Turnagain Arm Wildlife Tour With Alyeska Tram — Sanctuary Admission & Summit Rides
Bears below the Chugach, ravens above the tram line.
Compare fares, pick the fit — all bookings are mobile-voucher and eligible for free cancellation where shown.
6 hr
6 hr
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Skip-the-line | Guide | Small group | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Standard Entry
Most popular
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Admission
|
Flexible, self-guided | ★ 4.7 | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | €26 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Mount Alyeska Aerial Tram & Wildlife Sanctuary Experience
|
6 hr | ★ 4.9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €172 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Alaskan Wilderness & Glacier Adventure
|
6 hr | ★ 4.8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €247 | Book → |
Worth it for guaranteed wildlife, less for repeat visitors
A turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram bundles two things Alaska rarely guarantees together: animals you will actually see, and elevation you don't have to hike for. Admission to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center runs 30 USD per person (ages 13+), and that money funds a working rescue and rehabilitation operation — the orphaned moose, the blind brown bears, the wood bison herd reintroduced to the Interior. You're paying for conservation work, not a zoo ticket. Roadside spotting along the Seward Highway is a coin flip; here, bears, muskox, lynx and bald eagles are certainties. Add the Mount Alyeska aerial tram and you get Chugach ridgelines, hanging glaciers and Turnagain Arm's bore tide from 2,300 feet. These Turnagain Arm wildlife tour with Alyeska tram tours pay off hardest for first-time visitors on tight Anchorage schedules. Skip them if you've already driven the Arm and prefer backcountry to boardwalks.
Bottom line: For a first Alaska trip, a Turnagain Arm wildlife tour with Alyeska tram ticket buys certainty in a place that otherwise promises none.
These experiences complement each other, though visitors seeking a classic glacier cruise often choose the Portage alternative over the high-altitude vistas of the tram.
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Top pick Wildlife Tour & Alyeska Tram |
Wildlife Tour & Portage Glacier Cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Activity | Aerial tramway sightseeing | Boat glacier tour |
| Wildlife Viewing | Terrestrial (moose, bears, bison) | Glacial/Marine (occasional) |
| Travel from Anchorage | ~45–60 minutes | ~60–75 minutes |
| Elevation/Vantage | 2,300 feet (701 m) | Lake level (waterfront) |
| Duration | 3–6 hours (total) | 6–8 hours (total) |
| Price | 30 USD (center admission) + tram | ~150–200 USD (all-inclusive) |
| Best Season | Year-round (seasonal tram) | Summer (May–September) |
| Target Audience | Sightseers and photographers | Families and glacier enthusiasts |
| See tickets & prices |
Verdict: The turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tours offers superior panoramic mountain views, while the portage cruise provides a more intimate encounter with calving ice.
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Exclusive cruise port pickup with glacier views, wildlife encounters, and scenic coastal drive to Anchorage
Observe moose, bears, and bison in large enclosures
Travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm highway
Ascend Mount Alyeska via aerial tramway
See one of the largest land mammals in North America up close in a natural setting. These bison were successfully reintroduced to Alaska from the wild.
Watch rescued brown bears roaming in spacious, naturalistic enclosures. The center houses several bears that were orphaned or injured in the wild.
Observe Alaska's iconic moose as they browse in a safe, protected environment. This is a rare opportunity to view these elusive creatures safely.
Ascend 2,300 feet for panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm and surrounding peaks. The ride provides a unique perspective on the Chugach Mountain range.
Spot various raptors, including bald eagles and owls, housed in specialized enclosures. These birds are unable to return to the wild due to injuries.
You leave Anchorage on the Seward Highway and the water appears within ten minutes, grey and moving. Your driver pulls into a turnout near Beluga Point so you can scan for white backs in the channel. Dall sheep sometimes stand on the rock face directly above the guardrail; you look up as much as out.
At Mile 79 you pass the entrance gate and start the loop. Admission runs 30 USD per person for ages 13 and older, and the gates open at 09:00. Arriving between 09:00 and 11:00 puts you ahead of the coach traffic and catches the animals while temperatures are still cool and they are still active. You walk the perimeter of the wood bison enclosure first, then the brown bear habitat, where the viewing platform sits above eye level. Allow the porcupines time — they move slowly and are easy to miss in the brush.
Back in the vehicle, you turn north for Girdwood. The tram cabin lifts off the valley floor and the resort shrinks below you; within seven minutes you are stepping out onto the upper deck with seven glaciers visible across the cirque. You stand at the rail, find Turnagain Arm's full length to the west, and let the wind do what it does. The best turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram departures leave this stop unhurried.
All the details about your upcoming adventure in one place
The mudflats of Turnagain Arm carry one of the largest tidal ranges in North America, with water rising more than nine metres twice a day. A wall of that water — the bore tide — travels the inlet at speeds that outpace a cyclist on the shoulder of the Seward Highway.
