Anchorage to Seward (Seward Highway)
The drive from Anchorage to the seaside community of Seward begins with two hours of spectacular views as you pass between the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm and the jutting peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Your route continues through the Kenai Peninsula, famous for its array of outdoor activities.
Mile markers for the Seward Highway count down as you approach the town, which is nestled between Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Mountains. You'll find great fishing, glacier & wildlife cruises, sea kayaking, and other attractions.
Route 1 from Anchorage to Tern Lake, Route 9 from Tern Lake to Seward. 45-60 mph, depending on traffic. For those traveling by RV, here is our list of campgrounds on the Kenai Peninsula.
Click here for other scenic drives from Anchorage.
Discover Historic Sites During Your Drive
The Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area is a vibrant corridor of natural, cultural, and historic riches. This dynamic area runs from the “Gateway City” of Seward north to Indian, and spans Whittier’s Prince William Sound port on the east to Cooper Landing on the west. This means you can access several of these National Heritage Areas as you drive between Anchorage and Seward.
Although travelers can now drive to all of these communities within a few hours, early roads were often seasonal. Pack and dog team trails were a bargain to build at $100 per mile to construct and winter sled roads ran $250 per mile. Year-round wagon roads cost $2,200 a mile, but the ride through boggy areas wasn’t paved in gold. Large logs, infilled with gravel, were the roadbed in these low spots. Such “corduroy” roads were passable by horse team in the early 1900s.
Within these still-rugged miles is hidden a treasure trove of stories. From Native peoples to Russian fur traders, European explorers, and American gold prospectors, the quest for trade and treasures tested the limits of human endurance and inspired remarkable ingenuity. Discover the story as you explore the KMTA National Heritage Area.
Expert Advice
Jump to Section: Turnagain Arm Drive | Portage to Hope Cutoff | Hope Cutoff to Sterling Hwy Cutoff | Sterling Hwy Cutoff to Seward
Turnagain Arm Drive//Scenic section from Anchorage to Portage (1 hr)
Turnagain Arm Drive
Just south of Anchorage, the Seward Highway hugs the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm, arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America. Chugach State Park's 3000-foot mountains jut up on your left. On the right, the sprawling, sometimes four-mile-wide flats of Turnagain Arm seem to stretch like a plain to the opposite shores of Cook Inlet, where mammoth sloping mountains abruptly stop their flat expanse. Each turn reveals another scenic wonder. Take in a few of them in about two hours-plus, or make a day of it.
Portage to Hope Cutoff//Mountain scenery through Turnagain Pass
Johnson Pass Trail South Access
The wildflowers are abundant and verdant undergrowth can be check high sometimes. Most of the trail lies below treeline, so there are established camp clearings along the way that are nestled into the trees. One of the best campsites is 10 miles in from the northern trailhead, set among trees on a spruce-covered knoll looking over the trail and Bench Lake.
Sixmile Creek Viewpoint (mi 56.6)
Heading south, a pullout on right-hand side offers views of Sixmile Creek. This is a popular spot for whitewater rafting tours, with most rapids being class IV. Tours are offered by Nova River Runners.
Hope Junction (Mile 56.4): A Road Less Traveled
Turn here for a scenic drive to an off-the-beaten-path town that sits on the edge of Turnagain Arm. Established in the 1890's, it was one of the first gold mining towns in Alaska. Many of the town's original buildings are still standing, including the Seaview Cafe and Bar. There's still a hitching post in front of the mercantile, just in case you decide to bring More...
Hope Cutoff to Sterling Hwy Cutoff//Stop at Summit Lake to stretch your legs
Sixmile Creek Viewpoint (mi 56.6)
Heading south, a pullout on right-hand side offers views of Sixmile Creek. This is a popular spot for whitewater rafting tours, with most rapids being class IV. Tours are offered by Nova River Runners.
Devil’s Creek Trail (Devil’s Pass Trail)
Well-maintained and suitable for summer hiking and biking, the 10-mile Devil’s Pass Trail features a steep route up a spectacular V-shaped valley that intersects with the Resurrection Pass Trail and a rental cabin in the alpine realm. The country is rugged, with great access to cross-country tundra exploration and berry picking.
Sterling Hwy Cutoff to Seward//Pass by Trail Lakes and Kenai Lake before arriving in Seward
Carter Lake Trail
This trail is on an old roadbed and the first 1.5 miles is steep, but it's a good trail for families. The trail is covered in wildflowers and has excellent views. Expect to get wet, as the trail can be muddy. There is trout fishing available in Carter Lake at mile 2.3 and excellent grayling fishing in Crescent Lake at mile 3.4. Be sure to follow regulations as grayling fishing More...
Johnson Pass Trail South Access
The wildflowers are abundant and verdant undergrowth can be check high sometimes. Most of the trail lies below treeline, so there are established camp clearings along the way that are nestled into the trees. One of the best campsites is 10 miles in from the northern trailhead, set among trees on a spruce-covered knoll looking over the trail and Bench Lake.
Trail Lakes Fish Hatchery
Learn how the fish are raised from small alevin to fry and beyond to smolt size before being released into surrounding lakes and bays. Depending on the fish cycle, there may or may not be fish to view, so please call ahead. If there are no fish to be seen, you're welcome to look at a small photo gallery and learn about the fish production cycle, and understand why More...
Moose Pass
This picturesque town 30 miles outside of Seward got its name, in part, in 1903 when a moose got in the way of a mail carrier’s dog team. Certainly, there have been and still are plenty of moose around here. Located on the shores of Upper Trail Lake, the town is surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and is also home to the start of the Iditarod trail, which was blazed More...
Salmon Viewing at Moose Creek
From the gravel pullout on the west side of the highway, an easy 1/4 mile walk to the Sockeye salmon viewing platform awaits (not fully accessible). Salmon are in the creek from mid-July to early August with the best viewing in late July.
Lawing
Lawing was once named Roosevelt. “Alaska Nellie” purchased a cabin there in 1923 and later married Billie Lawing of Seattle. Together they ran a lodge and trophy museum that became a featured stop for Alaska Railroad passengers. Nellie loved to tell stories and her guests enjoyed her tales of daring and adventure on the Last Frontier.
Views of Kenai Lake
This is a must stop for photos of beautiful Kenai Lake. The lake was formed from glacier water is a majestic blue and green tone. You'll find several parking areas along the lake and signs that give you a little history about it.
Meridian and Grayling Lakes
These popular trails lead to two beautiful, pristine lakes. Even better, they’re both easy hikes, which makes them perfect for people of all ages. Bring a fishing pole and angle for stocked trout in Meridian Lake or grayling in Grayling Lake.
Lost Lake Trail
This trail is also called the Primrose trail at the north end. It begins in a beautiful rainforest and eventually takes you up to a multiple of beautiful lakes in high meadows.
