Discover Anchorage
67 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Seven Glaciers Restaurant Viewpoint
The renowned mountaintop restaurant’s deck offers a bird’s-eye view of seven hanging glaciers and the Chugach Mountains. The scene is ideal for landscape, aerial, and fine art mountain photography, especially during dawn and dusk when alpenglow sets the peaks ablaze with color.
Alyeska Resort Tram (Aerial Tramway)
Climb to the top of Mount Alyeska for 360° panoramic views of surrounding valleys, glaciers, and distant peaks. The tram ride itself is photogenic, and the mountaintop boardwalks offer elevation for dramatic landscape and aerial compositions. Popular year-round for weddings, engagements, and adventure tourism photography.
Flattop Mountain
Flattop Mountain offers panoramic views of Anchorage and the Chugach Mountains. Visitors can capture stunning vistas of wild flora and fauna without needing to summit the mountain.
Portage Glacier
A glacier visible from the road, offering stunning views of ice and mountains. Ideal for capturing glaciers and natural landscapes.
North Face of Mt. Alyeska
The dramatic northern slopes of Mt. Alyeska, accessible by tram and hiking trails, feature steep alpine terrain, glacial cirques, and panoramic views. This spot is perfect for adventure, mountain landscape, and (in winter) extreme sports photography.
Virgin Creek Falls
A stunning natural waterfall nestled in a lush forest, offering shaded greenery in summer and dramatic icicles in winter. The falls are easily accessible via a short walk from the road, making it a popular spot for engagement and elopement photography throughout the year. The surrounding area is rich in moss and ferns, creating a magical, intimate setting for portraits.
Glacier Valley
A dramatic glacial valley accessible from the Crow Pass Trail, featuring towering peaks, hanging glaciers, and vibrant alpine plants. Remote and rugged, this spot is best for those seeking natural, untouched Alaska backdrops for landscape, wildlife, and adventure photography.
Seward Highway Viewpoints (near Anchorage)
Multiple pullouts along the Seward Highway offer classic views of Turnagain Arm, dramatic tidal bores, and the Kenai Mountains. These spots are iconic for landscape, wildlife, and coastal photography, especially at sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and colorful.
Max’s Mountain Outpost View
A lesser-known viewpoint on Mt. Alyeska, offering a broader panorama than the tram deck, with fewer crowds. The area is especially striking in autumn when the alpine tundra turns golden, and in winter for crisp, clear mountain shots.
Crow Creek Mine
A historic gold mining site featuring restored cabins, antique mining equipment, and scenic valley backdrops. The juxtaposition of rusting relics, wildflowers, and sweeping mountain views is unique for both architectural and landscape photography. The site is open seasonally and offers rare historical context amid natural beauty.
Chugach Mountains
A mountain range offering numerous hiking trails and scenic views, ideal for landscape and wilderness photography.
Portage Pass Trail
A moderate hike offering panoramic views of Portage Glacier, Portage Lake, and the surrounding mountains. The trail is renowned for landscape and adventure photography, especially in late spring when wildflowers bloom.
Crow Pass Trail
Crow Pass Trail offers incredible mountain views and access to glaciers, making it a great spot for landscape and nature photography. It requires a moderate to challenging hike.
Portage Pass and Lake
Featuring a scenic lake and mountain views, Portage Pass is ideal for landscape photography. It offers contrasting scenes of glaciers and water.
Turnagain Arm Boardwalk
A scenic boardwalk along Cook Inlet’s mudflats, offering expansive views of tidal bore, mountain silhouettes, and striking sunsets. The flat, reflective surfaces create surreal compositions, and the occasional wildlife (moose, eagles) provides added photographic interest. The light changes minute-by-minute, making it a dynamic location for golden hour shoots.
Byron Glacier Trailhead
A short, accessible trail leading to Byron Glacier’s snout, where you can photograph blue ice, glacial streams, and dramatic moraines. The trail is especially popular for adventure and environmental portrait photography against a rugged, icy backdrop.
