Chugach National Forest

Bald Eagles, Rainforest, Sea Birds, Bears and Dall Sheep

Alaska’s Chugach National Forest extends over almost 7 million acres in Southcentral Alaska and includes mountainous areas in Prince William Sound, the Kenai Peninsula, and the Copper River Delta. With its vast expanse, the Chugach Forest’s wilderness is largely untouched by roads or trails. It is home to many Alaska birds, mammals, and marine species, including a bald eagle population larger than the continental 48 states combined.

Created in 1907 from a larger forest reserve, the Chugach Forest is technically a sub-polar rainforest between the Pacific Ocean and the icier alpine zone in the Pacific temperate region. The Kenai Peninsula section is home to over 200 colonies of seabirds, as well as between 3,000 and 5,000 bald eagles. The Copper River Delta portion of the forest is considered one of the essential shorebird habitats in the world, with over 20 million birds habituating there annually, including one-quarter of the world’s migrating trumpeter swans and dusky Canada geese. Other Chugach wildlife includes Dall sheep, moose, caribou, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and black and grizzly bears. Marine life is abundant with humpback whales, sea lions, and otters common in the waters surrounding Chugach shorelines, as well as all five species of Pacific salmon (king salmon, red salmon, silver salmon, chum salmon, and pink salmon).

Header photo courtesy Jack Bonney/Visit Anchorage

 

Choose from 34 vacations in Alaska related to Chugach National Forest

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Glacier Discovery Train and Guided Walk

This Anchorage day trip departs in the morning on the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train for a 3.5-hour ride along Cook Inlet’s spectacular Turnagain Arm to Spencer Glacier in the Chugach National Forest.  Upon arrival at Spencer Lake,... Browse itinerary

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Glacier Discovery Rail and Raft Trip

This Anchorage day tour starts with a southbound tour aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train—the 3.5-hour train ride tours along Cook Inlet’s scenic Turnagin Arm and the Chugach National Forest.   On arrival at Spencer Glacier, the Alaska... Browse itinerary

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Glacier & Wildlife Flightseeing Tour

Enjoy a day tour from Anchorage with flightseeing from Lake Hood over the majestic Chugach State Park! You will soar above the expansive Knik or Triumvirate Glacier on your flight, rimmed with spectacular hanging ice formations. With a... Browse itinerary

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a person standing next to a wooden sign reading "Arctic Circle, Dalton Highway, Alaska, Latitude 66, 33"

An Alaskan Odyssey

This unique itinerary takes you from the North Pacific waters of Prince William Sound to the Arctic coast near Prudhoe Bay. This itinerary is for independent travelers seeking a chance to see the incredible diversity of Alaska, from... Browse itinerary

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the mountain of Denali; a dirt path in foreground

Alaska’s Gems Tour

This tour provides Alaska travelers with many key Alaska highlights, combining travel by train and by deluxe motorcoach. Enjoy opportunities to view towering glaciers up close and perhaps catch a glimpse of a glacier "calving" into the waters... Browse itinerary

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