Alaska’s state nickname is The Last Frontier, so it’s no surprise that Anchorage, Alaska has lots of interesting places to hike and explore! You don’t need to get very far outside the city to be completely engulfed in wilderness and scenic, rugged beauty. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike in the backcountry or an easy hike with kids, there’s something for everyone in Anchorage! Also, most hiking trails are open year-round and are just as popular with snowshoers and cross-country skiers as they are with hikers.
1.) Potter Creek Interpretive Trail
2.) Rendezvous Peak Trail
3.) Earthquake Park
4.) Cheney Lake
5.) Campbell Tract Loop National Recreation Trail
Potter Creek Interpretive Trail
The Potter Creek Interpretive Trail is an easy, short trail in Chugach State Park. It’s a popular hiking and snowshoeing trail, and you’ll likely see other outdoor enthusiasts while you’re there. It’s a great trail for kids, families, and dogs. You will need to pay for a day-use parking pass at the state park when you arrive.
Address: 18620 Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516
Mileage: 0.9 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This trail has pavement at the beginning, then turns to hard-packed gravel. The pavement is easy for strollers and wheelchairs to operate on, but the gravel may be more of a challenge. In winter, the snow may also present a challenge for wheelchairs and strollers.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail that can be hiked by kids.
Open year-round: Yes
Miles from downtown Anchorage: 10 miles from downtown Anchorage
Pet-friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid-friendly? Yes, this trail is easy to walk with kids. It does have a moderately steep uphill grade, but there are benches for resting along the way.
Rendezvous Peak Trail
The Rendezvous Peak Trail is another Chugach State Park trail, that is a little more challenging. You’ll get beautiful mountain views and a pretty steep elevation gain. This is a popular trail for hikers, runners, and snowshoers. Although it’s in the state park, the pass doesn’t work here. You’ll need to purchase a $5 pass at the Rendezvous Cafe.
Address: 18620 Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516
Mileage: 3.1 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This is a dirt- or snow-packed trail for hiking or snowshoeing.
Difficulty: This is a moderately challenging trail with an almost-1,400 foot elevation change. Older kids and kids who hike a lot will be able to manage it, but younger kids may need a hiking backpack in case they get tired.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Anchorage: 10 miles from downtown Anchorage
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? Yes, this is a kid-friendly trail with beautiful views of the mountains. Younger kids may find the trail challenging, so be ready to take things slow or to carry very small children.
Earthquake Park Trail
The Earthquake Park Trail is a popular trail with birdwatchers, cyclists, runners, and walkers. You’ll get beautiful lake, mountain, and city views along the trail. The park commemorates the 1964 Alaska earthquake that measured 9.2 on the Richter scale. There are signs to commemorate the tragedy, but also nice spots for picnicking and enjoying the Alaskan outdoors.
Address: 5101 Point Woronzof Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502
Mileage: 5.1 miles
In and Out Trail
Terrain: This trail is paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. There are some steep grades along the trail, from about the 1-3 mile spot and the 5-mile mark.
Difficulty: This is an easy trail and can be hiked by kids. Because it’s an out-and-back trail, you can also adjust the mileage depending on how far kids are able to hike.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Anchorage: 4.4 miles from downtown Anchorage
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? Yes, this trail is kid-friendly! Parts of the trail are steep, but there are benches and picnic tables along the way for stopping.
Cheney Lake
The Cheney Lake Trail wanders around the perimeter of the lake. It’s in a suburban area of Anchorage, and is a popular spot for walking and running. You may spot ducks and geese, and possibly even eagles in the area. It’s also a popular spot for people walking their dogs.
Address: 2245 Baxter Rd, Anchorage, AK 99504
Mileage: 1.2 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: The trail is dirt or packed snow, depending on the time of year. It is challenging for strollers and wheelchairs unless they have tires designed to go off-road.
Difficulty: This is considered an easy trail. There is 111 feet of elevation gain, which many kids can hike on their own.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Anchorage: 6.2 miles from downtown Anchorage
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail. They are allowed off-leash in some areas along the trail.
Kid friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail that follows the perimeter of Cheney Lake. There are spots to feed ducks, investigate plant life, and even look for geocaches.
Campbell Tract Loop National Recreation Trail
The Campbell Tract Loop National Recreational Trail is in the Far North Bicentennial Park. It’s a popular spot for birdwatching, hiking, and cross-country skiing. It’s also a popular spot for bears, and officials recommend that you bring bear spray. The trail is kid-friendly, but since you’re in bear country, be sure to keep kids close by and don’t let them run ahead on the trail.
Address: 4970 Campbell Airstrip Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
Mileage: 4.5 miles
Loop Trail
Terrain: This trail is packed dirt or snow, depending on the season. It is a difficult trail for strollers or wheelchairs to manage.
Difficulty: This is considered an easy trail, although it is more than 4 miles long and gains 380 feet in elevation.
Open year-round? Yes
Miles from downtown Anchorage: 7.6 miles from downtown Anchorage
Pet friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed on this trail, but must be leashed. Be sure to bring bags and pick up after your pet!
Kid friendly? This is a kid-friendly trail. It may be a bit long for younger kids, but you can turn back at any point along the loop. There are a few hills as well. Kids (and adults!) can watch the salmon swim upstream as they head to spawn. Also, look for wildlife including moose, bears, and wolves. As a precaution, be sure to have kids hike next to adults instead of running ahead on the trail.
Anchorage Trails
These trails, and many other Anchorage hiking trails, provide beautiful views of the city, the mountains, and the lakes in Anchorage. Because many areas are home to wild animals, and often larger animals like bears and moose, be sure to keep small children and pets close by while hiking. Some areas also have signs advising hikers to carry bear spray as well.
RV Camping in Anchorage
RV camping is a great way to see Anchorage and to be near some of the city’s hiking trails! There are several RV campgrounds near Anchorage, and you can also camp at Chugach State Park. You’ll find lots of hiking trails for walking in summer, or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
RV Rentals in Anchorage
There are lots of RVshare RV rentals in Anchorage, so you can choose one that fits your group and the activities you want to do. If you’re sticking to main roads and have a larger group, a Class A or C camper or a fifth-wheel trailer might suit you. If you’re headed for winding, narrower roads and are going solo or with just one or two other people, a Class B campervan is going to be easier to maneuver.
Other Things To Do in Anchorage
There are lots of other things to do near Anchorage. Denali State Park is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from town, and is definitely worth the trip! Denali National Park is about a four-hour drive from Anchorage and is another once-in-a-lifetime destination. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is about an hour from town and features more than 200 acres of animal enclosures that include wolves, reindeer, moose, bears, and more. After working up an appetite, stop for a bite at Tommy’s Burger Stop.
Whether you’re enjoying a sunny summer hike or a snowy winter walk, enjoy your time on the trails!
