Welcome to Chugach State Park

Beyond the foothills at Anchorage's edge lies the third largest state park in America - a half-million acres of some of the most accessible hiking, skiing, camping, wildlife viewing, snow machining, rafting, and climbing in Alaska.

The mountainous backdrop to Anchorage reminds them that, although they live in an urban setting, they really reside in the middle of a vast wilderness. The Chugach foothills are a beacon for changing weather, and resident wildlife have been known to wander into town.

Those of you who are visiting are able to discover Chugach State Park and take home memories of high alpine wildflowers, browsing moose, soaring eagles, roaring glacier-fed rivers, the howl of a wolf, unrivaled mountainous vistas, clear water streams dancing through a mature spruce forest, and maybe even a glimpse of a grizzly bear.

As a resident or visitor, Chugach State Park is awaiting your discovery. Whether you prefer front country trails, backcountry bushwhacking, one of our three campgrounds at Eklutna Lake, Eagle River, or Bird Creek, a visit to the Eagle River Nature Center, or just to gaze upon the mountain view from town, we at Alaska State Parks are dedicated to helping you safely enjoy your visit and most importantly, to ensure you have fun.

Facilities in Chugach State Park

Campgrounds

There are three campgrounds in Chugach State Park, offering experiences ranging from fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, wildlife viewing, and spectacular sunsets. Two are north of Anchorage - one at Eklutna Lake, and one on Eagle River - and the third is south of Anchorage at Bird Creek.

All have wooded sites with fire rings and picnic tables, water and latrines. Campground hosts offer assistance and answer questions about the area. Firewood is often available near the host's site for a small fee. Campsites for organized groups are available by reservation at Eklutna Lake Group Use Site.

Eklutna Lake Campground

Description: 57 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, latrines, and ranger station. Overflow camping area of 15 sites.
Recreation: Trails for hiking, ATV use, bicycle and horses. Boating and fishing.
Fee: $10/night.
Stay Limit: 15 nights.
Location: 45 minutes north of Anchorage.
To Find It: From Glenn Highway, take Eklutna Exit at Mile 26. Turn toward mountains and follow park signs 10 miles on gravel road to Eklutna Lake and campground.

B. Eagle River Campground

Description: 57 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, latrines, flush toilets and dump station. Overflow camping area of 10 sites.
Recreation: Fishing, whitewater rafting. Short hiking trails.
Fee: $15/night.
Stay Limit: 4 nights.
Location: 12 miles north of Anchorage, 1 mile south of town of Eagle River.
To Find It: From Glenn Highway, take Hiland Road Exit (Mile 12). Follow park signs onto frontage road to river and campground.
Special Note: One-half of the campsites are available by reservation - call (907) 694-7982. Reservations can be made year round and up to one year in advance. However, the campground itself is usually only open from May through September, depending on the weather. This campground is operated by Lifetime Adventures under a commercial permit and is the only campground in the state park system to take reservations.

Bird Creek Campground

Description: 28 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, latrines. Campground Host. Overflow camping area.
Recreation: Fishing, walking, sunsets and whale watching.
Fee: $15/night.
Stay Limit: 7 nights.
Location: Southeast of Anchorage about 20 miles (Mile 101 Seward Highway).
To find it: On Seward Hwy., just east of Bird Creek Bridge, at mile 101.

Group Use Sites

There is one group use site at Eklutna Lake for either day or overnight use.
Fee is variable and reservations required. For more information, call 345-5014.
There is also a group use site available at Upper Huffman .

Day Use Areas

There are day use sites next to Eklutna Lake and Eagle River Campgrounds described above.
There is also the McHugh Creek Picnic Site along Turnagain Arm at Mile 112 of the Seward Highway, south of Anchorage.
All three have a parking fee of $5 per day. An annual day use pass is available for $40.

Cabins

There is one public use rental cabin at Eklutna Lake. The Eagle River Nature Center has a cabin and a yurt for rent.
Cabins and yurt in both areas have a fee and reservations are required.

Sanitary Dump Station

An RV dump station is available at the Eagle River Campground.
The fee for use is $5. Persons using the campground are entitled to one free use of the dump station during their visit.
See the campground host for assistance.

Trailheads

There are trailheads throughout the park.

Viewpoints

There are several viewpoints along the Seward Highway, overlooking Turnagain Arm.
One of the most visited is Beluga Point, Mile 110.5, named for the Beluga whales that frequent the Arm.
Another popular viewpoint along the Seward Highway is Windy Corner at Mile 106.
It has no facilities accept parking, but Dall sheep just up the hill are worth the stop.
On the Hillside, at Glen Alps Trailhead, is the Anchorage Overlook Viewpoint.
A short quarter mile walk takes you to a spectacular view of Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and the Alaska Range.

Eagle River Nature Center

The Eagle River Nature Center is just 45 minutes north of Anchorage at the end of Eagle River Road. Nestled among 7,000 foot peaks, towering waterfalls and forests of birch and white spruce trees in Upper Eagle River Valley, the Center offers a hosts of nature-oriented activities:

daily guided nature walks
weekend interpretive programs
guided backcountry wilderness hikes
wildlife viewing
interpretive education exhibits
self-guided hiking trails

Also available is a nature gift shop, rest rooms, snacks, and beverages. There is one public use cabin and two public use yurts available for backcountry overnight stays.

Rentals are made at the Nature Center by calling (907) 694-2108. There is a parking fee of $5 per day, or with the purchase of a $35 annual membership comes a parking pass, good for one year from date of purchase.

The Alaska State Park day use parking pass is not valid at the Nature Center.

The Center is operated by a non-profit organization in cooperation with Alaska State Parks.

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