Alaska’s Chugach State Park is a vast swath of wilderness located at the eastern doorstep of Anchorage. It’s a place that’s gorgeous in any season; and in the winter, it’s hauntingly beautiful when its waterfalls freeze into dramatic ice sculptures. Interested in seeing this magic? Here’s what we think you need to know about the frozen waterfalls in Alaska during winter at Chugach State Park!

On the western edge of the park, there’s a waterfall that few people visit – Barbara Falls.
Tripadvisor / Colleen C.
It’s only about 20 minutes from Anchorage and is located near a suburban neighborhood. The waterfall's access trails are part of the Eagle River Greenbelt system.
The waterfall plunges 25 feet down a small gorge and in warmer months, you’ll hear the roar of the falls as you approach.
Tripadvisor / Management
But in the winter months in Alaska, things will be quiet and serene.
While the waterfall is close to the city, it’s a wild place.
Tripadvisor / Management
In warmer months, bears fishing for salmon are frequently spotted, but in the winter you may have this beautiful Alaska waterfall all to yourself.

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Head into the park to see another amazing frozen waterfall.
Alltrails / Christine McPhee
Thunderbird Falls is one of the most-visited falls in Alaska.
When you arrive at the falls, you’ll see why.
Alltrails / Rut Monthathong
The waterfall plunges an incredible 200 feet through a gap in the Chugach State Park foothills.
Tripadvisor / Demarie S
The trail to the falls is only about a mile in length so it’s relatively easy to navigate and it’s a good spot to visit with kids.

You’ll want to dress warmly when you visit these frozen waterfalls in Alaska so you’re able to comfortably linger and admire the winter beauty. Ice cleats are a good idea too, especially at Barbara Falls. It really is one of the most fun ways to spend the winter in Alaska.

If you love discovering wild waterfalls, Alaska has options that are nearly endless. Here are 8 waterfalls that are incredibly easy to reach. And we’d love to know if you are aware of any other waterfalls in Alaska that we should highlight! Let us know in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore winter hikes in and around the area, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Alaska adventures, take a look at this video:

 

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More to Explore

More Alaska Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | December 06, 2023

Where can we find small towns in Alaska?

  • Chickaloon is where people go for ice climbing, glacier hiking, and white water rafting.
  • Seward is an oceanside spot that draws folks to live and play at the Kenai Fjords National Park.
  • Girdwood is a tiny mountain town that offers some of the best skiing in the state.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other charming small towns in Alaska.

What are some road trip ideas in Alaska?

  • The Denali Park Road, going from McKinley to Kantishna, travels through the heart of Denali National Park and is a once in a lifetime experience.
  • Hatcher’s Pass Scenic Drive between the towns of Willow and Palmer features a wealth of hiking and skiing opportunities depending on the time of year.
  • Old Glenn Highway Scenic Drive connects Anchorage and Palmer and spans 19-miles through the stunning Alaska farmland.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other captivating road trip ideas in Alaska.

Where can we go ice fishing in Alaska?

  • In the Glennallen & Copper Valley Area head on out to Tonsina, Silver, Strelna, Van, Long, or Copper Lakes to pluck some fish from the frozen water.
  • In Anchorage some of the best places for ice fishing include Beach, Jewel, Mirror, DeLong, or Clunie Lakes.
  • In the Kenai Peninsula some of the most popular ice fishing lakes are Summit, Hidden, Trail, Kenai, and the Canoe System Lakes,

Read on to learn more about some of the many other great spots to go ice fishing in Alaska.

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Chugach State Park, 18620 Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA