Donna Dewhurst

Wildlife Viewing

Anchorage is the best place to see Alaska animals. Wildlife viewing here is as close as the moose that munch through the city. It means a flight to watch bears fishing by the falls and a day cruise to get up close with whales, puffins and otters. Millions of birds flock to Anchorage on annual migrations, and salmon fill nearby rivers and streams all summer long.

Not sure where to start? Experienced guides and exceptional tours seek out the species on everyone’s “must-see” list, from polar bear tours above the Arctic Circle to sights of wolves and caribou in Denali National Park.

Watch for birds, moose, occasional bears, and other animals in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge: Head to Potter Marsh, Kincaid Park, or Carr-Gottstein Park for easy refuge access and awe-inspiring views. For a different kind of experience, get closer than you ever thought possible with guaranteed sightings at the Alaska Zoo or Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Special programs offer additional opportunities to encounter animals: Try the Zoo’s Early Bird Breakfast Tour or Wild VIP Zoo Experience, or go behind the scenes with the AWCC’s popular Bear Encounter or Walk on the Wild Side Tour.

Bears

Anchorage is the best spot to start a visit to Alaska’s iconic bear viewing locations. From national...

Whales

An ethereal glimpse of a fin or tail. Silence, then a gigantic form breaches the surface. Countless whales...

Moose

With approximately 1,500 moose, Anchorage’s favorite residents are on four legs. Even in the heart of...

Salmon

Huge salmon runs return to Anchorage area rivers and streams each summer. Here you’ll spot five species...

Bird-watching

Surrounded by wilderness, Anchorage offers a world of opportunity for Alaska bird watching in an ecological...

Dall Sheep

High above Turnagain Arm, Dall sheep deftly navigate rocky cliffs of the Chugach Mountains. It’s easy to...