Over twelve years
and $150 million went into the completion of this route which extends through 358 miles/576 km of Alaska's most rugged terrain. Yet this highway need not be feared, because it is the state's widest and
best year-round road. There are over 40 bridges to cross with the longest being a 1050-foot span of the Susitna River at mile 104. The most spectacular, Hurricane
Gulch Bridge, at mile 174.3 is only half the length of the Susitna Bridge, but it is a breathtaking 254 feet above the white water of Hurricane Creek.
Mt. McKinley, the nation's tallest peak,
lies about half way between Anchorage and Fairbanks and can be seen from both areas on a clear day: but there's a much better view from mile 70 at Willow. At mile 104 there is a good view of the three tallest peaks in the Alaska Range: Foraker, Hunter and McKinley, left to right. At mile 132.5 you enter Denali State Park. Denali "The Great One" is the Indian name for North America's tallest peak. Perhaps the most spectacular view from the highway of this 20,320-foot mountain comes at mile 134.5.
The mileage figures in the following highway description correspond to the
numbers appearing on the mileposts in place along most of the highway. The description begins in Anchorage and follows the route's 358 miles to Fairbanks.
Emergency Services - Dial 911.
mile 0 Mt. View. Turn north on Bragaw St. This suburban community
has a number of businesses which you will be interested in if you're an RV'er: Mt. View Car Wash, Suburban Propane.
mile 2/km 3.2 Boniface Parkway. Russian
Jack Springs city campground is located south of the highway off Boniface Parkway. Not suitable for large units. Turn north for Elmendorf.
mile 4/km 6.4 Muldoon Road. City bypass route to Seward-Anchorage Highway and the Anchorage International Airport.
mile 6.5/km 10.4 Northbound exit to Ft. Richardson and Arctic Valley Road. Arctic Valley Ski Area is 7.5 miles on a steep
road not recommended for large RV's.
mile 7/km 11.3 Southbound exit to Ft. Richardson and Arctic Valley Road.
mile 12/km 19.3 Hiland Road exit to Eagle
River Campground and Picnic Area. Access via short side road. 57 camp sites, with picnic tables, fire pits, water, flush toilets and dump station. Overflow camping area of 10 sites.Fee area. Campground Host. Recreation: Fishing, whitewater rafting. Short hiking trails. Special Note: One-half of the campsites are available by reservation - call (907) 694-7982. Reservations can be made year round and up to one year in advance. However, the campground itself is usually only open from May through September, depending on the weather. This campground is operated by Lifetime Adventures under a commercial permit and is the only campground in the state park system to take reservations.
mile 13/km 20.9 Bridge over Eagle River.
mile 13.6/km 21.9 Exit to the twin communities of Chugiak-Eagle River.
Since 1930, when the first homestead (300 acres) was hewn out of the wilderness, the area has grown into a sizeable community. A rodeo is staged here each summer, and winter sports activities include sled dog and snowmobile racing.
mile 15.3/km 24.6 Exit for Old Glenn Highway and Eagle River.
mile 16.3/km 26.2 Fire Lake.
mile 17.5/km 28.2 South
Birchwood Loop Road. Exit to Chugiak-Eagle River and Fire Lake Fish Hatchery. Visitors welcome.
mile 20.7/km 33.3 North Birchwood Loop Road exits
both sides of highway. East to Chugiak or the Old Glenn Highway south to Eagle River.
mile 21/km 33.8 Bridge over Peters Creek.
mile 21.6/km 34.8 South Peters Creek exits both sides of highway, visitor facilities.
mile 22.6/km 36.4 North Peters Creek exits both sides of highway.
mile 24.5/km 39.4 Southbound exit for Mirror Lake picnic wayside.
mile 25.2/km 40.5 Thunderbird Falls exit for northbound traffic only and access to Eklutna Road. Thunderbird Falls is about 1 mile from the highway. The trail to the falls goes through private property down to a picnic area.
mile 25.6/km 41.2 Eklutna River.
mile 26/km 42 Overpass with exits on both sides of highway to Eklutna and Thunderbird Falls. Head east on Eklutna Road for
10 miles/16 km to Eklutna Lake Recreation Area in Chugach State Park. The campground has 50 camp sites, picnic shelters, toilets, water, and hiking trails. Fee area. Eklutna Lake is the largest lake in Chugach State
Park with good fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow. Short hike to Eklutna glacier at far end of canyon-watch for falling rock and debris near glacier, this is a dangerous area. Do not climb on the glacier without
proper equipment, knowledge, and companions.
