The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center operates as a nonprofit rescue facility at Mile 79 of the Seward Highway. Its 200-acre facility is dedicated to preserving Alaska’s unique wildlife through conservation efforts, education, and research.
The rescue sits between Whittier to the east and Girdwood to the west. Despite its location, most travelers visit from Anchorage before a cruise or as part of a cruise transfer. If you want to stay near the sanctuary, Girdwood’s Alyeska Resort provides a great year-round destination.
We’ve visited the sanctuary several times, and the experience differs each time. During our last trip, we were thrilled to see three newborn wood bison. In this guide, we share how to get there from Anchorage, Whittier, and Seward and what to expect from a visit.
Wildlife sightings in Alaska aren’t guaranteed. However, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) allows visitors to see wolves, brown bears, and moose up close and in a safe environment. This makes its a great day trip for families.
Every animal has a story. Like the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka, most are orphans, but some made it to the sanctuary due to injuries.
Getting There From Anchorage
Located along the Seward Highway (AK Route 1), the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center lies about 47 miles south of Anchorage. Visitors have several transportation options to get there.
Pre-Arranged Tour
Many tour companies include the AWCC as part of their excursions from Anchorage. These guided tours typically provide round-trip transportation and park admission.
Some tours include just the wildlife sanctuary, while others are packaged with local attractions like Portage Valley glaciers.
If you’re starting a cruise in Anchorage and heading to Whittier, the following transfer includes a stop at the AWCC as part of the trip.
Self-Drive
Renting a car offers the most flexibility for visiting the Conservation Center. The drive from Anchorage takes about an hour along the scenic Seward Highway. This is a popular road trip with many scenic viewpoints.
We rented a car from Turo when our Holland America cruise docked in downtown Anchorage. While our cruise line sold a tour to reach AWCC, it was over USD 250 pp. Our car at under USD 100 for the day saved us significant money, even with the USD 27 pp entrance fee.
We preferred the self-drive option because it allowed us to stay at the sanctuary as long as we wanted. In the afternoon, we visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Alternatively, you can combine the sanctuary visit with a cruise on Portage Lake.
Getting There From Seward
For cruise guests disembarking in Seward, there’s an option to visit the sanctuary on a cruise transfer. This transfer stops at several places and takes 7 hours. So, it’s only suitable for guests with a late flight departure or staying overnight.
The Seward to Anchorage transfer includes the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage Valley, Beluga Point, and a stop in Girdwood for lunch.
Getting There From Whittier
For Princess and Holland America guests disembarking in Whittier, there’s a tour for you too. Remember, this transfer is not for those who have booked a cruise and land tour.
This one picks up in Whittier and visits the AWCC. Additional stops include Portage Valley, Beluga Point, Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary, and Earthquake Park before ending in Anchorage.
Plan Your Visit
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center’s enclosures are outdoors, so plan for precipitation by packing a waterproof jacket.
The facility doesn’t have a sit-down restaurant. Instead, food carts sell snack foods, hot and cold beverages, hot dogs, sandwiches, and muffins. Seating to consume this food is outdoors. Bring your own food or snacks for fussy eaters or those with food allergies.
A day visit offers a memorable experience with large animal enclosures along a scenic 1.5-mile loop. We could walk or drive the circuit and stop where we wanted with a rental car. There are also elevated walkways around the bear enclosures.
Hours And Admission
The sanctuary welcomes visitors year-round with seasonal operating hours. Adult admission is under USD 30, with discounts for military, Alaska residents, and those under 13.
There are additional fees for wildlife encounters. Reservations are recommended since these are on selected days and times (with limited participants). The 1.5-mile loop through the center typically takes 1-2 hours.
We spent more than 2 hours there during our early May visit. Many animals had welcomed new life, so we spent lots of time observing them. We could have easily spent more than two hours if we did the loop a second time.
Bear in mind that animals aren’t always near the fence. This is especially true in summer when they could be sheltering from the midday sun. So, bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens.
For an enhanced experience, consider booking animal encounters:
- Moose Encounters.
- Bear Encounters.
- Walk on the Wild Side Tours.
Facilities And Accessibility
The center is designed for optimal accessibility with a loop that can be toured by foot, bicycle, or car. It was cool the morning we arrived with few visitors, so we decided to drive.
There were many places to park or pull over throughout the drive. We were asked not to stop in a way that impeded other drivers. We found parking by the bear amphitheater, and in front of the bunkhouse.
For visitors with mobility challenges, we suggest driving rather than walking. Some areas around the bear enclosures have well-maintained pathways suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Overview
The AWCC is similar to a safari park, except visitors don’t enter the enclosures. All enclosures are large and built for safety, so there’s no risk of contact between people and wildlife.
Location And Setting
The center is strategically located on the Seward Highway in Portage, Alaska. This prime location offers visitors easy access while providing an authentic natural environment for the animals under the center’s care.
We loved the location, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and a picturesque setting on the shores of Turnagain Arm.
The sanctuary offers large, carefully designed habitats that mimic natural environments. They enable wildlife to thrive while allowing visitors to observe them.
