Chugach State Park just outside of Anchorage, Alaska is a great place to experience a real wilderness adventure! From hiking to river activities to enjoying the local wildlife, the great outdoorsman (or woman) in you can be set free and easily fill up your vacation week in Chugach State Park during the summer vacation months.
Assuming that you will spend at least a week at Chugach State Park, we are going to give you our list of top-five activities you will want to enjoy during your time within the park. Ready to start planning your Chugach State Park exploration vacation? Then, let’s get started:
1. Hiking – you simply cannot visit Chugach State Park without taking advantage of its trails and wilderness areas you can explore on your own (for experience hikers). From paved nature walks to day-long mountain treks, Chugach State Park has it all. No matter what kind of trail you hike, be sure to prepare ahead with proper maps, equipment, and sustenance; you may even decide to enlist a guide if you want to hike into the backcountry.
2. Glacier Exploration – a unique feature of Chugach State Park is that you can visit more than 50 glaciers throughout the park. Because Alaska is known for its glaciers, you will definitely want to visit several of these unique AK landmarks. However, like hiking, glacier travel can be dangerous and should only be attempted by people experienced and equipped for glacier travel. If you aren’t sure about glacier hiking, contact a Chugach State Park ranger.
3. Camping – why take day trips into Chugach State Park when you can actually stay there in the beautiful AK wilderness? Chugach State Park has three campgrounds that offer camping experiences for just about everyone. If you aren’t into camping under the stars or on the ground, we recommend that you check out the motorhome rentals in Alaska. You can find some great deals on an Alaska RV rental right in Anchorage that can make your stay at the park more comfortable and exciting.
4. Fishing – who can come to Alaska without at least trying to catch some fish? Many avid fishermen travel to Alaska for this very purpose. Chugach State Park is a great place to throw in a line. In June and July, you can find pink salmon in Bird Creek; the spring at Eagle River and the feeder streams to Eklutna Lake also host Dolly Varden. Be sure to check out local fishing regulations before you reel in the big ones!
5. Berry Picking – a fun way your whole family can enjoy Chugach State Park is to pick berries during the summer months of late July through the end of August. You can find currants, high-bush and low-bush cranberries, blueberries, and more! However, you will want to be on the lookout for poisonous berries and for creatures (like bears) who also like to go berry picking. For more safety tips, you will want to ask the Chugach State Park rangers.
We just gave you five good reasons to check out Chugach State Park on your next trip to Alaska. And the great part about Chugach is that it is located within easy driving distance from the Anchorage area. You can easily fly into Anchorage, get your Alaska RV rental, and then head to Chugach State Park to get your adventure started!
