Welcome to RecPlanet. Visit contest page for over $4000 in prizes. You can win a prize simply by voting (membership not required to vote). Search our database for info on thousands of parks. Blog for royalties, use "Contact Us" link for more information.
Glacier Bay National Park
Welcome to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve located on the spectacular Alaskan coastline.
Park History: Long before Alaska became a part of the United States numerous Native American tribes occupied the region that is now Glacier Bay National Park for thousands of years. Some of these tribes include the Huna and Tlingit Tribes. It is said that they occupied the land for many centuries until forced out by glacial activity over 300 years ago. One of the first known white men to visit the region was the explorer Captain George Vancouver who came in 1794. Vancouver discovered a glacier over 4,000 feet thick and 20 miles wide. 85 years later, naturalist John Muir discovered that the glacier had retreated 48 miles up the bay and by 1916 the Grand Pacific Glacier headed Tarr Inlet over 60 miles from the mouth of Glacier Bay. Such rapid glacial retreat is known nowhere else on Earth. In 1899, a massive earthquake and Tsunami devastated the Glacier Bay region and many steamship companies were afraid to travel to glacier bay due to all the icebergs.
Throughout the early 20th century the region was occupied by many miners, scientists, hunters, and fishermen. World War II brought the construction of an airstrip to the region. In the 1950's the airstrip was removed and the National Park Service celebrated it's 50th anniversary by launching Mission 66, a decade long program of development and planning for the National Park System. Glacier Bay National Park was a recipient of Mission 66 money and the park's lodge was constructed. At this time Glacier Bay was a National Monument but was promoted to National Park Status in 1980 under President Carter. In 1986 under President Reagan, the Glacier Bay-Admiralty Island Biosphere Reserve was established. In 1992 under President George Herbert Walker Bush, Glacier Bay became a world Heritage Site.
Flora and Fauna: Glacier Bay National Park helps protect the home of numerous plant and animals species. Some of the plants that grow inside the boundaries include temperate rainforest species including Sitka spruces, western hemlocks, blueberries, and wildflowers. Some of the wild animals who call this place home include humpback whales, gray whales, killer whales, harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters, black bears, moose, coyotes, beavers, marmots, snowshoe hares, and mountain lions. Please treat their home with respect.
For the lover of the outdoors Glacier Bay National Park boasts gorgeous scenery, boat tours, and so much more. Come on out and explore.