Anchorage, Alaska Family Hiking

Obviously, Alaska has no shortage of hikes. One could live 100 lives and not be able to hike all the trails scattered throughout the state. We stayed in the Anchorage Area so we tried to hit a new trail at a new location every day during our visit.

Every hike we went on felt so different from the others. Every hike felt like we stepped back into a simpler time. You can feel that you are no longer at the top of the food chain out here. You are in a special place. A place that has not been touched by man. A state that still puts nature first!  It’s easy to understand the draw of why people want to live in Alaska. Why they choose to live in some of the harshest winters. Its because the summers are so surreal. The lifestyle is that of one you cannot find in the lower 48.

You simply cannot go wrong choosing any hike to hit. They all offer unique views and experiences. The waterfalls in the Anchorage Area are tremendous. They are everywhere, you can find waterfalls along roads, off trails, and even in residential areas. The waterfalls are not the only beauty to see. The trails are clean, established, and gives you just as much beauty. The hikes around Anchorage really gave me the sense that the beauty is in the journey, not just the destination.

 Wildlife is around every corner, in every inch of the land. Some of this wildlife is dangerous and you will want to make sure you are making plenty of noise so you do not startle any of the animals. Make sure you have bear spray and know how to use it. Keep the spray close to your body. It is not going to do much help if it is located inside your backpack. You need to be able to get to it and deploy it in a hurry if needed.

Barbara Falls

Are you looking for a hike that offers big rewards for minimal effort? My suggestion is taking the short 1.3-mile round trip hike to Barbara Falls, also known as South Fork Falls. This hike only has an elevation change of 190ft., making this hike a great opportunity for the kids to get out and enjoy some nature. The best park of this hike, is the reward of a beautiful waterfall at the end.

Barbara Falls is not a very tall waterfall, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in width. I loved how the water cascades horizontally over the rocks. This made a wide landscape that was perfect for family pictures. Usually we have to try to squeeze all 4 of us together in order to get a good photo, but here we were able to spread our wings and enjoy the view.

This hike was not a very busy hike, but be mindful it is on private property and in a residential area of Eagle River, Alaska.  Be respectful and stay on the trail. Keep the area clean so people can enjoy it for years to come. While we were hiking we were able to see some Salmon in the river running alongside of the trail, downstream from the waterfall. It was really cool to see the large king salmon but it is a reminder that bears frequently visit this area. Be mindful and be careful.

Out of all the waterfalls that we have seen in our travels, Barbara falls ranks high on my favorites list.  It was nice that my oldest son could hike to the fall without any issue. My wife, who had our youngest in a backpack carrier, also did not find the hike to be difficult.

Eklutna Lake

Located only 22 miles from Anchorage is a glacier fed lake known as Eklutna Lake. This lake is entirely within the Chugach State Park providing you with gorgeous views of the mountains reflecting off the calm turquoise lake water. Eklutna Lake is 7 miles long and about 1 mile wide providing 15 miles of shoreline that is explorable by foot, electric motorboat, or kayak.

We decided to hike to the lake and spend the day there allowing the kids to run around on the open beach area, playing with rocks, and making face painting using the silky glacial silt. The boys really enjoyed this entire area, finding beautiful unique looking rocks and some tee pees that people made out of large washed up timber.

I enjoyed the peace and quiet that you got here; it was very relaxing being able to lay back and enjoy the water while looking out over the valley tucked away in the mountains. Seeing the kayakers gently gliding through the ice-cold turquoise water and enjoying a picnic while hearing the kids giggling and squealing from excitement of exploring the area was wonderful. The boys loved getting their feet wet in the water and playing with beach toys. It was heaven on earth; I could not imagine a better experience.

Eklutna Lake is full of hiking trails that the entire family can enjoy. There are over 26 miles of trails around the lake that is sure to satisfy. Most of these trails are easy hikes that do not have much of an elevation change. If you prefer to enjoy the lake by water, there are kayak rental options around the lake.

