Chugach National Forest
 

Recreation

5.4 million Acres of wilderness and water!

The Eastern Kenai Peninsula
and the Seward Ranger District

The Russian River draws tens of thousands of salmon anglers, but if your tastes run quieter, check out backcountry streams and lakes for grayling and trout.

The Copper River Delta
and the Cordova Ranger District

On the Copper River Highway, enjoy the drive through wetlands and rainforest and across the mighty Copper River. Near the road's end, the towering blue wall of Childs Glacier looms.

Prince William Sound
and the Glacier Ranger District

Visitors in kayaks, cruise ships, small boats, ferries, and float planes explore Prince William Sound's 3,500 miles of coastline and three million acres of ocean and land...

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Begich, Boggs Visitor Center Open to Visitor Open 7 days a week, 9 am to 6 pm, May 9th-Sept. 25th.
Childs Glacier & other sites in Cordova Area   
Crow Pass Cabin Closed to Visitor Please be advised that EXTREME avalanche conditions exist along this trail once the snow begins to fall. Travel is not recommended throughout the winter months. Snow crept downhill past Crystal Lake and Crow Pass cabin on 9/30.

Crow Pass cabin completed its first official summer as of 9/30; it is now closed for reservations but door is open for emergency/bad weather lodging.
Porcupine Campground Closed to Visitor Removed from reservation system for 2011.
Ptarmigan Creek Trail Closed to Visitor The first 3/4 miles of the Ptarmigan Creek Trail are currently under construction. ATV's and other motorized trail equipment are being used and this section of trail is quite muddy and messy. As a part of the Iditarod Trail extension that will travel over Fall's Creek, this will eventually (years?) be part of the offical route from Seward to Nome. The Forest Service segment will end at the Forest Boundary on Glacier Ranger District.
Spencer Whistle Stop Closed to Visitor

Spotlights

Coghill Lake Cabin

Coghill Cabins #2

A 16-foot A-frame cabin with loft.

Sleeps 6, table, wood stove, wood is available (some searching required) Stove is kerosene. splitting maul, crosscut saw, wood shed, outhouse.

No running water, electricity, mattress or bedding, cooking utensils, or cut firewood.

Shrode Lake Cabin

A 16-foot A-frame cabin with loft that sleeps 8, table, oil heater, boat with oars, boat house, outhouse.  Not included:  running water, electricity, mattress or bedding, life vests, cooking utensils, or stove oil. 

Spencer Whistle Stop

The train and conductor at the Spencer Whistle Stop

Hop off the Train at the Spencer Whistle Stop!

Take a tour with a Forest Service interpreter around the foot of Spencer Lake and then float among the icebergs that have calved off of the great glacier while the guide steers an Alaskan Native canoe. Or take a leisurely journey by raft down the Placer River toward Turnagain Arm.

Five Fingers Campsites

This includes 3 hike-in only campsites with limited amendities.