In short
- Drive south on the Seward Highway for 50 miles, then turn east onto Portage Glacier Road.
- Driving takes about 1 hour from Anchorage and is free.
- Guided tours run 4 to 8 hours and cost from $100.
In this article
- How do I drive to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
- How long is the drive to Portage Glacier?
- Are there tours to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
- Do I have to go through the Whittier tunnel?
- Can I visit Portage Glacier after a Whittier cruise?
- How do I get between sites at the glacier?
- Can I drive to Portage Glacier in winter?
Getting to Portage Glacier is straightforward. Most visitors either rent a car for the 50-mile trip or join a commercial day tour leaving from Anchorage. The drive follows the Seward Highway before turning into the Chugach National Forest.
How do I drive to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
Take the Seward Highway south from Anchorage for roughly 50 miles.
The drive follows a scenic route along the coast. Once you travel about 50 miles, turn east onto Portage Glacier Road. Drive for another 5 miles into the Chugach National Forest to reach the valley and visitor center.
How long is the drive to Portage Glacier?
The drive takes about 1 hour from Anchorage.
Driving yourself is free, aside from your rental and gas costs. The route is open year-round. Allow extra time if you stop to watch wildlife along the Seward Highway.
Are there tours to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
Yes, commercial operators offer bus and boat tour packages from Anchorage.
Guided day trips usually take 4 to 6 hours round-trip. Prices start around $100 per person. Many packages include round-trip transport and tickets for the MV Ptarmigan boat cruise. Tour prices change based on the provider and season.
Do I have to go through the Whittier tunnel?
You only use the tunnel if you want to hike the Portage Pass Trail.
The Begich, Boggs Visitor Center and the boat tours are on the Anchorage side of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. You do not pay a toll to reach them. If you want to hike the 2-mile Portage Pass Trail, you must cross the tunnel and pay the toll.
Can I visit Portage Glacier after a Whittier cruise?
Yes, you can book a transfer tour that visits the glacier on the way to Anchorage.
Transfer tours pick you up in Whittier and drop you off in Anchorage. These 6-to-7-hour trips visit Portage Valley and other sites along the way. They save you from renting a car just for the drive back.
How do I get between sites at the glacier?
You can drive between sites or walk the Trail of Blue Ice.
Once you turn onto Portage Glacier Road, the sites are close together. The Trail of Blue Ice is a fully accessible path linking the recreation sites. You can easily walk or bike between the campgrounds and the visitor center.
Can I drive to Portage Glacier in winter?
Yes, the area is accessible year-round.
The road stays open, but the visitor center and boat tours only operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In mid-winter, visitors often drive out to ice skate or fat-tire bike across frozen Portage Lake.
Questions travellers ask
How do you get to Portage Glacier from Anchorage?
Drive south on the Seward Highway for 50 miles. Turn east on Portage Glacier Road and drive 5 miles to reach the visitor center.
How long is the trip to Portage Glacier?
The drive takes 1 hour one-way from Anchorage. Commercial guided tours take 4 to 8 hours round-trip.
Can you see Portage Glacier from the visitor center?
No, the glacier has retreated over 3 miles since 1914. It is no longer visible from the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center.