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass was established in 1906 and served as a gold mining community until 1951. Hatcher Pass has produced approximately 39,000 pounds of gold over the years. Now, you won’t see a whole lot of evidence showing any active gold mining, but you will see a huge mine called Independence Mine. This mine does offer a 45-minute tour as well as 16 buildings from the 1930’s built by the mine company.

We went to Hatcher Pass to enjoy a relaxing day hanging out around the one of the lakes. These lakes are easily the most beautiful bodies of water I have ever seen in my life. Crystal clear water with the backdrop of mountains and surrounding valleys makes the perfect area for a picnic. I could not help but wonder what kind of fishing could be had in these bodies of water. Instead, we enjoyed sitting back and letting the kids explore around the lake, and picking their favorite stones to skip across the gentle waters.

Hatcher Pass holds a special place in my memory because it felt like the most remote area we visited on our trip. I remember there being a lot of people and lot of cars driving up and down the road, but thankfully we never felt overcrowded. We did see other visitors but never got close to them or felt like we were on top of other people. It was remote, relaxing, sunny, and beautiful.

Hatcher Pass will get you approximately 4,000 ft into the Talkeetna Mountains. This scenic rich area is a must do if you are looking to slow down and unwind. If you are looking for a nice scenic drive without having to get out of the car, Hatcher Pass Road offers 60 miles of breathtaking views connecting Palmer and Willow, Alaska.

Virgin Creek Falls

Virgin Creek Falls is another very easy family friendly hike. It is located in Girdwood, Alaska which is about 45-minute drive from Anchorage and is located along the Seward Highway. The drive is well worth the payout of this beautiful hike. Virgin Creek Falls is a popular hike, so be prepared to come across other people while hiking. You may even have to wait your turn to go down to the waterfall itself. The trail is considered an easy hike as its only about a half mile with an elevation increase of approximately 180’.

This trail became my favorite trail we hiked while visiting Alaska. Taking this easy hike is like walking through a portal into the past. This trail looks like the scene of Jurassic Park. There are large trees with exposed roots and hanging moss from the trees. Hearing the waterfall in the distance and hiking the uneven trail snaking in between the large foliage all feels like you are on another planet. It’s amazing!

The boys loved climbing over the large exposed roots and jumping all over the trail. It was the perfect amount of time and length for the kids to really enjoy it as much as the adults did. I think back about this trail often. It was an amazing experience to be able to explore out there. The waterfall itself is beautiful and deserves much respect, but for me the journey to and from the fall is where the real beauty was.

The Anchorage Sand Dune at Kincaid Park

The Anchorage Sand Dune is a perfect place to take the kids and enjoy a relaxing day on the……beach? OK, maybe its not a beach but it will feel like it once you get to the top of the dune. This easy hike will take you through a small patch of woods that has a very well-established trail. Once you get to the sand dune, make the hike up to the top and enjoy!

We spent hours on the sand dune letting the kids run on top and roll down the hills. The kids enjoyed beach toys while playing in the soft, cold sand. I enjoyed watching the motocross track that is located right next to the large sand dune. The cool breeze blowing over the dune will remind you that you are in Alaska, even though closing your eyes and laying in the sand will make you think otherwise.

Honestly the reward of letting the kids run around and exhaust themselves on the sand dune is well worth the effort to get to the top. The kids will love it here. During our visit there was no crowds. Actually, I don’t even recall seeing more than a handful of other people on the dune for the entire day we were there.  It really felt like we had the entire dune to ourselves.  Sitting on top, you get great views of Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula, and Chugach Mountains. The kids can run and play and never leave your eyesight. I recommend the visit if you are looking for a relaxing, lazy day without the need to spend a lot of money or a lot of effort. It is a great location for the entire family!

Eagle River Nature Center

The Eagle River Nature Center was established in 1996. It is an easy 45-minute drive from Anchorage, Alaska and well worth the visit. Eagle River Nature Center gives you a nice variety of trails and scenery while remaining an easy, pleasant hike. I believe we hiked the Albert Loop while we visited. This loop is approximately 3.3 miles long and rated as easy. It is a nice mixture of well-established trails and boardwalks. The trail will give you views of gentle river waters, marsh land, and stunning mountain views.

