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Chugach State Park, Anchorage, AK

Photo: Paxson Woelber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorOutdoor AdventureFamily Favorite

Chugach State Park

Chugach Mountains east of Anchorage, along the Seward Hwy · Anchorage, AK

Why you should go…

Chugach State Park covers about 495,000 acres of mountains, lakes and glaciers, mostly inside the Municipality of Anchorage. Trails range from the popular climb up Flattop Mountain from Glen Alps to the Crow Pass Trail, part of the historic Iditarod route, and the short walk to Thunder Bird Falls. You can camp, rent a public cabin, boat on Eklutna Lake or watch the bore tide on Turnagain Arm. Moose, bears, mountain goats and Dall sheep all live in the park.

  • #state park
  • #hiking
  • #wildlife viewing
  • #camping
  • #flattop mountain

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

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

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

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

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Alaska Railroad

    $50+

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

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Anchorage

    Free

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

    12 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • 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.

    13 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • 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.

    24 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

    $25–$50

    Circle a 1.5-mile loop past brown bears, moose, wood bison, wolves and musk oxen in large natural enclosures.

    31 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions