Portage Glacier Highway traverses a series of paved roads, small bridges, and the
Whittier tunnel that is shared with the Alaska Railroad. The series connects the Portage Glacier
area of the Chugach National Forest with the seaside town of Whittier, Alaska and the Seward Highway
leading to Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula.
Portage Glacier Road Campgrounds
Portage Glacier Alaska Black Bear Campground & Williwaw Campground located on Portage Glacier
Road near the U.S. Forest Service Glacier Observatory and Tour Boat on Portage Lake.
From Anchorage travel 50 miles south on Seward highway or 39 miles north of the Seward
highway and Sterling Highway junction at Tern
Lake to Portage Glacier Road at mile 78.9 of the Seward Highway.The turnoff is located in the
sharp bend in the road.
Portage Valley Cabins and RV Park is
the only RV park offering full hookups in the Portage/Whittier area. Finally you have the option
for 20, 30 and even 50 amp electric hookups, hot showers, ice cold and spring fresh water and all
this in the most scenic setting surrounded by towering mountains, brilliant blue glaciers and a
number of ponds and streams for an evenings fishing with the family. Reservations can be arranged
by calling 907-783-3111
Black Bear Campground is located at mile 3.0 of the Portage Glacier Road. Black
Bear Campground offers 12 campsites, water and toilets. There is an excellent view of the glaciers
hovering above in the canvases of the mountains that radiate an awesome ice blue hew that is well
worth viewing. There is also lots of wildlife viewing in the area.
Williwaw Campground is located at mile 4.0 of the Portage Glacier Road. Williwaw
Campground is larger and offers 60 well maintained campsites, an onsite campground host, water and
toilets. In late summer through early fall, campers have the opportunity to observe spawning sockeye,
chum and coho salmon from an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform on Portage Creek.
While
here, take the time to explore the unique landscape features in the valley that Portage Glacier
created during it's retreat. The steep mountain slopes of this U-shaped valley were carved by the
glaciers. Explorer Glacier can be seen high up on the mountain slope as you drive into the valley.
Drop into the turnout located at milepost 2 and enjoy an outstanding view of the glaciers clinging
high on the mountainside above you.
Portage Glacier Road
Alaska glacier cruise and Portage Glacier tour, available at the Tour Center. The tour boat Ptarmigan
will take you up close to the point where the glacier and lake meet.