Alaska Public Lands Information Center

The Alaska Public Lands Information Center (APLIC) is a free, year-round interagency visitor center operated by a consortium of federal and state agencies — including the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Located in the Old Federal Building at the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street in downtown Anchorage, it serves as the single best starting point for planning any outdoor adventure in Alaska, from a weekend trail run to a multi-week backcountry expedition.

The center's exhibits cover the full breadth of Alaska's public lands — its national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, wilderness areas, and state recreation sites. Interactive displays explore the state's geography, ecology, and wildlife, bringing context to the raw data of a topographic map. Short films on Alaska's natural environments, wildlife, and indigenous cultures screen regularly and are free to watch. A staff of knowledgeable rangers and naturalists is on hand to answer questions, recommend routes, and provide the kind of nuanced trip-planning advice that no guidebook or website can replicate.

The center stocks one of Anchorage's most comprehensive collections of free and for-sale maps, including USGS topographic maps, national park maps, and Forest Service recreation guides. Printed information on camping, permits, fishing and hunting regulations, road conditions, and seasonal access is available for virtually every corner of the state. For travelers planning to visit Denali, Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias, Katmai, or any of Alaska's other national parks, APLIC staff can provide detailed condition reports and help navigate the permit system.

Programs for families and visitors include ranger-led talks, artist demonstrations, and special events throughout the summer season. Free walking tours depart from the center during peak season. Admission to the center is completely free; a small gift shop sells Alaska-themed items, books, and educational materials. Note that the center is located inside a federal building and visitors pass through airport-style security screening at entry.

The center operates Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM during summer (May through September), with reduced hours in the winter months. It is conveniently located within walking distance of Anchorage's hotel corridor, Ship Creek, the Alaska Railroad depot, and the 4th Avenue Theater — making it a natural first stop on any Anchorage itinerary, whether you plan to spend the day in the city or head immediately into the wilderness.