Wildlife Residents
The Conservation Center provides a permanent home for numerous species native to Alaska. These creatures act as representatives for their wild counterparts, helping visitors understand the importance of conservation efforts across the state.
Signature Species
Its iconic wildlife species include brown bears, black bears, and moose. Since we have black bears in our neighborhood, we were most interested in the brown bears, which are much bigger.
Brown bears at the sanctuary can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and don’t shy away as much as their black cousins. We’ve observed them walking around their enclosure and playing in the water. An elevated walkway provides opportunities for viewing and taking photos.
The two moose, Alaska’s state animal, were another highlight. Pip and Jo both came to the sanctuary in 2020 as orphans. Both will remain at the refuge since neither have the skills to survive in the wild.
We observed Jo and Pip at the Earthquake Boardwalk near the park entrance. They seemed a bit smaller than the moose we have seen in the wild.
Wolves, caribou, and musk ox round out the signature species collection. Musk ox almost look prehistoric, with shaggy coats protecting them from Arctic temperatures as low as -40°F. We were thrilled to see a few babies during our spring visit.
We noticed caribou were marked as reindeer on signage. What’s the difference? They are essentially the same species; reindeer is used for domesticated animals, and caribou is used for wild ones.
Endangered And Threatened Animals
The Conservation Center protects Alaska’s vulnerable wildlife populations. Lynx is a species facing habitat loss, but you can view a few Canadian Lynx there.
Wood bison, once extinct in Alaska, have been reintroduced through the Center’s breeding program. Weighing up to 2,000 pounds, these massive bovines stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
We saw three new herd members. One was under an hour old, and we could still see part of its umbilical cord. We were surprised how quickly they gained their footing and were able to run around. Mom was extremely protective of this little one.
Other smaller protected residents include foxes and porcupines. One porcupine made me chuckle as it snoozed against the side of its enclosure.
Wood Bison Restoration
The AWCC has spearheaded one of North America’s most successful wildlife reintroductions through its Wood Bison Restoration Project. These magnificent animals, North America’s largest land mammals, disappeared from Alaska’s landscape over a century ago.
Wood bison are not to be confused with Plains bison found in the lower states. Wood bison are larger and darker in color, with a smaller beard.
In 2015, after years of careful breeding and preparation, the Center released 130 wood bison into the Innoko River region of western Alaska. The attached GPS devices track their movement, growth, and survival.
The sanctuary still maintains a herd of 200 wood bison. It plans to reintroduce another herd into the wild in the future. This project demonstrates how conservation sanctuaries can directly impact ecosystem restoration.
Seeing these bison reminded me of the Plains bison bred and released in Banff National Park. I had seen these bison for over a decade before their release in 2017.
The Raptors
While most of the wildlife at the rescue is of the larger species, they have a few raptors, too. Bald eagles, the national symbol, are the centerpiece of this collection. These powerful birds boast 7-foot wingspans and can spot prey nearly a mile away.
A resident bald eagle, Adonis, will remain at the rescue for life. Due to a gunshot wound, a wing was amputated, which prevented him from flying and feeding himself.
Visitor Experience
The Conservation Center is set up in a way to encourage self-exploration. Its grounds are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. However, those wanting a more immersive experience can book a limited guided tour.
Guided Tours
Specialized guided tours provide in-depth information about resident wildlife and conservation efforts. The Walk on the Wild Side (WOW) Tour allows guests to learn more about the rescue ambassadors and the history behind each one.
The moose, Kobuk the bear, and brown bear encounters focus on one animal species. During these encounters, there is no physical contact with the bears. Since we were visiting in early May, no individual animal tours were offered yet.
Additional Wildlife Opportunities
When arriving at the center, be sure to visit the Be Wild Gift Shop first. The log cabin building houses washrooms, a gift shop, and an information board with the daily program.
It shows when naturalists are on hand for chats, bear talks, and information about specific species. These talks include immersive experiences for all ages. For kids, there’s an option to take part in a fun scavenger hunt.
The best viewing times are typically early morning or late afternoon when animals are most active. Each animal closure has informational signs about the species. Learn why they are there, how big they grow, and what they eat.
Matson Ocean Education Center
During our visit, the Matson Ocean Education Center was under construction at The Point. Its location, at Turnagain Arm, will allow visitors to see Beluga whales at high tide when they are present.
The number of Cook Inlet beluga whales has dwindled and are considered endangered. At last count, there are around 331 belugas that visit the area. The center, once complete, will allow visitors to hear, learn, and connect to research about the Cook Inlet.
How You Can Support AWCC
Supporting the AWCC is more than just a charitable act. It’s a small step to supporting their commitment to the state’s wildlife. Here are ways to help:
- Visit the sanctuary. All entrance fees, tours, and gift shop purchases help with operating expenses.
- Make a one-time or monthly donation through their website.
- Purchase an item the sanctuary needs through their Amazon wishlist.
- Adopt and animal – receive an adoption certificate, a taxable receipt, and quarterly updates.
Lastly, spread awareness as we have done here. AWCC is a fantastic place that does good work, and we hope you’ll have a chance to visit.