3.3 miles was a little far for our kids (who were only 3 and 1 at the time), as they really started to complain by the end of the day. Honestly though it is an easy hike. Most people will not have any issues out here. The views are so amazing you will forget about the walk. The trail was extremely peaceful and secluded.

Part of the trail takes you through some forested area and that area was extremely remote from other hikers. It seemed as if it was only us out there. I really enjoyed that feeling of solitude during our adventure.  We loved the mountain views, while listening to the crystal-clear water rushing under the bridges of the boardwalk.

Kaitlin enjoyed going into the gift shop and doing some shopping for authentic Alaskan merchandise. I recommend heading on in and buying something to help with the Eagle River Nature Center upkeep. The nature center does a lot of great work with local schools and is a great ecosystem for bears, salmon, and moose. Check out their website and donate; it will help with key maintenance and upkeep of this great organization.

Byron Glacier

The view from Byron Glacier is nothing short of breathtaking. When I think of Alaska, the views we experienced exploring this area is what comes to mind. It was the most stunning and relaxing place I have ever been in my life. Byron Glacier earned a spot deep in my heart.  It is by far my favorite hike we completed.

Once you get to Byron Glacier, you are going to want to spend the day up here. Make sure you bring snacks and a blanket to sit on. Kids will enjoy being able to run around playing in the shallow water of Byron Creek and playing in the snowfields.

The water running down river from the glacier is the most unique turquoise color I have ever seen in my life. The beautiful blue glacier sitting in the distance and the sounds of small streams running into the swift current of the river. The whole experience is breathtaking; it is something you must experience in person.

Byron Glacier easily was my favorite glacier we experienced while in Anchorage. If we could have stayed there all night it would not have been enough time. The views are stunning, the hike was easy, and the glacier was beautiful. My favorite part was how much exploring there was for the kids to do. It is really open and has a lot of space for the kids to roam around and have fun.

The hike to and from the glacier was an easy hike on a well-established gravel trail. Parking at the bottom of the trail is plentiful, but it did seem to fill up quickly.  Coming back down the trail was not as much fun, the kids wore themselves out playing in the snow, water, and rocks. They were overly tired which made the hike back full of tears and anger.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

Anytime you are heading out trying to find the wildlife to view, there is never a guarantee you are going to be able to spot the animals you are looking for. Now, you can do certain things to better your chances like heading for water or food source, looking for bedding areas, or going out early in the morning or just before sunset, but ultimately you cannot know for certain if you are going to get that perfect shot of a grizzly or moose. If you are looking for some guarantees on seeing these magnificent animals, I suggest heading to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Located in Girdwood, Alaska along the Seward Highway, this is a perfect place to take the kids to get up close and personal with some of Alaska’s most sought-after animals.  Most of the animals located at the Conservation Center are brought there because they were injured or orphaned and could not survive on their own. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center steps up to take care of them and give them a permanent home.

We really enjoyed our time at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. We got great shots of bears, elk, and moose. The kids loved running around and seeing all the animals. This was one of the first things we did once we got to Alaska. I feel that it is a perfect location for the family to go and enjoy a few hours learning about the majestic animals of the last frontier.

At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you will have the opportunity to see moose, elk, bears, wolves, wood bison, porcupines, reindeer, caribou, coyotes, foxes, muskoxen, and more. There is also a fantastic gift shop where you can find all the Alaska gifts one could ask for.

While at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, you also have views of the Placer and Portage Rivers along the Turnagain Arm Scenic Boardwalk. The waters are a beautiful milky turquoise color due to glacial silt. You can also view mudflats, and if you’re really lucky you may even spot a beluga whale from The Point. 

