Getting There

By Car -- Driving gives you the most freedom. The Copper River Highway is gravel, but it's wide and level. If you've brought a rental car and your contract does not allow driving on gravel, I recommend parking in Cordova and renting a car there for the drive on the Copper River Highway. The Northern Nights Inn offers rentals. Beyond the Million Dollar Bridge, the road becomes a rough four-wheel-drive track, and if you get stuck, you'll be there for a long time. Check at the Forest Service Cordova Ranger Station for the latest news about the road and pick up their road guide.

By Bike -- Mountain-biking the highway is the adventurous way to travel, camping or staying in a Forest Service cabin on the way. The drawbacks are the distances, the delta's strong winds, and a lot of road dust. Of course, you don't have to ride all the way to see lots of birds and wildlife, and there are good mountain-biking routes on the delta away from the road. The 3-mile Saddlebag Glacier Trail, at mile 25 of the Copper River Highway, leads to a vista of a glacial lake surrounded by rocky peaks. Bikes are for rent from Cordova Coastal Outfitters for $18 a day.

Keep Exploring