Anchorage, Alaska

Location

May 20, 2025 – September 8, 2025

Dates

3 Hours

Duration

6/10

Physicality

Age

3-Hour Backcountry ATV Tour in Chugach State Park

Backcountry ATV Tour Near Anchorage

Experience one of the most scenic ATV tours near Anchorage as you ride deep into the backcountry of Chugach State Park.

Follow winding rainforest trails through Bird Valley, with a scenic overlook offering views of Turnagain Arm and the surrounding Chugach Mountains. Just 30 minutes south of Anchorage, this guided adventure is a memorable way to explore Alaska beyond the road.

What You’ll Experience

Your guided Chugach State Park ATV tour combines backcountry riding with short stops to explore Alaska’s landscape and ecosystems. This adventure takes you through the northernmost coastal rainforest in North America while offering opportunities to experience Alaska’s wilderness up close.

Tour Highlights

• Ride through the northernmost temperate rainforest in North America
• Explore remote trails in Chugach State Park near Anchorage
• Stop at a scenic overlook with views of Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountains
• Short walk to a waterfall fed by Bird Glacier
• Wildlife viewing opportunities including bald eagles, moose, black bears, and brown bears
• Guided by experienced local Alaska backcountry guides

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the landscapes alone make this backcountry journey unforgettable.

Choose Your Tour Style

Both shared group tours and private departures are available at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, allowing guests to choose the experience that best fits their group and travel plans.

Shared Tour

Join a small group of fellow explorers for a guided ride into the Chugach State Park backcountry.

Our guides provide ATV driver training before leading the group along rainforest trails, scenic viewpoints, and backcountry terrain.

This option is ideal for couples, solo travelers, and small groups looking to experience Alaska together.

Private Tour

Private tours allow your family or group to enjoy the trail with your own guide and a more flexible pace. Your guide can tailor the stops and experience to your group’s interests while you explore the Bird Valley backcountry.

Private tours are available at both 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Tour Location

Bird Valley Trailhead
End of Konikson Road
Bird Creek, Alaska (just south of Anchorage)

Google Map Link

Tour Times

Please arrive at your departure time, which also serves as your check-in time.

10:00 AM Tour
Returns approximately 1:00 PM

3:00 PM Tour
Returns approximately 6:00 PM

What to Wear

Weather in Alaska can change quickly, so dressing in layers is recommended.

• Long-sleeve shirt
• Long pants
• Fleece or warm layer
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Gloves
• Wool or fleece hat
• Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers
• Sunglasses

Water and snacks are provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own reusable water bottle.

Group Information

Groups larger than six machines require advance coordination to ensure guide and machine availability.

Our maximum guide ratio is six machines per guide.

Groups booking more than six machines will be scheduled as a private exclusive departure.

Please contact us directly for large group bookings.

Age & Driver Requirements

Passengers must:

• Be 8 years or older
• Be at least 48 inches tall
• Weigh at least 50 pounds

Drivers must:

• Be 16 years or older
• Be at least 60 inches tall
• Weigh at least 100 pounds
• Have the physical ability to operate an ATV safely

Safety always comes first. Guides may remove any participant from the tour if safety requirements are not met.

Cancellation Policy

We ride rain or shine. After all, this is the rainforest.

• 15 days or more prior to travel: Full refund minus $25 processing fee
• 14 days or less prior to travel: No refund

Our Machines

We operate single machines (for one driver) and Can-Am 2-Up machines, designed for backcountry terrain.

Double machines allow one driver and one passenger, with the passenger seated comfortably behind the driver.

Alaska ATV Adventures focuses on small group tours that provide exceptional scenery, wildlife viewing opportunities, and an authentic backcountry Alaska experience.

Location: Chugach Base Camp & Bird Valley Trailhead

Our tours operate from Bird Valley Trailhead at the end of Konikson Road in Bird Creek, Alaska, located along the scenic Turnagain Arm corridor just south of Anchorage.

This area sits at a remarkable geographic transition where two major ecosystems meet. The lush Pacific Coast temperate rainforest, which stretches more than 2,500 miles from Northern California to Southcentral Alaska, reaches its northernmost edge here. Just across the valley begins the Taiga, also known as the boreal forest, the largest land biome on Earth that extends across Alaska and eventually into Siberia.

This unique landscape makes Bird Valley one of the most ecologically diverse areas in Chugach State Park.

