Wildlife Tours from Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska’s largest city is conveniently perched within a short drive from stunning wilderness areas and plentiful wildlife. See glaciers, waterways, mountains, lakes and waterfalls as well as many of the coveted Alaskan animal species in a matter of hours. You’ll want a well-charged camera and some binoculars, because you’re in for serious eye candy.

Venture south along Seward Highway for an unbelievable concentration of the area’s must-see sights like the Valley of Glaciers, Turnagain Arm and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. If you want to avoid crowds, head north to Matanuska Glacier, Eklutna Village and Hatcher Pass. Wildlife tours from Anchorage fit so much into one day.

Here's everything you need to know about wildlife tours, one of the most exhilarating options for day trips from Anchorage.

What are the best wildlife tours from Anchorage?

Anchorage wilderness wildlife glacier experience

This popular Alaskan wildlife tour offers an in-depth exploration of the region's natural beauty and wildlife.

Varying slightly between summer and winter, it includes transportation from a hotel or the Dena’ina Convention Center.

The journey starts at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can see brown bears, wolves as well as bison, and even receive a few photography tips. The tour continues through the Chugach National Forest, known for its glacier-ringed lakes, and then to Beluga Point, a prime spot for observing beluga whales.

In summer, you can choose to take a boat cruise to Portage Glacier. The tour also visits Bird Point in Chugach State Park for eagle watching and panoramic views, and explores Girdwood's gold mining past.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Turnagain Arm tours

Take in so much Alaska in a short period of time on one of these wildlife tours. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) and Turnagain Arm tours give you a “sure-thing” wildlife experience along with some of the state’s most famous landscapes.

The AWCC is a site that provides a home for animals that have been orphaned or are not fit to survive in the wild. This facility rehabilitates animals for re-release into the wild while assuring that the ones who aren’t fit always have care to keep them safe and healthy.

On the AWCC’s more than 80 hectares, take the 2.5 kilometers of trails and boardwalks that lead you safely through the stomping grounds of musk oxen, black and brown bears, reindeer, a pack of wolves and more. Fencing will keep a safe distance between you and the animals’ ample habitats.

Along the Seward Highway leading south out of Anchorage is a strip of land that encompasses priceless wild spaces. On an AWCC and Turnagain Arm tour, you’ll get to experience some of the best of this scenic highway on the 1-hour drive each way.

The Seward Highway is one of the country’s only 13 designated “All-American Roads” for very good reason. While it’s a major artery in the area and the route taken on all Anchorage wildlife tours, it’s an attraction in and of itself. It follows the Turnagain Arm, a spectacularly photogenic section of the Cook Inlet.

The shore of the Turnagain Arm is part of Chugach National Forest and boasts breathtaking scenery and overlooks. On the way between the AWCC and Anchorage, you’ll pause at Bird Point and Beluga Point, both optimal wildlife spotting locales.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Girdwood tours

Follow up your animal encounter with a stop at the resort town of Girdwood, only 15 minutes from AWCC. This mining and ski town has everything you’d want from a mountain getaway.

Wander the streets for shopping of all sorts, hike on a trail and sit down to lunch in a restaurant, included in the tour price. Also included is a cable car ride to the peak of Mt. Alyeska for some of the best vistas in southern Alaska.

Portage Glacier tours from Anchorage

If you want a day filled with variety, a Portage Glacier tour won’t disappoint! You’ll have the amazing drives with stops along Turnagain Arm, access to the Valley of Glaciers and a stop at AWCC. There are half- and full-day tours available, and all but the half-day tours reserve time for you to take a 1-hour boat ride to the glaciers.

Some tours include the price of the boat cruise on Portage Lake. However, even the hiking trails will get you close enough to the glaciers for prime photo ops. Make your trip in the summer for a chance to witness calving of one of the five glaciers in the valley. Some higher-end tours also visit Girdwood for an included cable car ride up Mt. Alyeska.

Wildlife photography tours from Anchorage

The abundant natural beauty in this part of Alaska begs to be photographed. Grab your gear and join a small-group or private tour. The outing will leave you with improved skills and great shots to remind you of your adventure. Opt for a Whittier and wildlife tour or a tour to Matanuska Glacier.

Whittier and wildlife tours are similar to Portage Glacier tours but continue farther south to the port town of Whittier. In a group of no more than six people, you’ll get a chance to explore the towns of Whittier and Girdwood. Hone your wildlife photography skills at AWCC. Snap shots of the glaciers at Portage Lake, and spy waterfalls galore. Tours last 8 hours.

