United States
56.9000°, -158.1500°
1978
2330
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve protects one of the world's great dry calderas, formed by a massive volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago. The six-mile-wide caldera contains lava flows, cinder cones, and Surprise Lake, which drains through a 1,500-foot gap in the caldera wall to form the Aniakchak River. This remote and pristine wilderness offers exceptional opportunities for backcountry adventure and scientific study. Managed by the National Park Service, it is one of the least visited units in the national park system due to its remote location and challenging access.