Potter Creek Interpretive Trail

The feel

This is an easy paved and gravel path with interpretive panels on railroad history and birds, and views of Turnagain Arm. It sits beside the Potter Section House, a restored house and outbuildings that were once part of a railroad section camp maintaining 10 miles of track.

The house served as a residence for railroad foremen and crews from 1929 into the 1970s and is the only remaining one of its type. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and today Chugach State Park Headquarters is inside it.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 0.9 mile total, with about 206 ft of gain on a paved and gravel path.

Time

About 0.5 hour.

Parking

Turn off at the second entrance southbound for Chugach State Park Headquarters parking. The Potter Creek Viewpoint and Trail is at milepost 115.1 of the Seward Highway.

Fees and passes

$5 day use.

Kids

Rated easy.

Hazards

Turnagain Arm mudflats can suddenly become like quicksand, trapping people and animals in the rapidly rising tide. Make noise when rounding corners so you do not surprise wildlife.

Season and access

The site is at 115 Seward Highway, just past Potters Marsh when driving south.

Mingo says

Stop by headquarters on a weekday for park passes, maps and information. The Turnagain Arm Trail starts here and is one of the first snow-free trails in spring.

Before you go

• Pay the $5 day-use fee, and note that headquarters hands out passes and maps weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Call Chugach State Park Headquarters at (907) 345-5014 with questions.
• Stay off the Turnagain Arm mudflats.
• Make noise around corners to avoid surprising wildlife.

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