Eklutna Historical Park. Twenty-six miles from Anchorage, is the historical location of the Dena'ina Athabaskan people. Dating back to 1650, this site has tiny buildings called "Spirit Houses" atop the graves of many generations of deceased. Next door, the Heritage House Museum is filled with photographs and craft displays portraying the native lifestyle and Russian influence. The oldest building in the greater Anchorage area (dated back to 1830) is the St. Nicholas Church, located in this park. Admission fee.
Eklutna Historical Park is open to the public 8am-6pm daily Memorial Day-Labor Day.
There
is plenty of free parking and public facilities within the park for visitors. 907 696-2828 or 688-6026.
mile 29.5/km 47.5 Old Glenn Highway.
mile 29.9/km 48.1 In the next mile, 3 bridges cross the Knik River.
mile 30.6/km 49.2 Knik River Access.
mile 31.4/km 50.5 Bridge over Matanuska River.
mile 35.3/km 56.8 Glenn-Parks Interchange, Trunk Road exit for Wasilla
mile 35.5/km 57.1 Mat-Su Visitor Center Mat-Su Visitor Center operated by Mat-Su CVB, is open from mid-May through mid-September. Its hours of operation are 8:30am to 6:30pm. It is located at Mile 35.5 Parks Highway, take the Trunk Road exit off the Parks Highway. Information on activities, events, lodging services, tours, and more is available at the Center. 907-746-5000
mile 39.3/km 63.2 Seward Meridian Road Meridian Center Mall and Walmart.
mile 40.5/km 65.1 Windbreak Hotel and Cafe.
mile 40.9/km 65.8 Cottonwood Creek Mall.
mile 41.1/km 66.1 Junction of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.
mile 41.7/km 67.1 Newcomb Wasilla Lake Park, a very nice picnic area on the shores of Wasilla Lake. George Parks Monument.
mile 42.2/km 67.9 Junction with Knik-Goose Bay Road. Wasilla. Access to Hatcher Pass via Main Street, which becomes Wasilla Fishhook Road.
mile 47/km 75.6 The Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry was founded as the Air Progress Museum in Anchorage in 1967 as part of the statewide Alaska Purchase Centennial. After a disastrous fire in 1973, the museum languished for a number of years before it was reborn under its present name.
The museum contains a variety of vehicles, tools, and equipment used by the early pioneers of Alaska, as well as more recent airplanes, railroad cars, boats, automobiles, fire trucks, military
weapons, trucks, farm equipment, and other materials.
Museum of Alaska is open May 1st The museum is open seven days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm through September 30.
mile 52.2/km 83.7 Meadowood Shopping Mall west of highway.
mile 52.2/km 84 Junction with Big Lake Road leads to Big Lake Recreation area, one of the major recreational areas for Southcentral Alaska, and is easily accessible by highway. Turn West at mile 52 on the Parks Highway, and drive 3.6 miles to Fishers Y. Keep to the left and you will come to East Lake Mall. Groceries, pizza, liquor store. From Fishers Y, paved and unpaved roads lead to Big Lake, Beaver Lake, Rocky Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and numerous campgrounds. The lakes are connected by dredged waterways. Fishing is good for rainbow, lake trout, Dolly Varden, burbot, and landlocked salmon. If you're piloting your own plane, Big Lake has a good airstrip and is only a short flight from Anchorage. Most area resorts provide land and/or water taxi service. Motor and sailboats are for hire at the recreational marinas and resorts. Guide services are also available.
