What makes this park so extraordinary? It is wild. And, surprisingly, this extreme wildness lies in the backyard of the metropolis of Anchorage, home to a quarter million people. In Chugach State Park’s 30-year history, all the rangers combined have not come close to walking, let alone exploring, every corner and valley of it.

Many summits are unnamed, and a few of them are still unclimbed. Most valleys and headwaters in the park’s interior receive only a few hardy visitors all year long. Yet half the population of Alaska lives on the boundary of Chugach State Park, mere minutes from its rivers, creeks, and trailheads.

Chugach State Park has dozens of access points. The old federal building in downtown Anchorage houses the Alaska Public Lands Information Centre. Here you can obtain maps and books about the park, as well as information of trails and cabins. The centre also offers exhibits on other parks, refuges, and forests throughout the state.