Maybe you’ve just bagged every peak in the Chugach in a single day (known as….) and this is your rest day. Or maybe you have some little kids and your kid-holding backpack hasn’t yet come in the mail. Whatever your reason, Anchorage has plenty of gentle trails and scenic walks that are perfect for families, beginners, or anyone else wanting to enjoy Alaska’s beauty at a relaxed pace.
These trails feature minimal elevation gain, easy paths, and breathtaking views, making them ideal for a family day out or a peaceful solo stroll.
- For more challenging day hikes, you can check out my favorite day hikes near Anchorage.
- If you’re coming to Alaska, check out my comprehensive guide on visiting Alaska before you do.
However, just because they’re easy doesn’t mean you won’t run into wildlife. There’s a moderate chance on any of these walks that you run into a moose and a lesser chance you see a bear. While I don’t usually bring bear spray on these trials, it’s probably not a bad idea and, at the very least, you should know how to deal with a wildlife encounter.
The Best Family-Friendly Trails in Anchorage
1. Far North Bicentennial Park and Campbell Tract
These are two trail systems next door to each other that supports biking and walking and skiing in the winter. It’s dog friendly, although you are required to have your dog on a leash (Anchorage leash laws are pretty lax though – just clean up after them).
This area offers many trails that meanders through beautiful woods and along Campbell Creek. There are endless loops and options, allowing you to take as short or as long of a walk as you want. It’s a local favorite for easy walks, wildlife spotting, and listening to the river. My dad and I have taken many a walk here.
Many of these trails connect with each other and you can access this area from many different trailheads. I usually start at Abbot Loop Community Park, which has some beautiful picnic areas and is a great park in its own right. It’s trails quickly loop into the larger trail network, making it a great place to start with plenty of hiking.
- Trailhead: Abbot Loop Community Park or Smokejumper Trailhead
- Distance & Time: 4,000 acres and 100+ miles of trails allowing you to walk as little or as much as you’d like.
- Elevation Gain: Flat
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? No.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required. Plenty of parking.
2. Taku Lake
Taku Lake is underratedly one of my favorite local walks. The area features a mostly paved path encircling the lake, as well as has access to the Campbell Creek Greenbelt trail system for those looking to extend their walk or bike ride. In the summer, it’s a great spot for fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding, while winter transforms the frozen lake into a popular ice-skating destination.
It’s a great spot that’s never crowded and has plenty of picnic tables and lots of ducks and geese. The lake is very beautiful and I love looping the lake again and again, lost in conversation with friends.
- Trailhead: Taku Lake Park Trailhead
- Distance & Time: 1.2 miles around the lake; approximately 30 minutes.
- Elevation Gain: None; completely flat.
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? Yes.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required. Free parking is available. Somewhat limited, but I’ve never not been able to get a spot.
3. Kincaid Park
Located on the west side of Anchorage, the best part of Kincaid Park is that much of it is along the coast, giving you amazing views of Cook Inlet, Anchorage backdropped by its mountains, and Sleeping Lady across the water.
Some of the trails are paved and others are natural. This is an excellent bike riding area. The trailhead linked below also has amazing grass and hills that make great sledding in the winter, or rolling down in the summer. It’s also perfect for picnics.
From here you can hit the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, probably the most famous walking trial in Anchorage.
You can also check out the nearby Little Campbell Lake which is an amazing picnic, swim, or boating spot in the summer.
- Trailhead: Kincaid Park Chalet Trailhead
- Distance & Time: Variable, with popular loops ranging from 1 to 6 miles; 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Elevation Gain: Generally flat, with some mild inclines depending on the trail.
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? Yes, partly.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required and plenty of parking.
4. Flattop Blueberry Loop
Drive up to the Flattop Parking Lot and take this fairly flat trail up to an incredible lookout over the city. I love coming here for sunsets.
The trail up to the lookout is paved and accessible. From there, there are many options to continue your walk on flat trails through Powerline Pass, or to challenge yourself with a little climb up to the first Flattop saddle. This trail is a more accessible, family-friendly option at Anchorage’s popular Flattop Mountain.
There are also lots of blueberries in the summer.
- Trailhead: Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead
- Distance & Time: Minimum 5 minute walk. Can be as long as you want. The loop itself is 1.5 miles.
- Elevation Gain: 200 feet.
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? Yes, partly.
- Permits/Passes: Annual Alaska State Park Pass ($60) or Day-use parking fee ($5) at Glen Alps / Flattop Trailhead.
5. University Lake Park
University Lake is the best dog park in town, but it also makes for amazing walks. You can let your dog off leash here.
There’s a series of trails around the lake. You can see lots of beavers here, but be careful with your dogs – beavers have been known to drown dogs in the lake.
- Distance & Time: 1.7 miles around the lake; approximately 1 hour.
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Trailhead: University Lake Park Trailhead
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? No.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required. Lots of parking.
6. Potter’s Marsh
Potter’s Marsh is a gorgeous boardwalk area just south of Anchorage (look at that picture!). This is an ideal spot for birdwatchers although I know nothing about that, but I do love seeing the birds. I also love seeing both the Chugach mountains and the mountains across Turnagain arm. On a clear day, there’s almost no better spot. You can often spot salmon in the streams, bald eagles in the sky, and moose grazing nearby.
The boardwalk is wide, flat, and stroller-friendly, making it accessible for all ages. While this isn’t a trail for hiking or biking, it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll. Sunsets over the marsh are especially stunning.
- Trailhead: Potter Marsh Boardwalk Parking Lot
- Distance & Time: 0.5 miles round trip; approximately 20 minutes.
- Elevation Gain: None; completely flat.
- Paved for strollers or wheelchairs? Not paved, but boardwalks are accessible.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required. Plenty of parking is available.
Bonus Walk: Trail of Blue Ice
The Trail of Blue Ice, located in the breathtaking Portage Valley (about a 40 minute drive south of Anchorage), is otherworldly. The trail is paved and well maintained and walks through Alaska’s glacier-carved landscape. This family-friendly, multi-use trail weaves through lush forests, past glacial streams, and offers incredible views of the blue eyes of nearby glaciers.
In the summer, it’s a favorite spot for biking, walking, and picnicking, while the crisp fall air adds a vibrant golden glow to the scenery. The name of the trail says it all.
This walk ends at Portage lake, which is absolutely worth a visit. If you’re feeling like a bit more of a challenge, you can take the hike to Byron Glacier where you get to come up close and personal with glacial ice caves. It’s fairly flat, but it is somewhat rocky.
- Trailhead: Technically begins at the Moose Flats Day Use Area, but you can access it at the Five Fingers Hike-in Camping Area, the Explorer Glacier Pullout, the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform, or the lakefront parking lot at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center.
- Distance & Time: 5 miles one-way; 2-3 hours (can be shortened with multiple access points).
- Elevation Gain: Minimal, around 100 feet.
- Permits/Passes: No permits required. Parking available at multiple points along the trail.
Conclusion
Despite having a disparaging reputation of being 10 minutes from Alaska, Anchorage has so many parks to offer. If you’re here in the winter, they have the most free groomed cross country ski trials in the country.
Any of these will give you offers a wealth of trails that showcase Alaska’s natural beauty without requiring rigorous effort. From creekside walks to open parks with panoramic views, these family-friendly hikes and walks are perfect for those looking to explore the great outdoors at a relaxed pace. So grab your loved ones, lace up your walking shoes, and enjoy the best of Anchorage’s easy trails!
