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Seward Highway

Seward Highway

Seward Highway
5
Points of Interest & LandmarksScenic Drives
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles181 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
29
Average
3
Poor
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Terrible
0

Christina C
Coquitlam, Canada6,334 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
Seward Highway stretches 127-miles from Anchorage to Seward. Last August my son drove the family from Anchorage to Seward. That was a treat, no matter which way you turn the scenery is just breathtaking. Along the highway there are bike paths, hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and scenic stops. We made a stop at McHugh Creek and Bird Point Park rest area. Both places were clean with lots of posters to help visitors to understand the area. We were glad we had the chance to enjoy these places. Happy Travelling!
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RichVirg2014
Hamilton, New Zealand27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
What a great drive with beautiful scenery being your constant companion. The roads were great and we enjoyed the independence of having our own vehicle. The scenery reminds us of parts of our homeland Aotearoa New Zealand - especially the drive into Queenstown with a difference being lakes as opposed to the sea. Driving the highway was one of the top things that we did in our visit to the area.
Written 23 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kleime
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, United States484 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Interesting 127 mile drive from Anchorage to Seward. We had beautiful vistas of snow capped mountains and the golden trees. Drove along the base of the Chugach Mts and along Turnagain Arm known for its bore tides, a wave 10 ft high that rushes up the narrow waterway. I had read that you could see sheep climbing the steep slopes and at Point Lookout you could spot seals and beluga whales. We didn't see any of those it was cloudy, rainy and some spots very windy when we drove it. There are spots you can venture off to and look out spots that we stopped and took pictures.
Tips: fill up your gas tank before and don't walk along the shorelines, bore tides and quicksand make it dangerous.
We drove a 2nd time along Seward Hwy leaving Seward and heading back to Anchorage several days later.
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MyersFamilyTravelers
170 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
We drove along this road going back and forth from Anchorage to the Portage Glacier. We were fortunate to have a clear day, but it was VERY windy. There are several scenic stop off points and the views do not disappoint. We didn't see any whales, but have been told they are frequent visitors during migrations.
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Konstantia M
Piraeus, Greece1,513 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
The road that connects Seward with Anchorage in Alaska. An idyllic route that passes through some of the most isolated areas (Kennai Penninsula). It is better to go by buss and return by train (Alaska Express).Try to seat in the 1st floor (glass rooftop) An incredible experience, especially with midnight sun!
Written 17 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AreWeThereYet3_11
Jacksonville, FL239 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
Seward highway is the most beautiful highway and words cannot describe the magnificent beauty that you see. Mountains with ice all around you. Take your time and stop at all the stops. Have a picnic amongst this beautiful picturesque scenery. You cannot get enough.
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,593 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Friends
We traveled the Seward Highway for its full 125½ miles from Seward to Anchorage. It was competed in 1951. It is Alaska State Route 9 for the first 37 miles from Seward to the Sterling Highway. Then, it becomes Alaska State Route 1. It runs across the Kenai Peninsula, through Chugach National Forest and Kenai Mountains, ad then past Turnagain Arm into Anchorage.

We enjoyed the scenery as we traveled to Anchorage. In Bear Creek, we saw Bear Lake. Then, we drove through the Chugach National Forest.

The Alaska Railroad followed the highway and crisscrossed under it several times. Next, the highway crossed the Snow River.

The next town was Primrose where the highway ran beside Kenai Lake, a glacial lake. Despite the gray day, the water had a greenish blue hue. We saw several fisherman on the shore. They seemed to be conditioned to the light rain common to the area.

Then, the highway ran alongside the very large Lower Trail Lake for miles.

After passing more forest and settlements, Route 9 ended and became Route 1 at Tern Lake Junction.

About 10 miles later, the highway came to the shores of Summit Lake where there was a large campground and Summit Lake Lodge.

Then, the highway turned inland again to run beside and circumvent Turnagain Arm, a large body of water too big to build a bridge across.

At Portage, there was a turnoff for Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. That looked interesting.

Then, the highway reversed around Turnagain Arm. In a mile or so, we made the exit in Girdwood for the Alyeska Highway to drop off passengers off at the Alyeska Resort. At that intersection, there was a commercial development there named Tesoro Mall. It had an ATM, restaurants, a bakery, an ice cream shop, a Tesoro gas station, and a place called The Great Alaskan Tourist Trap. That was at Mile 90 of the Seward Highway. At the resort, there was an arts and crafts event in progress. It looked like a nice event.

