Visit The Copper Valley in Alaska
Greater Copper Valley Chamber Of Commerce
Things To Do:
Alaska's Copper River Valley
Alaska's Copper River Valley
Fishing, Sightseeing... And Understanding Alaska
The Copper River Valley offers a view of real life Alaska. It is one of the few locations on the Alaska road system where Alaska Native villages still exist in a sizable number.
These villages are: Mentasta, Chistochina, Gakona, Gulkana, Tazlina, Kluti-Kaah or Copper Center, and Chitina.
The Copper Valley's incredible far-ranging mountain views, its position of being surrounded by high mountain glaciers, its lakes, rivers, wildlife, and fishing opportunities all combine to make this one of Alaskans' favorite places to go for recreational activities.
Alaskans enjoy visiting the Copper Valley because they see how different it is from the state's major cities.
Because many of the businesses in this part of the state are run by longtime, year-round residents, the Copper River Valley offers a uniquely authentic view of Alaskan life.
Go to the visitor center in Glennallen, and pick up the literature, see the displays by local businesses, and plan your various adventures. There are campgrounds to stay at, fish to catch, flightseeing, hiking possibilities, rafting, Native culture to learn about, and museums, old mines and parklands to visit.
A Look At Some Of The Things You Can Do In The Copper Valley
Two "Wild & Scenic" Rivers
The Bureau of Land Management manages two Wild & Scenic Rivers, the Delta River at Tangle Lakes on the Denali Highway, and the Gulkana Wild & Scenic River that starts at Paxson Lake.
Five Recreational Rivers
There are five major recreation rivers, all of which are accessible, on both ends, by vehicle. These rivers are the Gulkana, Klutina, Tazlina, Tonsina and Copper Rivers.
Major Lake Systems
On the Glenn Highway, Lake Louise and Tolsona Lake are easily accessible. There are lakes at Paxson and Tangle Lakes near the Denali Highway. There are also lakes near Nabesna.
Rafting: Always Plan Ahead
There are many levels of wilderness rafting. Be sure to check with local guides. Also, go to BLM or the National Park Service for complete details before heading out on any rafting trips.
Hiking Is Best In High Country
The Copper River Valley is full of dense trees. The region's black spruce tend to be small, but they're thickly packed. For the best hiking, try open country, such as Thompson Pass, north of Valdez; Kennicott; the Matanuska Glacier on the Glenn Highway, and the Denali Highway region.
Canoeing
A good place to canoe is the Delta Wild & Scenic River in the Alaska Range. Again, don't go canoeing without checking first with BLM in Glennallen.
Salmon Fishing
Both Copper River reds and Copper River kings are great salmon. The Klutina and Gulkana Rivers are the best places to fish. Both have fishing access where their bridges cross the Richardson Highway. The Klutina River is south of Glennallen, and the Gulkana is north of Glennallen.
Fly Fishing For Grayling
Grayling are a trout-like wilderness fish that are caught with small "black gnat" or "mosquito" type flies. The Gulkana River is a good grayling spot in late summer. Some small streams, like Tulsona Creek, or Moose Creek in Glennallen, or Mendeltna Creek, are good grayling spots.
Flightseeing In The Wrangell Mountains
The Wrangell Mountains are incredible mountains for those interested in flightseeing. Because the Chugach Range blocks a lot of the bad weather coming in from the sea, the Wrangells tend to be clear and sunny far more than Mt. McKinley (Denali) over to the west in the Alaska Range. You can go on flightseeing trips from McCarthy or Gulkana Airport, which is actually just a few miles north of Glennallen.
Learn About This Part Of Alaska's Incredible History
There are historic roadhouses in McCarthy and at Gakona. You can visit the Copper Center Museum, go to Kennicott and McCarthy and see entire towns, visit the ghost town of Chitina, or visit the Ahtna Native Heritage Center and the National Park Service information centers in Copper Center.
Take A Picture
It's pretty hard not to want to take photographs of the many mountains, glaciers, creeks, streams, and wildlife in this part of Alaska.
Visit America's Largest National Park
You can find out about the recreational opportunities at this wilderness park at the Park Visitor Center, which is not within the park boundaries, but is located at Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, in Copper Center. There are also park contact stations in Kennicott, Chitina, and Slana on the Nabesna Road.
The Bureau of Land Management manages two Wild & Scenic Rivers, the Delta River at Tangle Lakes on the Denali Highway, and the Gulkana Wild & Scenic River that starts at Paxson Lake.
