Snow River

The feel

Between Mile 17 and 19 of the Seward Highway, the road threads a wide braided glacial river valley. The highway parallels and crosses the braided channels, and there are gravel bars and views of the Chugach Mountains.

The Snow River is a little visited drainage with migrating salmon and lots of bird life. The Iditarod National Historic Trail, built by the Alaska Road Commission in 1910-11, ran up the Snow Valley and along the shore of Kenai Lake.

What to expect

What it is

A braided glacial river valley along the Seward Highway at Mile 17 to 19, near Moose Pass.

Crowds and best time

A little visited drainage.

Hazards

Snow Glacier forms an ice dam high in the drainage that holds a lake for several years. When it releases, the flood typically covers the Primrose Campground road and trailhead parking for several days.

Season and access

Reach it from the highway at Mile 17 to 19. The Bear Lake Trail is moderate, with many steep ups and downs, and is best from June to October. With good snow, snowmachiners reach Snow River at mile 11.4 by crossing Bear Lake in winter.

Mingo says

Bring binoculars or a spotting scope to pick out the goats and black bears on the slopes. Dress for wind, since the valley can act as a wind tunnel between the Gulf of Alaska and Cook Inlet.

Before you go

• Call the Seward Ranger District at (907) 288-3178; it is at 33599 Ranger Station Spur, mile post 23.5, Seward.
• Reach the Moose Pass Trail from the Victor Creek Trailhead at MP20 of the Seward Highway; it is open from Snow River to Grant Creek.
• Find the Bear Lake Trail's north access at mile 12 of the Seward Highway, on the east side just north of the railroad overpass.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.