Turnagain Arm is located in south-central Alaska, USA, near Anchorage. It lies between Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula and is situated along the northern edge of Cook Inlet. It is famous for its strong tidal bore waves and beautiful mountain-and-water scenery.
Turnagain Arm Location Map,Girdwood, Alaska
Alaska Related Links
Top Attractions Inside Turnagain Arm
- Beluga Point – Scenic overlook known for beluga whale sightings.
- Bird Point – Panoramic views of the Arm and wildlife viewing.
- Girdwood – Mountain town with dining, trails, and Alyeska Resort access.
- Alyeska Aerial Tram – Ride to mountaintop viewpoints above the Arm.
- Potter Marsh – Boardwalk birding area with wetland wildlife.
- Turnagain Pass – Alpine meadows, hiking, and winter recreation.
- McHugh Creek – Picnic area and trails with steep mountain scenery.
Turnagain Arm Facts
| Official Name | Turnagain Arm |
| Location | Girdwood / Anchorage, Alaska, USA – Northern edge of the Kenai Peninsula, part of the Cook Inlet |
| Latitude & Longitude | 60.8650° N, 149.6110° W |
| Total Area | ~40 miles (64 km) long tidal inlet; spans from Anchorage to Seward Highway area |
| Established / Opened | N/A – Natural geographic feature |
| Managed By | Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Local municipalities and protected lands along the shore |
| Region | Southcentral Alaska, Kenai Peninsula, Cook Inlet |
| Address | Accessible via Seward Highway (AK-1), Girdwood, AK 99587, USA |
| Zip Code | 99587 |
| Area Code | 907 |
| Currency | United States Dollar (USD, $) |
| Time Zone | Alaska Time (AKST) – UTC−9 Standard / UTC−8 Daylight Saving |
| Theme / Concept | Scenic tidal inlet, Alaska wilderness, wildlife viewing, hiking, photography, glacial landscapes |
| Main Sections / Features | Seward Highway viewpoints, Beluga whale habitat areas, Birdwatching spots, Tide flats, Adjacent Chugach Mountains |
| Famous Attractions | Beluga whale spotting, Turnagain Arm bore tide, Scenic vistas along Seward Highway, Hiking trails, Alyeska Resort nearby, Chugach Mountains views |
| Annual Visitors | ~200,000–300,000 visitors (estimated, mostly road travelers and tourists) |
| Entry Fee Type | Free Public Access |
| Ticket Price Range | Free |
| Ticket Options | Self-guided sightseeing, Photography, Wildlife tours, Guided hikes, Bore tide viewing tours |
| Best Time to Visit | Summer (June–August) for mild weather, accessible roads, wildlife; Winter (November–March) for snow and northern lights photography |
| Nearby Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) – 40 miles (64 km) |
| Transportation | Car / Highway access (Seward Highway), Hiking trails, Scenic viewpoints, Guided tours, Bus or shuttle from Anchorage or Girdwood |
| Official Website | https://www.alaska.org/destination/turnagain-arm |
Distances from Turnagain Arm to Nearby Landmarks
- Girdwood – 20 km (12.4 mi)
- Alyeska Resort – 21 km (13 mi)
- Beluga Point – 8 km (5 mi)
- Bird Point – 16 km (9.9 mi)
- Chugach State Park – 5 km (3.1 mi)
- Potter Marsh – 6 km (3.7 mi)
- Anchorage – 25 km (15.5 mi)
- Anchorage Museum – 27 km (16.8 mi)
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – 41 km (25.5 mi)
- Portage Glacier – 56 km (34.8 mi)
- Whittier – 82 km (51 mi)
- Eklutna Lake – 63 km (39.1 mi)
- Palmer – 80 km (49.7 mi)
- Wasilla – 72 km (44.7 mi)
- Seward – 129 km (80.2 mi)
- Kenai Fjords National Park (visitor center in Seward) – 131 km (81.4 mi)
- Hope – 43 km (26.7 mi)
- Cooper Landing – 92 km (57.2 mi)
- Soldotna – 148 km (92 mi)
- Kenai – 168 km (104.4 mi)
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