Portage recreation Area

recreation Area

Portage Glacier Recreation Area is accessed via a 5 mile paved road at mile 79 of the Seward Highway. The road ends at a large parking lot next to Portage Lake with excellent views of the floating icebergs.

The first stop at Portage Glacier should be the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center, which contains a number of exhibits as well as a their excellent film, “Retreat and Renewal: Stories from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest.” The Glacier has receded over three miles in the past century and is no longer visible from the Visitor Center, which was built in 1986. It is open daily in summer 9am to 6pm. 907-783-2326

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research and quality animal care. The sanctuary maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for resident animals to feel at home displaying their natural wild behavior. It is common for visitors to see brown bears swimming, moose strutting, wood bison roaming, muskox playing, wolves posing, porcupines climbing, and more! Mile 79 Seward Highway. Portage Glacier Cruises sets sail to Alaska’s most visited attraction! Board Gray Line of Alaska’s exclusive day boat and cruise to within 300 yards of the glacier from the comfort of the mv Ptarmigan! Nature willing, you will witness the “calving” of the ice from the face of Portage Glacier. It is a one hour cruise and operates 5 times a day between 10:30am and 4:30pm, mid-May to mid-September. This is a highly recommended excursion. (See ad in Anchorage pg 31) The Alaska Railroad and the Chugach National Forest have teamed up to provide a unique way to access remote Alaska Wilderness. The Glacier Discovery Train gives visitors access to the Spencer Glacier and Grandview Valley Whistle Stops where guests can hike, raft and explore. The train stops daily in Portage during the summer and whisks guests off the beaten path and away from the crowds. The Alaska Railroad and Chugach National Forest Whistle Stop Project will eventually include five whistle stop stations, over 30 miles of new trails, cabins and campsites in the rugged Kenai Mountains. Visit alaskarailroad.com or call 800-544-0552 for booking and info. Byron Glacier Trail is an easy hike and will get you up close to Byron Glacier with great views of the surrounding mountains.

THINgs TO DO

©JodyO Photos/Visit Anchorage Hiking Portage Pass

DISCOVER THE DISCOVER THE WILD WILD

OF ALASKA OF ALASKA

Come meet the locals! Bears, bison, moose, reindeer, muskox, wolves, lynx and others that call the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center home. Wildlife viewing and educational opportunities abound just 45 minutes south of Anchorage on the scenic Seward Highway. AWCC is a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education, research, and quality animal care. Mile 79, Seward Highway | Portage, AK | 907.783.0058 | alaskawildlife.org