Eagle River Trail Hike: Boreal Forest & Falls

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration5h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Eagle River trail walk with guide highlighting local flora and fauna in a glaciated valley

A guided hike through the Eagle River trail system in Chugach State Park covers 6 miles of boreal forest, salmon spawning streams and the historic Crow Pass, ending at Barbara Falls where you can walk to the base. A naturalist guide leads the day in English, pointing out the forest ecology, wildlife and seasonal berries and fungi; the tour includes a prepacked snack, day packs and trekking poles on request, and runs about 5 hours with transportation included. Children from age 8 are welcome, and the terrain is non-strenuous grade, though some sections are steep and hilly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike Eagle River trail and Barbara Falls

Travel to Eagle River trail system
Learn about boreal forests and ecology
Hike approximately 6 miles on easy trail
Observe wildlife and edible berries
Visit Barbara Falls and hike to base
Return from trail to starting point

The Experience

What makes this hike different from a walk in the park is the guide—a naturalist who knows what you're looking at in the boreal forest. The Eagle River trail system sits in a glaciated valley in Chugach State Park, and the trees here are a mix of photogenic birch and aspen with giant spruces, plus smaller willows, alders and devil's club. If berries and fungi are in season, the guide will point them out and you can try a few. The 6-mile route is non-strenuous grade, which means most people feel comfortable on it, though some sections are steep and hilly—the kind of walking that uses different muscles than flat pavement.

The day includes about 4 hours of hiking plus 1 hour of transportation, and wildlife sightings are possible: moose, Dall sheep, bears at a distance, plus smaller mammals and birds. The Eagle River also hosts salmon spawning streams, so depending on the season you may see them. After the main trail, you meander over to Barbara Falls and hike right up to the base of the falls. A prepacked snack—granola bar, apple and cheese stick—is included; day packs and trekking poles are available if you need them. You meet at a designated trailhead location and provide your own transportation there, or arrange it separately.

What’s included

A naturalist guide in English.
prepacked snack of granola bar, apple and cheese stick.
day packs and trekking poles available on request.
transportation to and from the trailhead included in the 5-hour tour time.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Go Hike Alaska

Is this one for you?The hike asks for about 4 hours of walking over 6 miles of uneven terrain with some steep sections, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable on rolling ground and can handle hills—not a flat stroll, but a pace most people manage without scrambling.