Scenic Drives North of Anchorage
Here, Alaska fireweed is shown in full bloom. As legend has it, every fireweed plant is the soul of a tree that was burned in a forest fire. Photo: © ATIA
Head north from downtown Anchorage towards ancient mountains along the Glenn Highway, one of the Alaska National Scenic Byways.
Alaska Scenic Drive Maps
Arctic Valley is a favorite spot among locals for hiking and berry picking in summer and skiing in winter.
The Eagle River Nature Center is gateway to Chugach State Park. Enjoy nature walks, naturalist programs, hiking, snowshow and ski trails, as well as public use cabins and yurts.
Continue north to the Eklutna Historical Park to learn about the Athabaskan Dena'ina Indians’ connection to the Russian Orthodox culture. Nearby is Eklutna Lake, a popular recreation area for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and camping. The bluish-green lake is nestled in a steep, glacier-carved valley and fed by Eklutna Glacier.
An awe-inspiring site close to Wasilla is Knik Glacier. While the glacier is not accessible by car, several businesses explore the area by flightseeing, rafting and airboat tours.
An hour's drive north of Anchorage awaits the fertile Matanuska Valley. In 1935, families from the Midwest, reeling from the great Depression, homesteaded in the "Mat-Su," forming Alaska's only agricultural-based community.
Continue the Journey to the Mat-Su
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