Back out on the highway, we entered the City of Anchorage in a few miles. We followed it right to 5th Ave. where the Westmark Anchorage was located near the city center. We passed several city attractions on the final approach.

We enjoyed our drive along the Seward Highway. We rate it a 5.0.

We highly recommend traveling on it either in a motor coach or a rental car.

If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chia2005
Huntington Beach, CA547 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Friends
If you don't make any stops, you can probably make this drive from Anchorage to Seward in less than 3 hours, but especially on a sunny day, you might as well make it an overnight trip to Seward. So much to see and do along this highway. Here is the list of where I recommend to stop by.

1) Turnagain Arm- Potter Marsh, Beluga Point, Bird Point
2) Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center-check out the wildlife here, or maybe stop by on your way back if you didn't have much luck to spot them on your own
3) Portage Glacier Valley area- detour and take Portage Highway at the junction. Check the fish viewing platform briefly to see if the salmon is running, visit the visitor center for the view of glaciers from the lake, and drive thru the tunnel to go to the viewpoint on the otherside.
4) Summit Lake - pass the first point, soon parking area should appear on your left, take a peek of the creek below
5) Tern Lake
6) Moose Pass-you probably want to have lunch here, if you leave Anchorage in the morning.
Recommend Estes Bros.Grocery for a quick bite to eat & coffee and don't forget to check the watermill! Keep an eye for moose!
7) Bear Creek Weir- just before you reach Seward. If the salmon is running, good place to see them going up the creek. Turn left at Bear Lake Road and keep driving until you see the hatchery facility on your left.
8) Exit Glacier- take a left, about a 30 minute hike to the glacier from the parking lot area, probably the easiest access to a glacier on your own close to town.
Written 26 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ferg42995
Texas404 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020
Most beautiful highway EVER! Don't rush from Anchorage to Seward. Build in 5 or 6 hours or all day and enjoy it! It is just that beautiful.

Some of our favorite stops were:

Mile 115.1/11.9 – Potter Creek Viewpoint – View with interpretive signs. After, then drive up the hill to large parking area for viewing platform with telescopes.

Mile 111.9/15.1 -- McHugh Creek Day Use Area – Skip if vehicle is more than 24 feet. Shortly after passing the Potter Weigh Station on your left, you will see a turn out for the McHugh Creek Day Use Area (milepost 111). With just a short walk from the parking area you will find a beautiful 20 foot water fall. Second parking area has beautiful views.

Mile 110.3/16.7 – Beluga Point Lookout -- Here you'll find 180 degree views of Turnagain Arm. There's an extensive viewing area with spotting scopes and interpretive signs. Check the Anchorage area tide tables for low tide and add 2 hours 15 minutes to get the approximate time of the Bore Tide. Do not walk on sand! Much of it is quicksand and you will drown when tide rolls in.

Mile 108.7/18.3 – scenic viewpoint

Mile 106.9/20.1 – Scenic View -- Often can see Dall sheep on steep hillsides above highway with binoculars.

Mile 104/23 – Indian Valley Meats – reindeer, venison, buffalo, elk sausage and jerky.

Mile 99.3/27.7 – Paved parking area. Views across Bird Flats on Turnagain Arm to the cut in the mountains where Sixmile Creek drains into the arm. The peak visible across Turnagain Arm between here and Girdwood is Mount Alpenglow in the Kenai Mountain Range.

Mile 96.5/30.5 – Bird Point Scenic Overlook. Nice bathrooms, great views. Look for Beluga whales in the water. End of parking lot has whale sculptures. Look for Bore Tide (See Beluga Point for info) here as well.

Mile 95.3/31.7 – Scenic Turnout with interpretive signs about gold rush and Sunrise City.

Mile 94.1/32.9 – Scenic turnout with signs about whaling.

Mile 93.3/33.7 – Scenic turnout with signs about tides, mudflats, and bore tides.

Mile 92.5/34.5 – Scenic turnout with signs about 1964 Earthquake, Portage Pass.

Mile 92.2/34.8 – Scenic turnout and another good place to look for Dall sheep.

Mile 91.5/35.5 – Scenic turnout with signs about glaciers.

