South Anchorage
See the splendor of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Range from the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tram.
Turnagain Arm, Bird, Indian, Girdwood, Portage
Potter’s Marsh State Game Refuge. A birder’s delight! There is a long boardwalk and interpretive signs for bird and wildlife viewing. Year-round. 1-2 hours. Free.
Potter Section House. Chugach State Park Headquarters are located inside the house. Railroad equipment and interpretive displays are outside. Year-round. 1 hour. Free.
McHugh Creek picnic area. This area is a great stop for a box lunch. Visitors can enjoy nature trails, berry picking and incredible views of scenic Turnagain Arm. Year-round. 1-4 hours. Free.
Girdwood and the Alyeska Resort and Ski Area. Seven glaciers and Turnagain Arm surround this picturesque community known as Girdwood. Drive a gorgeous All-American Highway 40 miles south of downtown Anchorage. Many opportunities to view wildlife along the way. Tram rides and dining at the top of Mount Alyeska, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, dog mushing, snow shoeing, gold panning at historic Crow Creek Mine (seasonal), walking, hiking, biking and river rafting are all options! Year-round. 4-8 hours. Free/Fee.
Portage Glacier. Anchorage’s resident glacier located at the south end of Portage Lake 50 miles south of the city. Cruise on the M/V Ptarmigan to the face of the glacier! Begich, Boggs Visitors Center houses interpretive displays about the formation of glaciers. Learn all about glaciers while watching the award-winning documentary “Voices from the Ice”. May-September. 1-4 hours. Free/Fee.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Drive your rental car through this wildlife park while observing grizzly bears, black bears, moose, caribou, musk ox, buffalo, elk, black-tailed deer and hawks. Gift shop. Year-round. 1-3 hours. Fee.
