outdoor Anchorage

Explore Chugach State Park near Anchorage in 2026: hiking all skill levels, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and wildlife watching in 495,000 acres.

Eagle River Nature Center sits 30 minutes from Anchorage with riverside trails, moose sightings, salmon runs, and the start of the Historic Iditarod Trail — plus nearby Thunderbird Falls for a quick waterfall detour.

Discover Eagle River and Chugiak near Anchorage: the Nature Center, Thunderbird Falls, Eklutna Lake, and outdoor day trips worth the 15-mile drive in 2026.