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Glenn Highway

Basics
Length:
135 miles (217 km)
Time:
2.5 hours to drive or eight hours to visit the entire Byway.

Description

Immerse yourself in Alaska on the Glenn Highway, where geology, culture, and scenery come together to create majestic and rugged landscapes. Winters present you with a splendid skyshow when the Northern Lights dance among the snow-capped mountains, while summers bring you endless days to roam in fields of wildflowers and ancient forests.

Among the mountains and the seasons live a distinct Alaskan culture that has been developing for centuries-- beginning with the Native Alaskan culture that was altered so much with the arrival of Russian fur traders, and later, by gold miners from the "Lower 48." Seek out this engrossing history in a myriad of museums and historic places along the Byway, but don't forget to stop and chat with those who make this unforgettable frontier their home!

Will you hear the call of the glaciers and the beauty of Alaska, where scenic nature reigns supreme? Watch where the wild irises grow, cloaking fields until they reach the foot of a glacier-covered mountain. In the spring, let your eyes follow the paths of hawks, eagles, and falcons as they glide over rivers in the stunning Chugach and Talkeetna Mountains.

Points of Interest

Points of Interest Along The Way

Alaska Native Heritage Center (AK)

The Alaska Native Heritage Center brings to life the rich history, culture, music and art of major Native American peoples found in Alaska including the Aleut, Athabascan,Eskimo, Tlingets, Haida and Tshimshian cultures.

Directions

4 miles from Anchorage on Alaska Highway 1.

Anchorage (AK)

The city of Anchorage began as a ramshackle community of railline workers living in tents. The community, settled in 1915, hasgrown and evolved into the largest city in Alaska with 260,000people.

For a look at Alaska culture, Anchorage is the place to be.Explore the Anchorage Museum of History and Art or the AlaskaNative Heritage Center for a taste of what Alaska has to offer.

Directions

The Glenn Highway begins in Anchorage.

Chickaloon Village (AK)

This Native community is nestled above the confluence of Moose Creek and the Matanuska River in the Talkeetna Mountains. It is the home of Alaska's first native-maintained school and Katie's Wall. Katie's Wall was built 60 years ago by Katie Wade to stop the cut slope from eroding. Many of the perennial shrubs she planted are still alive today and bloom brightly in the spring.

Directions

56.5 miles along Alaska Highway 1

Chugach National Forest (AK)

The Chugach National Forest is the second largest forest in the National Forest System. Roughly the same size as the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island combined, the Chugach (pronounced Chew'gatch) is the most northern of National Forests, only 500 miles south of the Arctic Circle. One third of the Chugach is composed of rocks and moving ice. The remainder is a diverse and majestic tapestry of land, water, plants and animals. The mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Kenai Peninsula, the islands and glaciers of Prince William Sound, and the copious wetlands and birds of the Copper River Delta make this National Forest a mecca for adventurers.

Chugach State Park (AK)

Chugach State Park is an accessible wilderness in the backyard of Anchorage. Wildlife viewing and mountain scenery are year-round pleasures and campers can choose developed campgrounds or secluded backcountry valleys. There are nearly 30 trails that will take hikers throughout the park to see some of its most enchanting views. Many visitors may want to stop at the Eagle River Nature Center for a guided tour or interpretive program. Travelers may want to explore a few of the park's 50 glaciers on their own. And for extreme adventure, try climbing a mountainside or plunging through river rapids. Whatever the case, the 495,000 acre park offers a wide variety of activities in all seasons.

Directions

10 miles along the route, Alaska Highway 1

Eagle River (AK)

This community, within the municipality of Anchorage, is nestled in the foothills of the Chugach Mountains and provides access to the Old Glenn Highway.

Directions

10 miles along Alaska Highway 1

Eklutna Flats and Palmer Hay Flats (AK)

The Eklutna Flats and Palmer Hay Flats are a tidally influencedwetlands area at the confluence of the Knik and Matanuska Rivers.This flat open area provides the broadest view of the MatanuskaValley bordered by the Chugach Mountains, a stone's throw to theeast. The ancient Talkeetna Mountains rise in the distance.

This area is teeming with waterfowl and other migratory birds inspring and fall. Visitors may even spot a moose during the longwinter months. The Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge comprises alarge portion of this area.

Directions

26 miles along Alaska Highway 1

Eklutna Village (AK)

The Athabascan Village of Eklutna has a museum, a RussianOrthodox Church and a cemetery with spirit houses that provide thevisitor with a look into Native life.

Directions

25 miles along Alaska Highway 1 from Anchorage

Eureka Summit and Lodge (AK)

With a view of Gunsight Mountain, Eureka Summit climbs to over3000 feet and is the highest point along the Glenn Highway. Herethe driver is in the midst of the Alaskan Interior.

Eureka Lodge existed before the Glenn Highway was constructed.It and many other lodges in the area provide a starting point formiles of summer and winter off-road adventures. Between EurekaLodge at Mile 128 and the end of the Byway at Mile 135 visitors cansee the Chugach Mountains to the south, the Talkeetna's to thewest, the Alaska Range to the north, and the Wrangell-St. EliasMountains to the east.

Directions

128 miles along Alaska Highway 1 from Anchorage

Glacier View Community (AK)

The Glacier View Community provides several views of theMatanuska Glacier. The Matanuska Glacier Park Campground allowsvisitors to walk up next to or onto the glacier. Visitors can alsoenjoy dinner at the Long Rifle Lodge with an unmatched view of theglacier from its dining room.

Directions

102 miles along Alaska Highway 1 from Anchorage

Details

Length:
135 miles (217 km)
Time:
2.5 hours to drive or eight hours to visit the entire Byway.
Main Roads:
AK-1 N/Interstate a-1 N
Additional Details:
Also known as Glenn Highway Scenic Byway

Map + Directions

Customizable Directions


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