Portage Valley

Some of Alaska’s most beautiful natural places were created from the glaciers that once covered the land, and Portage Valley is no different. Containing one of Alaska’s most-accessible glaciers and other popular outdoor attractions, Portage Valley is located near Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula.

About Portage Valley

The beauty of Portage Valley is one of the highlights of the Anchorage area, and its location makes it a vital connection point between Turnagain Arm and Prince William Sound. At the end of Portage Lake lies Portage Glacier—a ten-story glacier that is only accessible by boat. From tours to the glacier to local camping, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing opportunities, adventure-seekers have plenty to explore in the wilderness of the Portage Valley area.

Visiting Portage Valley

When visiting the Portage Valley, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center should be the first stop. Operated by the National Forest Service, plenty of hiking trails run near the center and through the glacier terrain. You can even book a boat tour of Portage Lake, where you’ll get up-close-and-personal with one of Alaska’s most impressive glaciers!

History & Geography

Portage Glacier once covered the entire Portage Valley and connected to five other glaciers—forming a crossing between Prince William Sound and the Cook Inlet until the glacier began its latest retreat. Native Alaskans and prospectors hoping to strike it rich in the goldfields also used Portage Pass in the valley as a cross between Turnagain Arm and Prince William Sound. Today, the retreat of Portage Glacier has made this impossible, but the Whittier Tunnel and railroad offers residents and visitors a way to access the area.

The landscape of the Portage Valley is a mix of different habitats, all of which support a thriving ecosystem of native wildlife. From temperate rainforest to rocky hillsides and avalanche paths marking the valley, the wildlife here has adapted to the harsh, evolving landscape. Moose are a common sight in the area, and black and brown bears are known to roam the hills.

Interesting Facts

Portage Valley is a natural paradise of Alaskan backcountry, but that doesn’t mean that’s all there is to explore! The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is a popular stop for learning more about the Chugach National Forest—America’s second largest—and the unique history of the Portage Valley area.

• The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center was named for Congressmen from Alaska and Louisiana after their plane disappeared over Portage Pass in 1972, with no remains of the crash ever found.
• Ice worms—a relative to earthworms that can survive near-freezing temperatures—can be viewed in the evening when they come to the surface at the end of the Byron Glacier Trail.
• For incredible views of spawning sockeye, chum, and Coho salmon during the Salmon Run, a bike trail and viewing platform at Williwaw Creek in the area is a prime location.
• Portage Pass, with its 750-foot elevation, is the Kenai Peninsula’s lowest-elevation alpine habitat.

Points of Interest

There are plenty of places to find adventure in Alaska, and Portage Valley offers a unique experience for travelers of all types. Easily accessible from Anchorage and filled with countless opportunities for exploring the best of Alaska, Portage Valley is a must-see on your tour of southcentral Alaska.