Chugach National Forest

Chugach National Forest

Chugach National Forest
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Chugach National Forest

Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.

The area

Neighborhood: Midtown
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
1 within 6 miles

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles234 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
39
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Peterpc123
Soldotna, AK94 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2012
Tons of great trails within an hour of anchorage. Beautiful scenery, views and adventure. The trails are often well maintained.Get any one of many local guidebooks for the trails in the chugach forest for descriptions of the hikes.
Written November 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

johnasli
johnasli7 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
we drove through the Chugach National Forest on our way to Seward. The drive was very beautiful and because of the scenery the 2 hour drive wasn't dull or boring. With the snow covered mountains and water throughout most of the trip there was many spots to stop and take pictures. As far as national forests go it was worth it
Written June 5, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,571 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Friends
We drove the Chugach National Forest en route from Seward to Anchorage. For about 40 miles, the Turnagain Arm was on the left side of the highway, and the Chugach National Forest was on the right side.

It covers most of the eastern part of the Kenai Peninsula. It is the second-largest national forest in the United States after the Tongass National Forest. The forest has many rivers, lakes, mountains and glaciers.

On the Seward Highway, we passed many campgrounds in Chugach National Forest that were operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

There are also many hiking and fishing areas.

It was a section of fabulous scenery that helped make up the unspoiled beauty that is Alaska. It is an area we would like return to.

We rate Chugach National Forest at 5.0.

If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written September 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

octport
Bryce, UT21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2012 • Business
this area can give you the feeling of isolation in about .3 nano seconds. WOW! so much to see and nobody to see it with except the wildlife.
Written October 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rhys J
Llanbedr, UK2,924 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Couples
My wife and I enjoyed the Chugach National Forest on our visit to Trail Lake Lodge during our 'Natural Wonders of Alaska' tour with Titan Travel in May 2016. Our motor coach made a stop at Moose Pass for afternoon tea at Trail Lake Lodge and to break our journey along Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward. Mosse Pass is located about 30 miles north of Seward on highway AK-9 which is listed on the U.S. National Highway System, acknowledging it's importance as a key route supporting Alaska's economy. Trail Lake Lodge is located on the shores of Trail Lake and surrounded by the Chugach National Forest. We were fortunate to be visiting on a warm sunny day with clear views across the lake towards the towering peaks of the Kenai Mountains. I enjoyed the array of beautiful green foliage of trees such as the sitka spruce which thrive across the Chugach National Forest and especially on the mountain slopes.

