Anchorage to Seward: Seward Highway Scenic Byway Guide

Turnagain Arm Bore Tide & Beluga Point Whale Spotting

The first 50 miles of the Seward Highway south of Anchorage are carved directly into the sheer vertical metamorphic rock walls of the Chugach Mountains, tracing the shoreline of Turnagain Arm. This fjord experiences the second-highest tidal range in North America (up to 30 feet).

Twice daily, extreme incoming ocean tides collide with the shallow mudflats to create the Turnagain Arm Bore Tide?a continuous 4-to-10 foot standing wave that rushes down the inlet at speeds exceeding 15 MPH. Pull over at Beluga Point (Milepost 110.5) or Bird Point (Milepost 96) 2 to 3 hours after Anchorage low tide to watch this natural marvel. During July and August, pods of pure white Beluga whales ride the incoming tide into the arm to hunt silver salmon in the churning surf.

Turnagain Pass Alpine Crossing & Kenai Mountain Topography

At Milepost 79, the highway passes the 200-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before turning south into the glacier-carved Portage Valley. From here, the road begins a steady 10-mile ascent into the dramatic alpine tundra of Turnagain Pass (elevation 988 ft), the highest point on the Seward Highway.

Turnagain Pass marks the geographic boundary between the Chugach National Forest and the Kenai Peninsula. In summer, the treeless alpine valley floor explodes with vibrant purple lupine, pink fireweed, and yellow arnica wildflowers. In winter, this pass receives over 500 inches of snow, serving as Southcentral Alaska's premier backcountry skiing and snowmobiling sanctuary.

Mile-by-Mile Turnout Index: Anchorage to Seward

? MP 117.0 - Potter Marsh Boardwalk: Elevated wooden walkway over freshwater coastal marsh. Prime birding for trumpeter swans, northern pintails, and spawning king salmon in summer. ? MP 110.5 - Beluga Point Overlook: Rocky coastal promontory with mounted binoculars for whale watching and spotting Dall sheep on rocky roadside cliffs. ? MP 90.0 - Girdwood Junction: Gateway to Alyeska Resort, luxury Nordic Spa, and the last full-service fuel and grocery hub before Seward. ? MP 79.0 - Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Non-profit wildlife sanctuary caring for orphaned wood bison, brown bears, black bears, moose, and muskoxen. ? MP 68.5 - Turnagain Pass Rest Area: Alpine summit (988 ft) with heated ADA restrooms, interpretive exhibits, and paved mountain photography trails. ? MP 37.0 - Tern Lake Viewing Platform: Scenic wetland confluence of AK-1 and AK-9. Stop here to see nesting arctic terns and emerald alpine water. ? MP 29.5 - Moose Pass Historic Townsite: Charming lakeside community famous for waterplane docks, local fudge shops, and rustic log cabins. ? MP 0.0 - Seward Small Boat Harbor: Ocean terminus on Resurrection Bay and departure docks for Kenai Fjords National Park glacier catamaran cruises.

Wildlife Viewing Protocols: Dall Sheep & Coastal Brown Bears

The Seward Highway is one of the premier roadside wildlife safari routes in the United States. Scan the steep rock cliffs between Milepost 112 and Milepost 108 for bright white Dall sheep foraging on sparse lichen. If sheep are spotted, pull completely off the paved roadway onto designated turnout shoulders?never stop in active traffic lanes.

Along stream confluences like Bird Creek (MP 100) and Resurrection Creek, coastal brown bears and black bears frequently fish for returning pink and silver salmon from late June through August. Maintain a strict 100-yard distance from bears and carry accessible EPA-registered bear spray at all times.

Winter Hazards, Avalanche Chutes & Road Safety

Between October and May, Turnagain Arm is subject to severe subarctic coastal storms, black ice, and catastrophic avalanche activity. The Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) operates active avalanche artillery mitigation programs along Mileposts 90 to 105, where steep mountain chutes drop directly toward the roadway.

Drivers traveling between November and April must equip vehicles with studded winter tires or severe snow-rated tires (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol). Always check the Alaska 511 system (511.alaska.gov) for road status before departing Anchorage.