Coast Pizzeria

Located just down the road from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood, Alaska is a small pizza place that is a must stop. The Coast Pizzeria is located within a strip of shops, an ice cream shop, and a bakery. These all are connected to a gas station right off of Seward Highway.

It is a great spot to stop, grab some fuel, a bite to eat, and stretch your legs. There is plenty of large parking spots for RVs. There are some parking locations that are pull through so you will not have to worry about backing up. 

We got an array of pizza there, but the most memorable for me was the salmon pizza. I know, it sounds gross, that is why we only got a small pizza, but I must say, I wish we would have not wasted our time with any of the “traditional” style pizzas.

The salmon pizza has diced up salmon on it and it was barely even noticeable, but it gave the pizza a burst of flavor. There was no fishy flavor that you might expect to have; it was the perfect blend.  If you are looking for something a little different then I highly suggest giving Coast Pizzeria a shot.

Point Woronzof

Would you believe that while we were in Alaska, the kids and I visited the beach? It’s true! While Kevin went to work with Mat, Christy decided we should take the kids to Point Woronzof. Here we were able to enjoy the coastal tidelands present in Point Woronzof Park. Now, this wasn’t your typical beach with the hot sand, sun, and warm waters. Instead, the kids played on a rocky beach and in the cold, gray-silt tinted water. The boys were in heaven because they love rocks. They both had so much fun picking up rocks and throwing them to their hearts content. There were also large boulders for them to climb on. We spent a lovely afternoon enjoying the low tide at Point Woronzof.

Point Woronzof Park is a 191-acre park located in Anchorage, Alaska. It is known for its wildlife habitat, coastal tidelands, and recreational activities. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail runs through the park and allows views of the inlet and mountain ranges. Point Woronzof is located close to the airport so it is the perfect place to watch airplanes.

Bodenburg Butte

One thing I really wanted to do while in Anchorage was climb a mountain. Christy gave me that opportunity when she suggested a “mom’s only” hike. We decided to hike Bodenburg Butte “The Butte” because it is a small mountain near Palmer, Alaska. Depending on the source you use, the elevation gain can be anywhere from about 700 to 750 feet and is rated as moderate.

There are two different trails you can take to reach the top: The West Butte Trail or the Sandvik Family Trail (The Butte Trailhead). The West Butte Trail is the side most traveled because it is less steep. This trail is a little longer than the Sandvik Family trail and there are a series of steps to climb.

Christy and I took the Sandvik Family Trail. The trail starts with a steep, sandy section. I found this part to be the most difficult because it was hard for my feet to get purchase. I had to use trees along the path to help pull me up and for frequent rest breaks. After we were past the sandy section, I had to stop and empty my hiking boots because they were full of sand. The trail from here was easier to navigate and gave lots of options to get to the top. We chose a path at random and though it required a bit of rock climbing up the cliffs to reach the summit, once we got there it was totally worth it!

The view from the top was absolutely stunning! I was offered a perfect 360-degree view of the Mat-Su Valley. I could see so many of the surrounding mountain ranges and peaks in the distance, as well as rivers and farmland. Being able to rest at the top and take in the stunning landscape was definitely worth the effort getting there.

Thanks to fromthestates.blog

I know there will always be a part of me that desires going back to Alaska. Hopefully we will spend many summers throughout our lives visiting the National Parks and exploring as much of this wild, untouched land as we can. Until we can make it there again, we will just have to remember our perfect summer spent around Anchorage, visiting with great friends and exploring landscapes that took our breath away.

I cannot thank our friends enough for opening up their home to our family and giving us amazing memories in the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life. Thank you so much for giving us the most memorable vacation that I believe we will ever go on. It was just as majestic as I was hoping it would be. Spending the summer in Alaska is something that Kaitlin and I will never forget; it truly was a dream come true for us.

I am no expert on Alaska, but it is a state that we have fallen in love with. I look forward to our next trip there, but in the meantime please take some time and visit the blog of our friends that live in the Anchorage area. They highlight awesome family hikes, clothing, and activities that everyone can enjoy.