Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is located in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. It lies between the city of Anchorage and the coastline of Cook Inlet, and is situated along the southern edge of the city, including the popular Potter Marsh area. The refuge is famous for its wildlife, wetlands, birds, and beautiful nature views close to the city.
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge Location Map,Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska Related Links
Top Attractions Inside Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge
- Potter Marsh Boardwalk – A popular wildlife-viewing area with easy boardwalk access and abundant birds.
- Campbell Creek Estuary – Scenic wetlands where visitors can spot salmon, shorebirds, and occasional moose.
- Coastal Trails – Miles of flat shoreline paths perfect for walking, biking, and spotting wildlife along the mudflats.
- Turnagain Arm Views – Panoramic views of mountains and tidal flats, often with sightings of beluga whales offshore.
- Birdwatching Areas – Refuge-wide hotspots for observing sandhill cranes, eagles, ducks, and migrating species.
- Potter Marsh Wildlife Overlooks – Elevated viewing decks ideal for watching waterfowl, beavers, and spawning fish.
Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge Facts
| Official Name | Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge |
| Location | Anchorage Municipality, south & west shoreline of Anchorage peninsula — from Point Woronzof to near Potter Creek / Seward Highway, Alaska, USA :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Extent / Length of Coastline Covered | ≈ 16 miles (≈ 26 km) of coastal/near-coastal wetlands, tidal flats, marshes, and shoreline floodplains :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} |
| Major Featured Wetland (Accessible Area) | Potter Marsh — a 564-acre (≈ 228 hectare) wetland at the southern end of the refuge, featuring boardwalks for public wildlife viewing. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} |
| Wetland / Habitat Types | Intertidal flood-plains of glacial silt, tidal flats, coastal wetlands, brackish/freshwater marshes, bogs, wooded fringe woods, marsh ponds and channels, and shoreline zones on Cook Inlet / Turnagain Arm. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} |
| Governance / Managed By | Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) under State-level wildlife refuge designation. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9} |
| Main Purpose / Concept | Protection of habitat for waterfowl, migratory shorebirds and seabirds, salmon spawning & fish habitat, and other wildlife — while allowing for regulated public recreation and wildlife viewing. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
| Notable Wildlife & Ecology | Migratory & nesting water- and shore-birds (ducks, geese, swans, grebes—over 130 species recorded in refuges including Potter Marsh) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}; Mammals such as moose, muskrats, beavers; occasional bears in fringe woods; salmon species (Chinook, coho, pink) run in streams feeding marsh, supporting aquatic-food-web and attracting predators & fishers. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12} |
| Public Access / Recreation & Facilities | Boardwalk & viewing trails at Potter Marsh (≈ 1,550 ft / 0.5 mi boardwalk), parking & restrooms; public access from Seward Highway; bird-watching, wildlife photography, walking, fishing (outside marsh in some areas), limited hunting in some parts (outside Potter Marsh), cross-country skiing & snow-shoeing in winter, general year-round access. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} |
| Restrictions / Visitor Notes | In marsh/wetland-core areas (like Potter Marsh) — no dogs (especially during bird-nesting season), no fishing in designated marsh channels, no feeding wildlife; public safety advised (soft silt/ tidal flats outside boardwalk, risk if wandering off paths); respect habitat & nesting birds, avoid disturbing wildlife. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} |
| Importance / Significance | Rare coastal-wetland & estuarine refuge near urban area — provides critical migratory bird habitat & connectivity, supports marine / freshwater / terrestrial ecology near Anchorage; offers accessible nature & wildlife viewing to city–residents & tourists; important salmon-run & tidal-flat ecosystem in Alaska. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15} |
Distances from Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge to Nearby Landmarks
- Kincaid Park – 7 km (4.3 mi)
- Potter Marsh Boardwalk – 2 km (1.2 mi)
- Campbell Creek Estuary Park – 4 km (2.5 mi)
- Anchorage Zoo – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Hillside Park – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Anchorage Museum – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Downtown Anchorage – 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Alaska Botanical Garden – 14 km (8.7 mi)
- Chugach State Park (Glen Alps Trailhead) – 18 km (11.2 mi)
- Earthquake Park – 10 km (6.2 mi)
- Point Woronzof – 12 km (7.5 mi)
- Westchester Lagoon – 11 km (6.8 mi)
- Lake Hood Seaplane Base – 9 km (5.6 mi)
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Access – 6 km (3.7 mi)
- University of Alaska Anchorage – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Alaska Airlines Center – 13 km (8.1 mi)
- Anchorage International Airport (ANC) – 8 km (5 mi)
- Point Campbell – 6 km (3.7 mi)
- Beluga Point – 17 km (10.6 mi)
- Chugach National Forest Boundary – 20 km (12.4 mi)
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