Anchorage, Alaska's Best Parks & Trails for Adventurers

Anchorage Alaska has 10,000 acres of municipal parkland. There are over 220 parks, 250 miles of trails and green belts linking neighborhoods, natural open spaces and wildlife habitats together. Athletic fields, swimming pools, a variety of recreation facilities and over 80 playgrounds for the kids to play in, all adds up to intense fun and exciting, exploratory, adventures, in Anchorage . These parks and trails are favorites of locals and visitors.

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

This Coastal trail is the most popular in Anchorage. the trail was built in honor of one of the city's mayors and the current govenor. It has the greatest walking, biking, and jogging trails. It winds along the coast 11 miles from downtown to Chalet at Kincaid Park. This place is so full of ancient, human history. It has more than 1,000 pieces of history. One of the best ways to explore this trail is by bicycle. Downtown bike rentals have reasonable rates and a convenient location.

Downtown Bicycle Rental
Phone #907-279-5293
www.trailsofanchorage.com
Bike Rentals- $16 for 3 hours, $4.00 for each extra hour.

Bonus#- get a free lock, helmet and map with your rental. Good Deal!

Kincaid Park

Kincaid Park offers an easy bike route by going deep in the woods from town. It is a 1,400-1,500 acre vibrant green forest. Another choice is to drive from downtown area all the way west on Raspberry Road to get there. It has the ultimate Nordic Skiing Trails, in the winter. In snowless months the park is frequented by runners, bikers, hikers, archers, dog trainers, and golfers etc. The park is mostly forested with birch, cottonwood, and spruce. The wild life in your midst would include moose, lynx, bear, fox, eagles and prickly porcupines. Kincaid Park offers the best semi-wilderness experience closest to west and Downtown Anchorage.
http://alaska.org

Flat Top Mountain at Glen Alps Trailhead

Flattop is Alaska's most visited peak 1,350 vertical foot trails. Take in amazing panoramic views from Mt. McKinley to the top of the Aluetian Islands, (a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands). It is a location known for its hiking, climbing, sweet &tangy berry picking ,parasailing, and back country skiing.

Tip#- If you are tired of walking or are traveling with children, elderly or disabled individuals who want to enjoy this Mountain and its breath taking views, just riding and resting, take the shuttle.

The shuttle ride is $22 per person round trip.

Flat top is the most climbed mountain in the state. Campouts are held on the summit at the summer & winter solstices.
http://alaska.org

Eagle River Nature Center

Eagle River Nature Center is a non- profit organization, taken care of by friends of Eagle River.Eagle River Nature Center is a 40 minute ride from downtown; it's a good gateway to get to Chugach State Park and a glacial river valley. Enjoy a nature walk only 3 miles on the Albert Loop or trek up through the valley which is 5 miles. Watch awesome side creeks splash down steep valleys and rush hurriedly toward Eagle River. Each creek is unique, they have their own distinct color, each has a different temperature.

Nature Center Programs-are all year round. In the fall , programs such as the "Junior Naturalist Program", is when childen(K-6) create insect galleries and take walks to find the items they need to complete the project. "Welcome Back Salmon"- A program focused on the true life cycle of Alaska's salmon species, followed by a nature walk. "Astronomy Series"-presents special topics, they go outside and view the night sky with binoculars and look through the telescopes already set up by the astronomers. They even earn a Junior Astronomer Certificate. In the winter, December brings the "Snowflake Magic"program children(K-6) explore the science and art of snowflakes in a hands on program. Anyone can be apart of weekend, school, organized children, and tour group programs. For teenagers a "Digital Photography Workshop is offered, everyone can take part in the "Family-Friendly Hike" Some of the programs are free only asking for $5.00 parking. The Digital Photography Workshop is $20.00, still an exceptionally low price, for the valuable educational experience.

Visit the website to choose from the plentiful, programs that are fun, educational, and inexpensive. There is a year round calender of events.
www.ernc.org

Chester Creek Trail

This tour starts at West Chester Lagoon and ventures into Goose Lake Park. The scenic views are the Chugach Mountains, moose, small mammals, ducks, birds and fish of all kinds. The kind of serene place to be.There are so many pleasant bridges, and underpasses. You will cross wooden bridges where you can stop and peer into the ponds and plush green grassy pastures.
http://alaska.org

Turnagain Arm Trail in Chugach State Park

History of the Trail
Turnagain Arm Trail, formerly called "Old Johnson Trail", some of the locals still refer to it by the old name. The earliest evidence of humans along Turnagain Arm Trail is at Beluga Point, which prehistoric hunters used as a view point to search for Beluga whales and sheep. The first explorers of 1778 were aboard Captain Cook's ships. Captain cook sailed looking for the northwest passage, he turned into the arm, it was then when he realized he was mistaken, he had to "turn again." Henceforth the birth of the name Turnagain Arm Trail.
Striking Views
Turnagain Arm Trail offers a pretty easy hike for most, with striking views. The Chugach Mountains can be observed to the north and the Kenai Mountains across Turnagain Arm. It is a favorite because it is on a south-facing slope.The slope is clear of snow early in the spring time. On your hike, you can not help but glare at the crisp,bright -colored foliage and leaves, during Autumn months.
Wildlife
The Beluga whales are white whales and tend to dwell in shallow water. Sometimes they are seen feeding on fish in Cook Inlet. The best time to observe the beauty of these huge breathtaking whales is in the late summer months of July through August. The dall sheep and occasionally moose, black bears, grizzly bears, lynx,and coyotes are in the area, not near the trail. Bald eagles can be spotted near water, Golden eagles are further inland.
Wildflowers-appear early May through August. Highbush cranberries, rose hips, raspberries, watermelon berries are ripening around this time.

Tip#-Make sure you or children with you do not randomly eat berries not properly identified. Some plants and berries are poisonous.

Gain access to trail heads at Potter Creek, McHugh Creek, Rainbow Creek and Windy Point.The McHugh Park has a nice picnic area with great view. Grills and bathrooms are there. Have a nice lunch with your family or group and after your grilled hamburgers settle and digest, proceed with your hike. If you have time check out Potter Marsh it is a long winding boardwalk, and bird viewing sights.

For more information visit-www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks

Campbell Tract Facility

Campbell Tract Facility is for non-motorized recreation such as horseback riding and hiking of course. Depending on the season you may encounter moose, foxes, coyote, lynx, black and brown bears.

Tip#-Great educational place to visit. The tract is also home to Campbell Creek Science Center, a place that provides an outdoor education program for all ages.

Happy, hiking, and adventures, in the best parks and trails in Anchorage, Alaska.

For more info. visit www.alaska.org