In 1970 this magnificent area was declared a state park. Located within the municipality of Anchorage, Chugach State Park includes roughly 500,000 acres (202,343 hectares) of the Chugach Range and the surrounding landscape. The Eklutna Lake is the park's most unique proposition that beautifully mirrors the surrounding environs over its glassy surface. With a 5,000 foot (1,524 meters) vertical rise and three major campgrounds to the north of Anchorage, this wilderness area is filled with wildlife including moose, wolves, brown and black bears and more. It's a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts offering a plethora of activities that allow one to get up, close and personal with nature.
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Adjacent to the Hilltop Ski Area, these 18 miles of ungroomed trails wind their way into the Chugach foothills and offer a delightful view of the city. Watch out for the very common moose and black and brown bear in this area and exercise extra caution if traveling solo. There are no rest facilities in this park. Check out the Alaska Botanical Gardens open daily, just off of the Campbell Airstrip Road.
Just off of the Glenn Highway, visitors can discover this park with more than three miles of wooded, hilly trails near the Chugach Foothills. A portion of the trail is lighted for skiing in the winter. In the summer, no lights are needed as it is daylight well past normal hiking/biking hours. Another feature offered by this park is sledding-hills with moderate to advanced hills; make sure you know what you're doing before you push off.
