McHugh Falls, Alaska

Quick Facts

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Accessibility: 10/10 (Easy)
Height: 20′ / 6 m
Length of Hike: Roadside

The Record

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The first time I visited McHugh Falls, I didn’t find the falls to have a huge amount of appeal. It’s a rather small waterfall, and I couldn’t determine a way to get very close to the falls. With smaller waterfalls, they’re sometimes best enjoyed close-up. On my return visit 10 years later with family, I enjoyed the falls more.

The reason I stopped a second time is that McHugh Falls is very easy to visit. This is an Alaska waterfall that is generally accessible.  As you’re driving south along the Seward Highway from Anchorage, you’ll enter Chugach State Park (which is very large) and pass the parking area for McHugh Falls. There is a daily fee to enter the park, which is worth it. The visible portion of the falls (at the parking area) is around 20 feet tall. A trail follows the creek, and after hiking that for a bit, I realized that the falls are likely much taller, though not always visible (similar to Falls Creek Falls).

Directions

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1. Head south on the Seward Highway from Anchorage.
2. You’ll enter Chugach State Park, and after a while, you’ll find the entrance/parking area for the falls on your left. It may be easy to miss, so pay attention. It’s about 7 miles from the “edge” of Anchorage.

Where in the World is McHugh Falls?

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