Visitors Guide
Explore the Area!
Address: 11111 Old Eagle River Road, Eagle River, AK, USA .- Explore the Chugach Mountains: With some of the most stunning mountain views in the United States, the Chugach Mountains are perfect for hiking, biking, fishing, and more.
- Visit the Anchorage Museum: The Anchorage Museum is Alaska’s largest museum, and features displays about the region’s natural history, wildlife, landforms, and culture.
- Take a Brew Tour: Anchorage is home to some of Alaska’s best breweries. Take a tour and sample local favorites like the Anchorage Brewing Company, 49th State Brewing Company, and more.
- Attend an Anchorage concert: Anchorage is home to a multitude of venues featuring local, national, and international acts performing live music.
- Take a scenic drive: Many of the roads in Alaska offer spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and beautiful glacial rivers. Make sure to take in the views.
- Visit the Alaska Zoo: The Alaska Zoo is home to more than 100 birds and mammals representing some 50 species.
Beach Lake
Address: 20100 Beach Lake Rd, Chugiak, AK, USA .Beach Lake is a local gem located in the Eagle River/Chugiak area—the perfect place to enjoy a quiet, uncrowded view of the Chugach Mountains. Since there’s no large lakefront beach or recreation area, people mainly come for paddling and fishing (there is a boat launch). Enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding. You can also angle for stocked fish from spring through fall, including rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and Chinook salmon.
Alaskan wildlife frequent this area, so you may see eagles, loons, moose, bears, foxes, coyotes, or even porcupines. There’s a short, semi-maintained walking trail around the west side of the lake.
South Fork Trailhead - Barbara Falls
Address: 21711 Ken Logan Cir, Eagle River, AK, USA .Explore this short and easy 1.3-mile trail near Eagle River, just outside of Anchorage. This in-and-out hike can be completed in less than an hour but you'll want to plan a few minutes to take in the breathtaking waterfall (icefall in the winter) at the end.
Conditions: The trail can get muddy in late spring and in the summer. In the winter, the trail can get icy, use caution when hiking during these conditions and consider wearing ice cleats.
Access: The falls can also be accessed from the overlook above. Cross over the South Fork Eagle River bridge and take a left until you reach the base of the falls.
Parking: There's a small area to park at the bottom of Ken Logan Circle. All Chugach State Park trails require a day-use parking pass or parking decal.
Note: Remember to stay on designated paths and roads and off of the private property.
Dogs: Welcome, may be off-leash in some areas.
As with all trails in Alaska, hikers should be prepared, dress in layers, and bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, a map of the area, bear spray, and a well-charged cell phone.
Mount Baldy
Address: 12900 Golden Eagle Dr, Eagle River, AK 99577, USA .Length 2.9 mi
Elevation gain 1,138 ft
Route type Loop
Try this 2.9-mile loop trail near Eagle River, Alaska. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 hours to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, snowshoeing, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Thunderbird Falls
Address: 25321 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak, AK, USA .Who can say no to a cool waterfall?
One of the most popular “first hikes” for families with small children, the one-mile trail to Thunderbird Falls traverses a handsome birch forest along the Eklutna River canyon to reach a deck with views of a 200-foot waterfall.
Located inside Chugach State Park north of Eagle River and just south of Eklutna, the trail climbs steeply at first, gaining about 100 feet in elevation. Then the route levels out and becomes an easy walk.
Feel the spray
A viewing deck, refurbished in the past few years, offers an elevated straight-on view. But the more adventuresome will want to take a side trail down into the canyon. With some care for footing, you can work upstream to the base of the falls and feel the chilly spray of Thunderbird Creek on your face.
During winter, the falls can freeze, forming fabulous columns of blue ice. Take care that you have ice grippers on shoes after temperatures plunge. In all seasons, parents will want to be wary of the canyon lip and keep children well away.
The Thunderbird Falls hike is a great outing that can be coupled with other trips:
Visit Mirror-Edmonds Lakes Park. Picnicking, paddling, swimming, hiking and biking. Ski trails and ice fishing in the winter. Exit the Glenn Highway at the Mirror Lake exit about Mile 24 and drive south on the Old Glenn Highway to the Mirror Lake Wayside Park. It’s on the mountain side of the freeway.
Visit the Coyote Trails behind Mirror Lake Middle School. A popular strolling, biking and skiing destination when school is not in session. Take the North Peters Creek exit from the Glenn Highway at Mile 23. Exit to the west (head away from the mountains) and take the Old Glenn Highway north to the school.
Visit Eklutna Lake. Eklutna Lake Road begins is less than one mile north from Thunderbird Falls off the Old Glenn Highway. Take the road 10 miles into the mountains to a state park campground and trailhead with extensive biking, hiking, paddling and wilderness exploration.
For more information:
Thunderbird Falls Trail brochure
Coyote / Mirror Lake area trails
Chugach State Park overviewMt Denali
Address: Denali Park, AK, USA .The iconic Mt Denali (known simply as Denali to the locals) is visible to all guests, when it is not covered in clouds, from the west side stairway landing. Both of the Executive Suites have a view of the tallest peak in North America, standing at 30,310 ft high!
