▲Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is in the Alaska panhandle, west of Juneau.

▲Six million acres of wild land makes up the stunningly stark Denali National Park and Preserve.

▲For the adventurous, a kayak trip from Valdez to Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound is the ultimate outdoor excursion.

▲Turnagain Arm, a pristine waterway into the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska.

▲Mist burnished by a golden sunrise on Serenity Lake, near Freundly and Loon islands.

▲This graceful bird is the heaviest waterfowl native to North America.

▲Glacier Bay and its surrounding mountains and glaciers are natural wonders of Alaska's Inside Passage region.

▲A very large brown bear subspecies, these colossal beasts lives in the coastal regions of southern Alaska.

▲The eerie and silent beauty of the Mendenhall Ice Caves.

▲Cruise passengers line up on deck for a grandstand view of the Margerie Glacier.

▲The fabulous Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, make any winter visit to the state a truly memorable experience.

▲Cute and cuddly, the northern sea otter is found in the waters off southern Alaska coastal regions.

▲At the top of every Alaska-bound tourist's wish list is an opportunity to see this majestic raptor in the wild.

▲Scenic Phelan Creek embraces a serpentine stream near Rainbow Mountain and Rainy Mountain.

▲Native American totems and clan houses located at Totem Bight State Historic Site.

▲The marina at Ketchikan bustles with fishing boats and pleasure crafts.

▲This handsome seabird nests in colonies on Alaska's coastlines and islands.

▲The vast, deep fjord is located on Alaska's southeast coast.

▲One of the most relaxing ways to see Alaska is by the scenic White Pass and Yukon Route railroad.

▲A cruise ship at port in Juneau. Cruise tourism is a huge industry, and Alaska remains a prime, year-round destination.

▲The annual salmon run is the most rewarding time to view bears in the wild.

▲Alaska's peaks are some of the highest and most dramatic in North America.

▲Colorful Creek Street, the town's historic boardwalk.

▲The jaw-dropping view from the challenging Mount Marathon trail.

▲The paved Edgerton Highway to Chitina is a minor road with a grand perspective. The Wrangell Mountains loom large in the distance.

▲The sleek but deadly Orca is a common sight in Alaskan waters.

▲Witnessing one of these gentle giants breaching almost entirely out of the water is a highlight for many visiting this part of the world.

▲A picture perfect image of the Russian-orthodox church of the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

▲Traditionally styled houses located over a river.

▲Several wildlife tour operators arrange excursions to see these noble and endangered animals in their natural habitat.

▲The sky turns lilac and bronze as the sun sets over the town.

▲Common across many areas of Alaska, the black bear is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species.

▲The landmark Homer lighthouse sits on the edge of Kachemak Bay.

▲A typical facade of stores and pubs in the small town of Talkeetna. Locals and tourists come here to purchase food, gifts, and other provisions.

▲For the truly fit, hiking across snow and ice is the ultimate test of endurance.

▲A row of shops on stilts set near the water's edge at Kachemak Bay, on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.

▲This impressive-looking resident inhabits mixed deciduous forests throughout the state.

▲Visitors to Alaska can opt for upscale accommodation like this luxury lodge facility.

▲Tumbling waterfalls enhance the landscape around the attractive Tracy Arm Fjord.

▲Thick-billed murre, seen on St. George Island.

▲Creek Street imparts a delightfully ramshackle quality.

▲You can see a spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis while camping in the outdoors.

▲The view of Tongass Avenue and the town's marina.

▲The vibrant and delicate Chukchi primrose, also found on St. George Island.

▲This pretty seabird breeds in the Pribilof Islands, Bogoslof Island, and Buldir Island, in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.

▲Also known as the timber wolf, this intelligent canine is native to remoter areas of the state.

▲Distinguished by its bill, the rhinoceros auklet is found on Alaska's many islands. This one was photographed on Chowiet Island.

▲Nesting mainly in southern Alaska, this large and raucous seabird is the seafarer's companion.

▲The Alaska Veterans Memorial honors Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, and Merchant Marine veterans from the state.

▲A wary adult wolverine on alert for threats and potential prey during an early winter morning foray near Haines.

▲An ethereal half-moon hangs lazily over the Chugach Mountain Range.

▲Barrow marks the northernmost point on the continent, and is the largest Eskimo village in the world.

▲Narcissus-flowered Anemone in bloom on Chowiet Island.

▲Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the octagonal lighthouse stands adjacent to Lynn Canal.

▲Wildlife sightseeing cruises often take in Resurrection Bay and Holgate Glacier.

▲Rental cabins in the 300,000-acre Hatcher Pass Management Area in Alaska's Talkeetna Mountain Range.

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A breathtaking view from a float plane. Air travel is often the only way to visit Alaska's more remote regions.

▲The collared pika is a tiny mammal that lives in boulder fields throughout central and southern Alaska.

▲Rugged and stocky, bighorn sheep will give any extreme sports climber a run for their money.

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The ultimate outdoors vacation destination, Alaska mesmerizes with its spectacular scenery, magnificent wildlife, and a fascinating native culture.

Browse the gallery, head north, and gear up for a trip of a lifetime.