Special Report
Alaska
Alaska is nicknamed “The Great Land,” and for good reason: it is wild, rugged and expansive. In a series of articles, Smithsonian magazine explores the history, culture and natural wonders of the 49th state.
How Alaska's Historic Roadhouses Are Standing the Test of Time
The multipurpose lodgings along trails and rivers capture the state’s pioneering culture and spirit
Alaska's Frigid North Slope Was Once a Lush, Wet, Dinosaur Hotspot, Fossils Reveal
Conditions north of the Arctic Circle, where dinosaurs roamed in abundance during the mid-Cretaceous, were warmer than today, with rainfall comparable to “modern-day Miami”
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Battle of Attu, the 'Forgotten Battle' of World War II
Underwater archaeologists discovered three shipwrecks submerged near the small Alaskan island, which was the site of one of the deadliest conflicts in the Pacific
See the Glorious Beauty of Alaska With 15 Images From the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
See why the 49th state is a No. 1 destination
This Heroic Dog Raced Across the Frozen Alaskan Wilderness to Deliver Life-Saving Medicine—but His Contributions Were Long Overlooked
Togo, not Balto, was the driving force behind the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, which found teams of mushers and sled dogs delivering antitoxin to children suffering from diphtheria
Seven Ways to Explore Alaska's Endangered Glacial World
With the state’s glaciers retreating at alarming rates, there is no time like now to trek, climb, paddle and fly to see them
Alps-Style Hut-to-Hut Travel Is On Its Way to Alaska
Several ambitious projects are poised to bring a long trail and 25 new huts to the Last Frontier
This Eight-Day Festival Celebrates One of Alaska's Weirdest Worms
Welcome to the Cordova Ice Worm Festival, a quirky local tradition honoring the mysterious creatures that live in glacial ice
You Can Soak in These Eight Hot Springs in Alaska
From resorts to remote spots, natural thermal waters throughout the state beckon tourists
The Mystery of This Petroglyph-Covered Alaskan Beach
The 8,000-year-old rock carvings were likely created by the Tlingit