Valley of 10,000 Smokes

In 1916, a botanist from the National Geographic Society stumbled onto the Valley of 10,000 Smokes near Kodiak, a huge area where underground springs and lake coming in contact with hot volcanic ash cause the ground to literally smoke through holes and cracks in the ground. He reported back to National Geographic that, "The whole valley as far as the eye could reach was full of hundred, no thousands – literally, tens of thousands - of smokes curling up from its fissured floor." Within two years of the valley's discovery it had been declared a national monument.

The best way to see the valley is on the 8-hour guided bus tour. The 46-mile tour is available only during the summer months, book ahead of time to make sure you get a spot, but beware that tickets are rather pricey. The same bus will also take hikers out into the backcountry. Megeik Lake and Baked Mountain are two of the more popular hiking destinations.