Anchorage: Coastal Trails, Wilderness and Indigenous Culture

Most of Chugach State Park lies within the Municipality of Anchorage. With about 495,000 acres of land and more than 280 miles of trails, it shapes the destination’s natural side; the trails range in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Non-motorized boating is also possible, including sailing, kayaking, rafting or canoeing.

Parks and Trails on Different Scales

Anchorage has 227 municipal parks and 250 miles of trails within the city. These municipal figures may be updated over time. The Municipality of Anchorage trail system is suitable for skiing, running, cycling, walking, horseback riding, hiking, inline skating, dog sledding, snowshoeing and skijoring.

For a view of a glacier, the Eklutna Lakeside Trail runs 12.7 miles one way to Eklutna Glacier. A much shorter option is the Thunder Bird Falls Trail: the easy, one-mile walking trail has boardwalks and viewpoints, with views of the 200-foot-high Thunderbird Falls. The two trails therefore differ both in their stated distances and their destinations.

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs for 11 paved miles along the coast of Cook Inlet, connecting Downtown Anchorage with Kincaid Park. This means that a coastal route with two clearly named endpoints and an expansive park area are among the different sides of the Anchorage experience.

Kincaid Park and Nature Trails

Kincaid Park is a 1,500-acre natural resource and special use area in West Anchorage. It provides access to the Coastal Trail and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Park facilities include a biathlon range, a multipurpose stadium, a disc golf course, an archery range, a lake and soccer fields. The offerings combine natural space with a variety of sports and recreational areas, without limiting all activities to a single use.

The trails at Eagle River Nature Center also offer a distinctive perspective on nature, with mountain views, glacial rivers and streams, and Alaska’s diverse wildlife. A 23-mile hike leads from Girdwood to Eagle River Nature Center and partly follows the Historic Iditarod Trail. Its length and partial route along the historic trail give it a different scale from the shorter park trails described above.

Indigenous Culture and Exhibits

At the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Hall of Cultures shares knowledge about Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. It uses dynamic media and cultural objects; additional exhibits explore contemporary art and important historical stories from the community. Alongside landscapes and outdoor activities, cultural content is also a focus of a stay in Anchorage.

Café Di’eshchin at the Alaska Native Heritage Center serves coffee, sweet treats and other dishes. The food offerings and seasonal opening hours may change. If you’re planning a visit, check what’s currently available beforehand.

Forest Trails at the Alaska Zoo

The Alaska Zoo is set on 30 acres of natural boreal forest at the lower foothills of the Chugach Mountains, with trails leading through the forest. This specific connection to the forest complements the larger parks and hiking areas with another view of Anchorage’s landscape. Together, the options described range from extensive trails and non-motorized boating to exhibits, cultural offerings and walks through boreal forest.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Anchorage, Girdwood, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Kenai Peninsula, Wade Hampton Census Area, Haines Borough, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Petersburg Census Area

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