Anchorage is one of the best urban places in the U.S. to see wildlife—right in or near the city! 🐻🦅 From moose in your hotel parking lot to beluga whales off the coast, Anchorage offers surprisingly wild experiences without having to venture far.
Contents
hide
Here’s your guide to the top places to see wildlife in Anchorage, Alaska:
🦌 1. Kincaid Park
- Wildlife to see: Moose, black bears, bald eagles, lynx (rare)
- A huge urban park with forested trails and great views over Cook Inlet
- Best early morning or at dusk for moose sightings
- Also great for birdwatching, fat biking, and trail walking
🐋 2. Turnagain Arm (along Seward Highway)
- Wildlife to see: Beluga whales, Dall sheep, bald eagles, sea birds
- Just south of Anchorage, drive the scenic Seward Highway (AK-1)
- Spot belugas from Beluga Point (late summer/fall) and Dall sheep on cliffs near Windy Corner
🦅 3. Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk
- Wildlife to see: Waterfowl, salmon, moose, bald eagles, muskrats
- A family-friendly boardwalk on the southern edge of Anchorage
- Excellent birdwatching in spring and summer
- Look for spawning salmon in late summer beneath the bridge
🐻 4. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (45 mins south of Anchorage)
- Wildlife to see: Bears, moose, bison, lynx, wolves, muskox, and more
- A rescue and rehabilitation center on a stunning 200-acre site
- Great for guaranteed wildlife viewing and photography
- Combine with a Turnagain Arm road trip!
🦫 5. Westchester Lagoon / Coastal Trail
- Wildlife to see: Water birds, moose, beavers, ducks, sometimes foxes
- Close to downtown Anchorage
- A lovely spot for a casual walk, biking, or birding
- Great in the evening for sunsets and wildlife activity
🐟 6. Ship Creek
- Wildlife to see: Salmon (during spawning), bald eagles, sometimes bears
- Right in downtown Anchorage!
- Watch anglers fish for king and silver salmon in summer
- Eagles often swoop overhead during salmon runs
🐾 7. Campbell Creek Greenbelt
- Wildlife to see: Moose, foxes, beavers, birds
- A trail system that winds through Anchorage neighborhoods
- Perfect for spotting moose year-round—sometimes even with calves in spring/summer
🐻 8. Flattop Mountain / Glen Alps Trailhead
- Wildlife to see: Bears (more distant), marmots, moose, birds of prey
- Anchorage’s most popular hike with panoramic views of the city and beyond
- Wildlife sightings are more common early or late in the day
🔭 Tips for Wildlife Watching in Anchorage:
- Moose are common year-round, especially in greenbelt areas and parks—often seen walking through neighborhoods!
- Bears are more elusive, but can be seen in Kincaid Park or along trails in summer
- Belugas are most often seen July–September
- Early morning or dusk is prime wildlife time
- Keep a safe distance—especially from moose and bears