Anchorage Glacier & Wildlife Day Tour: Turnagain Arm, Portage Lake, and Glen Alps Views
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable standing and short walks on boardwalks, docks, and gentle paths; suitable for most travelers.
Overview
From Anchorage, follow one of America’s most scenic drives to Portage Glacier and a wildlife-rich sanctuary, then cap the day with sweeping views above the city. It’s an eight-hour greatest hits reel of glaciers, bears, and big-shouldered mountains—with a guide who knows where Alaska likes to hide its surprises.
Anchorage Glacier & Wildlife Day Tour: Turnagain Arm, Portage Lake, and Glen Alps Views
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The day begins with the road tugging south along Turnagain Arm, where the tide muscles through the inlet like it has somewhere to be. The Seward Highway threads beneath shale-gray cliffs as Dall sheep patrol the ridges and belugas sometimes surface like pale ghosts in the steel-blue water. Minutes from downtown Anchorage, the Chugach Mountains rise at your shoulder, and the van’s windows frame a corridor of ice, rock, and restless sea.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer like a local
Temperatures can swing 20°F between Anchorage, the glacier cruise, and the Glen Alps overlook—pack a base layer, insulating mid-layer, and windproof shell.
Glacier wind is its own weather
Even on sunny days, katabatic winds off Portage Glacier run cold. Bring a beanie and gloves so you can stay on deck for photos.
Respect wildlife space
At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, obey barriers and view animals with a zoom lens—stress-free animals are more active and photogenic.
Mind the schedule
The Portage Lake cruise departs on time; be prompt at each stop so the group makes the sailing and key viewpoints.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Dall sheep
- Bald eagles
History
Turnagain Arm was named by Captain Cook after his crew was forced to “turn again” while seeking the Northwest Passage. Portage Valley’s wood bison were reintroduced after a century’s absence in Alaska.
Conservation
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center funds rehabilitation and species recovery through admissions; staying on marked paths protects sensitive tundra and wetland vegetation.
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Adventure Hotspots in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof breathable shell
Blocks glacier wind and passing showers without overheating in the van or lodge.
Compact binoculars (8x or 10x)
Brings distant Dall sheep, eagles, and bears closer without leaving the path.
Sturdy closed-toe walking shoes
Comfortable grip for wet docks, gravel viewpoints, and short nature trails.
Lightweight knit hat and gloves
Keeps hands and ears warm during the Portage Lake cruise and breezy overlooks.
spring specific