Eagle River nature center trail system
Come see why explorer Walter Mendenhall called the Eagle River Valley “a miniature Yosemite” and hike the Eagle River Nature Center trails! We have trails for both the beginner and advanced hiker, offering pristine mountain views, glacier rivers and streams, and abundant Alaskan wildlife.
All trails can be accessed from the Nature Center’s trailhead located behind the log cabin building and they are open year-round.
Fee: $5.00/vehicle parking fee for non-members of the Nature Center. Sorry, Alaska State Park Passes are not valid at the Nature Center. Fee box located outside the front door, pay via credit card or exact cash (sorry, no change given). Come here often? Become a member and enjoy annual parking privileges!
All trails can be accessed from the Nature Center’s trailhead located behind the log cabin building and they are open year-round.
Fee: $5.00/vehicle parking fee for non-members of the Nature Center. Sorry, Alaska State Park Passes are not valid at the Nature Center. Fee box located outside the front door, pay via credit card or exact cash (sorry, no change given). Come here often? Become a member and enjoy annual parking privileges!
Trails Overview
Rodak Nature Trail
This is a short, ¾ mile nature loop with interpretive signage and benches which leads to our Beaver Viewing Deck and Salmon Viewing Deck. The trail has been recognized by Alaska State Parks as an educational trail which prohibits any disturbance of plant materials along its lenght. Please keep all pets on a leash on the Rodak Nature Trail.
This is a short, ¾ mile nature loop with interpretive signage and benches which leads to our Beaver Viewing Deck and Salmon Viewing Deck. The trail has been recognized by Alaska State Parks as an educational trail which prohibits any disturbance of plant materials along its lenght. Please keep all pets on a leash on the Rodak Nature Trail.
- Access: Trailhead located behind Nature Center Main building. Trail is always open.
- Travel means: Foot traffic only. Groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.
- When to hike: Year-round.
- Difficulty: Easy, but can be considered moderate for some due to the walk up from the Viewing Decks.
- Distance: ~0.75 miles, allow 45 minutes to hike
- Elevation Change: 128 feet
- Map: Rodak Nature Trail Close-up Map (Trail is DARK BLUE on the map)
Albert Loop Trail
As of 8/5/2024 trail is CLOSED. This is an annual State Park closure due to the salmon run and bear activity.
This is a 3-mile loop that begins at the Nature Center and reaches the bank of the Eagle River. Depending on the extent of beaver activity and rainfall, this trail may be muddy with standing water in places. However, the hike is well worth it, as the trail traverses rich habitats. This trail is regularly closed from August through October to allow bears to feed on salmon-rich creeks without creating potential bear-human conflicts. Please keep all pets on a leash on the Albert Loop Trail.
As of 8/5/2024 trail is CLOSED. This is an annual State Park closure due to the salmon run and bear activity.
This is a 3-mile loop that begins at the Nature Center and reaches the bank of the Eagle River. Depending on the extent of beaver activity and rainfall, this trail may be muddy with standing water in places. However, the hike is well worth it, as the trail traverses rich habitats. This trail is regularly closed from August through October to allow bears to feed on salmon-rich creeks without creating potential bear-human conflicts. Please keep all pets on a leash on the Albert Loop Trail.
- Access: Trailhead located behind Nature Center Main building. Trail is always open.
- Travel means: Foot traffic only. Groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter.
- When to hike: Year-round.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
- Distance: ~3.0 miles. Allow 1 to 2 hours to hike.
- Elevation Change: 128 feet
- Map: Albert Loop Trail Map (Trail is RED on the map)
Dew Mound Trail
Depending on how many loops you take of this multi-looped back-country trail, you will travel between ½ mile to 6 miles. This trail is more rugged than the Albert Loop Trail – narrower and with more elevation gain. You will be rewarded with stunning views of the Eagle River Valley and the lovely little Dew Mound Lake. At Echo Bend, there is a bear proof storage container located in the area for tent campers (first-come, first-serve, no reservations).
Depending on how many loops you take of this multi-looped back-country trail, you will travel between ½ mile to 6 miles. This trail is more rugged than the Albert Loop Trail – narrower and with more elevation gain. You will be rewarded with stunning views of the Eagle River Valley and the lovely little Dew Mound Lake. At Echo Bend, there is a bear proof storage container located in the area for tent campers (first-come, first-serve, no reservations).
- Access: Trailhead located behind Nature Center Main building. Trail is always open.
- Travel means: Foot traffic only. Trail groomed for cross-country skiing only from trailhead kiosk along the Iditarod/Crow Pass Trail to the Yukla Yurt.
- When to hike: Year-round.
- Difficulty: Moderately strenuous.
- Distance: ~6.0 miles. Allow 4 to 5 hours to hike. Shorter loop options available, see map.
- Elevation Change: 300 feet
- Map: Dew Mound Trail Map (Trail is GOLD on the map)
Crow Pass Trail
Considered to be one of the best trails to hike in the Chugach mountain range, this epic 23 mile hike takes you from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center. Following part of the Historic Iditarod Trail, this trail offers diverse scenic sights including glaciers, alpine lakes, waterfalls. wildlife, and so much more! Most people take two to three days to finish the trail, however, one day traverses are possible (plan for it to take you at least 12 hours for the average hiker).
Considered to be one of the best trails to hike in the Chugach mountain range, this epic 23 mile hike takes you from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center. Following part of the Historic Iditarod Trail, this trail offers diverse scenic sights including glaciers, alpine lakes, waterfalls. wildlife, and so much more! Most people take two to three days to finish the trail, however, one day traverses are possible (plan for it to take you at least 12 hours for the average hiker).
A few Trail Notes:
- ALASKA STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS apply to the Eagle River Nature Center Trails and Grounds.
- Please note: dogs are welcome on all of our trails, but they must be on leash in the parking lot, on the Rodak Nature Trail and Albert Loop Trail.
- When hiking and camping, please follow LEAVE NO TRACE protocols to protect the beautiful Eagle River Valley. Please be respectful of other trail users by limiting non-natural sounds (radios, iphone music, boom boxes, etc) while hiking and camping so that everyone may enjoy the natural soundscape.
- Please pick up dog waste (we supply free bags at the trailhead) and any trash you bring in or see if you can.
Our trails are maintained by volunteers!
These trail volunteers dedicate hundreds of hours each year making sure that fallen trees, obstacles and trash are removed from the trails, flooded areas are attended to, boardwalks and bridges are built, trails groomed for winter skiing, and the public-use cabin and yurts maintained. We ask that you respect the work of our hard-working corps, plus respect one of our greatest resources – the Alaska wilderness.
Click below for more info on trail volunteering:
