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Anchorage
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The Anchorage Region is located in the south-central part of Alaska. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and is located in the southwest part of the region. The region includes Chugach State Park, Chugach National Forest, and the Nelchina Public Use Area. Cities within the region include Houston and Wasilla. The region is known for the moose that can be seen in the area, the glaciers, and the native culture.[2] The region's climate stays on the colder side throughout most of the year. Summers are short and have an average high temperature of 59 degrees. November through March are the coldest months, with the temperature usually staying below 32 degrees.[1]

What Anchorage is known for

The Anchorage Region has no shortage of outdoor experiences and adventures. The region is known for the scenic views that can be seen and the wildlife that is so easily spotted throughout the area. Moose is one of the most iconic animals in the region, and Anchorage specifically has over a thousand moose.[2] The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is located within the region. It is a spot where visitors can see various animals, including black and brown bears, coyotes, elk, foxes, moose, reindeer, and wood bison. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center rescues animals injured and cared for by the animal care staff. Visitors that come to tour the area can experience the 1.5-mile loop by foot, bike, or car. There are guided tours where guests will learn about the history of the animals and be able to feed the animals. Moose and bear encounters are another possible option for visitors. Visitors will have the chance to feed, take a picture, and hear interesting facts about the animals from the staff.[3] The Alaska Zoo is another stop to guarantee the spotting of some of the wildlife that Alaska has to offer. Polar bears, Dall sheep, porcupines, otters, Amur tigers are just a few of the animals at the Alaska Zoo. There are a few different animal encounters that guests can experience while visiting the zoo. The polar bear encounter allows guests to get up close and personal as zookeepers feed and train the polar bears. The encounters are a chance to hear stories about the animals and get photos with the animals.[4] One of the most popular sites to see near Anchorage is the glaciers throughout the area. There are quite a few ways to spot the glaciers, including boat tours, plane rides, and more.[5]

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is an opportunity for learning about the rich history and culture of the region. The museum shows history through many different mediums, including dance, art, demonstrations, exhibits, and more.[6] The most popular time to visit the Anchorage Region is during the summer months. The summer months offer the most pleasant weather, staying between 60 and 70 degrees. Summer months in the region have an average of 18 hours of sunlight in a given day, giving more time for hiking and other outdoor exploring.[7] Around 2 million visitors come to Alaska during the summer months; more than half of the visitors come on a cruise ship.[8]

Geography

The Anchorage Region is situated in the south-central part of Alaska. Anchorage is located within the region and is the largest city in the region. It draws in many tourists. There is an above-average number of natural landmarks and spots to see within the region, including Chugach State Park, Chugach National Forest, and the Nelchina Public Use Area. The Chugach State Park is the fourth largest state park in the United States. Lakes, glaciers, and ice fields are all found at the state park. There are campgrounds and cabins near the state park.[9] The Chugach National Forest is a six-million-acre national forest and a spot for various recreation, including boating, fishing, hunting, and camping.[10] 

The region stays on the colder side year-round, with May through September being the warmest months. The average temperature during the summer months is 59 degrees. The warmest day is typically July 20, reaching 68 degrees. The coldest months are November through March. During the winter months, the temperature typically stays below 32 degrees. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 23 degrees. The region is cloudy for most of the year, with December being the year's cloudiest time.[1] The large amount of wildlife in the area is one of the things that makes the Anchorage Region unique. Polar bears, black bears, brown bears, caribou, moose, bison, and reindeer are some of the region's mammals. Some of the region's trees include paper birches, quaking aspens, scouler willows, and needle trees.[11]

History

The 1898 Klondike Gold Rush was an event that brought many newcomers into the Anchorage Region. Another expansion was made in 1915 when the first railroad was constructed. World War II was an event that had a significant impact on Alaska's growth as a whole. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, two bases were established near Anchorage. The population grew due to the military bases, Elmendorf and Fort Richardson. The oil development in Alaska played a prominent role in the region's economic growth during the 1970s. Anchorage was a central location for oil companies and was made the spot for the corporate headquarters. Fishing and tourism have also played a role in the region's development and are continuing to grow today.[13] Anchorage is the largest city within the region and within the state of Alaska. Anchorage has a population of 291,826. The ethnic makeup of the residents includes 66% White, 8.1% are two or more races, 8.1% are Asian, 7.9% are American Indian and Alaska Natives, 5.6% are Black or African American, 2% are Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and 7.6% are Hispanic or Latino.[12]

#1
4.4 (301 Reviews)

Big Bear RV Park is a family-owned RV park that is currently in business in Palmer, Alaska, next to the city of Wasilla. While the campground is located on the outskirts of town, it is just off of the main highway and is surrounded by industrial and residential lots, so visitors can find a blend of being close to grocery stores and restaurants while still having a way to find nearby hiking trails and lakes. Palmer, Alaska, is also the city where the Alaska State Fair takes place in the fall.

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#2
4.2 (76 Reviews)

King For A Day Campground and Charters borders the edge of the Klutina River and the Richardson highway. Patrons may find that the campground is located in a forested area with two cabins and sixty-five sites. Of these sites, different options are available for each guest in regards to hookups, one of the main being full hookups, some including just electric, while others offer water hookups, and lastly, the option of no hookups is available as well. Charters are available to visitors for an extra fee, and equipment can be provided, but not food or clothing. Management enjoys getting to know the people that come, and oftentimes they try to interact with them throughout their stay. Different activities are available to guests outside of the property, such as hiking, ATVing, fishing, and tours.

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#3
4.0 (4 Reviews)

Alaska Creekside Cabins have a total of three private cabins available and is located in Palmer, Alaska. The cabins each have waterfront locations in Palmer and Wasilla. Their lodgings overlook Cottonwood Creek and Wasilla Creek. When the Northern Lights are active and can be seen, the cabins tend to have several decent location for viewing them. Depending on the time of year visitors reserve and stay, in the summer months, there's a period of time when there is 24-hours of sunlight. Forests, valleys, and mountains surround the cabins, and guests have reportedly seen an abundant amount of wildlife, including rarer sights like moose.

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State

Alaska