Driving Distance to Bird Valley Trailhead

• Downtown Anchorage — 40 minutes (28 miles) via AK-1 South
• Girdwood — 22 minutes (15 miles) via AK-1 North
• Cooper Landing — 1 hour 33 minutes (75 miles) via AK-1 North
• Seward — 2 hours (99 miles) via Seward Highway (AK-9) and AK-1 North
• Wasilla / Palmer — 1 hour 30 minutes (69 miles) via AK-1 South
• Talkeetna — 2 hours 56 minutes (139 miles) via AK-3 South and AK-1 South
• Denali Area — approximately 4 hours 45 minutes via AK-3 SouthHow to get to Chugach Base Camp

Trailhead Location

All tours depart from the Bird Valley Trailhead, located at the end of Konikson Road in Bird Creek, Alaska.

Google Map Link

Please plan to arrive at your scheduled tour departure time, which also serves as check-in.

Transportation Options

Guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the Bird Valley trailhead. If you prefer not to drive, several local transportation services operate in the area.

Private Transfer Option

Wild Journeys Alaska Private Van Transfer

Our sister company, Wild Journeys Alaska, offers private van transportation from Anchorage and surrounding areas.

Pricing example:

• $1325 — 1 person
• $662.50 per person — 2 people
• $441.70 per person — 3 people
• $331.25 per person — 4 people
• $265.00 per person — 5 people
• $220.85 per person — 6 people

Other Local Transportation Services

Bear Valley Road Runner
https://www.bearvalleyroadrunner.com
844-800-5421

Four Seasons Transportation
https://akshuttle.com
907-744-4946

Check-In

Please arrive at 10 AM or 3 PM for check-in and orientation.

Check-in and Introductions
Outfitting
Safety Orientation

2 hours 45 minute tour

We will leave the trailhead and enter Alaska’s backcountry. Along the journey, your guide will be on the lookout for bear viewing opportunities so you can take some amazing photos. We will ride to an overlook area where you can hike to a stunning waterfall. During spawning season you will see an incredible amount of salmon making their return trip “home”. Then we will continue through wooded trails before taking you through a large water hole to get you wet and muddy before we return you to the trailhead!

Post Tour

Be sure to check out our “Alaska Travel Tips” for our Top 25+ Recommendations of local favorites!

GO TO OUR FAQs

Experience Level

This is a moderate activity.
Waterfall Hike, if conditions allow
No experience is necessary.

Additional Notes

Ages: 8 -101
This trip is appropriate for families, groups, and solo travelers
Trips operate in all weather conditions
Trip min: 2 machines Max: 6 machines (unless all one group) w/ Max Guide Ratio 6:1
Custom departure times and private trips are available
Advanced reservations are required, we do not have consistent cell or data on-site and we meet at the trailhead, located in Bird Creek, AK.
All guests are required to fill out our activity waiver on-site
Cancellations/changes can be made up to 14 days prior to departure

Frequently Asked Questions

Tour Inclusions: Guided 3-hour excursion (including outfitting & safety orientation), a bottle of water, and snack.
Tour Restrooms: There is a porta-potty located in the parking lot.
Tour Parking: Folks do drive their RV’s and park at this location, however; the park does not allow overnight camping. Parking is free and there is plenty of it.
- At the end of Konikson Road, you will come to a large gravel parking area where the road ends. This is where you should park. You will see a porta-potty and a gate, we are behind the gate. Please wait in your car for your designated tour time, we need this time to perform safety checks
Tour Attire: Please bring your own rain gear if you have it. We do have raincoats and pants are available to borrow if needed. You need to wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and a warm top layer. You will get dirty on the trip – extra socks and shoes are recommended.
WE RIDE RAIN OR SHINE
Check-in time is your tour time: We will hand out paperwork and helmets at your tour time – there is no need to check in earlier than your tour time. If you arrive early please wait in the parking area until the guide has had an opportunity to complete equipment & safety checks. The guide(s) will be ready to check you in at your tour time.
Meeting your Guide: Upon arrival you be will be asked to fill out the provided waivers for the tour. Once waivers are signed, you are fitted with a helmet before participating in the safety briefing and riding orientation on the training course. Upon completion, your Alaskan guide will lead you into Chugach State Park backcountry for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Each trip is tailored to the group. Each guide does his or her best to locate wildlife in the area.
Hike Information: There is a hike involved in the trip. For the 3-hour trip, the hike is short in duration; however, there are 2 steep sections of the trail leading to the waterfall area. If you do not wish to hike you can enjoy the overlook area and scan the alpine meadows for wildlife.
Children: must be 8 years or older to participate in the tour. Children 8 years to 15 years may participate as a passenger; however, must be 16 years or older to drive their own machine.
Drivers License: no driver’s license is required, just need to be 16 years or older to drive a machine.