Girdwood Beach (Bird Point)
A pebble-and-driftwood beach along the Turnagain Arm, offering sweeping views of Cook Inlet, mountain silhouettes, and dramatic clouds. The intertidal zone creates unique patterns and reflections, and there’s frequent wildlife spotting (eagles, shorebirds). Excellent for moody seascapes and couple photography.
Winner Creek Trailhead
A popular hiking trail that winds through dense forest and crosses crystal-clear streams via a hand tram. The trail offers varied environments—thick canopies, streamside reflections, and lush greenery—perfect for nature and adventure portraiture. The suspension bridge and hand tram provide unique storytelling elements and creative compositions.
Potter Marsh
A prime spot for wildlife photography, Potter Marsh is home to over 100 species of birds and offers a picturesque boardwalk for capturing Alaskan wilderness.
Glen Alps Trailhead / Flattop Trail
Located near Flattop Mountain, this trailhead offers access to several hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and wildflowers.
Bird Ridge Trail
Bird Ridge Trail is a scenic hiking trail with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It's ideal for landscape photography, especially during clear weather.
Crow Pass
A challenging hiking trail offering panoramic views of surrounding mountains and valleys. Ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Byron Glacier
A short hike leads to an accessible glacier with beautiful views of surrounding mountains. Perfect for nature and landscape photography.
Glacier Creek Road Lookout
A scenic pullout along Glacier Creek Road, this spot offers a classic view of the valley framed by the glaciers above. It’s especially beautiful during golden hour when the light spills into the valley, or in winter for stark, monochrome landscapes.
Alyeska Hotel & Day Lodge
A quintessential Alaskan lodge with rustic wood architecture, cozy interiors, and mountain views. The lodge’s iconic design, fireplaces, and scenic decks are ideal for architectural detail shots and lifestyle portraiture. The exterior blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering unique juxtapositions for photographers.
Girdwood Powerline Trail
A trail that follows a utility right-of-way, offering open views of Turnagain Arm, valley meadows, and mountains. The trail is especially photogenic in summer for wildflowers, in autumn for golden birch, and in winter for snowy landscapes.
Chugach National Forest
This vast forest offers a variety of landscapes, from mountains to rivers, making it ideal for nature and wildlife photography.
Lost Lake Trail
Lost Lake Trail is a scenic hiking route with picturesque views of mountains and valleys. It's ideal for landscape and nature photography, especially during clear skies.
Point Woronzof Park
Point Woronzof Park offers scenic views of the Cook Inlet and surrounding mountains, making it ideal for landscape and wildlife photography.
Moose Meadows Park
A tranquil forest clearing along a gentle stream, popular for intimate portraits and casual wedding sessions. The dappled sunlight through birch and spruce, wildflowers, and creek reflections create a peaceful, romantic atmosphere. Easy access and a diversity of micro-scenes within a small area make it highly versatile.
Whittier Mountains
The mountains surrounding Whittier provide a dramatic backdrop for photography, with opportunities to capture landscapes, mountain vistas, and potentially wildlife.
Kincaid Park
Kincaid Park is ideal for capturing wildlife and scenic views. It offers a chance to photograph Denali on a clear day and the iconic Sleeping Lady formation.
Glen Alps Trailhead
Glen Alps Trailhead is a gateway to Flattop Mountain, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It's ideal for LANDSCAPE and NATURE photography with opportunities to capture wildlife and scenic vistas.
South Fork Eagle River & Eagle and Symphony Lakes
A scenic area with lakes and hiking trails, offering peaceful natural vistas. Ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Girdwood Town Square
The central gathering place in Girdwood, featuring local shops, colorful murals, and mountain views. The small-town charm, seasonal farmer’s markets, and community events provide opportunities for street, documentary, and urban scene photography.
Trail of Blue Ice
A scenic trail in Chugach National Forest, offering views of glaciers and surrounding mountains. It's ideal for capturing morning mist and evening light.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail – Point Woronzof
A specific section of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail offering stunning views of Cook Inlet and the surrounding landscape. Ideal for landscape and wildlife photography.
Eagle River Nature Center
Located in Chugach State Park, this area offers stunning views and trails, making it ideal for capturing both natural landscapes and wildlife. The short hike to the viewing deck provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Eagle and Polar Bear peaks. It's also a great spot for observing wildlife like bald eagles.
