Southcentral Region
The Alaska Range mirrors the gentle curve
of the Gulf of Alaska, embracing the popular coastal
communities of Southcentral Alaska. More than half of
Alaska'a residents live in this recreational paradise. Here
autumn puts on a gorgeous show.
Anchorage, a 2000-square-mile repository of
Alaska history, wilderness, glaciers, and wildlife, is the
southern hub of a busy transportation network linking the
diverse regions of Alaska. A day's journey by highway or
Alaska Railroad takes you north to Fairbanks, and Mount
McKinley/Denali National Park and Preserve, south to the
Kenai Peninsula, or east to Prince William Sound. Only
minutes away, Portage Glacier, Mount Alyeska, and the
Matanuska-Susitna Valley, offer limitless year round
opportunities for enjoying the Alaska outdoors. Scheduled
and charter aircraft provide instant access to wilderness (Anchorage's
Lake Hood Air Harbor is the largest float-plane base in the
world). The winter includes the exciting festival of Fur
Rendezvous in February, the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled
Dog Race the first Saturday in March and winterlong skiing,
skating, sledding, dogsledding and performing arts
opportunities.
North of Anchorage lie many historic
communities. The first reached along the Glenn Highway is
Eagle River. Visit the local Natural History Museum found
right downtown or drive up Eagle River Road for a
spectacular view and a lovely nature walk from Eagle River
Visitors Center into
Chugach State
Park. The Native "spirit houses" and hand hewn Russian
shrines found just a few miles beyond Eagle River at Eklutna
should not be missed.
Farms nestle under craggy mountains in the
Matanuska Valley, a 20 minute drive beyond Eklutna. Visit
the Palmer State Fair here in August to view Alaska size
vegetables such as cabbages up to 96 pounds. In nearby
Wasilla and Big Lake, you'll find ample opportunites for
fishing and boating. Visit the unique Museum of Alaska
Transportation and Industry near here. A 50-mile scenic loop
between the George Parks and Glenn highways takes you over
Hatcher Pass to
Independence
Mine State Historic Park, where you'll find an
interpretive center, plus buildings and equipment from two
historical gold mines. Carved by ancient glaciers, Hatcher
Pass offers trails for summer hikers and winter skiers.
South of Anchorage, pan for gold nuggets and
visit historic mining buildings at picturesque Crow Creek
Mine. Continue south to the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center for
interpretive displays of Portage Glacier. Then, put your car,
camper, or just yourself on the Alaska Railroad for the
scenic 30-minute trip to Whittier and the fabulous
recreational opportunities of Prince William Sound. Sailing,
fishing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife vie for your
attention in this wonderland of islands, glaciers, and
fjords. Take a flightseeing excursion to view sprawling
Columbia Galcier. Ferries sail between Whittier and Valdez,
southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (tours
available). Alaska ferries also call at the fishing port of
Cordova, former shipping depot for Kennecott Copper Mine ore. |
Kenai Peninsula
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Alaska Travel |
South Central 