When it comes to the state of Alaska, one thing is absolutely agreed upon by pretty much everyone: there is no shortage whatsoever of incredibly beautiful locations to choose from if you’re a lover of nature like we are. It’s difficult to narrow it down to only one, but just for fun, let’s take a look at one particularly stunning landscape on the southern tip of the Alaska panhandle.
Misty Fjords National Monument is an exquisite national treasure.
mark byzewski/Flickr It is located 22 miles east of Ketchikan, Alaska, and spans an incredible 2.3 million acres.
This breathtakingly beautiful fjord was officially established as a national monument in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter.
mark byzewski/Flickr Misty Fjords National Monument is the largest wilderness in Alaska’s national forests, and the second-largest wilderness in the United States.
It’s a little tougher to explore - one must do it by plane or by boat for the most part.
Daniel Reichert/Flickr Believe us when we tell you that it’s 150% worth the effort, though. The forests are dense, green and seemingly endless. The water is a serene blue. The entire area is a North American paradise.
Waterfalls carve their way through several spots throughout the fjords, fed by snow melt-off and highly consistent rain during the summer. The forests of the fjords are classified as rainforests.
mark byzewski/Flickr Once upon a time, enormous glaciers carved their way through this area, resulting in the 3,000 foot-high cliffs we see today. The cliffs continue into the depths of the water for another 1,000 or so feet.
No matter what time of year one chooses to visit, it’s undeniable that the Misty Fjords are insanely perfect no matter what.
mark byzewski/Flickr The nearly-constant misting of rain, the dense fogs that often blanket the fjord’s peaks, and the tranquil quiet other than the birds come together as a stew of reasons that this place will be your new favorite one from the very first moment you lay eyes on it.
Some birds you may hear (and see!) include hummingbirds, herons and bald eagles.
Miguel Octavio/Flickr Other wildlife to keep your eye out for include brown bears, mountain goats, moose, wolves, and even killer whales!
Visitors can do plenty of different things out here; kayaking, boat sightseeing tours, and walking trails are a dew. Some folks take air tours of the fjords to take it all in.
mike bryzewski/Flickr Of course, you could always simply sit back and absorb the incredible majesty of Alaska’s Misty Fjords.
If you’d like more information about the fjords, travel information, or anything else, we encourage you to visit Alaska’s forest service website.
mark byzewski/Flickr
It is located 22 miles east of Ketchikan, Alaska, and spans an incredible 2.3 million acres.
Misty Fjords National Monument is the largest wilderness in Alaska’s national forests, and the second-largest wilderness in the United States.
Daniel Reichert/Flickr
Believe us when we tell you that it’s 150% worth the effort, though. The forests are dense, green and seemingly endless. The water is a serene blue. The entire area is a North American paradise.
Once upon a time, enormous glaciers carved their way through this area, resulting in the 3,000 foot-high cliffs we see today. The cliffs continue into the depths of the water for another 1,000 or so feet.
The nearly-constant misting of rain, the dense fogs that often blanket the fjord’s peaks, and the tranquil quiet other than the birds come together as a stew of reasons that this place will be your new favorite one from the very first moment you lay eyes on it.
Miguel Octavio/Flickr
Other wildlife to keep your eye out for include brown bears, mountain goats, moose, wolves, and even killer whales!
mike bryzewski/Flickr
Of course, you could always simply sit back and absorb the incredible majesty of Alaska’s Misty Fjords.
Have you ever visited Alaska? What natural wonder took your breath away? Tell us your stories in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Misty Fjords Cir, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
