Though often known as the Portage Glacier Anchorage, the glacier actually lies just outside the city and can be accessed by car or by hiring a tour bus. Getting to Portage Glacier involves driving along the gorgeous Turnagain Arm which is also an attraction in itself.

Turnagain Arm features one of the world’s fastest changing tides and is surrounded by beautiful Alaskan scenery. As visitors travel down this serene locale they can be privy to sights of moose beavers, dall sheep, bald eagles, beluga whales and sometimes, even a rare black bear.

As visitors take the turn away from Portage and towards Portage Glacier, they are able to gaze at the magnificence of both Explorer Glacier and Middle Glacier during the drive to Begich, Bogg’s Visitor Center. The center is situated beside Portage Lake which is home to Portage Glacier and offers visitors the chance to learn about the phenomenon of moving glaciers.

Forest Service interpreters are also on hand to answer questions and assist with trip planning.  Every hour the award winning film “Voices from the Ice” is shown and presents visitors to the center glimpses of the many glaciers and wildlife in the area.

Because of the movement of Portage Glacier, much of it is not visible from the center though guests can still see Burns Glacier. The best way to see Portage Glacier today is by traveling on a cruise boat on the lake.

Of the hotels in Anchorage, Alaska the Millennium Alaskan Hotel offers its guests a key location with its own floatplane dock allowing guests to visit certain locations that are only accessible from the air. In addition, being only 1 mile away from the airport and 10 minutes away from downtown, guests of the hotel wanting to visit many destinations in Alaska will have a convenient base from which to do so.