WITH 490,000+ ACRES, ALASKA'S CHUGACH STATE PARK CAN'T BE MISSED

If you're stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, it's more than likely that you've seen the vastness of Chugach State Park. It covers nearly half a million acres of land and makes for the perfect getaway for you and your family to take in Alaska's abundant lakes, massive glaciers, and ocean shoreline. Take a break from society and encounter the soothing environment of Alaska's Chugach State Park.

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Discover the Diverse Landforms and Rugged Topography of Alaska by Visiting the Chugach State Park

The park offers visitors the freedom to explore the greatness of South-Central Alaska. Visitors can pick from various campgrounds and activities, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, ATV riding, snowmobiling, and so much more. The park is popular among photographers who snap photos of the stunning topography and diverse wildlife. There are tons of activities to partake in while you admire the best nature has to offer. Before you get packed up and ready to go, our guide will set you up to explore everything the park offers.

Where Is Chugach State Park?

Before you go out the door, you should know where you're going. Chugach State Park is located at the following address: 18620 Seward Hwy. Anchorage, AK 99516 If you're stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, it's only about 20 miles away, or around a 33-minute drive.

Chugach State Park Fees & Camping

State parks, especially Chugach, are beautiful and well-kept, so to keep up with maintenance, there are fees to enter, park, camp, etc. The park is made up of multiple campgrounds, which makes sense considering it spans nearly 500,000 acres, but this article will focus on Chugach/Southwest Region. The park has three different campgrounds: Eagle River, Eklutna Lake, and Bird Creek. There are four cabins for the public at Eklutna Lake, a cabin and seven yurts at the Eagle River Nature Center, and a couple of public-use cabins in Bird Creek. Check out the Chugach State Park fees and costs for other well-liked park activities here, including the various regions in which you can camp.

Park Passes

• One-day vehicle pass: $5.00
• Overnight parking pass: $10.00
• Annual daily parking pass: $60.00

Boat Launch

• One-day boat launch pass: $15
• Annual boat launch pass: $150

Camping

• Bird Creek Campground: $20/night
• Bird Creek Overflow Campground: $20/night
• Eagle River Campground: $20/night
• Eklutna Lake Campground: $20/night

Cabins

• Public-use cabins: $100/night
• Serenity Falls Hut: $165/night

Eklutna Lake Reservable Facilities

• Canyon Group Camping Area: $250/night
• Lake Pavilion: $30
• Ground Camping Areas A & B: $150/night

Eagle River Campground Reservable Facilities

• Ground Camping Area: $150/night
• Walk-in tent platform area: $35/night
• River Pavilion: $30/per time block

It seems like a lot, but the sites mentioned above only make up one out of five other regions you can choose to camp. Other regions include Kenai/Prince William Sound Region, Kodiak Region, and Mat-Su Copper Basin Region.

Best Hikes in Chugach State Park

There are over fifteen different hiking trails, each with varying difficulty levels. The park's most popular trails for hikers are the Hillside Trail System and Glen Alps Trailhead. To see all the trails, check out the Chugach State Park trail map, which shows you which general region you're in, areas to fish, lakes, and much more.

Enjoy Your Time at this Magnificent Park

No matter what region you decide to stay in or what activities you plan to do, the Chugach State Park is the best place to enjoy nature. It's perfect for military members and their families to break away from the world for a little while and enjoy the fantastic landforms, lakes, and hiking trails Alaska offers. Make sure to visit the official website to reserve a campsite or stay aware of any closures. Most importantly, make sure to have a good time.

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