Matanuska Glacier tours are designed for adventurous travelers. These small-group excursions last 10 hours and take you to Eklutna Tailrace fishery, the Matanuska Glacier and numerous overlooks. Your guide will fill the time with photography tips and facts about the area. You’ll also get a chance to strap on some ice cleats and climb the glacier!

Private wildlife tours from Anchorage

If you want a personalized excursion into the southern Alaskan wilderness, a private tour is the way to go. You can choose a Portage Valley and Turnagain Arm tour that gives you flexibility with your itinerary and leaves nothing out that a group tour has, other than other people!

Try something different with a private Mat-Su Valley and Hatcher Pass tour. In 6 hours, you’ll see a healthy chunk of sites to the north of Anchorage. Stops include the Eklutna Village Historical Park, its colorful “spirit house” burial ground and Summit Lake beyond Hatcher Pass. You’ll also experience a musk ox farm, an ulu factory, and Lake Eklutna.

How much are wildlife tours from Anchorage?

Wildlife tours from Anchorage range in cost depending on where the tours go and what is included.

For an Anchorage wilderness wildlife glacier experience, you can expect to pay around US$200 per person, excluding tickets for a boat cruise, while Turnagain Arm and AWCC tours cost between US$110 per person and US$180 per person for a 3- to 4-hour tour.

AWCC and Girdwood tours cost between US$160 per person and US$180 per person. Tours include entrance to AWCC, but lower-cost tours do not provide the US$50-per-person tickets for the Alyeska Mountain cable car.

Portage Glacier tours vary greatly in price due to what is included. Most tours make a stop at AWCC, but some packages do not include entry to the park. These tours cost US$130 per person for a 4.5-hour tour and between US$200 per person and US$245 per person for a 6- to 8-hour tour. Prices depend on group size and whether a glacier cruise is included.

Portage Glacier tours with AWCC tickets, a Portage Lake cruise and a cable car ride to Mt Alyeska in Girdwood cost around US$360 per person, while photography tours cost US$300 per person for an 8- to 10-hour tour.

Private tours to Portage Valley and Turnagain Arm cost US$1,250 per group of 12, or as little as US$105 per person. The cost of the boat ride to the glacier, the cable car ride in Girdwood, and the entrance to AWCC are not included. Private tours to Mat-Su Valley and Hatcher Pass cost US$200 per person and include lunch.

What do Anchorage wildlife excursions include?

Anchorage wildlife excursions include round-trip transportation from the city to the sites on your itinerary. Enjoy a narrated drive and stops for mountain and sea views with chances of wildlife spotting. Higher-cost tours, or some tours only in the winter, include door-to-door service to Anchorage hotels.

Many tours that mention AWCC, the Alyeska cable car and the Portage Lake glacier cruise do not include tickets in the tour prices. However, higher-cost tours often include these fees in the package price. Day tours typically provide you with bottled water and snacks during the drive.

Tours with a photography theme offer lessons on getting the best shots during your tour as well as several scenic stops along the drive on Seward Highway. The Whittier Wildlife and Wilderness photography tour includes tickets to the AWCC. The Matanuska Glacier photography tour provides you with gear and instruction for climbing the glacier safely.

When is the best time for wildlife tours from Anchorage?

The best time for wildlife tours from Anchorage is the summer (June to August), when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, providing more opportunities for sightings.

You can see a variety of wildlife, including moose, bears, eagles, and whales. The lush greenery and blooming flowers also add to the scenic beauty.

Where do wildlife tours from Anchorage start?

Anchorage wildlife tours start either with pickup from your local lodging, at the Anchorage Log Cabin Visitor Center or at the Dena'ina Civic Center.

What is the duration of these wildlife excursions?

A comprehensive wilderness tour lasts approximately 6 hours, while tours of the Turnagain Arm and the AWCC last 3 to 4 hours.

If you opt for a tour that also takes you to Portage Valley, you’ll spend 6 to 8 hours. About half of the time is dedicated to travel and brief stops.

Know before you go

• Weather in Anchorage can be unpredictable. Dress in layers and include waterproof and windproof outerwear. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is essential.
• A good pair of binoculars can enhance your wildlife viewing experience, and a camera with a good zoom lens will help capture those distant sightings.
• Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, and snacks. Even if your tour provides some of these, it’s good to have your own supply.