BLM

Moose crossing the stream

Moose live in the city limits of Anchorage, where are the hot spots to go to see these urban moose?

Every once in a while one of these big game animals makes their way into downtown Anchorage. You may have better luck going to some of the places that are on the outskirts of town, like Kincaid Park, Far North Bicentennial Park, Hillside Trail System or south by Potters Marsh.

Bird flying by glacier.

Where can we go to bird watch?

Westchester Lagoon is a great and easily accessible area that is located in downtown Anchorage. Take a short drive south of Anchorage to Potters Marsh and walk along the boardwalk that extends into a portion on the marsh to watch the many nesting birds. And if you are going to be visiting between late August and early September you can go and witness thousands of Sandhill Cranes at Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks.

Robert Angell

Bears fishing at McNeil River.

Where can I go to see bears feeding on salmon?

Where there are fish there are bears. Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve and the McNeil River Wildlife Sanctuary are the most popular areas for bear watching but there are many more area to watch these animals. Check out our bear viewing at http://alaskacenters.gov/bears.cfm for more information on where to go.

Scenic overlook of a lake.

Is the Railroad Scenic?

Yes, the Railroad is very scenic it takes you on a journey to the backcounrty of Alaska and gives you a great chance to see the wilderness.

Potters marsh.

Where can I go see salmon?

During the summer months salmon swim upstream in many of the rivers in Alaska. There are a few places that have built structures to stand on and watch the fish like the salmon viewing dock in downtown Anchorage above Ship Creek or the viewing dock on the Potters Marsh boardwalk.

Mount McKinley on a very clear day in Denali National Park and Preserve.

Can you see Denali from Anchorage?

Yes, on a clear day you can see Denali all the way from Anchorage. It is best to get up high like the top level of any of the parking garages in downtown Anchorage or a top floor of one of the many hotels. Another great place to go is to the town of Talkeetna where the lodges have porches specifically for viewing Denali.

Robert Belous

Dall sheep ram resting on rocky cliff.

Along the Seward Highway people were looking up at the cliffs with binoculars, what where they looking at?

Dall sheep are frequently seen grazing the steep cliffs.

Northern Lights with spruce trees in the foregound.

Can you see the Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis in the summer?

No, the extended day light makes it impossible to see the Northern Lights in the summer. The best time of year is winter when it is dark and cold and the farther north you go the greater they will be. The Aurora Forecast can be viewed at http://www.gedds.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/ .

Porcupine.

Where can I go to be guaranteed to see animals?

The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center south on the Seward Highway at about mile 47 (just before the Portage Glacier road turnoff) and the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward are great places where you can see Alaskan animals from a safe distance.