The road tracing this shoreline was blasted through rock in the 1940s and 1950s, and it remains the single artery linking Anchorage to Portage, Girdwood and the Kenai Peninsula. A turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram follows that artery south, threading between saltwater on one side and the Chugach Mountains on the other.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center sits at Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, AK 99587, on land shaped by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. That quake dropped the Portage valley floor by roughly two metres, drowning spruce forests in saltwater and leaving the grey skeletons still visible from the highway today. The centre occupies part of that subsided ground. It is not a zoo in the conventional sense: it takes in orphaned and injured animals that cannot be returned to the wild, and it has run a wood bison recovery programme that returned the species to Alaska after more than a century of absence. Moose, brown bears, black bears, lynx, musk ox, elk and porcupine occupy large enclosures on a loop road.
Twelve miles north, Girdwood grew from a 1896 gold-mining supply camp into a ski town. The aerial tram at Mount Alyeska climbs from the valley floor toward the 2,300-foot level, opening a view across seven hanging glaciers and the full sweep of the inlet. The Alyeska tramway wildlife excursion pairs these two vantages — ground level and ridge level — in a single southbound run. Glacier viewing at Portage Lake, iceberg-strewn and rimmed by peaks, often completes the circuit.
Why the pairing matters is a question of scale. From the enclosures, a bull moose reads as an individual animal. From the tram cabin, the same valley reads as habitat: braided outwash plains, alder slopes, avalanche chutes and the tideline that feeds beluga whales through summer. Guided turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram itineraries formalise a route that Alaskans have driven informally for eighty years, and the operators running Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center guided tour departures build the day around light, tide and the animals' own rhythms. General admission to the sanctuary is 30 USD per person for ages 13 and up.
The 1964 earthquake dropped this valley two metres into the sea, and the drowned spruce are still standing.
Dress in layers to accommodate the changing weather of the Turnagain Arm region. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for viewing animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
Standard backpacks are permitted, but visitors should be prepared for security checks at the Alyeska tramway entry point. Large hiking packs may be restricted depending on tram capacity.
Photography is permitted throughout the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center grounds and from the Alyeska aerial tram. Commercial filming requires prior written authorization.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center offers educational signage suitable for all ages. Children must be supervised near animal enclosures at all times.
Most paths are paved or hard-packed gravel, making them accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The Alyeska tramway provides accessible cabin boarding.
Snacks and beverages are available at the on-site cafe. Picnic areas are provided for visitors bringing their own meals.
Opening Hours
09:00–18:00
Address
Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, AK 99587
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible pathways
Best arrival window
09:00–11:00
Navigation
Follow Seward Highway signs for Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Car · 60 min · Fuel costs apply
Follow Seward Highway south from Anchorage to Mile 79.
Taxi · 45–60 min · Variable rates
Pre-booked private transport from Girdwood or Anchorage.
Cancellations must be requested according to the specific tour operator terms. Refunds are subject to the operator's policy regarding the 30 USD general admission fee.
Recommended time
4-5 hours
Allocating this time allows you to explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center at your own pace before heading to Girdwood for the scenic mountain lift. Completing a turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram requires accounting for the thirty-minute drive between these landmarks to ensure smooth transitions. You may find that turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tours are busiest during the midday peak, so prioritize your conservation center walk early to avoid the heaviest visitor traffic. Obtaining your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets in advance helps minimize waiting, leaving more time for observation deck views and nature trails.
Crowd levels through the day
Weather · crowds · average price — dots go green to amber to red as each metric rises.
May offers active wildlife and calving season sightings. Temperatures range from 40°F to 55°F.
June through August provides optimal light for photography and the best wildlife activity. Expect temperatures between 55°F and 70°F.
September offers autumn foliage, though some migratory birds begin to depart. Cooler temperatures arrive.
Limited activities, though the Alyeska tramway remains popular for skiing access nearby.
Visit in the early morning for the highest animal activity levels.
Check local road reports for the Seward Highway before your trip.
Bring a rain shell regardless of the forecast in the Turnagain Arm area.
Use the Alyeska tramway during mid-day to avoid peak shuttle arrival times.
Ensure you have your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets pre-booked to expedite entry.
Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, AK 99587
Main visitor parking lot
Get directionsThe land beneath this corridor was reshaped in minutes. On 27 March 1964, the Great Alaska Earthquake dropped the Portage Valley floor by roughly eight feet. Saltwater flooded the spruce stands. The drowned "ghost forest" still stands along Mile 79 Seward Highway, silver and bare, and it remains the first thing most travellers photograph on a turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram. The old town of Portage was abandoned. What replaced it was flat, wet, and strangely suited to fenced pasture. Mike Miller opened the site as the Big Game Alaska Wildlife Park in 1993, on land leased from the Alaska Railroad. The premise was narrow: hold orphaned and injured animals that could not be released. Moose calves came first, then bison, elk, and Sitka black-tailed deer. In 2007 the operation reincorporated as the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a non-profit, and the mission shifted from display to rehabilitation and education. The change was contested. Critics called it a roadside zoo; supporters pointed to the wood bison programme. That programme is the centre's turning point. From 2003 the facility housed a herd descended from Canadian stock, breeding toward a species absent from Alaska for over a century. In April 2015, 130 wood bison were flown to Shageluk and released along the Innoko River — the first wild herd in the United States. Bears Joe Boxer and Patron, orphaned cubs, arrived in the same era and still draw the largest crowds. Uphill at Girdwood, the Alyeska Resort tramway opened in 1994, lifting riders 2,300 feet above the fjord. The two attractions were separate for decades. Only recently did operators pair them, and combined Girdwood and Portage sightseeing tours now sell as a single day. Admission remains 30 USD per person for ages 13 and up; the centre opens daily 09:00–18:00.
