NPS/Kent Miller

A glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park.

I want to take a day long cruise, where do I go?

That depends on what you want in a cruise. The two most popular cruise departure points close to Anchorage are Whittier and Seward. Whittier offers great views of glaciers and some wildlife, while Seward offers lots of opportunities for viewing all sorts of wildlife, including whales. Further away but still drivable are Homer (great for wildlife) and Valdez (great for glaciers and whales).

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NPS

Denali on a clear summer day.

Where can I get information on Denali National Park and Preserve?

Stop by the APLIC for the Denali Alpenglow, Denali map brochure, Healy Lion's Club lodging list, and a park commercial visitor services list. Various seasonal newsletters, handouts, and educational material are also available. More information is available on the Denali FAQs webpage of the Denali National Park and preserve website at www.nps.gov/dena. You can also reach DNP by calling (800) 622-7275 (outside of Anchorage) or (907) 272-7275 (within Anchorage and international).

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Alaska DNR

What information can you give me on Alaska State Parks?
The Alaska Public Lands Information Center has the Alaska State Parks brochure listing camping and facility information, individual State Parks, Chugach State Park's Ridgelines, some specific hiking, canoeing, and public use cabin information. The Information Center also sells State Park camping, day use and boating launch passes. The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/ may help for planning a camping trip. Visit our Department of Natural Resources page to learn more.

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NPS/Kent Miller

I want to see wildlife. Where do I go?
There are many wildlife refuges in Alaska abundant with a variety of wildlife, though not all are easily accessible. Kenai and Tetlin are the only refuges with road access. Travel to the others requires boat or plane. Anchorage Alaska Centers has a Wildlife Viewing in Alaska brochure suggesting areas to view Alaska's wildlife. Staff can also recommend areas to look for moose, Dall Sheep, spawning salmon, bear, bald eagles, and other popular wildlife. Detailed animal and bird info sheets are also available. For more information, check out our Wildlife in Alaska page and Wildlife Viewing page.

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NPS/Kent Miller

A brown bear in Denali National Park and preserve

Where can I go to see some bears up close?
Bears are visible almost anywhere in Alaska. You might catch a glimpse of a black bear or a grizzly while hiking in Chugach State Park or Chugach National Forest. Destinations such as the Denali National Park, Katmai National Park, or Admiralty Island National Monument can provide even closer experiences. Alaska's bears are large and wild, and must be treated with respect. Ask for a copy of Bear Facts, Bear Viewing, or Wildlife Viewing in Alaska brochures from the APLIC staff, or check out our Bear Viewing and Bear Safety pages for more information.

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NOAA

Where can I go to learn more about Alaska Native Heritage?
In and around Anchorage, you can go to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Native Medical Center, and Native Village of Eklutna.

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NPS

Do you guys have any programs? movies? talks?
During the winter, our presentations are few and far between but the theater is available and we offer several movies on request on subjects such as Alaska's park lands and Alaska's history. For a list of those movies, visit the Anchorage Center Things to Do page Check back as we get closer to the summer months for a more rigid and full schedule of movies and public talks.

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NPS/Kent Miller

I've been in Alaska for a week and still haven't seen a moose! Help me out!
Moose can be seen almost anywhere in Southcentral Alaska from Anchorage backyards and parks to high country meadows. Moose can be in congregations of 30 to 40 during winter in the Palmer Hay Flats area, about 40 minutes north of Anchorage. Kincaid Park and Powerline Pass are also great places to see moose. However, moose can pose a road hazard to drivers and pedestrians should be aware of proper Moose Safety. It is recommended that you stay at least 75 feet away from a moose. If you aggravate one, they will charge. If this does happen, trying to outrun the moose will not work. Instead, get behind a tree or protective obstacle. Stay alert and keep your distance when you are around moose.

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I'm a teacher looking for information about Alaska; do you have any I can use?
A teacher packet is always available for pick-up or for mailing. In addition, we offer a wide variety of information desk materials ranging from gold panning and wildlife, to national parks and wildlife refuges. The education department also has loaner kits that can be mailed to you. See our For Teachers page for more information.

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NPS

I'm a teacher in town with a class of 25. Can I get a program or movie for my kids?
Alaska Centers's education department provides a full range of on-site programs, loan education kits, films/videos, and a traveling puppet show. Education staff is available Monday through Friday year round to help. See our For Teachers page for more information.

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NPS/Kent Miller

Climbing in Denali NP&P

I want to climb Mt. McKinley. Can you tell me who to contact?
Check out the Denali National Park mountaineering website http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/mountaineering.htm for information. You may also contact park rangers directly at the Denali National Park's Talkeetna Ranger Station: P.O. Box 327, Talkeetna, AK 99676. Phone: (907) 733-2231. FAX: (907) 733-1465.