Five Recreational Rivers
There are five major recreation rivers, all of which are accessible, on both ends, by vehicle. These rivers are the Gulkana, Klutina, Tazlina, Tonsina and Copper Rivers.
Major Lake Systems
On the Glenn Highway, Lake Louise and Tolsona Lake are easily accessible. There are lakes at Paxson and Tangle Lakes near the Denali Highway. There are also lakes near Nabesna.
Rafting: Always Plan Ahead
There are many levels of wilderness rafting. Be sure to check with local guides. Also, go to BLM or the National Park Service for complete details before heading out on any rafting trips.
Hiking Is Best In High Country
The Copper River Valley is full of dense trees. The region's black spruce tend to be small, but they're thickly packed. For the best hiking, try open country, such as Thompson Pass, north of Valdez; Kennicott; the Matanuska Glacier on the Glenn Highway, and the Denali Highway region.
Canoeing
A good place to canoe is the Delta Wild & Scenic River in the Alaska Range. Again, don't go canoeing without checking first with BLM in Glennallen.
Salmon Fishing
Both Copper River reds and Copper River kings are great salmon. The Klutina and Gulkana Rivers are the best places to fish. Both have fishing access where their bridges cross the Richardson Highway. The Klutina River is south of Glennallen, and the Gulkana is north of Glennallen.
Fly Fishing For Grayling
Grayling are a trout-like wilderness fish that are caught with small "black gnat" or "mosquito" type flies. The Gulkana River is a good grayling spot in late summer. Some small streams, like Tulsona Creek, or Moose Creek in Glennallen, or Mendeltna Creek, are good grayling spots.
Flightseeing In The Wrangell Mountains
The Wrangell Mountains are incredible mountains for those interested in flightseeing. Because the Chugach Range blocks a lot of the bad weather coming in from the sea, the Wrangells tend to be clear and sunny far more than Mt. McKinley (Denali) over to the west in the Alaska Range. You can go on flightseeing trips from McCarthy or Gulkana Airport, which is actually just a few miles north of Glennallen.
Learn About This Part Of Alaska's Incredible History
There are historic roadhouses in McCarthy and at Gakona. You can visit the Copper Center Museum, go to Kennicott and McCarthy and see entire towns, visit the ghost town of Chitina, or visit the Ahtna Native Heritage Center and the National Park Service information centers in Copper Center.
Take A Picture
It's pretty hard not to want to take photographs of the many mountains, glaciers, creeks, streams, and wildlife in this part of Alaska.
Visit America's Largest National Park
You can find out about the recreational opportunities at this wilderness park at the Park Visitor Center, which is not within the park boundaries, but is located at Mile 106.8 Richardson Highway, in Copper Center. There are also park contact stations in Kennicott, Chitina, and Slana on the Nabesna Road.
Learn About
The Copper Valley
The Copper Valley
Getting Around Alaska's
Copper River Valley
Copper River Valley
Glennallen alaska
The Chamber would like to thank the photographers, organizations and groups that have generously donated their pictures for use on this site about the Copper River Valley.
Special thanks to: Glennallen BLM office, National Park Service, Neil Hannan, Jeremy Matlock, Marnie Graham and Bearfoot Alaska Travel Magazines.
If you see one of your photos here that you donated to the Chamber, email us and we'll put in your name as credit. Thank you so much for everyone's help.
If you have photos you'd like to share with the traveling public, please contact the Chamber, using the email form below.
| Greater Copper Valley Chamber Sponsor Members | |
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Copper Sponsors ~ Ahtna Inc. • Hub of Alaska |
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~ Silver Sponsors ~ Copper Basin Sanitation • Copper Valley Telecom Copper River Native Association Wrangell-St. Elias National Park • Bearfoot Travel Guides • Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau |
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~ Bronze Sponsors ~ Crowley Petroleum Distribution • First National Bank Alaska • Fisher's Fuel Copper River Napa Auto Parts • Red Eagle Lodge • Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge Glennallen Chiropractic |
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Greater Copper Valley
Chamber Of Commerce
Box 469
Glennallen, Alaska 99588
907-822-5555
Fax 907-822-5558
Chamber Of Commerce
Box 469
Glennallen, Alaska 99588
907-822-5555
Fax 907-822-5558
The Greater Copper Valley Chamber © Copyright ©2021