Wasilla to Cooper Landing: Scenic Drive Guide

The drive from Wasilla, AK to Cooper Landing, AK follows the Glenn Highway (AK-1) south and then the Seward Highway (AK-1) along Turnagain Arm. It's a 110-mile route that typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours without stops, but the scenery begs for time. The road passes through the Chugach National Forest and skirts the Kenai Mountains, offering views of glaciers, rivers, and the famous Turnagain Arm bore tide.

Is it worth driving Wasilla, AK to Cooper Landing, AK? Absolutely, because the journey itself is the destination, with opportunities to see wildlife, hike, and photograph landscapes that define Alaskan beauty.

Road conditions vary with weather; the area receives heavy snowfall in winter, but summer is dry and mild. Check the Alaska Department of Transportation for road alerts. Wildlife, especially moose and bears, can appear on the highway, so drive defensively.

For families, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Girdwood is a top stop; it's an animal sanctuary with wheelchair-accessible paths. Other kid-friendly breaks include the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center at Portage Lake, which offers glacier views and interpretive exhibits.

Pets are welcome in many pullouts, but keep them leashed. The route has several designated rest areas, including the Turnagain Pass and Ingram Creek, ideal for stretching. To combat fatigue, plan to stop every 1-2 hours; there are plenty of scenic viewpoints.

Hidden off-route spots: Johnson Pass Trailhead just south of Turnagain Pass offers a short, forested walk to a glacier-fed stream. For a longer detour, take the gravel road to Hope, a historic gold-rush town, its café serves excellent pie.

The route is well-maintained asphalt, mostly two-lane highway. The only major town en route is Girdwood, about 40 miles from Wasilla, where you find fuel, food, and lodging. Beyond Girdwood, services are sparse until Cooper Landing.

Fuel stops are critical: the stretch from Girdwood to Cooper Landing is roughly 70 miles with no gas stations. Plan to fill up in Wasilla or Girdwood. Prices tend to be higher in remote areas; expect a premium of 10-20% over Anchorage rates.

Key Logistics Facts

• Highway numbers: Glenn Highway (AK-1) from Wasilla to just north of Girdwood, then Seward Highway (AK-1) south to Cooper Landing.
• Restrooms: Available at trailheads and pullouts; the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center has flush toilets.
• Cell signal: Spotty, especially through Turnagain Pass. Download offline maps.

The drive offers a cross-section of Alaskan ecosystems: from boreal forests near Wasilla to the rugged peaks of the Chugach and the glacially carved Turnagain Arm. The Arm is famous for its bore tide, a wave that can be surfed, and the Seward Highway is designated a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites do not directly lie on this route, but the nearby Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is part of a UNESCO site and is visible from the Glenn Highway on clear days.

Local commerce along the way centers on Girdwood, a ski-resort town with restaurants, breweries, and shops. In Cooper Landing, you'll find fishing lodges and cafes. For locally made crafts and gifts, stop at the small shops in Girdwood or the Cooper Landing Visitor Center.

For more tips on discovering such stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.