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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, or four 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. 

Choose from the following to find a site:

Information

Download the Recreational Opportunities for Trails PDF flyer.

Download the flyer for all Recreational Opportunities (cabin rental camping and picnicking, fishing and hiking).

Backpacking

Throw on a well-packed pack

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

Information

Download the Recreational Opportunities for Trails PDF flyer.

Download the flyer for all Recreational Opportunities (cabin rental camping and picnicking, fishing and hiking).

 

Backpacking Areas

  • Copper River Delta
    • Alice Smith Intertie
    • 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 Lakes Trail - INHT
    • Primrose Trail - INHT
    • Ptarmigan Creek Trail - INHT
    • 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 is pick a place and start off. Just be safe, pack for the weather, and let somebody know where you are going. There is no permit necessary.

Information

Download the Recreational Opportunities for Trails PDF flyer.

Download the flyer for all Recreational Opportunities (cabin rental camping and picnicking, fishing and hiking).

 

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

Search for Hiking Opportunities

Showing: 1 - 10 of 17 results

Begich, Boggs Visitor Center

Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
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…

Coghill Lake Cabin

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Water Activities
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
Hiking
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…

Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Hiking
The Eastern Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forest is best known for its spectacular recreational opportunities. Its forested lands, mountains, and rivers are just minutes south of Anchorage,…

Goose Bay Cabin

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities Outdoor Science and Learning Winter Sports Hiking
The Goose Bay Cabin is a 16x16-foot A-frame cabin with a loft. It sits just yards away from a pristine inlet in Goose Bay and is accessible by boat or seaplane. The cabin can accommodate up to 6…

Grandview Whistle Stop

Site Open
Hiking
Historic GrandviewStaying on the train past Spencer Whistle Stop has its own appeal. There are great views of Bartlett Glacier and Trail Glacier and this could easily be considered the most scenic…

Harrison Lagoon Cabin

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Water Activities Outdoor Science and Learning
The 16 x 20-foot cabin can accommodate up to 6 people and is equipped with wooden bunks, a table with benches, an oil drip (kerosene) stove for heat and an outhouse with pit toilet. Cabin users must…

McKinley Lake Cabin

Site Closed
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
This 16x20-ft cabin can accommodate up to 6 people and is equipped with wooden bunks. Cabin amenities include a table, benches, wood stove for heat, saw, axe, splitting maul, a rainwater catchment…

Paulson Bay Cabin

Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking Water Activities
The 12 x 14-foot cabin accommodates up to 6 people and comes equipped with wooden bunks, a table with benches, an oil-drip kerosene stove for heat, a fire extinguisher, broom and an outhouse with…

Portage Glacier & Portage Valley

Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
Welcome to the land of ice & rock...Portage Valley is a 14 mile isthmus that connects the Kenai Peninsula to mainland Alaska. Portage Glacier once extended the entire length of the valley. The…

Last updated April 3rd, 2025