Things to do nearTurnagain Arm

Turnagain Arm takes its name from the repeated frustrations of Captain James Cook's 1778 expedition, when his crew was forced to turn again after finding no navigable passage to the Pacific. That history of exploration still feels present along the inlet's shores, where the landscape seems barely touched despite the highway running its length.

The bore tide is the arm's signature spectacle. Twice daily, an incoming wall of water surges up the narrow inlet, sometimes reaching several feet in height. Tidal swings here rank among the largest in the world, exposing vast stretches of silty mudflat before the water rushes back in. Roadside pullouts fill with visitors and locals alike on days when conditions promise a strong wave.

Wildlife is a constant presence. Beluga whales, Dall sheep on the cliffs above the highway, bald eagles, and Steller sea lions all frequent the area across different seasons. The Chugach State Park trails above the inlet offer hiking with panoramic views of the water below.

Turnagain Arm rewards those who slow down and pay attention to its rhythms, offering one of the most accessible yet genuinely wild natural experiences in Alaska.