The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a wildlife refuge on the Seward Highway near Girdwood, about 45 miles south of Anchorage. It cares for injured, orphaned and other animals that cannot return to the wild, with spacious outdoor habitats for bears, moose, bison, wolves, musk oxen and more. You can explore the grounds on foot or by car, following a loop past the enclosures, and visit the bear-viewing boardwalk. The setting, between Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains, adds a scenic stop to a drive toward the Kenai Peninsula.
A refuge for Alaska’s wildlife
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a nonprofit refuge near Portage Valley, south of Anchorage. It takes in native animals that are injured, orphaned or otherwise unable to survive in the wild. Some residents receive care while they recover; others stay at the center permanently because they cannot be released.
The center opened to the public in 1993. Its work includes animal care, education and research, as well as efforts to conserve native species. Visitors can see the animals in outdoor habitats designed to give them room to move and display natural behaviors. The setting along Turnagain Arm, with the Chugach Mountains nearby, puts the visit amid the landscape the animals are native to.
Animals to look for
The center is home to a range of Alaskan wildlife, including brown and black bears, moose, bison, wolves, musk oxen, caribou, elk, foxes, lynx and eagles. Which animals you see can depend on where they are in their habitats, so take time as you make your way around rather than expecting every enclosure to offer an immediate view.
The bear-viewing boardwalk gives you a raised vantage point for watching bears. Bison are another notable part of the center’s work: it has raised wood bison and taken part in efforts to return the species to the wild. The center also cares for animals that arrived as young orphans, including a gray wolf born there and a black bear found alone as a cub.
Walking or driving the grounds
A loop through the property connects the animal habitats, and you can explore it on foot or from your vehicle. Walking gives you time to pause at enclosures and take in the surroundings; driving provides another way to cover the route. Guided walking tours and special tours are also available for visitors who want more context about the animals and the center’s work.
For a visit focused on animal activity, arriving early is a useful choice, particularly if you hope to see a feeding session. The center is on the Seward Highway near Girdwood, making it a practical stop when travelling between Anchorage and destinations farther south, including the Kenai Peninsula. Check ahead for current opening information and any seasonal changes to exhibits.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?
It is at 43520 Seward Highway near Girdwood, south of Anchorage and close to Portage Valley.
What animals can you see there?
Animals include bears, moose, bison, wolves, musk oxen, caribou, elk, foxes, lynx and eagles.
Can you walk or drive through the center?
Yes. You can explore the loop on foot or by car, and guided walking tours are also available.
What is the bear-viewing boardwalk?
It is a raised viewing area where you can watch bears from above.
