Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve


Given its remote location and challenging weather conditions, Aniakchak is one of the most wild and least visited places in the National Park System. This landscape is a vibrant reminder of Alaska's location in the volcanically active "Ring of Fire," as it is home to an impressive six mile (10 km) wide, 2,500 ft (762 m) deep caldera formed during a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago.

Located on the Alaska Peninsula, 450 miles southwest of Anchorage, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is inaccessible by road. Notoriously bad weather makes access to Aniakchak unpredictable. Drop-offs and/or pick-ups may be significantly delayed.

  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Climbing
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Flying
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching

  • Archeology
  • Animals
  • Arctic
  • Tundra
  • Geothermal
  • Mountains
  • Volcanoes
  • Wilderness

Floating the Gates of Aniakchak

A lone raft floats the Aniakchak Wild River as it flows through the

A lone raft floats the Aniakchak Wild River as it flows through the "Gates"

Aniakchak Caldera

Aerial shot of Aniakchak Caldera

Aerial shot of Aniakchak Caldera

Black Nose, Aniakchak Caldera

Black Nose, Aniakchak Caldera

Black Nose, Aniakchak Caldera

Maar Lake, Aniakchak Caldera

Maar Lake, Aniakchak Caldera

Maar Lake, Aniakchak Caldera

The Gates of Aniakchak

The Gates of Aniakchak

The Gates of Aniakchak