The best camping near Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve

If you want to see a frozen volcano, look to one of the most remote places in the United States. The Aniakchak (say that five times fast) Preserve harbors a caldera, or a bowl-shaped volcano, that's 6 miles wide. Don't worry about facing a lava-filled apocalyptic horror. The place hasn't erupted for more than 3,500 years and it's dormant.

The explosion that rocked the region caused an entire mountain to collapse. Despite this, prehistoric communities took up hunting, fishing, and fur trapping around 2,000 years ago. Descendants of those people still live in this area, just southwest of Katmai and Kodiak Island towards the Aleutian Islands.

Scenic beauty rules here. The Aniakchak River poses a challenge to whitewater rafters. Surprise Lake sits on the northeastern part of the caldera and serves as the headwaters for the river. After you pass through a canyon with walls 1,500 feet tall, the rapids begin. You descend 1,000 feet in 15 miles while avoiding boulders the size of cars. If you're an adrenaline junky, this place is for you. Make sure to book a guide who can take you along the river safely.

There are hiking trails and sport fishing throughout the caldera. Look for some lava rocks among the vibrant green grass and small wildflowers that bloom here in the summer.

As you camp in the area, you definitely get close to nature while you sleep. Bears inhabit all parts of the Aniakchak region, so take the necessary steps to protect your campsite from these beautiful and awesome creatures.

The best time to visit is in the summer. Winter time is way too snowy. However, you may still see snow at the peak of the Aniakchak volcano. It's high enough to have snow on it for much of the year.