Explore the Chugach on a Road Trip from Anchorage
Beluga Point, along Turnagain Arm
Written and sponsored by Visit Anchorage Alaska.
Alaska’s largest city is also the gateway to one of America’s most spectacular state parks and its northernmost national forest.
Sprawling south and east of Anchorage, vast Chugach State Park and National Forest hold more than a million acres of alpine peaks, verdant valleys, ancient glaciers, and lush wildlife habitat.
Explore the eye-catching edges via a road trip on the Seward Highway. Winding south from the city, this designated All-American Road is lined with mountains and glacier views, plus opportunities to hike Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley trails, watch for wildlife, and learn about the rich history of gold mining in the region.
Start with a stroll at Potter Marsh. Located within the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, this scenic roadside spot features a 1,550-foot boardwalk traversing over reeds and water. Here, find abundant wildlife and panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet.
Go farther south for a different perspective on Chugach State Park. The Seward Highway is dotted with scenic pullouts, all ripe with opportunity to spot Dall sheep, beluga whales, looming mountain peaks, and jaw-dropping Alaska scenery. Beluga Point is one of the earliest archeological sites of the Upper Cook Inlet region, as well as a prime place to watch the whales in the late summer and early autumn months.
Farther south, near where Chugach State Park borders Chugach National Forest, the ski town of Girdwood offers some inspiring elevation. The Alyeska Aerial Tram travels 2,300 feet above sea level, delivering broad views of surrounding mountains and glaciers (plus dining, hiking, and sightseeing). Travel deeper into the valley to find another glistening part of the Chugach. Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine, once one of the most prolific mining operations in Southcentral Alaska, is now a popular destination for recreational gold panning.
The MV Ptarmigan at the face of Portage Glacier
A few miles further south along the Seward Highway, Chugach National Forest reveals a glacial wonderland. Soak up the views from the flat, accessible Trail of Blue Ice, enjoy the quick hike to Byron Glacier, or board the MV Ptarmigan for an hour-long cruise to the face of Portage Glacier. Hear the ancient ice crack and calve, echoing across the surface of Portage Lake. The surrounding mountainsides reverberate with the sound of wild Alaska beauty.
That’s the beauty of Chugach State Park and National Forest—all within 90 minutes’ drive of Anchorage.
Learn more at Anchorage.net.