- Chugach State Park
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'Chugach State Park is a 495,204-acre (2,004 km²) state park in the Municipality of Anchorage in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located in the Chugach Mountains just east of the Anchorage Bowl, it is a very popular recreation destination. It is the third-largest state park in the United States. Chugach State Park is accessible through numerous trailheads all located along the east side of Anchorage, or the southern side of Eagle River. The Chugach State Park website lists 28 recognized trailheads. The Park has three public campgrounds, located at Eklutna Lake, Eagle River, and Bird Creek. The campgrounds are manned by a host who collects the small fee. Amenities include fire rings, picnic tables, water, and latrines. The Park also has interpretive and Alaskan information available at the Eagle River Nature Center, which is operated by a non-profit organization in cooperation with the State Park.
The Seward Highway, from Anchorage to Seward, follows part of the southern edge of the Park along the Turnagain Arm. This stretch of highway is listed as a National Scenic Byway and is designated as an All-American Road [1].
There are several viewpoints along the Seward Highway. One of the most visited is Beluga Point, Mile 110.5, named for the Beluga whales that frequent the Arm. Another popular viewpoint along the Seward Highway is Windy Corner at Mile 106. It has no facilities except parking, but Dall sheep just up the hill are worth the stop.
The Park is typically split into three different zones. The North Park This section of Chugach State Park is from Eagle River North to the Parks border at Pioneer Peak. This area includes the Eklutna lake area, as well as the Big Peters Creek Trailhead and the Ptarmigan Valley trailhead. Eklutna lake is popular with ATV's and hikers. The Eklutna lake area has the biggest mountains of the park, with Bashful peak coming in at 8,005'.
The Central Park This area of Park includes Eagle River south to the Canyon Road trailhead on the Anchorage hillside. This area of the park includes many popular trailheads including the Crow Creek Pass trailhead in Eagle River, South Fork of Eagle River trailhead, Basher Road, Upper Huffman, Prospect Heights, Glen Alps, and Canyon Road.
The South Park This area includes all of the park which borders Turnagain Arm along the Seward Highway. There is the popular Turnagain Arm trail, which runs from Potter Marsh to Windy Corner. There are also hikes in the McHugh Creek area, the Falls Creek trailhead, Bird Ridge, and the Rainbow trailhead. The southern park boundary lies just to the north of the city of Girdwood, where Chugach National Forest begins.
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Coordinates: 61°12′32″N 149°13′48″W / 61.209°N 149.230°W
Categories:- Alaska state parks
- Protected areas of Anchorage, Alaska
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