Mysterious Moose: Anchorage's Top 6 Spots for Epic Encounters!
Mysterious Moose: Anchorage's Top 6 Spots for Epic Encounters!
Moose are the largest member of the deer family. Residents and visitors alike love to spot these majestic creatures in the wild! If you don’t happen upon one in Denali Park, never fear. You can consider the city of Anchorage to be “the wild” when it comes to moose sightings. With two major green belts stretching from the ocean to the mountains, Anchorage has 224 parks and 250 miles of trails, both paved and unpaved, that connect those greenbelt to our many green spaces. These trails, wooded areas, and parks serve as a super highway for all of the wildlife here.
A 4-year study shows that the Anchorage bowl has about 300 - 1,000 moose living within the city limits, with more moose coming into the city proper in the winter months. The municipality of Anchorage stretches from Eagle River to Girdwood and beyond and boasts a total of about 1,900 moose living here year-round as of 2022.
If seeing a moose is your great Alaskan “must-do,” then here are a few places in Anchorage that you can explore to increase your chances of a sighting. While it can be exciting, please remember that moose are wild animals and are VERY dangerous if they feel threatened. Never approach a moose… keep a friendly distance and have a good pair of binoculars and/or a telephoto lens for your smartphone or camera. Now, let’s explore Anchorage’s wild spaces:
1) The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Where the City Meets the Sea:
The Coastal Trail stretches along the outskirts of the city along the Cook Inlet. The best way to traverse the entire trail is to rent a bike downtown (ebikes available too) and make your way to the trail via the West end of 2nd or 5th avenues. Rent a bike on your own, or go on a bike tour led by a local guide.
This popular paved path winds along the coastline for 11 miles from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park (22 miles roundtrip). The views of the Cook Inlet, the Alaska Range, waypoints for the Planet walk (scale model of the solar system, fun, free, check this link), incredible views and, of course, always the chance of seeing one of our tall and handsome moose-neighbors.
2) Kincaid Park: A Wildlife and Athlete’s Paradise
The Coastal Trail currently ends at Kincaid Park (you can drive to Kincaid in addition to running, biking or skiing to get there). The park is made up of 1,400 acres of wilderness with 60 km of trails cutting through spruce and birch filled forests. This former NIKE missile site turned recreation paradise is a favorite hangout for our local moose (and lynx, porcupines, owls, bears and more). The local schools and sports teams use these trails for races (running, biking, Nordic skiing, etc.) and it is a regular thing to have a biker, snowmachiner, or another adult “spotter” go out ahead of the racers to check for moose on the trail. Be prepared to hike on dirt trails, stay aware (carrying bear spray is a good idea in the summer), have your camera ready and remember to leave lots of room between you and the moose or other animals. The telephoto lens for your iphone will help you get better pictures from a safe distance! (read the Bear Rules and don’t hang out for photo ops if you see a bear, for sure!)
3) Glen Alps Trailhead: Anchorage at your Feet and Your Head in the Clouds
Pick a trail, any trail! There are so many different directions to hike and they are all great! The main Powerline Pass trail will offer, perhaps, the best moose viewing opportunities in this spot. There is a lot of yummy moose-friendly foliage up here. The fall is an especially great time to see moose up here in the shadow of Flattop Mountain. The autumn colors are fabulous as well. You will be parking (there is a $5 Alaska State Park fee for the parking lot) and leaving your car behind as you tackle some semi-rugged terrain. Be sure to choose a good pair of hiking boots or shoes!
Again, you have choices here. The wide, maintained gravel roadway accessing the power lines that run through the pass are perfect for people who have less experience in the backcountry. There are plenty of little trails shooting off across the valley if you are feeling adventurous. Once again, this is a good place to carry bear spray. Note: The “Visit Anchorage” visitors centers often have “loaner” bear spray canisters available… (and they are a good place to drop off bear spray at the end of a trip since you can’t fly with it! There is a kiosk near baggage claim 3 at the airport and in downtown Anchorage on 4th Ave & F St.)
4) Campbell Creek Science Center: Insights into Moose Ecology
The Campbell Creek Science Center is a treasure trove of information about Alaska in general, including Alaska’s mighty moose! This is perfect for families with children. There are hands-on exhibits about Alaska’s animals, including moose. Go inside the center and ask about moose… or download their map quest and explore some of their 12 miles of public trails… walking in the woods in Alaska is a fine way to find a moose! Here is the link for the quest: CCSC Campbell Tract Quest scavenger hunt (blm.gov)
5) Potter Marsh: Wetlands and Wildlife
Potter Marsh is a wetland wildlife wonder. Although it is known for the incredible diversity of birds that rest or nest there, there are also frequent sightings of other animals. Moose love to graze on the marshy aquatic plants that grow there. They seem to gather at Potter Marsh in greater numbers in the fall, but it is possible to see them there at any time of year. In addition to the 130 different species of birds that have been identified at the Marsh and the 3 different types of salmon that spawn here, there are plenty of warm blooded critters that live or cross through this area, including muskrats, river otters, beavers and even a bear or two. It is well worth a visit on your urban “moose hunt.”
6) Alaska Zoo and/or Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Guaranteed Moose Sightings!
While a zoo or conservation center is not quite a “wild” sighting, it does provide up-close photographs and safe, yet intimate observation of the largest member of the deer family. Visiting either of these places (the Alaska Zoo is on the Anchorage hillside and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is on the far Southern edge of the Municipality of Anchorage past Girdwood and near Portage) will give you a great appreciation for the grace, size and strength of our local moose population. Of course, there are many other animals to visit too, guaranteed!
In conclusion, Anchorage, Alaska, provides potential for extraordinary moose encounters. Even just getting into our beautiful green spaces while on your hunt for a wild moose sighting, will provide you with scenic photo ops and a lot of Northern fresh air! From the Coast line to the mountains, the city to more rural areas, these locations are a gateway for adventurers seeking unforgettable Alaskan experiences. Explore Anchorage thoroughly to foster a deeper connection with the “Big. Wild. Life.” that Alaskans experience every day! Embrace the diversity of Anchorage's wild spaces and be mesmerized by the mighty moose that live in and around Alaska’s largest city.
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