Gull Rock Trail

The feel

The trail runs along the south shore of Turnagain Arm to a rocky peninsula. It moves through spruce and birch forest with gradual ups and downs, and numerous openings overlook the Arm and the mountains beyond.

Much of the ground is flat and forested with plenty of boardwalks, and berries grow along it through the summer, blueberries and raspberries among them. The last miles bring short steep sections, narrower tread and a couple of small alpine slopes.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 10 miles total, from 160 ft at the trailhead to 2610 ft at the top. Gradual ups and downs through forest, boardwalks, then short steep sections near the end.

Time

About 5.5 hours.

Crowds and best time

Public use is heavy.

Parking

Turn west onto the Hope Highway at mile 56.5 of the Seward Highway and drive 17.8 miles. Turn left 500 feet before Porcupine Campground and drive 1/4 mile to the trailhead at the far northwest end of the campground.

Kids

Rated easy to moderate.

Hazards

Stay off the tidal flats. The glacial mud is like quicksand and can trap a hiker while high tides move in.

Bathrooms and water

Porcupine Campground has an accessible vault toilet and drinking water from a hand well.

Season and access

Recommended May to October; usually snow free by early May. Closed to motorized vehicles May 1 to November 30.

Mingo says

Go from May through October, once the snow is gone. Summer also brings blueberries and raspberries along the trail.

Before you go

• Backcountry campsites sit at the trail's end if you want to stay overnight.
• Fill your bottles at Porcupine Campground, which has drinking water from a hand well.
• The Hope Point Trail is reached from this trail and offers 2,338 ft of elevation gain for a bigger climb.
• Stay off the tidal flats, where glacial mud can trap a hiker while high tides move in.

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