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| Bear hunting salmon on Brooks Falls Trail at Katmai National Park. |
Beach Trail
Glacier Bay National Park
Families can encounter an array of marine wildlife on the Beach Trail at Glacier Bay National Park. The 1.5-mile round trip runs along Bartlett Cove in southeastern Alaska. There are only four trails total at the park, and children generally will find this the most interesting of them. Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends mark the best time to visit the park.
Brooks Falls Trail
Katmai National Park
Day hikers can watch gigantic brown bears fish for salmon on the Brooks Falls Trail at Katmai National Park. While the oft-photographed and filmed falls is the highlight of the 2.4-miles round trip out-and-back trail, getting to the national park is an adventure in itself. No roads lead to it, so you either must take a boat or air taxi, which requires advance planning and reservations several months in advance. July and the first half of September mark the best time to see fishing bears and to enjoy the fall slate of park services.
Horseshoe Lake Trail
Denali National Park
Though known for its backcountry trails through an expansive wilderness, Alaska’s Denali National Park offers natural quiet and the opportunity to spot wildlife right near its entrance. The 1.5-mile Horseshoe Lake Trail is one such day hike. An out-and-back trail, it runs 3-miles round trip.
BONUS: Best trails for seeing Glacier Bay’s wonders
Among the best ways to see Glacier Bay National Park’s top sights is via a day hike. Just a couple of short trails will allow you to spot some of the park’s marine animals and large North American land mammals. No hiking trails lead to the park’s famous tidewater glaciers, but many of them can be seen via cruise ship, tour vessel, chartered private boat, or accessed by sea kayak.
Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.
