Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

An official state of the union for 66 years, Alaska is known for its glaciers, permafrost and national parks. Home to North America’s highest mountain peak and the 2,000-mile-long Yukon River, the country’s Last Frontier is full of Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

About 500 miles from Washington, its closest U.S. neighbor, Alaska isn’t the easiest destination to reach from the contiguous states, but these images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest prove why a trip is worth the effort. Take a look.

Visitors can watch blue icebergs float along the 13-mile-long river of ice leading to Mendenhall Lake.
Visitors can watch blue icebergs float along the 13-mile-long river of ice leading to Mendenhall Lake. Heather Applegate, 2008
Snowcapped mountains can be seen beyond the fog and sunrays on a quiet road at dawn.
Snowcapped mountains can be seen beyond the fog and sunrays on a quiet road at dawn. Karthik Subramaniam, 2022
A brown bear patrols a creek in Katmai National Park.
A brown bear patrols a creek in Katmai National Park. Charlie Wemyss-Dunn, 2024

Fall has turned the foliage and flora along the Denali Highway a vibrant yellow.
Fall has turned the foliage and flora along the Denali Highway a vibrant yellow. Kevin Shi, 2024
A bald eagle swoops down near the Anan Creek, where salmon commonly swim upstream, to find its next meal.
A bald eagle swoops down near the Anan Creek, where salmon commonly swim upstream, to find its next meal. Mark Zablotsky, 2023
Mount Iliamna, a stratovolcano in the Aleutian Range, shows itself after a day of cloud cover.
Mount Iliamna, a stratovolcano in the Aleutian Range, shows itself after a day of cloud cover. Kari Douglass, 2021

Lowe River Bridge in Valdez is surrounded by majestic mountains, swirling clouds and glacier-fed waters.
Lowe River Bridge in Valdez is surrounded by majestic mountains, swirling clouds and glacier-fed waters. Jelieta Walinski, 2023
These fish were caught in one day of fishing in Resurrection Bay.
These fish were caught in one day of fishing in Resurrection Bay. Cheng Chang, 2022
Hikers make their way across the Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Hikers make their way across the Root Glacier in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Geoffrey Prior, 2022

The bright yellow of a biplane stands in stark contrast to snow-white glaciers as it flies above.
The bright yellow of a biplane stands in stark contrast to snow-white glaciers as it flies above. Jim Stevenson, 2023
A tourist admires the landscape in Tarr Inlet aboard a cruise ship.
A tourist admires the landscape in Tarr Inlet aboard a cruise ship. Chuck Palmer, 2022
Vehicles seemingly lean to the side as they cling to the Dalton Highway’s Atigun Pass (elevation: 4,739 feet), along the Brooks Range.
Vehicles seemingly lean to the side as they cling to the Dalton Highway’s Atigun Pass (elevation: 4,739 feet), along the Brooks Range. Rajiv Bhambri, 2022
Those aren’t hula hoops. Using dip nets, people fish for salmon at Kasilof Beach in Kenai.
Those aren’t hula hoops. Using dip nets, people fish for salmon at Kasilof Beach in Kenai. Geoffrey Prior, 2022
A brilliant aurora shines above a nearly full moon during a chilly winter night.
A brilliant aurora shines above a nearly full moon during a chilly winter night. Ben Hattenbach, 2011

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Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.