One of my favorite neighborhood parks in Anchorage. It has a massive hill for rolling down in the…read moresummer, and sledding down all winter. Swings, a giant rock formation to climb, and even some stuff for the little kids. There is an outdoor pavilion, that seems to be booked all summer long with family parties and birthdays, and it's really close to a lovely trail. If you're looking for a spot to take your young one, dog, or anyone that needs to get out of the house, this is a great spot in midtown.

Three words: bread and poop…read more This place is kind of rough, and kind of ugly. There is so much bread-feeding here that the grass has been completely scrubbed down to dirt from all the foot traffic in one concentrated area. There is goose poop everywhere. There are shady characters doing weird stuff in their vehicles. If you want to see birds, you're better off heading west (towards the water) on the trail towards the lagoon proper. Much better facilities, less shady characters.

I just absolutely are in love with the trails in Anchorage. This happens to be the trailhead area…read more(parking area) that you can only get to one way from Minnesota towards downtown (its on your left). You often see people running and geese everywhere. There is a small lake here that you can see from the road. What I liked about this particular area is how many different ways you can split... This trail takes you to: Lanie Fischer (Not sure of spelling) Westchester Lagoon Coastal Trail and many more...i just haven't explored enough.... Great run very flat and a few tunnels to go through... I would recommend for a nice long walk or jog!

OK, OK. Whoever…read morenamed everything in this area BIRD or bird-related names probably thought they were being cute, but they were really just making things VERY confusing. This is a trail that starts at the Bird Valley Trailhead. This is NOT the same as: Bird Ridge, the steep and popular hike. That trailhead is a couple miles west (closer to Anchorage) of here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bird-ridge-trail-anchorage Bird POINT, a sightseeing area on the Turnigan arm a few miles EAST (farther away from Anchorage) of here. Bird Creek CAMPGROUND, a car-camping area near the highway that is a mile from this trailhead...known for nearby combat fishing: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bird-creek-campground-anchorage To get to this trailhead, you'll be on a bumpy, un-paved road. If it looks like you ain't supposed to be here...you're probably in the right spot. Once you reach the trailhead, if you hike maybe 2 miles and keep veering right, you'll eventually reach a junction. Head left at the junction and that's the Penguin Creek Trail. (look at the PDF this page links to and it all will make much more sense, trust me) "Creek Trail" is apt, because you are often hiking up a flowing creek. Either bring high-rise waterproof boots are some beater shoes you don't care about. Why would you come to this trail? 1) If you're on an ATV and want to make it go splishy-splash! 2) You are on your way to climb Nest Peak or Bird Peak (yet another Bird name! Note: Bird Peak is NOTHING like Bird Ridge. It is MUCH more involved...review coming soon) If you aren't doing either of those things, there isn't much reason to come here, in my opinon. You'd be much better off going up Penguin PEAK, on the Penguin PEAK trail, which you can read my review of here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/penguin-peak-trail-anchorage

Note: google maps calls this "Buttress Park", and Anchorage Parks calls it "Barrow Park"…read more This is a "Hill to Chill". It's kind of like Anchorage's backyard sledding hill. It's a sloping piece of lawn that starts in downtown and empties out into the Shipcreek area. It's a great place to relax and picnic after a day walking around downtown, especially if the weather is nice. In the winter, you could probably sled down this...not sure if you'd get in trouble or not though. Don't tell 'em I sent ya!

This trailhead will get you to: Powerline Pass trail: which…read moreheads over to the Flattop area and eventually all the way down to the Turnagain Arm. Wolverine Peak: peak with astounding views. It's a hike with a lot of gain that never gets technical (you won't have to use your hands) nor exposed (there aren't big drops to be mindful of). Beta: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wolverine-peak-anchorage Near Point: a smaller peak in front of Wolverine. Think of it as the "Flattop of this trailhead". Beta: https://www.yelp.com/biz/near-point-hike-anchorage It's a great place to get good views of the metropolis we call "Anchorage". It's accessible in the winter as well as the summer. Word of warning about doing it in the summer: the first mile of this trail is in pretty thick brush. BE BEAR AWARE. Make LOUD NOISES. Once you get out of the brush you're probably fine, but the brush is mighty sketchy. There are also a decent amount of bears in the area. I've seen grizzlies from the summit of Wolverine.

I always hesitate to write reviews of my favorite trails and hikes because I fear increased foot…read moretraffic. But, really, this is one of my favorite trails systems. You can hike mountains, multiple trails, hooks onto power line pass for biking, carve your name on a bridge, etc... I live 10 minutes from here and try to come here at least once a week. Views are incredible and the trails can go from easy to moderate. It's a great park.

There's a short, sneaky trail that connects Tudor/Taft to W 45th Ave…read more It parallels Fish Creek for a bit and eventually crosses it on a Red Bridge, hence, this park! It really does feel like, for a few minutes, you're "over the river and through the woods" to grandmother's house, despite being very close to crowded, noisy, tudor. I like taking one of my dogfriends on this route, he's super into bridges.

Right now, for the third consecutive year (maybe it's the fourth actually... its been going on for…read moreso long, Ive lost track) 42nd Ave is under construction. And its finally in front of Folker Park. And boy oh boy has the city utterly demolished some of the best things about this park. Accessibility path? Gone. Garden controlled by the community? Gone. Benches? Gone. Beautiful trees lining the entry path, including a VERY old spruce (probably about 100 years old, i couldn't count all the rings) GONE. I suppose some things may be replaced when they're done the project, who knows. But the trees that made our street so lovely are gone forever. When we asked for sidewalks, we only meant we needed them on ONE side of the street. I guess we weren't specific enough. Now we have sidewalks with nothing to look at but barren asphalt. Its like a mini Spenard. Sigh.

Do not be confused, this isn't access to Potter Marsh!…read more This is the western start of the 10 mile Turnagain Arm trail. The great thing about this trail is that it's very moderate and almost immediately gives decent views. The not-so great: - It can get VERY crowded, especially in the summer. - There often isn't good parking here in the spring. Everyone wants to get on one of the firs trails to melt out and the parking lot isn't quite fully open yet - You are almost constantly bathed in LOUD highway noise, which can almost make it feel more like a city trail than a hiking trail

This is the start of a one-way ~9 mile trek along Turnagain Arm. First 3 miles are to McHugh Creek,…read morewhich has an easy walk with stops along the way. There are benches and side trails to pop out and rest, or just view the arm and the surrounding mountains. At the start of the trailhead it's not well advertised, but there is an interactive walk with stops to read about the flora and fauna, and another trail that is straight on through along the trail. Will recommend to the outdoor walking enthusiast.