Chugach State Park

Chugach State Park is a state park in south-central Alaska covering 495,204 acres (2,004 km²) of the Chugach Mountains immediately east of Anchorage. Created on 6 August 1970, it is the third-largest state park in the United States, after Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California and Wood-Tikchik State Park in Alaska. It offers some of the most accessible mountain recreation in Alaska, including Flattop Mountain, the most-hiked peak in the state, and more than 280 miles of trails.[1][2]

History and management

The park was created on 6 August 1970 when Governor Keith Miller signed the enabling legislation. It is managed by Alaska State Parks, with park headquarters at the Potter Section House State Historic Site. Most of the park lies in the Municipality of Anchorage, while a small portion north of Eklutna Lake near Pioneer Peak lies in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.[1]

Peaks and glaciers

Bashful Peak, at 8,005 feet (2,440 m), is the highest point in the park. Pioneer Peak’s southern summit is reached by the Pioneer Ridge Trail from Knik River Road, and Flattop Mountain is reached from the Glen Alps trailhead. Glaciers include the Eklutna Glacier, at the end of the Eklutna Glacier Trail, and the Whiteout, Eagle and Raven glaciers, which are crossed by a 31-mile traverse to Crow Pass with three Mountaineering Club of Alaska huts.[1]

Glen Alps and Flattop

The Glen Alps trailhead, about 20 minutes east of downtown Anchorage, gives access to the Anchorage Overlook Trail, a quarter-mile wheelchair-accessible loop with a 53-foot gain. The Flattop Mountain Trail is 1.5 miles one way with a 1,300-foot gain; the state rates it difficult, with steep sections and some scrambling, and notes that falls have caused injuries and deaths.[2]

Eklutna Lake

The Lakeside Trail runs 12.7 miles one way to the Eklutna Glacier with a 300-foot gain. Off-road vehicles are allowed on it only on certain days with a 15 mph limit, and the Twin Peaks Trail climbs 1,500 feet in 2.5 miles. Only non-motorized boats and electric motors are allowed on the lake, and parking costs $5 per calendar day or an annual day-use pass.[1][2]

Eagle River

The non-profit Eagle River Nature Center anchors this area. The Rodak Nature Trail is a two-thirds-mile easy loop leading to a beaver and salmon viewing deck, and the Albert Loop is a 3-mile easy loop. The Historic Iditarod (Crow Pass) Trail runs about 23–28 miles between Eagle River and Girdwood, with sources giving different lengths, and is open to foot travel only.[1][2]

Wildlife

The park holds hundreds of black bears as well as brown bears, with moose, wolves, Canadian lynx, Dall sheep, mountain goats and hoary marmots. Red and silver salmon spawn in its streams, and beluga whales are seen near Beluga Point on Turnagain Arm.[1]

Winter and other use

Winter activities include cross-country and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, skijoring and ice climbing, with downhill skiing at Arctic Valley. Six designated areas are open to snowmobiles when snow depth allows, and fat-tire bikes are allowed on certain trails from 15 November to 31 March.[2]

Access

Access points include the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm, at Beluga Point (milepost 110.5), Windy Corner (106) and Bird Point (96), as well as McHugh Creek, Glen Alps, Eklutna Lake and Knik River Road.[1]

FAQs

How big is Chugach State Park? 495,204 acres, the third-largest state park in the United States.

When was it created? 6 August 1970.

What is the highest point? Bashful Peak, at 8,005 feet.

How long is Flattop Mountain Trail? 1.5 miles one way with a 1,300-foot gain.

What animals live there? Black and brown bears, moose, wolves, lynx, Dall sheep and mountain goats.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Chugach State Park
2. Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Chugach State Park recreation opportunities

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue