Even though Anchorage is a big city and serves as the hub for many people’s Alaska trip, I feel like a lot of travelers I talk to don’t spend a lot of time exploring the area, let alone get out on the water in a kayak. Kayaking around Anchorage is a wonderful summer and fall activity and is a great addition to an Alaska road trip. Whether you’re traveling with your own gear or need to rent a kayak to get on the water, you’ve got options all around Anchorage.
Have you gotten to kayak at Eklutna Lake or out of Whittier? Do you have a favorite paddling spot? Well, take a look at our recommendations and see what might fit into your travels. If you have any questions about kayaking around Anchorage or planning your time here, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an awesome Alaska trip!
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and a popular tourist destination. It’s located on the Cook Inlet and is known for its glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. Anchorage has a population of about 300,000 people and is home to several universities, cultural sites, and really good food. If you’re planning a trip to Anchorage, be sure to check out the Anchorage Museum, which houses Alaska’s largest collection of art and artifacts. Anchorage is also a great place to go hiking, camping, paddling, and fishing. And in the winter, Anchorage is a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding.
Popular Kayaking Spots around Anchorage
The Anchorage area is home to many fun kayaking spots such as Prince William Sound, Eklutna Lake, and Campbell Creek. All of these places have breathtaking views and a unique way of experience the local wildlife. Like with any kayaking or hiking recommendations we ever give, always be sure that you’re being safe, that you’re well versed in reading a map of the area, and that you let people know where you’re going. True, you may only see sea otters when you’re kayaking, but you never know when you’ll have a mishap with something bigger (or a tricky current) and you should always proceed with caution for any outdoor activity.
Campbell Creek
Starting in the Chugach Mountains the waters of Campbell Creek traverse their way through the urban setting of Anchorage, depending on the water levels. The float is free of ice starting in May then starts to freeze up again in November. The most popular time for this float is during the summer days while the water level is plenty high and you can easily move along. Any time after that should be quite tranquil without much traffic.
Where to launch:
Eklutna Lake
Eklutna Lake is located about 40 miles north of Anchorage in Chugach State Park, and it is a popular destination for both residents and tourists. The lake is large and gorgeous, with mountains and forests surrounding it. There are several easy-to-access put-ins, with the best being at the main parking area. The lake is calm with turquoise waters making it a great place for beginners and EPIC for photography while you’re kayaking. This is one of my favorite spots near Anchorage for either kayaking or just enjoying a nice day trip. You’ll love it too! Book an Eklutna Lake kayak tour here!
Where to launch:
- Eklutna parking area – there are rentals here too
Whittier and Blackstone Bay
Prince William Sound is huge and awesome! Passage Canal and Blackstone Bay are beautiful fjords located at the town of Whittier and on the southern side of the surrounding mountains. Paddlers here can expect to see whales, seals, sea otters, and of course gulls. You can get taxied into the bay by the Kayak Center in Whittier or just launch from the beach. Keep in mind if you’re kayaking from Whittier into the Passage Canal (the bay Whittier is located on) that it’s a long paddle to the point and around to Blackstone Bay, hence why the kayak shuttle drop is nice or better yet, the Lazy Otter Adventures guided kayaking.
Any kayaking on Passage Canal or Blackstone Bay can become dangerous with changing tides or passing ships. VERY LARGE SHIPS come into Whittier, and despite their slow speeds, they displace a lot of water. Kayaking here is gorgeous and epic, but it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. It’s still one of the best places to kayak in the Anchorage area though, so if you have it in you, check it out!
Where to launch:
Portage Valley, Portage Lake
The Portage Valley has been one of my favorite parts of the Anchorage area for decades. Starting in Girdwood and heading back towards the mountains, there are lots of kayaking spots in the Portage Valley, both on some of the ponds and on the Portage River. At the end of the valley you’ll find the Chugach National Forest Visitor Center and Portage Lake, which is always a little moody and beautiful.
Portage Lake continues to become more and more popular with its easy access to Portage Glacier. The ice has been consistently melting and the only way to see the glacier is to do the boat cruise or to kayak on the lake. It’s a difficult paddle when it’s not calm out, but it’s a distance even when there’s not wind. It’s about 3.5 miles to the glacier area on the lake, so then 3.5 miles back, but it’s fun and pretty.
Note: there are often headwinds so you’ll need some experience and strength to reach the glacier. Be WELL PREPARED with safety gear and warm clothes, and like always, tell somebody what you’re doing and where you’re going.
Where to launch:
- Portage Lake Overlook – you MUST stay on the northern shore path as you paddle on Portage Lake.
Difficult and Technical Kayaking in Anchorage
With rugged scenery, it’s only fitting that there would be some paddling ideal for experienced kayakers. Water and wind conditions should be considered before heading out on the water. Don’t get too close to icebergs if they’ve come into your kayaking area and never get close to calving glaciers. I love these kayaking spots near Anchorage, but if you are a novice, they’re best enjoyed in the stories from more experienced paddlers.
Turnagain Arm
This stretch of water is located just south of Anchorage and is known for its dramatic scenery which is usually enjoyed from the Seward Highway as you head to the Kenai Peninsula. The arm is prone to strong tides and currents, so it is recommended for experienced paddlers only. However, the views of the mountains and glaciers are well worth the effort. This is one of those areas where you have to really understand the tidal movement and the mud flats. You should not paddle here if you’re unfamiliar or are not a safety-forward kayaker.
