much to say that this Alaska national park has its own dedicated page on our website!
ALL ABOUT DENALI
Learn how to visit & see all our trips
HOW TO VISIT DENALI
Katmai National Park Tours & Cruises
Katmai has Alaska’s most famous bear viewing. And it’s all about floatplanes on Katmai National Park tours, making accessing this Alaska National Park a big part of the fun and an authentic Alaskan experience. Look to these cruises and land tours to see this park at its finest:
- Great Alaskan Grizzly Encounter – This is the premier way to most intimately explore the park with a focus on viewing brown bears. Just 8 guests sail aboard this expedition ship, with pre- and post-cruise time in Kodiak.
- Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari – This comprehensive tour visits a few national parks, including 2 days of floatplane-accessed bear viewing at either Brooks Falls or via a private bear camp in Lake Clark National Park. At Brooks Falls your guide uniquely reveals nature paths nearby to the bear-viewing platform, to explore farther than most visitors.
Lake Clark National Park Tours
Lake Clark is less famous than the previous four Alaska national park tour locations. Why? It’s a roadless wilderness! But all the better for travelers seeking the most wilderness-focused Alaskan national park tour. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve’s 4 million protected acres are the ancestral homelands of the Dena’ina people. This pristine, intact ecosystem sits at the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world. Trips here are accessed from chartered bush planes that take you from Homer across the Cook Inlet.
- Alaska Bear Camp Adventure – This remote, off-the-grid Alaskan national park lodge hosts just 14 guests for an unparalleled immersion in wild bear habitat. This is the Alaska national parks tour for those who want premier bear viewing in one of the most off-the-beaten-path parks.
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MORE ALASKA RESOURCES:
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Best Time to Visit Alaska
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Visiting Denali National Park
This Alaska National Parks cruise & land tour recap is amongAdventureSmithExplorations’ extensive travel resources. Contact us for more tips & real-time availability for planning your Alaskan national park tour.
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Testimonials
Alaska National Parks Tour Reviews
Carl D. - Rochester Hills, MI
"We Felt Like We Were the Guest of a Modern Mark Twain"
The Discovery cruise bypassed everything we didn't care for on the large cruise ship and packed our days with activities and sights that made us want to return to Alaska. The personal service and camaraderie were an added bonus! On each of our excursions, Captain Dean had a story to tell about the natural history of the area or a colorful figure who had previously explored/visited there. We felt like we were the guest of a modern Mark Twain.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
4 /5
Meals
4 /5
Read More
Laurie C. - Aken, SC
"This Trip Far Exceeded My Expectations"
This trip far exceeded my expectations. Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge was a real treat. The beauty of the place, combined with it's excellent staff, comfortable housing with outstanding views, wonderful food with homemade cookies/breads and wilderness setting made it a memorable experience.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Read More
Marilyn M. - Washington, DC
"The Wildlife Spotting Made it Worth the Trip"
We had a TERRIFIC National Park guides. The number 1 experience was the Glacier Bay National Park, and number 2 was Denali National Park. Both segments of the trip were well organized and superb and very relaxing. Imagine being away from cell phones and Internet for days at a time... and not minding at all!!
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Read More
Elise J. - Tallahassee, FL
"Loved the Small Ship Experience"
We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations. So glad we did.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
4 /5
Meals
4 /5
Read More
Kira L. - Kensington, MD
"Gorgeous Mountain Views, Lots of Wildlife & Glaciers"
Most enjoyed Glacier Bay National Park with gorgeous mountain views, lots of wildlife, and glaciers. Liked the variety of activities available from strenuous hikes for the super fit to easy ambles for the less ambitious.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Read More
Robert R. - Santee, CA
"Brooks Camp Was a Marvel"
Overall the trip was just fantastic. Even though it was still two weeks until the beginning of peak bear season with the return of salmon there were still regular bear visits all around camp and the trails.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Read More
Melissa A. - Tallahassee, FL
"Pristine Quality of the Wilderness"
The care this company has given to preserving the pristine quality of the wilderness while still showing clients the best the area has to offer, and a comfortable stay is really top drawer.
