Chugach National Forest
Defend America’s outdoor playground
The Chugach National Forest spans millions of acres of wild coastline, mountains, and rivers, from the snowy peaks of Prince William Sound to the salmon streams of the Kenai Peninsula. As the nation’s northernmost national forest and Anchorage’s backyard wilderness, it draws more than a million visitors each year. With only 90 miles of roads, the Chugach remains one of America’s most intact forests. Alaska Wilderness League works to defend its wild character so future generations can continue to experience and rely on this extraordinary landscape.
What's at stake
Wildlands and Waters
The Chugach is defined by pristine waters and unspoiled wilderness. Across 5.5 million acres, tidewater glaciers, the vast Copper River Delta, and thousands of miles of salmon streams fuel some of the most vibrant ecosystems on Earth.
People and the Chugach
More than a million people visit the Chugach each year, but it’s local Alaskans, especially those in and around Anchorage, who rely on it most. Often called the “backyard” for half the state’s residents, the Chugach is a place to hunt, fish, gather, and sustain a way of life rooted in tradition.
Wetlands
The Copper River Delta stretches across 700,000 acres, draining a watershed of 26,500 square miles — about the size of West Virginia — making it one of the most essential shorebird habitats in the world.
Abundant Wildlife
Coyotes, timber wolves, moose, caribou, marten, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, black bears, brown bears, and five species of Pacific salmon (king, red, silver, chum, and pink) are found here. The number of bald eagles in Prince William Sound equals the total number found in the lower-48.
KEEP FIGHTING
We fight for the Chugach to secure lasting protections for a landscape that anchors Alaska’s culture, climate resilience, and future.
News
Tongass and Chugach at Risk: Public Speaks Out Against Roadless Rule Repeal
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Trump Administration Moves to Roll Back Popular Roadless Rule, Threatening Alaska’s Tongass, Chugach, and National Forests Nationwide
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