About Chugach Adventures
Chugach Adventures is a Girdwood-based adventure tour company offering glacier kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and wilderness experiences accessible by the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, and Whittier. Founded by local Alaskan guides, the company specialises in taking visitors deep into the Chugach National Forest to experience landscapes that most tourists never see — glacial lakes studded with icebergs, remote river canyons, and pristine backcountry only reachable by rail or trail. Their flagship destination is Spencer Glacier, where guests kayak among calved icebergs on a turquoise glacial lake.
The tour lineup includes the Glacier Blue Kayak & Grandview trip, which combines a scenic train ride with a paddle right up to the face of Spencer Glacier; a whitewater rafting adventure on the Placer River through Class II–III rapids surrounded by hanging glaciers; and guided glacier hikes for those who want to walk on ice. Multi-activity combos bundle kayaking, rafting, and hiking into full-day wilderness immersions. All gear — including dry suits, paddling equipment, and safety kits — is provided, and guides handle logistics from train ticketing to trailhead transport.
What distinguishes Chugach Adventures is the railroad-accessed format, which turns the journey itself into part of the experience. The Alaska Railroad whistle stop at Spencer Glacier is exclusive to permitted operators, meaning group sizes stay small and the wilderness remains undeveloped. Guides are certified Wilderness First Responders with years of experience in Southcentral Alaska, and the company's emphasis on ecological interpretation means guests leave understanding the glacier's retreat, the salmon lifecycle, and the forest's recovery from the 1964 earthquake. It is one of the most immersive day trips available from Anchorage.
