Most of Chugach State Park lies within the Municipality of Anchorage and covers about 495,000 acres of land. More than 280 miles of trails range from beginner to advanced. Anchorage also has 227 municipal parks and 250 miles of trails within the city; these figures may be updated. The park and municipal trail network reflect the diversity of nature and trails at different scales.
Routes to waterfalls, glaciers and historic trails
The Thunder Bird Falls Trail is an easy, one-mile walking trail with boardwalks and viewpoints. It offers views of the 200-foot-high Thunderbird Falls. The Eklutna Lakeside Trail runs 12.7 miles one way to the Eklutna Glacier. Another hike, 23 miles long, runs from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center and partly follows the Historic Iditarod Trail. The distances and destinations offer different experiences: from a waterfall viewpoint to a route to a glacier and a hike between two named places.
Chugach State Park offers opportunities for non-motorized boating in a sailboat, kayak, raft or canoe. The diversity of activities connected with the landscape can also be experienced away from the trails.
City trails and Kincaid Park
The Municipality of Anchorage trail system accommodates a variety of activities: skiing, running, biking, walking, horseback riding, hiking, inline skating, dog sledding, snowshoeing and skijoring. One specific coastal route is the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. It runs for 11 paved miles along the coast of Cook Inlet, connecting Downtown Anchorage with Kincaid Park.
Kincaid Park is in West Anchorage and covers 1,500 acres as a natural resource and special-use area. The park provides access to the Coastal Trail and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. Its facilities include a biathlon venue, a multi-purpose stadium, a disc golf course, an archery range, a lake and soccer fields.
Discover the landscape and culture
At the Eagle River Nature Center, trails offer mountain views, glacial rivers and streams, and Alaska’s diverse wildlife. 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 woods. Together, they offer contrasting mountain and glacier scenery and a forest setting.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center combines cultural programming, tours and exhibits. In summer 2026, the Center offered a live cultural program every day, with presentations, Alaska Native Games demonstrations and dance performances by Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. Also during the 2026 summer season, daily guided tours visited six traditional village sites around Lake Tiulana and lasted about 60 to 90 minutes. For later trips, check the latest schedule, as these daily programs refer to the 2026 summer season.
The Hall of Cultures uses dynamic media and cultural objects to share knowledge about Alaska’s Indigenous peoples. Additional exhibits feature contemporary art and important historical stories from the community. Café Di’eshchin serves coffee, sweets and other dishes; its menu and seasonal opening hours may change.
For the 2026 summer season, the Alaska Native Heritage Center offered a free shuttle bus with round-trip service between Downtown Anchorage, Midtown Anchorage and its campus. Schedules may change; check them before a later trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Anchorage, Girdwood, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, North Slope Borough, Petersburg Census Area, Aleutians West Census Area.
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