I found a very useful information leaflet explaining more about this vast forest covering nearly 7 million acres around Prince William Sound, the eastern Kenai Peninsula and the Copper River Delta. It was established in 1907 from a forest reserve which had been designated the first of its kind in 1892. It's a wildlife habitat of international importance with the Kenai Peninsula section of the forest providing a haven to over 200 colonies of seabirds. It's also a key habitat for bald eagles and I enjoyed watching a pair soaring above Trail Lake. The Copper River Delta provides apparently a habitat for over 20 million birds annually and other wildlife which thrive in the forest include black and grizzly bears, caribou, deer, moose, Dall sheep and timber wolves. Chugach's waters also provides a home to marine species such as sea lions, sea otters, Humpback whales and it's rivers are popular with the Pacific salmon and the five species found in Alaska (chum, king, pink, silver and red). Chugach National Forest has so far been protected from too much commercial exploitation with apparently only a small percentage of the forest considered suitable for commercial logging operations. It's a very popular tourist destination (over 7 million visitors annually) and I was pleased that I had the opportunity even for a short while to visit and enjoy this natural gem.
Written May 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lyn K
Hillsboro, Texas, United States10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2014 • Family
A chance of lifetime trip to Anchorage to visit expecting daughter and Army officer son-in-law in April 2013. Breathtaking...Gorgeous...Majestic are understated words to describe the natural beauty of the Chugach. In April, there was still snow and cold-but a different cold than Texas. The way of life for everyone there is completely different there; so unique. Roads were in great shape to drive and just look at God's creations with wonderment and awe. The 5 days we stayed there seemed to race by; that was our ONLY disappointment for the trip. Getting to see the moose wander about the forest ( and in town ) was also another thrill to add to our growing list of memorable events. Hope someday to go back and visit this treasure of Chugach in Alaska.
Written January 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rimjhim1
Crofton, MD405 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2012 • Solo
We drove through as we went to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The winter views were amazing during the afternoon as we drove down and later in the evening as we drove back. We saw a glacier which was covered in snow but the bluish tinge was quite visible. We almost got to see bore tides but we were either too early or late for it. Took some great pictures of the snow capped mountains.
Written December 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ricknsara
Langley, WA36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2011 • Friends
Alaska seems like one never-ending wilderness, with one park adjoining another. BLM land borders municipal parkland, which borders state park and then national park land. Often you have no idea when you have gone from one to the next. It is just a beautiful expanse of relative to complete wilderness to explore. What is there not to do in these parks, including the Chugach National Forest and the Far North Bicentennial Park? You could spend weeks here and never do the same thing or see the same trail twice.
First of all, it is huge. You can access the Far North Bicentennial Park in a 5-10 minute drive from downtown anchorage or the airport, or you can drive three hours south and access a completely different part of these parks.
Enter the park 5 minutes from the universities, Taco Bell, McDonalds, the hospitals and the police station, and you might see moose, salmon, porcupines, and both brown and black bears. Go to father afield, after a scenic drive along the coast, and you could see more of the same. (Remember, the only way to guarantee you will see wild life anywhere is to go to the zoo, but hopefully you get lucky).
Camp, take an hour-long hike, or a three day traverse, run, ride horses, walk your dogs, rock climb, ice climb, fish freshwater lakes and salmon streams, stay in forest service cabins (some of which are on lakes and have small boats available for the cabin renters), stay at campgrounds, mountain bike or cross country ski some incredible trails. Picnic, hunt for wild mushrooms, pick blueberries and lowbush cranberries. Walk across snow fields in the middle of summer. Marvel at the hushed beauty of layers of snow in the winter. Drive up to Flattop and walk a short distance for a stunning view of Cook Inlet, Sleeping Lady, and Denali. Or hike up to the top of Flattop (involves some fairly serious rock scrambling) for an even better view. (Remember to get an annual park pass from REI or pay the $5 daily fee required in some parking lots)
Also remember, as close to the city as some of this park is, it is wilderness. You must be smart and safe. One day, while mountain biking in the park on trails just 5 minutes from my suburban home, I ran across 5 bears. I saw a black bear sow and her two cubs, a yearling black bear, and a full grown brown bear. I have come around corners and run straight into moose. Make lots of noise, stay away from salmon streams during spawning season, and keep alert. Also, weather can change quickly. Come prepared with layers, water, and food. Tell people where you are going.
Check out the Chugach National Forest Website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/chugach/home) or the Alaska Trails website (http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aktrails/mapguides.htm) for more information.
I love these parks, I have been in them several days a week for over ten years and they are still wonderful. I don't know of many places in our country that can offer what these parks provide, in their variety and beauty, especially given the easy accessibility. Wilderness right at the edge of the biggest city in Alaska.
Notes:
For access to closer activities stick with the Far North Bicentennial Park, Eagle River, or even Kincaid. If you have more time venture into the Chugach State and National Parks. Check out Resurrection Pass or Lost Lake.
There is a parking fee in some (but not all) parking lots. This is $5 a day or you can get an annual pass. I get mine at REI.
Most parking lots have out-houses but beyond that you will have to find a bush.
Some areas require that a dog be on leash. This is generally in the parks in town and is adhered to VERY lightly. We are a dog friendly place.
Most trails are multi-use. You will encounter people hiking, running, riding horses and mountain bikes, skiing, ski-jouring, and running their dogs. Everyone enjoys the outdoors here and we try to be considerate and friendly to all.
Some trails have some signage, most do not.
Some trail maps are available.
Cell phone reception should NOT be relied upon.
Enjoy....
Written February 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jer b
Bristol, CT1,744 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Couples
We thought Denali was big, but the Chugach National Forest consists of around 6 million acres of land. It surrounds Prince William Sound and spills over on to the Kenai Peninsula which is where we passed through it. It is the 2nd largest National Park in the United States and has everything a nature lover would want to see: forests of sitka spruce and hemlock, snow capped mountains, glaciers, rivers and shoreline areas. It is a sub polar temperate rain forest but the day we went through the sky were cloudless and brilliant blue. Just a wonderful place for hiking, fishing and observing wildlife. Spectacular scenery.
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

astro5888
Boston, MA54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Friends
Somehow, It is totally absent in the list of Cordova's attractions. May be, because it can easily compete with other glaciers in the area, and access to the glacier is absolutely free for tourists. Take a Sheridan Glacier side road from Copper River highway-left, till the parking area. Take a trail to the glacier. The glacier lake+icebergs view is gorgeous. Theoretically, it is possible to continue to glacier itself (some of us done it). But just a view from the end of trail is magic (see photos).
Written August 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 222
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Chugach National Forest - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

All things to do in Seward
Day Trips in SewardZoos & Aquariums in Seward
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars