This national forest ranks second in size only to Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska. Chugach totals 5.5 million acres, about the size of New Hampshire. It stretches from the Kenai Peninsula east across Prince William Sound to encompass the Gulf Coast surrounding the Copper River Delta, then east from there as far as Bering Glacier.
Special features of Chugach National Forest are Kayak Island, site of the first documented landing of Europeans in Alaska, Columbia Glacier, one of the largest tidewater glaciers in the world, the wetlands of the Copper River delta, which serve as nesting, staging and feeding habitat for millions of birds each year and Portage Glacier and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, one of the most visited recreational facilities in Alaska.
The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center on Portage Lake is located off the Whittier Access Road, 53 miles south of Anchorage via the Seward Highway. The visitor center features displays on the history of Portage Valley, with information about Chugach National Forest resources. Portage Glacier has retreated dramatically in recent years. In the 1970s, the glacier extended across the lake to within 2 miles of the visitor center. By 1994, Portage Glacier had retreated around the corner of Byron Peak's northeast ridge. Best views of Portage Glacier are from the sightseeing boat or from the Portage Pass Trail. Visit Begich, Boggs Visitor Center for more information.
Activities
Some 200 miles of hiking trails lead to backcountry cabins, ski areas and popular fishing spots within Chugach National Forest. For details on hiking trails, contact the Chugach National Forest headquarters listed at the end of the page.
Backcountry camping is allowed throughout Chugach National Forest. Boating, fishing and kayaking are popular activities. Outfitters offer river-running trips on several rivers and creeks within the national forest. Recreation streams on the Kenai Peninsula include the Kenai River and Sixmile Creek.
Popular winter activities include cross-country skiing, alpine mountaineering, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Areas include Summit Lake, accessible from Mile 48 on the Seward Highway, Muskeg Meander Ski Trail, the only cross-country ski trail in the Cordova Ranger District, beginning at Mile 18.6 Copper River Highway, and Turnagain Pass, 60 miles southeast of Anchorage.
Wildlife
Chugach National Forest is home to a wide variety of birds, mammals and fish. Black and brown bear inhabit most of the forest, foraging on open tundra slopes and in intertidal zones. In late summer, bears may be seen feeding on spawned-out salmon along streams and rivers. Record-size moose inhabit the Kenai Peninsula and the Copper River Delta. Dall sheep can be seen on Kenai Peninsula mountainsides, mountain goats are found on steep hillsides along Prince William Sound, the Copper River Delta and occasionally above Portage Valley. Smaller mammals found within the Chugach include coyotes, lynx, red foxes, wolverines, wolves, porcupines, red squirrels, beavers, land otters, parka squirrels, pikas and hoary marmots.
More than 214 species of resident and migratory birds occupy Chugach National Forest. Seabirds, such as blacklegged kittiwakes, nest in sea cliff colonies by the thousands. Ptarmigan scurry over alpine tundra, bald eagles perch on shoreline snags and Steller's jays forage in the underbrush. The Copper River Delta protects one of the largest known concentrations of nesting trumpeter swans in North America as well as the total population of dusky Canada geese. Nesting waterfowl are joined in spring and fall by thousands of migrating shorebirds.
Saltwater fish available include halibut, red snapper and five species of Pacific salmon. Razor clams can be dug near Cordova and shrimp along with three species of crab may be harvested. Lakes on the Kenai Peninsula contain landlocked Dolly Varden and many larger lakes and streams are migratory routes for Dolly Varden, rainbow trout and salmon. Other freshwater fish include arctic grayling, hooligan, burbot, lake trout and cutthroat trout.
Boaters in Prince William Sound may see Dall porpoises, harbor seals, sea otters, sea lions and Orcas and humpback whales.
Accommodations
There are 42 Chugach National Forest recreational cabins available to rent. There are 14 Forest Service campgrounds located along the Southcentral road system. Campground facilities include picnic tables, fire rings, dumpsters, toilets and water pumps. There are no RV hookups. There is a 14-day limit at all campgrounds except Russian River Campground, which has a 3-day limit. A camping fee is charged at all campgrounds. The campgrounds are generally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Campsites are available on first-come, first-served bases at all campgrounds except Primrose and Williwaw, which are on the National Recreation Reservation Service. For cabin and campsite reservations visit www.reserveusa.com.
For more information:
Chugach National Forest
3301 C Street, Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99503-3998
(907) 743-9500
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/