Cook Inlet
A vast body of water bordering Anchorage, offering sunset views and opportunities for wildlife photography.
Point Woronzof
A scenic viewpoint along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, offering panoramic views of Cook Inlet and surrounding mountains.
Portage Lake and Pass
This location offers a blend of natural beauty with mountains framing Portage Lake. The pass provides panoramic views, especially great during morning and evening light. The lake itself is a serene spot for photography, especially when fireweed blooms in late summer.
Girdwood
A charming ski town with beautiful mossy forests and access to Alyeska Resort. It's ideal for landscape and nature photography.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
A scenic coastal trail offering views of Cook Inlet and surrounding mountains. Ideal for capturing landscapes and urban life.
Eagle and Symphony Lakes
A serene location with lakes surrounded by mountains, ideal for capturing reflections and alpine scenery.
Eagle River Flats
Eagle River Flats offers a unique blend of scenic views and wildlife viewing opportunities. It's ideal for nature photography, especially WILDLIFE, with frequent sightings of eagles and other birds.
Glen Alps/Flattop Trailhead
This trailhead offers access to Flattop Mountain but also serves as a scenic starting point. It features mountain vistas and wildflowers, making it ideal for nature photography.
Eagle River Valley
Offers panoramic mountain views, especially during sunset when the alpenglow illuminates Eagle and Polar Bear peaks.
Anchorage Museum
The Anchorage Museum offers a variety of photography opportunities, from architectural details to scenic views. It's a great spot for capturing dynamic lighting and unique backdrops.
Winner Creek Gorge
Located in Girdwood, this gorge offers a unique blend of forest and glacier-fed streams. It's perfect for capturing moss-covered canyon walls and blue glacier water.
Earthquake Park
Earthquake Park commemorates the 1964 earthquake and offers a serene setting with views of the surrounding wetlands and mountains.
Moose Flats Day Use Area
A scenic area with shallow ponds that produce steam in the morning, creating a unique photography opportunity.
North Fork of Eagle River
A scenic river offering opportunities to capture wildlife and natural beauty, especially during early morning or late evening.
Bird Ridge
A scenic hiking trail with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, ideal for landscape and nature photography. It offers a mix of alpine and subalpine environments.
Resolution Park
A unique park featuring a statue of Captain James Cook and offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains and Cook Inlet. Ideal for landscape and cityscape photography.
Kincaid Sand Dunes Park
Unique sand dunes offer a contrasting landscape to the typical Alaskan scenery. Ideal for capturing unique textures and patterns.
Rendezvous Ridge
A lesser-known spot for photography, offering alpine views and opportunities to capture wildlife without the crowds. It's part of the South Fork Eagle River trail system.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
A unique location with diverse landscapes and military activities, offering a mix of architecture, wildlife, and scenic views. Photographing military aircraft, vehicles, or buildings requires permission.
Downtown Anchorage
The city's central business district with a mix of modern and historic buildings. Ideal for urban and street photography.
Polar Bear Peak
A mountain peak offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Dimond Center
The Dimond Center is a large shopping mall with a unique urban setting, offering opportunities for street photography and architectural shots.
Ship Creek
A popular spot for wildlife and scenic photography, offering views of the creek and surrounding industrial areas.
Anchorage Street Art
Various locations throughout Anchorage featuring vibrant street art murals, offering opportunities for street and urban photography.
Crow Creek Mine Road
A scenic road offering views of the surrounding mountains and forests, ideal for capturing candid moments of nature and perhaps wildlife.
Let's Adventure!
This isn't a specific location but rather a flexible concept for photography around Anchorage. It could include hidden gems like lesser-known hiking trails or scenic viewpoints.
Gwennies Alaskan Restaurant
While not primarily a photography location, this restaurant offers a unique setting for capturing candid moments and local culture, especially during breakfast hours.
Abbott Loop Community Park
A community park with green spaces and walking trails, offering a serene backdrop for portraits or casual street photography.
Rabbit Creek
A scenic creek with surrounding landscapes, offering opportunities for nature photography.