Parks Highway Road Log Mile by Mile Description of the Parks Highway from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska Parks Highway Highway Over twelve years and $150 million went into the mile 0 Anchorage - Junction with Ingra Street. The completion of this route which extends through 358 Parks Highway follows the Glenn Highway for 36 miles/576 km of Alaska’s most rugged terrain. Yet this miles before branching off. highway need not be feared, because it is the state’s widest and best year-round road. There are over mile 2 Boniface Parkway. Russian Jack Springs city 40 bridges to cross with the longest being a 1050- campground is located south of the highway off Boni- foot span of the Susitna River at mile 104. The most face Parkway. Not suitable for large units. Turn north spectacular, Hurricane Gulch Bridge, at mile 174.3 is for Elmendorf. only half the length of the Susitna Bridge, but it is a breathtaking 254 feet above the white water of Hur- mile 4 Muldoon Road. City bypass route to Seward ricane Creek. Highway and the Anchorage International Airport. Exit for Alaska Native Heritage Center. www.alaskanative. Denali (Mt. McKinley), the nation’s tallest peak at net 20,320-feet, lies about half way between Anchorage and Fairbanks and can be seen from the Park High- mile 6.5 Northbound exit to Joint Base Elmendorf- way on a clear day. There are much excellent views Richardson and Arctic Valley Road. Arctic Valley Ski of the mountain from mile 70 at Willow, and the rest Area is 7.5 miles on a steep road not recommended areas at mile 133 and mile 163. At mile 104 there is for large RV’s. a good view of the three tallest peaks in the Alaska Range: Foraker, Hunter and Denali, left to right. At mile 7 Southbound exit to Ft. Richardson and Arctic mile 132.5 you enter Denali State Park. Valley Road. The mileage figures in the following highway descrip- mile 12 Eagle River Campground, take Hiland tion correspond to the numbers appearing on the Road/Eagle River Loop Exit. Access via 1.4 mile side mileposts in place along most of the highway. The de- road. 57 camp sites, with picnic tables, fire pits, water, scription begins in Anchorage and follows the route’s flush toilets and dump station. Overflow camping area 358 miles to Fairbanks. The first 36 miles from An- of 10 sites. Fee area. Campground Host. chorage are on shared with the Glenn Highway. The Recreation: Fishing, whitewater rafting. Short hiking two highways split just before reaching Wasilla. trails. Special Note: One-half of the campsites are available Updates on Road Conditions and Construction: by reservation - call 907-694-7982 or online at: http://511.alaska.gov www.lifetimeadventures.net Parks Highway Road Log mile 13 Bridge over Eagle River. Varden and rainbow. Short hike to Eklutna glacier at far end of canyon-watch for falling rock and debris mile 13.6 Exit to the twin communities of Chugiak- near glacier, this is a dangerous area. Do not climb on Eagle River. Since 1930, when the first homestead the glacier without proper equipment, knowledge, and (300 acres) was hewn out of the wilderness, the area companions. has grown into a sizeable community. A rodeo is staged here each summer, and winter sports activities Eklutna Historical Park. Twenty-six miles from include sled dog and snowmobile racing. Anchorage, is the historical location of the Dena’ina Athabaskan people. Dating back to 1650, this site has Vitus Energy at Birchwood. Fuel, snacks, clean tiny buildings called “Spirit Houses” atop the graves restrooms, ATM-services, a liquor store as well as ice of many generations of deceased. Next door, the cream, hot showers and laundry facilities. North Birch- Heritage House Museum is filled with photographs wood exit in Chugiak at 19223 Old Glenn Hwy. and craft displays portraying the native lifestyle and Russian influence. The oldest building in the greater mile 15.3 Exit for Old Glenn Highway and North Eagle Anchorage area (dated back to 1830) is the St. River. Nicholas Church, located in this park. Admission fee. mile 16.3 Fire Lake. Eklutna Historical Park is open to the public 8am-6pm mile 17.5 South Birchwood Loop Road. Exit to Chu- daily Memorial Day-Labor Day. There is plenty of free giak-Eagle River and Fire Lake. parking and public facilities within the park for visitors. 