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
4 /5
Read More
Carl D. - Rochester Hills, MI
"We Felt Like We Were the Guest of a Modern Mark Twain"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
4 /5
Meals
4 /5
Note that this review also includes comments on the traveler’sCamp Denali Adventure withAdventureSmithExplorations.
This was certainly one of the top three trips we have taken in our 35 years we have been married. I'm waiting a while to put it into perspective, but it is probably the top one. I will be recommending the Discovery cruise in particular to my travelling friends! Camp Denali and especially the Discovery crew went out of their way to personalize our experience, make sure we were taken care of, and adjusting daily itineraries to account for the weather. We got to see beautiful scenery, wildlife, and learned a lot about the places and animals we were seeing.
We visited Alaska on our honeymoon 35 years ago and wanted to get back to see Denali and tidewater glaciers (we saw Glacier Bay from large cruise ship). We were among 20 people on the cruise ship outside when that ship visited Glacier Bay, and found the focus on entertainment, shopping, and eating was not our style. The Discovery cruise bypassed everything we didn't care for on the large cruise ship and packed our days with activities and sights that made us want to return to Alaska. The personal service and camaraderie were an added bonus!
Accommodations Review
Discovery - small cabin (we knew that going in), adequate common area; overall experience well worth the tight fit.
Meals Review
Discovery - loved the seafood; cook was challenged by our special dietary requests (no cheese; eggs OK as ingredient, but not separate dish).
Crew & Guides Review
Discovery - Captain Dean's years of experience on Prince William Sound was evident as the weatherdirected our itinerary. He found sheltered coves and fjords where we calmly enjoyed hikes, kayaking, and sightseeing from the boat, while across the Sound we could see swells crashing into other islands. On each of our excursions, Dean had a story to tell about the natural history of the area or a colorful figure who had previously explored/visited there. We felt like we were the guest of a modern Mark Twain.
Transportation Review
Transportation went smoothly.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Pre-trip communication was timely and accurate. Your packing lists were spot-on. We combined two of the AdventureSmith offerings into a single trip. I usually book trips on my own, after exhaustive internet research. This trip involved combining two trips with limited start and end dates. AdventureSmith helped ensure that the trips were compatible and also worked with me to adjust the itineraries for some self-directed travel at the beginning of the trip. I also appreciate the reassurances that AdventureSmith provided when wildfires threatened some of the transportation plans. They assured me that they were in daily contact with the service providers and that backup plans were available in case there were any disruptions.
Traveler Advice
DO IT! We spent three years vacation budget on this trip. And it was worth it! The five day trip on the Discovery was a good length. I would have enjoyed an additional day. I think I would have been disappointed with a 3-day/2-night trip, in that it would have been hard to get in enough of the activities that we enjoyed so much. (Like eating an appetizer when you want a full meal).
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Featured in this Traveler Review
- Prince William Sound Discovery
- M/V Discovery
- Camp Denali Adventure
- Camp Denali
Laurie C. - Aken, SC
"This Trip Far Exceeded My Expectations"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
This trip far exceeded my expectations.Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge was a real treat. The beauty of the place, combined with it's excellent staff, comfortable housing with outstanding views, wonderful food with homemade cookies/breads and wilderness setting made it a memorable experience.The perfect weather for our kayak trip to the glacier didn't hurt either.
Meals Review
I expected the food would be commercial, cafeteria quality. I was astounded at the presentation, options and taste considering the remote locations of the lodges.The ginger molasses cookies at the Kenai Lodge were the best!Kudos to the baker.
Crew & Guides Review
Chennery F. was excellent.She was very personable and knowledgeable. She also quickly "read" the group and gave just the right amount of information regarding what we were seeing or doing without droning on and on like some guides do. All of the staff at Kenai was excellent. Garth was exceptional.He was so friendly and helpful and always had a smile on his face, which is hard to do at the end of the tourist season.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
The packing list was very helpful.Andrew answered all of our questions regarding the trip prior to booking and was helpful with modifying our itinerary.
