7 Easy and Beautiful Walks for Families Around Anchorage (With a Map!)
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is nestled in the stunning Chugach Mountains and has the most extensive trail network in the entire state. It is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts - you will find demanding multi-day routes, mountaineering possibilities, and great trails to hike with your family. Here are five family-friendly trails in the Anchorage area.
Read more about things to do in Anchorage, Alaska.
View over Anchorage from the Chugach Mountains
1. Powerline Pass Trail
This is our to-go choice for an easy afternoon walk. The trail runs through a beautiful valley with fantastic views over rugged mountains. The biggest advantage of the route is that it is relatively flat - it is suitable for both walking and cycling.
You can spot wildlife regularly along this trail, so remember to bring a camera and bear spray (and basic wildlife safety knowledge!). It is a popular trail, so there shouldn’t be too much to worry about.
The trail, in its entirety, is pretty long, but a one-hour, flat hike will lead you to a charming bridge with spectacular views. From here, you can turn back, continue, or take the Hidden Lakes Trail (an additional 2 miles one way) - a little more advanced and steeper trail to a beautiful lake.
The incredible views start from the parking lot!
Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Mountains, Wildlife, Views
Start: Glenn Alps Trailhead
Fee: $5 / car
Distance: 5 miles roundtrip to the bridge
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 20 minutes
2. Rabbit Lake Trail
If your family is looking for a more advanced trail, the Rabbit Lake Trail might be suitable for you.
The trail is relatively flat with a few gentle slopes but travels through a mountainous area. Rabbit Lake is a popular spot for Anchorage residents for overnight camping. The trail is popular, but you should always carry the necessary equipment and walk in a group. Wildlife is often spotted here, including moose and bears.
At the end of the trail, you will find a beautiful lake at the foot of towering 5,000-foot-tall peaks. What a view!
Take plenty of water and a tasty lunch so you can enjoy this incredible place when you get there.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Attractions: Mountains, Wildlife, Lake, Views
Start: Rabbit Lake Trailhead (at the end of Canyon Road)
Fee: $5 / car
Distance: 8.8 miles roundtrip
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 20 minutes
View at the end of the Rabbit Lake Trail in Anchorage
3. Albert Loop Trail
Eagle River Nature Center is approximately a 40-minute drive from Anchorage and could easily be a half-day excursion. The last miles of the road to the center will provide your family with beautiful views!
We love this place for both its atmosphere and educational value.
The mission of the Eagle River Nature Center is to foster connections to nature through education, resource protection, and outdoor opportunities.
Take a look inside the center (it’s inside a super cozy cabin!) and get to know the local nature better. The friendly staff will recommend the best paths for your family and inform you about any wildlife in the area.
Our choice for a family adventure here would be the Albert Loop Trail, which is open year-round. It is relatively flat and will take you through the forest to Eagle River. You will find a few viewpoints here and an incredible overlook of the Chugach Mountains.
Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Mountains, River, Wildlife, Views, Nature Center
Start: Eagle River Nature Center
Fee: $5 / car
Distance: 3-mile loop
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 40 minutes
4. Eklutna Lake Trail
Eklutna Lake is the City of Anchorage’s water Reservoir. Situated among the steep peaks of the Chugach Mountains, this should be your family’s half-day or even full-day trip destination. Eklutna Lake is approximately a 40-minute drive from downtown Anchorage, and the last stretch of the road will provide you with fantastic views!
Once there, you can take the indicated path for a fairly flat walk near the turquoise waters of the glacier-fed lake. The entire trail is very long (13 miles one way), so decide how far you want to hike.
Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Peaks, Lake, Forest, Wildlife
Start: Eklutna Lake Parking
Fee: $5 / car
Distance: as long as you want
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 40 minutes
5. Kincaid Bluff Trail
Kincaid Park is one of the largest parks in Anchorage. There is a lot to do there, including walking, biking, nordic skiing, and more, and it’s a very popular destination for locals in the summer and winter.
The road to the park - Raspberry Road - is a great place to spot a moose, so keep your eyes open. You can even spot Denali from the parking area on a sunny, clear day.
A simple and relatively short trail will lead you to one of the few sandy beaches in Anchorage. The trail starts at the Kincaid Chalet, where you will find several larger parking lots.
It is a popular path for bikers and dog walkers, so you won’t be alone here. The trail runs through forests and meadows. The trail is wide and paved most of the way. One section of the trail is slightly steeper but not too difficult, even for kids.
There are a lot of moose in Kincaid Park and a small population of black bears as well.
When you reach the beach, take a sandy stroll surrounded by mountains, ocean, and high sandy slopes.
Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: Beach, Forest, Ocean, Wildlife
Start: Kincaid Park Chalet
Fee: Free
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 15 minutes
6. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
This is another destination loved by locals, especially those with kids. Even from the parking lot, you will have a beautiful view over Westchester Lagoon and the peaks of the Chugach mountains.
The path of Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is wide, concrete, and accessible for strollers. The entire trail is long - about 11 miles one way, but you can easily turn back at any time. The first few miles will take you close to the ocean, overlooking the famous Sleeping Lady mountain (Susitna).
It is a popular bird-watcher destination, but you can sometimes spot a moose in this area.
Difficulty: Very Easy
Attractions: Lake, Ocean, Wildlife
Start: Westchester Lagoon (Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park)
Fee: Free
Distance: As long as you want
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 5 minutes
7. Potter Marsh
Like the Coastal Trail, Potter Marsh is more of a walk than a hike. At the southern end of town, you will find a boardwalk system within the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. This place is friendly for all families.
It is a very popular location for birders, but you can also spot moose (especially in May or June) and even bald eagles! In the waters of the marsh, you might see muskrats, and Rabbit Creek is a good place to observe salmon.
Keep your eyes open!
Difficulty: Very Easy
Attractions: Wetlands, Wildlife, Views
Start: Potter Marsh Parking
Fee: $5 / car
Distance: Half-mile roundtrip
Drive from Downtown Anchorage: 20 minutes
Read more about fun activities to enjoy with kids around Anchorage.
