Welcome to the Chugach National Forest

Welcome to the Chugach National Forest A breathtaking landscape in the heart of southcentral Alaska. The Chugach is the backyard for more than half of Alaska’s residents and is a coveted destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The most northerly and westerly forest in the National Forest System, the 5.4 million-acre Chugach National Forest is composed of three distinct landscapes and compares in size to the state of New Hampshire. The Forest is home to many of Alaska’s Native peoples, including Ahtna, Chugach, Dena’ina, and Eyak.

Chugach National Forest hosts more than half a million visitors each year. Visitors explore the 3,500 miles of shoreline in Prince William Sound, the glacierstudded Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area, the Kenai Peninsula’s 175-miles of the Iditarod National Historic Trail-Southern Trek, or the Copper River Delta, the largest contiguous wetlands complex on America’s Pacific coast and a spring migration stopover for millions of shorebirds.

Recent News

• Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts remain closed to snowmachines due to lack of snow

  Release Date: Nov 23, 2021  

• Russian River Road, Campground to close Aug. 1, 2022 for construction

  Release Date: Nov 22, 2021  

• Christmas Tree Cutting on the Chugach National Forest

  Release Date: Nov 18, 2021  

• Chugach National Forest Accepting Applications for Outfitting and Guiding Services on Portage Lake

  Release Date: Nov 15, 2021  

Features

Chugach National Forest Accepting Applications for Outfitting & Guiding Service

The Chugach National Forest, Glacier Ranger District, is accepting applications for year-round commercial outfitting and guiding services for non-motorized activities on Portage Lake.

Request for Comment on Recreation Special Use Permit Action

The Chugach National Forest is soliciting public input on a special use permit action starting winter 2021/2022. IdidaRide Sled Dog Tours, LLC- has submitted an application to conduct guided day-use dog mushing tours in the flat area parallel to the highway, on the non-motorized side of Turnagain Pass, south of Center Ridge parking lot, on the Glacier Ranger District. Comments must be submitted to eric.ganshert@usda.gov by 11/19/2021. 

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Spotlights

The Chugach Whistle Stop Project

Climb on board a railroad adventure found nowhere else in the United States...

Be Bear Aware

Safety in bear country when camping or hiking begins before you set up camp or hit the trail.

Fire Safety: Know Before You Go!

Enjoy the beauty of Alaska but do your part to help prevent wildfires.  Always practice campfire safety and keep wildfire prevention in mind, regardless of weather conditions.

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