Chugach National Forest Guide
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The forest preserve now known as Chugach National Forest was created initially by Russia, which owned the land. The 6,908,540-acre area became one of the first United States national forests in 1892. This national forest, which is the furthest north and west in the United States, contains North America’s largest contiguous wetlands complex along the Pacific coast, and ice covers approximately 30% of the area. Despite covering nearly 7 million acres, there are only 90 miles of maintained forest roads here. Chugach National Forest is located about 220 miles southeast of Denali National Park and reaches south to Seward, which is the gateway city to Kenai Fjords National Park. Officially, this national forest contains three sections with district headquarters at Seward, Girdwood, and Cordova, Alaska.
Camping in Chugach National Forest
A great way to explore Chugach National Forest is in an RV because you can drive to see the different sections, and Seward Highway runs through the middle of it, so getting around is very easy. If you do not have your own RV, rent one on RVshare.com.
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Bertha Creek Campground
Bertha Creek Campground near Girdwood, Alaska, offers 12 sites located around a tent and RV camping loop. Vault toilets and hand-pumped water are available at this campground. Rates start at $14 per night in the late spring and summer, but the sites are free in the fall, winter, and early spring.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Hand-pumped water, vault toilet, launching location for float trips
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Cooper Creek Campground
Cooper Creek Campground near Soldotna, Alaska, contains north and south loops. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, rates start at $18 per night, but you can stay for free during the remainder of the year. Salmon fishing on the Kenai River is a popular activity near the campground.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Drinking water (in summer months), vault toilets, fishing
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Granite Creek Campground
Granite Creek Campground has 18 sites situated along a loop. This campground located along the Seward Highway is approximately 64 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska. Camping is free, except during the summer when rates start at $14 per night. Most of the sites sit along Sixmile Creek, which is a fantastic place to go whitewater rafting.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Hand-pumped water (in summer), vault toilet, fishing
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Quartz Creek Campground
Quartz Creek Campground sits on Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska. Summer rates start at $18 per night, but there are no fees to camp the rest of the year. The nearby lake is a popular place to boat, and there is a boat ramp available.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Running water (in summer), summer-only flush toilet, lake
RV Rentals Near Chugach National Forest
Chugach National Forest Hiking Trails
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Saddlebag Glacier Trail
Follow the Saddlebag Glacier Trail near Cordova, Alaska, through a glaciated valley to Saddlebag Lake. There, you can often see icebergs near the lake’s mouth and mountain goats grazing on the nearby hills.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Sheridan Mountain Trail
Start this trail located near Cordova, Alaska, in a spruce-hemlock forest before hiking along a stream that has boardwalks in many low-lying areas. The trail carries hikers to the top of a ridge with scenic views of the Sheridan and Sherman glaciers and the Copper River Delta.
Length: 2.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Hope Point Trail
Climb up and down switchbacks in the Kenai Mountains on the Hope Point Trail. It gains 2,338 feet in elevation, making it a fairly difficult climb.
Length: 3.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
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Alice Smith Intertie
This ridge trail near Cordova, Alaska, provides stunning views of Prince William Sound, Eyak Lake, the Copper River Delta, and the Chugach Mountains. Additionally, you may see bears and other wildlife along its entire length.
Length: 6.6 miles
Intensity: Difficult
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Resurrection River Trail
Hike through dense spruce-hemlock forest on this trail that will test your water-crossing skills; it crosses Martin Creek, Boulder Creek, and Upper Summit Creek.
Length: 17 miles
Intensity: Very Difficult
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Lake Elsner Trail
Pass along the shores of several glacier lakes on this trail that runs along the east side of Scotts Valley.
Length: 6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Devil’s Creek Trail
The first 3 miles of this trail pass through gentle valleys covered in birch and hemlock. The last 7 miles are an uphill climb through the narrow Devil’s Valley Canyon.
Length: 10 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Chugach National Forest
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
Researchers have identified at least 195 plant communities within Chugach National Forest. These include needle leaf forests and broadleaf forests as well as tall, low, and dwarf shrubs. You are likely to see Lutz spruce, black cottonwood, mountain hemlock, Sitka alder, and highbush cranberry trees. Animals you're likely to see include mountain goats, black bears, and grizzly bears.
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Fishing
Red salmon fishing draws crowds to this national forest beginning in early June and lasting through late July. The best place to try red salmon fishing is at the confluence of the Russian and Kenai rivers. Until September, anglers can also catch silver and coho salmon. Juneau Lake is the perfect place to go fishing for rainbow trout, whitefish, burbot, and grayling. Anglers also love fishing for rainbow trout in Swan, Meridian, Vagt, Leech, and Long Lakes. Trout Lake is another great spot to go fishing for rainbow trout and whitefish. Finally, Juneau Creek is a good place to fish for rainbow trout and grayling as well as Dolly Varden trout.
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Geocaching
Follow the Winner Creek Gorge Trail near Girdwood, Alaska, and you will find one of the few geocaches hidden in this national forest.
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Nature Watching
The Copper River Delta provides nesting, staging, and stopover points for more than 50 species of shorebirds, including five types of geese. Twenty-nine species of birds, including ring-neck ducks and the common crane, live in the forest during the winter. There are more eagles in this forest than in the lower 48 states combined. This location is the only national forest where you can see Dall sheep. Still, there are many other animals that you may see, including coyotes, timber wolves, moose, caribou, marten, and Sitka black-tailed deer.
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Stargazing
The remoteness of this national forest makes it an ideal spot to go stargazing. Since the sun barely peeks over the horizon from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the winter months, there is plenty of time to enjoy the night sky. This forest can be a fantastic spot to see the aurora borealis from September to April.
How to get to Chugach National Forest
Address: This park maintains three district headquarters: Glacier Ranger District Address: 145 Forest Station Road, Girdwood, AK 99587 Seward Ranger District Address: 33599 Ranger Station Spur, Seward, AK 99664 Cordova Ranger District Address: 612 Second Street, Cordova, AK 99574
Fee: Entry fee $0
Over 500 miles of hiking trails are available at Chugach National Forest, which starts about 80 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway. This forest located just south of Chugach State Park is a fantastic place to go fishing, especially for the five salmon types that live here seasonally. It is the only national forest where you can spot Dall sheep and one of only a few where you can see glaciers. An RV allows you to see all that this forest offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chugach National Forest
What type of wildlife lives in Chugach National Forest?
The Chugach National Forest is home to timber solves, caribou, martens, Sitka black-tailed deer, and black and grizzly bears among other animals. The Chugach is also the only national forest where Dall sheep can be found.
What is the closest town to Chugach National Forest?
Valdez is one of the closest towns to Chugach National Forest. The forest headquarters are in Seward, Alaska, and Anchorage is about 60 miles away.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Chugach National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak, canoe, and raft in Chugach National Forest. Prince William Sound next to the Chugach National Forest allows many opportunities to kayak and canoe. There are also several outfitters in the area that lead whitewater rafting trips in the forest.
What is the best time to visit Chugach National Forest?
Summer is the best time to visit Chugach National Forest. In the late summer months, snow has melted in many places and hiking trails are easier to access. Summer is also a great time for kayaking, fishing, and other outdoor adventures.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Chugach National Forest?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Chugach National Forest. You can camp at the same campsite for up to 14 nights in a row. This rule applies to backcountry camping as well as most campgrounds, although some developed campgrounds have shorter time limits.
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