Kayaking the Bore Tide is something you can do if you have the skills and strength. You’ll see surfers out here when there’s a good bore tide predicted, and if you have the right skills and kayaking gear, you can ride the bore as well. SAFETY FIRST though, as this is an extremely advanced paddling experience. BE WARY AND RESPECTFUL OF SURFERS if you’re trying this in a kayak. Don’t make it more dangerous than it already is.
PS: if you’re kayaking at the mouth of Turnagain Arm and heading towards Girdwood, keep an eye out for beluga whales during the salmon runs. I’ve seen many belugas in the Arm, although I’ve yet to come upon one in my kayak.
Where to launch:
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge
The Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is located on the outskirts of Anchorage and is a great place to see wildlife. The refuge has a variety of habitats, including tidal flats, forests, and meadows. You might see bald eagles, otters, seals, and a variety of birds. What makes this a more technical paddle is the launch and tides. You need to be mindful of the mud flats and churning tides, but then it’s beautiful and fun. You’ll love the views.
Where to launch:
Bird Creek
I haven’t gotten to kayak here myself, but some people love it for the short challenges. Heading upstream from Turnagain Arm is the whitewater of Bird Creek. This route gives kayakers a challenge either for paddling short distances against the current and back down or for portaging at various rough spots and riding with the creek towards the Arm. It’s not an easy “Let’s go kayaking for an afternoon!” sort of spot.
Where to launch:
More South Central AK Area Kayaking Spots
There are quite a few state parks near Anchorage that offer stunning views of glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. Some of the most popular parks include Kenai Fjords National Park, Kachemak Bay State Park, and Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. All of these parks are known for their beautiful scenery and are great for hiking, kayaking/canoeing, and also biking.
Kachemak Bay State Park
Kachemak Bay State Park is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Anchorage, this destination is on the Kenai Peninsula and when you get down to Homer, you’ll need to get on a boat over to the state park. The park has glaciers, forests, and mountains, as well as tons of wildlife. There are also several easy hiking trails once you’re over at Kachemak Bay State Park, so if that sounds more fun that kayaking, roll with that.
Note: this area is only serviced by air and water taxis from Homer. There is no road access so you’ll be either on a charter or a group tour for whatever sort of experience you plan.
Kenai Fjords National Park
I love Kenai Fjords National Park and have spent tons of time here on wildlife tours, paddling and hiking. This is a beautiful park on the Kenai Peninsula, about a 2.5 hour drive from Anchorage. The park is known for its glaciers, mountains, and wildlife. There are also a variety of trails for hiking, and then biking from Seward out to Exit Glacier is fun. Kayaking in Kenai Fjords is an experience of a lifetime that surrounds you with massive glaciers and icebergs, and in general is done through guided tours,
You can launch yourself from Seward into Resurrection Bay though, from Miller’s Landing or the harbor area, and then you have an epic paddle ahead, which actually could be a multiday paddle with camping gear if you’re super adventurous and have the skills for it (I haven’t done that). Circumnavigating the Kenai Peninsula is the feat of a lifetime. It’s an insane distance with very few landings, so it’s recommended that you do a charter or kayak shuttle from Seward if you want to tackle nearly any part of the park via kayak.
You can enjoy kayaking out at Fox Island through Kenai Fjords Tours if you like, and that’s both a safe and time-limited option making it ideal for visitors or paddlers without the right skills and gear.
Recommended Kayaking Tours in Anchorage
There aren’t a ton of kayak tours in Anchorage and the surrounding area, but there are a few. I think one of the best is doing the Eklutna Lake kayak tour that I mentioned above.
Another that’s a bit further away is paddling at Spencer Glacier Lake which allows for iceberg and glacier experiences as well as waterfall views. Getting here is half the fun with a train ride on the Alaska Railroad’s most scenic section, heading to the Grandview whistlestop. Book the Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview Tour here.
The Resurrection Bay Kayaking Adventure launches out of Seward and gives you a guided tour suitable for both beginners and those with experienced paddling. Wildlife is abundant with sea otters, seals, whales, and eagles frequently seen.
For a fun but chill and predictable kayaking trip (this is a good thing in AK) check out doing a scenic kayak float down the Knik River. We love Palmer and spend a lot of time here, so getting to enjoy the Knik River Valley from the water is awesome. (here’s a great Palmer itinerary if you need one)
Need to Know for Anchorage
Anchorage is known for its stunning scenery and diverse wildlife, including a healthy moose population near downtown (check out Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail). The best time to visit Anchorage is in the summer when the weather is warm and there are a variety of events and activities to enjoy. Some of the most popular annual events include the Anchorage Folk Festival (January), the Ceremonial Iditarod Start (March), the Anchorage Marathon (June), and the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (Rondy) (February/March).
When to Visit Anchorage and Enjoy Kayaking
The summer months are June through August and are Anchorage’s busiest tourist season. The weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures averaging in the low to mid-70s. This is the perfect time to enjoy all of Anchorage’s outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and more. There are also a variety of events that take place during the summer, such as the Anchorage Folk Festival and Anchorage Market. If you’re visiting in Fall, you’ll likely get some gorgeous days, but it starts to get cold at the end of September and some years winter sets in more quickly than other. Check out our Anchorage Itinerary here!
If you have any questions about visiting the Anchorage area or finding good spots to kayak, please leave a comment or send us a note. This is one of our absolutely favorite places and we’re always happy to share more!
