Welcome to the Park of the Week Newsletter for May 30, 2024. This week we’re featuring the largest state park in the United States.
Wood-Tikchik State Park
Location
Southwest Alaska, United States
Claim to fame
At 1,600,000 acres (650,000 ha) Wood-Tikchik State Park is the largest state park in the US. Over half of state park land in Alaska and 15% of all state park land in the US is held within this one park. The park is intentionally undeveloped wilderness, as it is a critical habitat for wildlife, and is patrolled mainly by plane.
Reason to visit
Wood-Tikchik State Park is not an easy place to visit, as the park is not accessible via roads. Most visitors arrive aboard float planes, which land on its many lakes. The park’s network of waterways provide access as well; fishing and paddling are the main activities here.
Wild Fact
Wood -Tikchik is named for the two lake systems that it protects–the Wood River and Tikchik Lake systems. This massive watershed is vital for salmon spawning in the region, as all five major salmon species breed here. The park was founded in 1978 to protect these fish, which are vital for subsistence use and the cultural heritage of the Yup’ik people.
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