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ADFG

I would like to hunt in Alaska. Can you send information?
APLIC can send trip planning information and hunting regulations. For lodging related services various chambers of commerce or Alaska Division of Tourism phone numbers and addresses might be useful. A licensed guides listing is available from the Alaska Division of Occupational Licensing at (907) 465-2543. More information on hunting in Alaska can be found at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.main

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BLM

Alternative transportation

I'd prefer not to drive while I'm here, are there other means of transportation?
Buses, trains, ferries, and planes are available sources of public transportation. A wide variety of outfitter-guide and other commercial services are also available. Lists are available from the Anchorage Convention and Visitor Bureau and Division of Tourism at their website at http://www.anchorage.net/. APLIC can provide commercial visitor services lists for many areas.

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NPS

I'd like to go on a day hike near Anchorage, where do I go?
Chugach State Park is the closest option and provides a wide variety of choices. The Park's website at http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/ details distances, difficulty and trailhead locations. Kincaid Park and Campbell Creek Science Center have good in-town hikes/walks.

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NPS

I want to go backpacking with trails. Where do I go?
Many areas have trails. State parks, the national forests, a couple national parks and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands have maintained trails. Locally, Chugach National Forest does provide maintained trail hiking on the Kenai Peninsula. Maintained trails descriptions can be found in our brochures and in the bookstore. The Alaska Trails website at http://www.alaska-trails.org/trail_connections/links.htm offers many links where information on trails can be found.

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NPS

Camping in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

I want to go backpacking without trails. Where do I go?
To almost any public lands area in Alaska! National parks, state parks, national forests, and BLM land all provide hiking without trails. Some popular destinations: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Denali National park and preserve, Lake Clark National Park and preserve, any Brooks Range area, numerous areas in southeast Alaska, and the Aleutian Range.

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NPS/Kent Miller

Biking the Denali park road.

Where can I go biking in the mountains? In the city? On the trails?
In Anchorage, there are a number of different trails, the most popular being the coastal trail which runs along the coast from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park. Kincaid Park and Far North Bicentennial Park both offer a wide variety of trails for biking. Across Alaska, many State and National park lands offer trails accessible to mountain biking.

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NPS/Jay Elhard

Are the public lands facilities in Alaska accessible to the disabled?
APLIC has a list of accessible federal and state campgrounds, and ratings of some facilities and trails. Several groups publish flyers and newsletters as well. If you have specific needs, it is usually best to contact the park you are planning on visiting and checking with them. Other groups that might be of help are Challenge Alaska and Alaska Welcomes You.

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USDA

I think I can score big gold panning! What are the rules and where can I go?
Recreational gold panning is permitted, with some restrictions, on most public lands in Alaska. These lands include national forests, wildlife refuges, some state parks, some national parks (though more are restricted), and lands administered by the BLM and the State of Alaska. If you want to actually file a mining claim, check with the BLM or the State Division of Mining depending on who manages the land of interest. Our handout packet includes a general guide to recreational gold mining, descriptive fliers on Nome Creek and Caribou Creek Recreational Mining areas, information on gold panning in Chugach National Forest, time-saving tips, and a fact sheet on Alaska State Parks. For more information, visit our Gold Panning or Minerals in Alaska webpages.

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NPS/Kent Miller

Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park

Glacier viewing is our thing. Can you tell us about a few nearby glaciers?
Several glaciers are within an easy day's drive of Anchorage:

Portage Glacier, though no longer visible from the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center, is popular due to the massive icebergs that float in Portage Lake. A short (Forest Service narrated) commercial boat trip at road's end takes you near the face of the glacier.

Kenai Fjords National Park provides a spectacular close-up view of Exit Glacier. An easy trail takes you to the face of this land-locked glacier, located about 12 miles north of Seward.

Matanuska Glacier is about one hundred miles north of Anchorage. Good views of the glacier are available from a paved turn-out at mile 101.7 of the Glenn Highway. Access onto Matanuska Glacier is via Glacier Park Resort. An Admission fee is charged.

For more information about viewing glaciers in Alaska, visit our Glacier Viewing page.

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NPS/Kent Miller

One of the many public use cabins in Alaska

Are there any good campsites near Anchorage?
Yes! In fact, there are many good campsites and public use cabins that can be reserved near Anchorage. Your closest options are to reserve a cabin, campsite, or even a yurt in Chugach State Park or Chugach National Forest.

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