907 696-2828 or 688-6026. mile 20.7 North Birchwood Loop Road exits both sides of highway. East to Chugiak or the Old Glenn mile 29.5 Old Glenn Highway. Highway south to Eagle River. mile 29.9 In the next mile, 3 bridges cross the Knik River. mile 21 Bridge over Peters Creek. mile 21.6 South Peters Creek exits both sides of high- mile 30.6 Knik River Public Use Access. Reflec- way, visitor facilities. tions Lake trail with boardwalk over wetlands. mile 31.4 Bridge over Matanuska River. mile 22.6 North Peters Creek exits both sides of high- way. mile 35.3 Glenn Highway/Parks Highway Inter- mile 23.6 Mirror Lake. Picnic wayside for northbound change, Trunk Road exit traffic only. Swimming, boating. mile 39.3 Seward Meridian Road, Meridian Center mile 24.5 Southbound exit for Mall and Walmart. Mirror Lake Municipal Park. mile 40.9 Cottonwood Creek Mall. mile 25.2 Thunderbird Falls exit for northbound mile 41.5 Junction of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. traffic only and access to Eklutna Road. Thunder- bird Falls is about a 1 mile hike from the highway. The mile 41.7 Newcomb Wasilla Lake Park, a very nice trail to the falls goes through private property down to picnic area on the shores of Wasilla Lake. George a picnic area. Parks Monument. mile 25.6 Eklutna River. mile 42.2 Junction with Knik-Goose Bay Road. mile 26 Overpass with exits on both sides of highway Wasilla. Access to Hatcher Pass via Main Street, to Eklutna and Thunderbird Falls. Head east on which becomes Wasilla Fishhook Road. Eklutna Road for 10 miles/16 km to Eklutna Lake Rec- reation 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 Parks Highway Road Log mile 43.7 Best Western Lake Lucille Inn. The Val- mile 57.4 Houston has all visitor facilities, groceries, ley’s premier hotel and has been recently renovated. restaurant, post office, campground, and lodging by Located on Lake Lucille with breathtaking views of the the Little Susitna River, excellent fishing and riverboat Chugach Range; only 45 miles from Anchorage. They services available. have banquet and meeting facilities, fitness room with hot tub and sauna, free Wi-fi and complimentary Little Susitna River Campground. Fee area. The deluxe continental breakfast. Turn left (when north- river is famous for its world-class sport fishing. Little bound) on Hallea Rd (Lucas Rd when turning right). Susitna Public Use Facility offers camping and boat- 1-800-897-1776 ing access. The area is heavily forested with spruce and birch. A general store food, showers, storage, and mile 47 The Museum of Alaska Transportation and gas is located within five miles of the campground. Industry was founded as the Air Progress Museum This is not an Alaska State Park, but is managed as in Anchorage in 1967 as part of the statewide Alaska one. Purchase Centennial. After a disastrous fire in 1973, the museum languished for a number of years before mile 66.5 Nancy Lake State Recreation Site. 30 it was reborn under its present name. camp sites is on the northeast shore of Nancy Lake, a popular fishing and boating area near Willow (67 The museum contains a variety of vehicles, tools, and miles from Anchorage, 30 miles north of Wasilla). A equipment used by the early pioneers of Alaska, as picnic area and a boat launch are also on the site. well as more recent airplanes, railroad cars, boats, Electric hookups, phone. Fee area. automobiles, fire trucks, military weapons, trucks, farm equipment, and other materials. The 700-acre lake has fair fishing for rainbow and Dolly Varden, with occasional catches of silver salm- Museum is open May 1st The museum is open seven on, whitefish, and burbot. days a week from 10:00am to 5:00pm through Sep- tember 30. mile 69 Willow, population 1600 has a post office and mile 52.2 Meadowood Mall west of highway. a local airport. mile 52.2 Junction with Big Lake Road leads to Big mile 70.8 Willow Creek State Recreation Area Lake Recreation area, one of the major recreational has a 100 camp sites,64 with electrical hookups, areas for Southcentral Alaska, and is easily acces- water,modern restrooms,, hiking trails. Fee area. Fish- sible by highway. Turn West at mile 52 on the Parks ing access to Willow Creek and its confluence with the Highway, and drive 3.6 miles to Fishers Y. Keep to Susitna River. There is excellent salmon fishing in the the left and you will come to East Lake Mall. Grocer- Willow area . ies, pizza, liquor store. From Fishers Y, paved and unpaved roads lead to Big Lake, Beaver Lake, Rocky mile 71.2 Junction. Hatcher Pass Road 49.5 miles. Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and numerous campgrounds. For a beautiful drive on some of the highest, most The lakes are connected by dredged waterways. spectacular, and wildest roadway in the state, take Fishing is good for rainbow, lake trout, Dolly Varden, a detour up Palmer-Fishhook Road (Hatcher Pass burbot, and landlocked salmon.