The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Campbell Creek Science Center is one of the many sites in Alaska that are federally owned and maintained by the US Bureau of Land Management. Be sure to leave time to explore Campbell Creek Science Center while you're in Anchorage. This site's staff offers fantastic opportunities to learn about Alaska's diverse habitats, wildlife, and native vegetation. This is a fantastic place for an early morning bird walk or to join the fun of one of their Think Quests designed for different ages, from preschools to adults. Check their calendar as they often host science programs in the evening. You will also want to hike some of their 12 miles of trails.
Anchorage is also a great place to visit for other reasons. You may want to take a flightseeing trip, glacier trek, wildlife cruise, or play golf. There are over 460 city garden beds, so you will want to go for a stroll to see some of them. Kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, and climbing are all available nearby.
This trail starts at the Campbell Creek Science Center and follows the creek to Bicentennial Park before heading northwest a little and returning to its starting point. Much of it is wheelchair and stroller accessible. You will find many people walking their dogs along this trail.
Length: 3.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Start at the Bryon Glacier Trailhead and follow this accessible path through a rocky, verdant alluvial plain. This trail runs close to Bryon Creek, which is a great place to skip rocks. The reward for hiking this short trail is getting a closer view of Bryon Glacier. While you will need to go at dusk for this, it is a fabulous place to see ice worms.
Length:1.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Follow this gently rolling trail to the viewing platform and see a 200-foot-tall waterfall. This easy trail inside Chugach State Park gains about 100 feet in elevation. You will also enjoy seeing the birch forest.
Length: 2 miles roundtrip
Intensity: Easy
This trail reaches the summit of Flattop Mountain, and it takes most people about an hour to hike up. It gains 1,500 feet in elevation. You will love the views from the football field-size summit on a clear day. Note that you will need to pay a parking fee to take this hike.
Length: 3 miles roundtrip
Intensity: Moderate
One adventure that many visitors enjoy doing in Anchorage is to climb aboard the Alaska Railroad Train for a ride to Spencer Lake. Once there, you can kayak around the icebergs that have calved off Spencer Glacier. You also have the option to get out of your kayak for a short glacier hike. Meanwhile, anglers will love fishing in the Eagle River, where they often catch salmon and trout.
Triangle Peak, about 30 minutes from Anchorage, is a great place to go climbing. The Prism Route on the peak's northside is a favorite as it offers four pitches plus a hike through a snowfield and a scramble to reach the summit. You can choose to come down by rappelling, or there's a hike from the summit.
While you will want to see the animals at Campbell Creek Science Center, including moose and brown bears, there are other terrific options for wildlife viewing near Anchorage. You can often spot moose, black bears, and various birds at Kincaid Park's west end of Raspberry Road. You will also want to see the orphaned and injured animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
If you are looking for an excellent spot for a picnic, head to Elderberry Park. The trailhead for the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is in this park, and the Oscar Anderson House, containing local history, is nearby. This park has playground equipment for children, and you will love the view of the river.
See the unspoiled beauty of the Last Frontier by going on a trail ride. Most rides happen north of Anchorage in the Kirk Valley. If you are short on time, consider a carriage ride while you are in Anchorage. There are also many opportunities to go into the mountains on a sleigh.
There are many different options for RV camping in Anchorage. The city operates a large campground at Centennial Park. This campground has fantastic pull-through sites and is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.
You can find free camping near the Chugach National Forest. These campsites are often located near the forest's lakes or at trailheads.
Unique activities for people of different activities are available at Campbell Creek Science Center. Check their schedule and plan accordingly. Especially with young children, try to arrange their day so that they are well-rested for the activities.
If you are going to participate in outdoor activities, it is vital to stay well hydrated. Bringing along a reusable water bottle allows you to help protect the environment. Consider using a different color for everyone so that each person can quickly know which one is their water bottle.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Most locations in Anchorage have trash cans, so be sure that you are using them. If you find a place that does not, then it's vital that you take your trash with you. It is also vital that you help staff keep the area clean so that they can keep their focus on providing great programming.
Campbell Creek Science Center is at 5600 Science Center Drive in Anchorage. Start by getting on Alaska 1 South and exit onto Homer Drive. At the traffic circle, take the second exit to get on East Downing Street. Turn right onto Elmore Road and left onto BLM Road. Finally, turn left onto Science Center Drive.
Ready to visit Campbell Creek Science Center? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step-guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