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Featured in this Traveler Review
- Alaska Coast to Denali Adventure
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Marilyn M. - Washington, DC
"The Wildlife Spotting Made it Worth the Trip"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
The number 1 experience was the Glacier Bay National Park section of our "un-cruise" on the Wilderness Explorer because of the variety of activities: hiking, kayaking, wildlife spotting - just one thing after another. We had a TERRIFIC National Park guides. Number 2 best experience was Denali National Park. The highlight was the presentation at the Kantishna Roadhouse on dog sledding and the Iditarod by Emmett, whose Dad has won the Iditarod four times. It was informative and entertaining, and then he took us out back to meet the sled dogs in training - all rescue animals! The least enjoyable part was the LONG bus ride - over six hours into and out of Denali. But the stay at Kantishna Roadhouse and the wildlife spotting made it worth the trip. Both segments of the trip were well organized and superb and very relaxing. Imagine being away from cell phones and Internet for days at a time..and not minding at all!! And we were also blessed with remarkably good weather for August.
Accommodations Review
The cabins at Kantishna were quite comfortable. The cabin on the Wilderness Explorer was fine, good shower pressure and lots of storage space (!) in our Trailblazer cabin.
Meals Review
All meals, at both Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali and onboard the ship were EXCELLENT. I particularly liked the fact that each night on the ship we were offered a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian.
Crew & Guides Review
At Kantishna, we had no principal trip leader. Took two easy hikes. Particularly enjoyed the second one with Darryl along an old mining road. On board the Wilderness Explorer, the chief activity honcho was well organized but a seemed a bit distant at times. Very adequately supported by an excellent team: Jeremy, Julie, Hannah, Jen, Debi...sorry if I have left anyone out! They were all great!
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Chris managed my Denali extension and also the Wilderness Explorer booking. He was immediately responsive to my questions and gave full and helpful answers. Wedded the two trips together seamlessly. We especially appreciated the Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau - very centrally located and nice rooms.
Traveler Advice
Take along your sense of adventure and be willing to leave the world at home behind...then you can really enjoy it!
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Denali Backcountry Explorer
- Kantishna Roadhouse
Elise J. - Tallahassee, FL
"Loved the Small Ship Experience"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
4 /5
Meals
4 /5
We booked our trip through AdventureSmith after reading online evaluations. So glad we did. This was our first cruise and we wondered about booking directly through an operator versus involving an additional layer with AdventureSmith. We would do it again, as we found AdventureSmith to be definitely value added in every way. Our Adventure Specialist was endlessly helpful and patient, booking the cruise for 8 people ages 6 to 73, coming from 3 different locations, and required vegetarian and gluten free menus for several.
We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special.
Our fellow passengers were personable and well matched. I think the nature of the trip, with Nat Geo, attracts passengers with similar interests very well, so the group was simpatico. There were also several other children in the mix which was good for the kids in our group.
Accommodations Review
The Sea Bird is a small ship, so naturally accommodations were small, but we enjoyed the limited number of passengers and ability to know crew and staff.
Meals Review
Good variety and accommodation for special food needs of the vegetarians, small child and gluten free passengers in our group.
Crew & Guides Review
Rab, the group leader, was engaging, knowledgeable and always enthusiastic. He also was excellent at addressing individual requests. We enjoyed Kyle, the bartender, who was always welcoming and especially attentive to the 6 and 8-year-olds on our trip. The naturalists Andy and Jared were outstanding both in their expertise and their willingness to socialize with guests and answer all questions.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Our Adventure Specialist was exceptionally helpful during our rather more complicated preparations involving travelers from 3 locations and various ages and special needs. She was always available for any questions. She also successfully managed to have a lost item returned to us after the cruise. Any travel issues prior to departure were addressed by AdventureSmith expeditiously and knowledgeably. An A plus experience.
Traveler Advice
No kidding, you really do need the rubber boots! It is a temperate rain forest environment, so just bring the wet gear and know that rain or shine it will be a fabulous destination.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness
- National Geographic Sea Bird
Kira L. - Kensington, MD
"Gorgeous Mountain Views, Lots of Wildlife & Glaciers"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Had the best humpback whale watching of my three trips to SE Alaska. Liked the variety of activities available from strenuous hikes for the super fit to easy ambles for the less ambitious. Lots of kayaking too.
