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Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Girdwood, AK

Photo: Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from Anchorage, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily FavoriteOutdoor Adventure

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

43520 Seward Hwy · Girdwood, AK

Why you should go…

This nonprofit sanctuary at Milepost 79 of the Seward Highway gives permanent homes to orphaned and injured Alaska wildlife. A 1.5-mile loop that you can walk, bike or drive passes more than 200 acres of enclosures holding brown and black bears, moose, caribou, wolves, musk oxen, wood bison and porcupines. The brown bears roam a 21-acre habitat of brush and conifers. Add-on moose and bear encounters and guided tours get you closer to the animals.

  • #wildlife sanctuary
  • #bears
  • #moose
  • #wood bison
  • #seward highway

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Alyeska Resort

    $50+

    Ride an aerial tram 2,000 feet up Mount Alyeska for glacier views, or ski Alaska's largest ski area in winter.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Chugach State Park

    Under $25

    Hike Flattop Mountain, paddle Eklutna Lake and watch for moose and Dall sheep in a mountain park at the edge of Anchorage.

    31 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Alaska Native Heritage Center

    $25–$50

    Walk among life-sized Native village sites around a lake and watch Alaska Native dance and games demonstrations.

    37 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Anchorage

    Free

    Alaska's largest city and gateway to Southcentral Alaska, with glaciers, wildlife viewing, and a walkable downtown.

    41 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Alaska Railroad

    $50+

    Board a passenger train in Anchorage and ride to Seward, Whittier, Denali or Fairbanks through Alaska backcountry.

    41 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Alaska SeaLife Center

    $25–$50

    See Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins and a giant Pacific octopus at a public aquarium on Resurrection Bay.

    52 mi awayMore like this