SOUTHCENTRAL
Mountains, fishing, road system, Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Kenai Peninsula
LAY OF THE LAND
Southcentral Alaska is a vast, mostly wild place. Its modern road
system and rail lines, however, make it a favorite with visitors and
Alaskans alike: in fact, more than half the state's population lives here.
The region is sometimes called "Alaska in miniature," because its
landscapes are so diverse. There are sandy beaches and deep blue
fjords, icy-white glaciers and crystal-clear rivers, expanses of farmland
(and some of the world's biggest veggies!), vast wetlands, and no fewer
than six mountain ranges (Alaska, Aleutians, Chugach, Kenai, Talkeetna,
Tordrillo and Wrangell). Southcentral is even home to a volcano or two.
The options for nature lovers are almost infinite: people come to
boat and fish; to hike, snowshoe and ski; to camp in tents or in RVs;
to bird-watch and bike; to climb mountains and ice-skate — or to
leisurely ride past all that beauty on a glass-domed train. While you're
here, you'll likely see folks stopped beside the road, watching bears,
moose,caribou, the occasional wolf — and sometimes even surfers
riding Cook Inlet's bore tide.
KNOWN FOR:
PARKS
Chugach National Forest
Chugach State Park
Denali State Park
Kachemak Bay State Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Wrangell-St. Elias National
Park & Preserve
HISTORICAL SITES
Anchorage Museum
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Alaska Aviation Museum
Crow Creek Mine
Eklutna Historical Park
Holy Transfiguration Russian
Orthodox Church
Kennicott Mines National
Historic Landmark
St. Nicholas Russian Church
SCENIC BYWAYS
Alaska Railroad
Copper River Highway
Glenn Highway
Kachemak Bay Route
Seward Highway
Sterling Highway
