Horsetail Falls Trail

The feel

Horsetail Falls Trail starts on an old gravel roadbed near Whittier past a small gate at the end of an uneven gravel pullout. Boardwalks and switchbacks climb through spruce forest that turns to alders and then meadow, with salmonberries and high-bush blueberries crowding the edges. The out-and-back route is 2 miles round trip, rated moderate, with 521 to 700 ft of gain.

About 0.7 mile in, one way, the boardwalks narrow and meadow views open up, and the trail ends at a platform above Whittier and Passage Canal. The platform looks through trees, so the falls sit at a distance and you never get close to them. The falls come off Blackstone Ridge, and the climb tops out at 870 ft from a trailhead at 170 ft. Dogs are allowed, so it works for a moderate outing with a dog.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 2 miles round trip, rated moderate, with boardwalks and switchbacks through spruce, then alders and meadow. Gain runs 521 to 700 ft, and the trail ends at a platform above Whittier and Passage Canal.

Time

1 to 1.5 hours round trip. The drive from Anchorage to Whittier is about 1.4 hours.

Crowds and best time

The best months are June through August. The falls are at their fullest in spring snowmelt or after rain.

Parking

A small, free lot at the end of an uneven gravel pullout, with a small gate where the trail starts.

Fees and passes

No parking fee. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel toll is $13 for passenger vehicles going in, free coming out.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed.

Hazards

Bear encounters are common, especially in fall. Expect muddy and overgrown sections, with salmonberries and high-bush blueberries along the way.

Cell signal

No reliable cell service on the Portage side.

Season and access

Typical season May to September. The tunnel to Whittier runs one way at a time, alternating every half hour.

Mingo says

Go after a good rain or during spring snowmelt, when the falls run at their fullest. Trees screen the falls from the platform, so linger in the open meadows for the clearest view of the water.

Before you go

• Check the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel schedule, since it alternates one way every half hour, and carry $13 for the toll going in.
• Carry bear spray, above all in fall berry season.
• Park in the small free lot at the uneven gravel pullout, then walk in past the small gate onto the old gravel roadbed.
• Expect no reliable cell service on the Portage side, so save your directions before you go.

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