Alaska Wildlife Tours

Anchorage, conveniently located on the northern shores of Cook Inlet and surrounded by the magnificent Chugach Mountains, is at the heart of Alaska’s favorite activities from the many superb restaurants and frontier style nightclubs to authentic souvenir shops and fine art galleries. Planning your days in this active city requires plenty of first hand knowledge take advantage of the many optional tours that spotlight the history, culture and outdoors lifestyle of Anchorage. Visit the Alaska Zoo, where village you can see moose, bear, wolves and more Alaskan wildlife in a safe and exciting surroundings.

Nearby, The seaside town of Whittier is just a short scenic 1.5 hour drive from Anchorage along the picturesque mountainsides of the Chugach Mountains that border Turnagain Arm. During this drive you will have a chance to take advantage of the many pullouts along the route where you can see and photograph everything from Alaska wildflowers to the mysterious phenomena known as the Bore Tide that occurs in the waters of Cook Inlet. Stop at Beluga Lookout for a chance to see the Cook Inlet Beluga Whales as they feed on the abundant salmon returning to the local streams.

There is also the Kenai Fjords National Park where steep-sided, glacier-carved valleys give you an up-close look at an Alaska far different then that of the metro area. Located on the coastal community of Seward Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park is home to the Harding Ice Field, the largest ice field that is entirely within U.S. borders. Take the remarkable Kenai Fjords Cruise out of Seward and experience Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, Dall's porpoises, sea otters and whales in their natural habitat. Listen for the sounds of thousands of seabirds and watch as local charter boats real in salmon halibut and other abundant sea fare. The historic town of Seward, whose quaint shops await exploration, is a must see for all who visit Anchorage on an Alaska Vacation.

Eagle River Alaska

The Eagle River Nature Center, which sits at an entrance to Chugach State Park, is just a scenic 12 mile drive up Eagle River Road. Nestled among 7,000 foot mountain peaks, cascading rivers, majestic waterfalls and forests of birch and spruce trees teaming with abundant wildlife. Popular activities in at Nature Center include rafting, hiking, skiing and exploring the mountains and animals. The more popular hikes include Mount Baldy, which overlooks the town of Eagle River and the historic Crow Pass Trail which runs 26 miles between the Eagle River Nature Center and the town of Girdwood. The center offers daily guided nature walks, weekend interpretive programs, guided backcountry wilderness hikes, wildlife viewing, interpretive education exhibits, self-guided hiking trails and a new salmon viewing platform.

Expect to see plenty of wildlife in the area including bear, beaver, dall sheep, eagles, and a whole lotta moose. Don't be supprised to see lots of snowshoe hares and coyotes, beavers, weasels, mink, and muskrat are also abundant in the valley.

There is a state campground on the banks of the river that is located off the Glenn Highway just before it crosses the river as you come from Anchorage. From the Glenn Highway, take Hiland Road Exit at Mile 12 just beyond Fort Richardson. Follow the state park signs onto frontage road which takes you into the campground; 57 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, water, bathrooms equipped with flush toilets and a dump station for RV's. This is one of the nicer campgrounds in the Anchorage vicinity and very popular so reservations are suggested.call (907) 694-7982.
Note: The Iditarod Dog Sled Race also runs through Eagle River each winter.

Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing

Potter Marsh, at the southern end of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, is one of the most visited and accessible wildlife viewing areas in the Anchorage area. This could be because it is so close to town but we believe that the abundance of different birds and mammals along with the elevated salmon and wildlife viewing walk that makes Potters Marsh so attractive. Regardless as to why people flock to this area it is a great place to see and photograph bald eagles, northern harriers, yellowlegs, Arctic terns, pintails, mallards, Canada geese, red-necked grebes, and my personal favorite, the pacific loons that are seen here from May throughout the summer months.

Swan stretches its wings on Potter Marsh.	A spawning salmon as seen from the viewing platform in Potter Marsh.	Seeing wildlife along the Seward Highway is common.	Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood for their wildlife tours

Anchorage Wildlife Tours

Planning for Alaska Wildlife Tours requires plenty of first hand knowledge take advantage of the many optional tours that spotlight the local wildlife as well as many of the animals you will encounter in the Alaska outdoors within easy access of the city of Anchorage.