Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, National monument and preserve in Lake and Peninsula, United States
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve protects a vast volcanic caldera in southwestern Alaska surrounded by tundra and coastal features. The crater spans 6 miles across and drops 2,500 feet deep, containing active lava flows, crater lakes, and geothermal springs within its walls.
The caldera formed from a massive eruption roughly 3,500 years ago that reshaped the entire landscape of the region. The National Park Service designated it a protected monument in 1978 to preserve this rare geological feature.
Dena'ina and Alutiiq peoples have inhabited this region for generations, with their connection to the land evident in archaeological sites scattered along the coast. The landscape bears traces of centuries of habitation through the remains of ancient settlements.
This site requires chartered flights or helicopter access from King Salmon, as no roads connect to the location. Weather conditions in this remote region frequently change, so visitors should allow flexibility in their travel schedule.
This location ranks among the least visited sites in the entire U.S. National Park System, typically receiving fewer than 100 visitors each year. The extreme remoteness means travelers who come here experience the crater in nearly complete solitude.
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