Most enjoyed Glacier Bay National Park with gorgeous mountain views, lots of wildlife, and glaciers. The weather was great as a bonus. Enjoyed the river trip at Haines with the chance to see lots of bald eagles. Olympic National Park was another highlight, just wish the weather had been better when we went to Hurricane Ridge where we really couldn't see any distance. Least enjoyed the stop in Ketchikan, maybe because I've been there twice before and it always rains hard, not just the misty rain which is to be expected in Alaska and adds an appropriate atmosphere.
Accommodations Review
I had sailed on Wilderness Discoverer before, so it was like coming home again.
Meals Review
The breakfast bacon on UnCruise ships is the best in the world, and I always eat more on my trips than I do all year at home. A big plate of perfectly ripe fruit available at the pre-breakfast made it easier to resist the two baked offerings that were there too. The variety and imaginative combinations of ingredients--who knew you could do so much with kale! Impressive how the single gluten intolerant guest had her requirements met at every meal.
Crew & Guides Review
Kelly was enthusiastic beyond words, and very knowledgeable. Our guide at Glacier Bay National Park who spent two days with us was a pleasure to have along, and I think she enjoyed us as much as we did her (sorry don't have her name) because we were a very receptive audience for all the information she had to share.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
Adventure Specialist Andrew has arranged all my trips over the years, and he is as good as it gets. He even advised on which side of the ship was a better choice of cabin on this trip, and he was spot on.
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Featured in this Traveler Review
- Wilderness Discoverer
- UnCruise Adventures
Robert R. - Santee, CA
"Brooks Camp Was a Marvel"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
5 /5
Overall the trip was just fantastic. Brooks camp was a marvel. Even though it was still two weeks until the beginning of peak bear season with the return of salmon there were still regular bear visits all around camp and the trails. Also, some wonderful bald eagle sightings.
Accommodations Review
The cabins were comfortable and set in a beautiful landscape.
Meals Review
The food was beyond delicious and served buffet style so all you can eat.
Crew & Guides Review
The camp staff were friendly and attentive. The National Park staff were also tremendously informative and generous with their knowledge. The flights on Katmai Air were pleasant and the staff were wonderful.
Transportation Review
This was well handled. But, information that check-in for the Katmai Air flight from Anchorage requires only to be within 30 minutes of departure would be helpful.
AdventureSmith Explorations Review
I was prepared well and was well informed. I have already recommended this trip to family.
Traveler Advice
Be prepared for quick changes in weather conditions.
Learn More
Featured in this Traveler Review
- Brooks Lodge
Melissa A. - Tallahassee, FL
"Pristine Quality of the Wilderness"
Overall
5 /5
Accommodations
5 /5
Meals
4 /5
Alaska Wildland Adventures is a top notch company. All employees were excited about their jobs, friendly, helpful, eager to share their knowledge about the area, wildlife, etc.. The care this company has given to preserving the pristine quality of the wilderness while still showing clients the best the area has to offer, and a comfortable stay is really top drawer.
Accommodations Review
The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge was gorgeous! Very impressive facility, in a breathtaking environment. Wildlife sightings very exciting. Activities were well planned, with excellent and knowledgeable guides. Backcountry Lodge was excellent in every way with the exception of the challenge of not having bathrooms in the individual cabins.Hiking to the bathroom in the middle of the night (in a place where they were concerned about bear encounters !) might be OKat scout camp, but not so much as a middle age or older adult.
Crew & Guides Review
Elias was very thoughtful, pleasant, knowledgeable, in every way a perfect gentleman, constantly showing awareness and thoughtful concern for the welfare, comfort, and pleasure of his clients.
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Featured in this Traveler Review
- Alaska Wildland Collection
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
- Kenai Backcountry Lodge
- Kenai Riverside Lodge
- Alaska Wildland Adventures
