Trail Ridge Air

Trail Ridge Air operates out of Lake Hood, the world’s busiest seaplane base, with a fleet of floatplanes and bush planes that can reach terrain most Anchorage visitors never see. DeHavilland Beavers, a Cessna 206, and a Piper PA-12 give them flexibility across different passenger counts and destination types, from one-hour Anchorage area flights to multi-hour glacier runs and Denali views.

The Fleet and What It Means

Trail Ridge is notable as the only water taxi operating a Piper PA-12 out of Lake Hood — a smaller, more maneuverable bush plane that gets into lakes and landing strips that larger aircraft can’t reach. For passengers, this translates into access to more remote, less-visited destinations. The DeHavilland Beaver is one of the most iconic Alaska bush planes, and flying in one is itself part of the experience for aviation enthusiasts.

What to Book

Flightseeing routes include the Anchorage area and surrounding mountains, glaciers in the Chugach range, Denali views on longer tours, and Prince William Sound trips. Fishing charters can be combined with flightseeing for access to remote lakes and rivers. Hunting and rafting drop-offs are also available. The guides are built around a core group of Alaskan-trained pilots with significant bush flying experience.

Getting There

Trail Ridge Air is at 3961 Floatplane Drive on the Lake Hood side of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Lake Hood is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Anchorage. Weather-dependent scheduling is the norm for Lake Hood operations — plan flexibility into your day.

Ready to see Alaska from a floatplane?

Small fleet. Personal service.