Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The Basics

You can explore the center’s vast grounds on foot or by car via a scenic 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) loop marked with informational placards about the resident animals. Most travelers visit the center as part of a guided wildlife tour, which often includes a scenic drive along the Turnagain Arm. You can also combine a visit to the conservation center with a cruise on Portage Lake for an up-close view of the magnificent Portage Glacier.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a must-see for families and animal lovers.

• Wildlife center tours from Anchorage typically last 4 to 6 hours, depending on the option chosen.

• Remember to dress in layers; weather can change quickly in Alaska.

• The center is accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is about an hour southeast of Anchorage, just off the Seward Highway. There’s no public transportation to the center, so you have to drive yourself or join a tour from Anchorage, Seward, or the Whittier cruise ship terminal.

When to Get There

The best time to visit the center is during the summer season (May to August), when it is open daily. You can visit throughout the year, but hours are limited during the shoulder seasons and colder winter months. Check with the center before you arrive for a current schedule of animal feedings and other special programs.

Bringing Back the Wood Bison

Wood bison, North America’s largest land mammal, were thought to be extinct at one time, but thanks to the efforts of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, they’re making a comeback. In 2015, 130 wood bison were successfully released into the wild.

Ways to explore

You can walk or drive the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) scenic loop that runs through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The path passes each of the sanctuary’s fenced-in habitats, from swimming holes for brown bears to mountain-backed pastures for wood bison, maximizing your opportunities for wildlife viewing. Learn more by reading the signs at each habitat, or join a naturalist-led walking tour with optional animal feedings.

Many travelers visit the conservation center on full-day tours from Anchorage, which often include a Portage Glacier cruise, a scenic drive along the Turnagain Arm, and other activities in Alaska’s pristine wilderness.

Accessibility

Guests with limited mobility can tour the conservation center by car.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, bottled water, binoculars

What to wear

Always dress in waterproof layers for Alaska’s ever-changing weather, and wear sturdy walking shoes—ideally with ice grippers if you’re visiting in the winter.

Not allowed

Touching or feeding wildlife (outside of supervised animal encounters), walking around with pets

Amenities

Food options, gift shop, restrooms

Address 

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is about an hour southeast of Anchorage, just off the Turnagain Arm. Rent a car and drive there, or join a guided tour with transportation from Anchorage, Seward, or the Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal.

Driving

From Anchorage, take the scenic Seward Highway for about 47 miles (76 kilometers), and you’ll find the conservation center at Mile 79 on your right. There’s plenty of parking on-site.

Public transportation

There is no public transportation to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, but you will find a lot of guided tours to the attraction from Anchorage, Seward, and Whittier.

Best times to visit

Make the most of your time by departing for the conservation center in the morning, especially if you’ll also be visiting nearby sights such as Portage Glacier.

Best days to visit

Every day is a good day to visit the conservation center—just note that while it’s open daily in the warmer months, hours are more limited in the fall and winter.

Best months to visit

From June–August, Alaska’s mild daytime temperatures provide the perfect setting for exploring the wildlife habitats on foot.