"Seward Highway (Anchorage to Seward)" Top 5 Page for this destination Alaska Travelogue by PA2AKgirl

Many people travel the Seward. For a short while it takes on an interstate form but most of it is a two lane drive. It leads out of Anchorage, follows the Turnagain Arm leading to the Kenai Peninsula, up the Turnagain Pass and then down to the town of Seward and Resurrection Bay. There are lots of places to hike, areas to view whales, turnoffs to smaller towns and the Portage Valley. This road follows, for the most part, the same route to Seward as the AK Railroad. It's a route taken by fishermen, skiiers, kayakers, hikers, photographers, buses and trucks (among others). If you only have a few days in the Anchorage area, definitely make this drive.

As you head down the Seward through south Anchorage, you first good wildlife opportunity is at Potter Marsh. Lots of birds come through here and there's a boardwalk to view salmon and the marsh. Right after that, there's a place called Potter Creek Viewpoint where there's a sign talking about moose in your own backyard. One of the days we drove by, 2 moose were right there behind the sign. You can see moose anywhere along the Seward, though. I've lost count of how many we've seen on this road

Bobby at McHugh Creek

If you don't have much time to take a longer trail, it's nice to sit by the water even if it's just for a short while. McHugh Creek has a huge parking area right off the highway. Take a short walk to the creek and you'd never know you're along one of Alaska's major roads.

the impressive ice that accumulates

The portion of the road from Anchorage to the beginning of the Kenai Peninsula is flat but subject to avalanches, rockslides and flooding. Also, this area is extremely windy a lot of the time.

Along the way, there are constant wildlife opportunities. Sheep in the cliffs, bears along the rivers and streams, eagles near the water and moose everywhere. Because there are plenty of bears here, signs warn you about hiking and camping in "bear country" and where you're likely to encounter them

icy section of road at Turnagain Pass

The pass can be a bit difficult...this area gets so much snow. Long after Anchorage and Seward's snow melts, the pass will still have something like 80". Even when there's no snow, it may be rainy or foggy up here. But when it's a nice day, it's incredible. People come here to snowmobile/snowmachine, ski, hike, look for wildlife or camp.

The snow has to go somewhere...in this case it's piled up against a sign. One that may be important, who knows?

small boat harbor

And finally you reach Seward. There's a ton of stuff to do down here. Check out my Seward page for more information.