Portage Valley
roll over each dot to learn more about the cool sites in Portage Valley!
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Moose Flats Day Use Area - Great Picnic Spot
Enjoy a 1/2 mile walk on the interpretive boardwalk trail over the wetlands, or do a little trout fishing in the ponds. From here you can also hike the Trail of Blue Ice to Explorer Ponds. -
Alder Pond - Beautiful Pond
This is a multi use pond, with fishing, canoeing, kayaking with spectacular views. Try your luck or practice your technique at this trout fishing location. -
Explorer Glacier Viewing Area - Viewing Area
This area offers a great view of Explorer Glacier. Tremendous photographic opportunity for glacier reflected images on calm days. Also short hike to fish ladder viewing area. Keep a lookout for signs of beaver activity in the area. -
Tangle Pond - Trout fishing area
Another trout fishing location in the valley. Dramatic avalanche chute viewing area in spring and early summer. -
Black Bear Campground - Tent and small RV camping.
A 13-site campground designed for tent and small RV camping. Cleared sites, campfire rings, bear-proof dumpster, bear-proof food containers, water pump, picnic tables and outhouses. No hookups or dump station. -
Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform - Salmon viewing.
Late July through early September you can see salmon traveling up the creek to spawn. Species normally seen are red (sockeye), chum (dog), and pink (humpy). Williwaw Nature Trail starts here. This easy 1/2 mile trail connects the viewing platform to Williwaw ponds. the creek near the trail is closed to salmon fishing. -
Williwaw Campground - Good camping.
A 60-site fully accessible campground designed for RV and tent camping. Paved sites with pull-through style parking pads, campfirerings, bear-proof food containers. No hookups or dump station. Williwaw Nature Trail starts here. This easy 1/2 mile trail connects the viewing platform to Williwaw ponds. The creek near the trail is closed to salmon fishing. -
Williwaw Ponds - Trout Fishing.
Trout fishing opportunities exist. Keep a lookout for an active beaver colony. Rich bird viewing oportunities. A good place to observe glacial eratics, stones deposited by retreating glaciers. -
Byron Glacier Trail - Beautiful Hike.
An easy to moderate trail along Byron Creek to the snowfield at the foot of Byron Glacier. Avalanche danger exists throughout winter and into June. Length: 0.8 miles. Time: one hour round trip. Elevation gain: 100 ft -
Portage Glacier Tours - Portage Lake.
Hour long tours of Portage Lake to Portage Glacier, operated by Holland America under a special use permit with the Forest Service. Forest Service interpreters provide narration during each trip. Cruise operates from mid-May through mid-September. For information on trip times, ticket prices and reservations. (907) 783-2983. -
Portage Pass Trail - View Portage Glacier.
Trail starts on the Whittier side of the tunnel. This moderate trail leads to Portage Pass with spectacular views of Portage Lake and Glacier, and the surrounding sub-alpine terrain. Length: 1 mile. Time: One-two hours. Elevation gain: 750 feet.
Getting to the visitor center
The turn off for Portage Valley Road and the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is located approximately 50 miles south of Anchorage or 77 miles north of Seward on the New Seward Highway #1. Turn onto Portage Valley Road and go approximately 5 miles to the end. Follow the road to the right and there will be a turn-off to the Portage Glacier Lodge on the left. Keep following the road as it loops around. The first road off to the right after you pass the lodge is the road to the Ptarmigan boat dock. Lake front parking is just up ahead and if you continue towards the visitor center, there is available parking with special areas for busses and larger vehicles.