To the delight of its inhabitants wildness still lurks in the heart of Anchorage, Alaska’s most populous city. In meetings that are customarily far less eventful, skiers and other visitors to the park do encounter wildlife every day, among them moose, lynx, coyotes, foxes, ermines, nesting pairs of eagles, squirrels, and even the occasional black or brown bear.

Offshore, in Cook Inlet, beluga and gray whales swim, and may be spotted particularly in summer. Plenty of other sea creatures live in the inlet, including Chinook and coho salmon that draw fishing boats to the area.

Mountain bikers and walkers enjoy the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which ends behind the outdoor centre, locally known as The Chalet. From this vantage point along Point Campbell, recreationists take pleasure in the sight of Mount Sustina across Cook Inlet to the northwest.