Four ecosystems collide at Kenai Fjords National Park—an Arctic, above-the-treeline zone; an area of forested valleys; a lush, coniferous forest environment; and a coastal marine system. The majority of the Harding Ice Field, one of only four remaining in the U.S., lies within the park, and along the shore, cathedral-like fjords rise up majestically, setting off the watery antics of seals, sea lions, otters, and migrating whales.

Fishers in Kenai (of the human AND marine mammal variety) congregate in the fjords and around Resurrection Bay. For freshwater aficionados, Dolly Varden and other trout provide good competition in the rivers. For saltwater anglers, silver (coho), red (sockeye), chum (dog), and pink (humpback) salmon migrate thickly from the rivers into saltier locales. Halibut, lingcod, and rockfish also cruise these busy waters.

Move on to Rocky Mountain, Colorado