Hiking

Discover the Chugach National Forest! 

The hiking opportunities are almost endless on the Chugach. Just keep your wits about you, have a plan, and be careful. Start from one of our 41 cabins, many campgrounds, or find a trailhead from the links below. Be sure to bring plenty of water, pack your rain gear and follow other safety measures when you set out. 

Guides

• Trails Recreation Opportunities Guide.
• Recreational Opportunities Guide (cabin rental camping and picnicking, fishing and hiking).

Backpacking

Throw on a well-packed pack

Backpacking on the Forest requires some forethought and intentional choices. You should pack carefully, planning for all eventualities, including the possibility of changing weather and your trip being longer than anticipated. Always let someone else know your plans; when your trip starts and, importantly, when to expect you back. The forest is wilderness... Check out our safety page.

Backpacking Areas

• Copper River Delta
  • Alice Smith Intertie Trail
  • Lake Elsner Trail
• Eastern Kenai Peninsula
  • Bear Lake Trail - INHT
  • Carter Lake Trail
  • Crescent Creek Trail
  • Crescent Lake Trail
  • Crow Pass Trail - INHT
  • Devil's Creek Trail
  • Falls Creek Trail
  • Grandview Whistlestop
  • Johnson Pass Trail North - INHT
  • Johnson Pass Trail South - INHT
  • Lost Lake Trail - INHT
  • Meridian Lake Trail - INHT
  • Primrose Trail - INHT
  • Ptarmigan Creek Trail - INHT access
  • Ptarmigan Lake Trail - INHT
  • Resurrection Pass Trail North
  • Resurrection Pass Trail South
  • Resurrection River Trail
  • Russian Lakes Trail Upper & Lower
  • Vagt Lake Trail - INHT
• Prince William Sound
  • Goose Bay Cabin
  • Upper Winner Creek - INHT

Day Hikes

Spend some time on your forest

Day hiking on the Chugach National Forest is a snap. All you have to do is pick a place and start hiking. Just be safe, pack for the weather, and let somebody know where you are going. A permit is not required to hike these trails.

Day Hiking Areas

• Copper River Delta
  • Alice Smith Intertie
  • Copper River Trail
  • Crater Lake Trail
  • Eyak River Trail
  • Haystack Trail
  • Heney Ridge Trail
  • McKinley Lake
  • Pipeline Lakes Trail
  • Power Creek Cabin
  • Power Creek Trail
  • Saddlebag Glacier Trail
  • Sheridan Mountain Trail
• Eastern Kenai Peninsula
  • Bear Lake Trail - INHT
  • Byron Glacier Trail
  • Carter Lake Trail
  • Crescent Creek Trail
  • Falls Creek Trail
  • Grandview Whistlestop
  • Gull Rock Trail
  • Hope Point Trail
  • Johnson Pass Trail South - INHT
  • Lost Lake Trail - INHT
  • Meridian Lakes Trail -INHT (Grayling Lake)
  • Primrose Trail - INHT
  • Ptarmigan Creek Trail - INHT
  • Ptarmigan Lake Trail - INHT
  • Rainbow Lake Trail
  • Resurrection Pass Trail South
  • Resurrection River Trail
  • Russian Lakes Trail Upper & Lower
  • Turnagain Pass Trail - INHT
  • Vagt Lake Trail - INHT
  • Victor Creek Trail - INHT
• Prince William Sound
  • Coghill Lake Cabin
  • Harrison Lagoon Cabin
  • Paulson Bay Cabin
  • Portage Glacier & Portage Valley
  • Portage Pass Trail - INHT
  • Williwaw Nature Trail
  • Trail of Blue Ice - INHT
  • Winner Creek Gorge - INHT

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (28)

Day Hikes (50)

General Hiking (40)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 59 results

Alice Smith Intertie Trail

This ridge route is marked with rock cairns and has extraordinary views of Prince William Sound, Eyak Lake, the Copper River Delta, and the surrounding Chugach Mountains.

Bear Lake Trail - INHT

Bear Lake Trail is a segment of the longer Iditarod National Historic Trail (INHT). This trail is moderate difficulty and is 7.5 miles (one way). The best season for use is June - October. It has…

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center

Site Closed

The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center rests right in the heart of Portage Valley.There are many hikes and sights (including Portage and Byron Glaciers) to see in the area!Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is…

Byron Glacier Trail

Extremely large cornices overhang Byron Glacier Valley. It is wise to avoid this area until the snow has avalanched. Snow and avalanche danger can persist into the summer months.This 1.4 mile trail…

Carter Lake Trail

3.4-mile hiking trail to Carter and Crescent Lakes. It is a short but steep climb (first 1.5 miles) through spruce/hemlock forest to a wide subalpine valley of meadows surrounded by mountains. Snow…

Coghill Lake Cabin

Site Open

The cabin is a 16x16-foot A-frame with a main floor and a sleeping loft. It accommodates up to six guests and comes equipped with wooden bunks, a kerosene heating stove, a table, benches and an…

Copper River Delta

Site Open

Cordova is a commercial fishing community and home to the world famous Copper River Wild Salmon. The District is nestled between the Cooper River Delta and the southeastern end of Prince William…

Copper River Trail

This is an easy trail, less than a mile long, that follows an old road along the Copper River. Excellent views of the glacier can be seen at several points along the trail. The recreation area…

Crater Lake Trail

This 2.6 mile trail climbs a steep grade passing through mature spruce-hemlock forest to a picturesque alpine bowl where Crater Lake sits.  

Crescent Creek Trail

This 6.2-mile trail climbs gradually up the narrow valley of Crescent Creek through spruce/birch forest to Crescent Lake. Frequent openings afford views of nearby mountains. Snow can remain on the…