The Great Alaska Earthquake drops the Portage Valley by about eight feet, killing the spruce forest with saltwater and emptying the town of Portage.
Mike Miller opens Big Game Alaska Wildlife Park at Mile 79 Seward Highway on land leased from the Alaska Railroad.
The Alyeska Resort aerial tramway begins carrying passengers 2,300 feet up Mount Alyeska above Girdwood.
The first wood bison arrive from Canada, beginning a restoration herd for a species absent from Alaska since the 1900s.
The park reincorporates as the non-profit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, shifting its stated mission to rehabilitation and education.
In April, 130 wood bison are flown to Shageluk and released near the Innoko River, forming the first wild herd in the United States.
Operators begin packaging turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets as combined Girdwood and Portage day itineraries.
The centre operates daily 09:00–18:00, with turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tours arriving through the quieter 09:00–11:00 window.
Position yourself along the fenced perimeter to capture these massive animals grazing against a backdrop of distant glaciers.
Use the elevated platform to gain a clear line of sight over the brush for portraits of moose in their natural habitat.
This vantage point provides panoramic views of the Turnagain Arm and surrounding Chugach Mountains, ideal for wide-angle landscape photography on your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram.
Shoot through the gaps in the reinforced mesh to capture brown bears or black bears moving through the forested exhibit.
This pathway offers a unique angle looking toward the hanging glaciers, perfect for staging images that feature your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets as part of the journey.
Exploring the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the scenic Alyeska aerial tramway provides an accessible and engaging day out for families looking to experience native wildlife and alpine vistas. Combining a turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram allows for a balanced mix of ground-level animal observation and high-altitude mountain scenery.
The 1.5-mile loop at the sanctuary is flat and stroller-friendly, making it easy to navigate with young children. The Alyeska Aerial Tram is also accessible for families, providing a smooth ride to the mountain summit
Children of all ages will enjoy viewing the animals, and the interpretive signs offer educational opportunities for school-aged kids. The tram ride is generally quick and comfortable for toddlers and older children alike
You will find basic visitor facilities at the center, though bringing your own snacks and supplies is recommended for convenience. The Alyeska Resort area offers more robust dining options and amenities after you complete your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tours
Because the sanctuary allows self-guided exploration, you can take your time at each enclosure to match your children’s energy levels. If you decide to book turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets as part of a larger excursion, confirm your group's pace with the operator to ensure a stress-free experience
The sanctuary is an outdoor facility, so dressing in layers is essential for changing mountain weather. If conditions turn, you can retreat to the indoor dining areas or the museum at the top of the tram to continue your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tour experience under cover.
Visitors planning a turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram will find limited on-site dining, so many guests prefer to grab a meal near Girdwood or the Portage Valley area. Securing turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tickets often leaves little time for sit-down dining, making quick, locally-sourced options ideal.
Located at the base of the mountain, this venue is perfect for hikers and travelers. Order the famous sourdough pancakes or a hearty bowl of chili after your turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tours conclude.
Situated at the top of the tramway, this spot provides an upscale experience with sweeping views of the valley. It serves as a sophisticated conclusion to turnagain arm wildlife tour with alyeska tram tour experiences.
This Girdwood staple offers a relaxed atmosphere featuring pizza, burgers, and regional craft beer. It is a reliable choice for families refueling after a day of viewing mountain goats and moose.
Everything you need to know for your journey
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is open daily from 09:00–18:00.
General admission is 30 USD per person for ages 13 and up.
Yes, paths are wheelchair accessible and the tram has designated cabin space.
Pack binoculars, a camera, and a rain-resistant jacket for your tour.
Arrive between 09:00–11:00 to avoid crowds and see more active animals.
Yes, small to medium bags are allowed, though large gear may be limited on the tram.
Photography is encouraged throughout the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and from the tram.
It is located at Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, AK 99587.
Yes, families are welcome and will find the tour engaging for all ages.
A short drive leads to incredible glacier views and icebergs.
A accessible trail offering mountain and glacial scenery.
Interactive exhibits on the local Portage Valley ecosystem.
Lush forested trails near the Girdwood resort area.
Premier resort hotel located at the base of the tram.
Comfortable lodge accommodation in the forest.
Quaint lodging option in the heart of Girdwood.
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