So you’ve planned your trip to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and are pumped to see the bears, wolves, foxes, and everything in between! But what should you bring with you during your visit? Good question—this list will help you prepare so you can focus on enjoying your time at AWCC.
What to Bring
1. Jacket
No matter the time of year, it is always a good idea to bring a jacket to Portage, Alaska. AWCC is located on the edge of a rainforest—so yes, it rains (and snows) a lot!
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Summer: A rain jacket is highly recommended
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Winter: Bring a heavier jacket suitable for cold and snowy conditions
Be sure to check the weather forecast before your visit, but here’s a pro tip: even if the forecast shows a perfect bluebird day, bring a jacket anyway!
2. Camera or Phone
Whether you’re a professional photographer or just snapping memories on your phone, you’ll want a way to take photos. Between the animals and the stunning mountain scenery surrounding AWCC, there’s something photo-worthy everywhere you look.
3. Bug Spray & Sunscreen
This is especially important during the summer months. Because AWCC tends to be wet, mosquitoes can be plentiful in July and August, so bug spray is a must. Sunscreen is also a great idea—during peak summer, we can experience up to 19 hours of daylight!
Forgot your bug spray? No worries—we have some available for purchase in the Be Wild Gift Shop.
4. Comfortable Walking Shoes
AWCC features a 1.5-mile loop spread across more than 200 acres of land. While the terrain is flat and very walkable, much of the loop is currently gravel, with only the parking lots, entrance, and exit roads paved.
Guests are welcome to drive the loop and park along the way if they’d like to get closer views of certain animals.
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Winter visits: The loop may be snowy or icy depending on conditions, so traction cleats can be helpful for stability.
What Not to Bring
1. Pets
Pets are welcome to remain inside your vehicle, but they are not permitted outside anywhere on the property. This policy helps ensure the safety of our animals, staff, and visitors.
2. Drones
Drones can be very disruptive and stressful for our animals, so they are not allowed on AWCC property.
3. Outside Animal Food
Guests may not bring food to feed the animals. Our animal care team carefully tracks what and how much each animal eats to ensure they stay healthy and happy, so please do not feed them.