Mile 89.8/37.2 – Scenic View from the bridge of the glaciated Kenai Mountains.

Mile 89.1/37.9 – View of 3 hanging glaciers to the east.

Mile 84.1/42.9 – Don’t stop but the view here is of Peterson Creek and Blueberry Mountain. Watch for waterfalls between here and mile 83.

Mile 82/45 – Don’t stop but notice Spencer Glacier directly ahead.

Mile 78.9/48.1 -- Short detour onto Portage Glacier Road to Moose Flats Day Use Area (Mile 1.2 Portage Glacier Road) and check out the short “Wetland Walk” trail, pond, and look for moose and birds.

Mile 76.5/50.5 – Don’t stop but look for swans in ponds to the east.

Mile 75.5 – Scenic viewpoint

Mile 75/52 – Scenic turnout with “Welcome to Kenai Peninsula” sign.

Mile 71.2/55.8 – Scenic turnout. Waterfall at north end of turnout.

Mile 68.5/58.5 – Turnagain Pass Rec Area – beautiful views

Mile 66.8/60.2 – Scenic view turnout

Mile 59/68 – Parking area with signs about moose and rapids and good views of Six
Mile Creek.

Mile 56.7 – Canyon Creek Rest Area has a pull out on the right to stop and get a view of Six Mile Creek.

Mile 51.4/75.6 – Scenic viewpoint.

Mile 47.3/79.7 -- has a scenic turnout and a great photo spot.

Mile 45.4 – scenic viewpoint

Mile 38.4/88.6 – Scenic viewpoint of Jerome Lake.

Mile 37/90 – turn west on Sterling Hwy for access to Tern Lake USFS Wildlife Viewing Area. Explore the lake and look at wildlife. Sometimes moose, nesting birds, mountain goats, sheep.

Mile 29.7/97.3 – scenic view turnout of Trail Lake.

Mile 29.3/97.7 – Moose Pass. Look for the waterwheel on the west side of the main road in town.

Mile 22.7/104.3 – scenic view turnout of Kenai Lake

Mile 14.7/112.3 – parking area for boardwalk viewpoint of Lily Pad Lake. Look for moose and swans.
Written 28 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CrankingChick
Tucson, AZ7,681 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2016 • Couples
We drove Seward Highway from Anchorage to Seward then back again over two days in June. The distance is about 120 miles, and it took about 2.5 - 3 hours of driving time (not counting stops). We have driven many scenic byways throughout the U.S. and this highway ranks as one of the best we've seen - and certainly some of the best scenery we saw while in Alaska. The terrain varies, with marshes, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and bays. There are many things to see and do, and I recommend allowing an entire day (or more) to fully experience it. Do a little research and plan ahead so you don't miss anything or run out of time. We got lucky and saw beluga whales and the fascinating bore tide right from the highway (check tide charts for time). The best time to drive it is probably summer, because the days are so long and the weather is more agreeable. The pavement is in good condition but keep in mind that it's primarily two lanes wide and may get congested at peak times like weekends and holidays. (We found that getting an early start worked to our advantage). There are places to pull-out and rest or take photos (some with restrooms) but they were not always signed. Bring a camera and mosquito repellent. There aren't a lot of services available so make sure you have enough gasoline. Food and gasoline are available in the Girdwood area about 30 miles south of Anchorage. Some attractions to consider (north to south, * = restroom):

Potter Marsh wetland boardwalk* (look for moose, eagles, waterfowl)
Beluga Point on Turnagain Arm (look for whales)
Bird Point* on Turnagain Arm (look for whales)
Town of Girdwood/Alyeska Resort (services, scenic views, tram ride-fee)
Wildlife Conservation Center* (indigenous animal refuge-fee)
Portage Glacier & Lake, Visitor Center* & glacier tours have fee (6 miles off Highway)
Turnagain Pass*
Six Mile Creek
Canyon Creek Overlook Trail*
Summit Lake
Tern Lake wildlife area
Trail Lake
Kenai Lake
Lily Pad Lake (short boardwalk)
Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park* (8 miles off Seward Highway)

At the south end of the highway in Seward there are stunning views of Resurrection Bay at Waterfront Park* and a harbor* where boat tours of Kenai Fjords are available (fee). Alaska Sealife Center aquarium is also located in Seward (fee).
Written 22 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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