About the Area
About the Area
The Chugach National Forest sits in the middle of Southcentral Alaska, occupying 5.4 million acres. It is the northern- and westernmost U.S. national forest. The Chugach National Forest makes a 210-mile arc around Prince William Sound. Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, is an access point to the Chugach National Forest. The Chugach is home to Seward, Cordova, Valdez and other communities.
Start from here
Although it sits about 60 miles from the forest boundary, Anchorage is a good home base for forays into the Chugach. Ted Stevens International Airport is a major hub for travelers from all over the world, and the city is a great place to start trips to all parts of the state.
Chugach National Forest Facts
- Headquarters (Supervisor's Office) in Anchorage
- 5.4 million acres
- Northernmost and westernmost U.S. national forest
- Approximately 210 miles east to west, 120 miles north to south
- Over 40 reservable cabins
- Approximately 500 miles of trail, about 200 miles are maintained trails
- Contains over 20 tidewater glaciers including the Columbia Glacier
- Only national forest with Dall sheep
- Home of the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center
- Contains the Copper River Delta - critical habitat for millions of birds annually
- Surrounds the world-famous Prince William Sound