Chugach State Park

The Chugach State Park is a wonderful wilderness in Anchorage, Alaska where you can go exploring with your best fur buddy. There are almost five hundred thousand acres of forests, lakes and ocean shorelines with multiple RV campsites or backcountry spots for pitching a tent if you want to have a more get back to nature experience. 

Where you decide to camp depends on which outdoor activity you prefer on your stay-cation. This state park, which is the fourth largest in the US, has preferred spots for fishing, hiking or spotting wildlife. For the adrenaline thrill seeker, there's white water rafting and ATV trails. For anyone in search of tranquility, there are some great spots to set up camp and watch the sunset. 

Three of the Chugach State Park campsites are hosted, and there is a $20 or $15 fee for each night spent there. They are the Eagle River Compound, Eklutna Lake Campground, and the Bird Creek Campground. Stays are limited to seven consecutive nights. The other multiple sites within the boundaries of the state park are free, and places are allocated to whoever gets there first.  

Pet owners are welcome to take their pups with them when camping out, but they must be leashed when on the campsites, parking areas, trailheads and picnic spots. Dogs are permitted to be off-leash when out in the back of beyond so long as their handler has them under complete voice control. Pet owners taking their pups out into the wilds of this state park in Anchorage should be aware of the dangers to their pups which exist and might arise while there. 

Trapping is permitted during trapping season and owners should keep an eye out for the advisory signs on the trails. There are also bears and moose on the loose in the park both of which can be aggressive toward domesticated animals. If you and pup go panning for gold, don't drink the water unless it's been boiled as it may be infected with giardia.