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WHISTLE STOP AT SPENCER GLACIER

AN UNHANDLED ERROR HAS OCCURED> PLEASE NOTIFY HELPDESK

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Spencer Whistle Stop Hiking
The new Whistle Stop at Spencer Glacier is a fantastic day trip with several options.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you take the train up to this natural area and then step off into rugged, beautiful Alaska.

The Alaska Railroad has teamed up with the U.S. Forest Service to create a wonderful trail and campground.

View Hiking Booking Tutorial (PDF)

Choose your starting point:

Learn More About the Whistle Stop Project>>


Click thumbnail for larger map of Spencer Area

Campground Rentals
Beginning June 16, 2008, Spencer Lake Group Campsites will be open to rent for overnight camping.

Reservation Prices: $100, $65, or $35, depending on option chosen.

Capacity: 25 people (15 people in Node A; 10 people in Node B)

On-site Facilities:

• Level, compacted gravel sleeping areas
• Restroom facilities
• Bear-proof food storage containers
• Accessible picnic tables
• Fire ring

1. Site reserved by one group. Any one group up to 25 people reserves the entire site, enabling exclusive use. Cost: $100. Reserving the entire site allows sole use of the camping nodes bear-proof food canisters, and entire general group use area, including accessible picnic tables and fire ring.
2. Campsite Node A reserved by one group. Node A has a capacity of 15 people and a group of people up to 15 reserves the sleeping space at this node, plus reserves the use of one bear-proof food canister. Cost: $65. All other facilities at the campsite, including the general group use area, accessible picnic tables and fire ring are shared with those who reserve Node B.
3. Campsite Node B reserved by one group. Node B has a capacity of 10 people and a group of people up to 10 reserves the sleeping space at this node, plus reserves the use of one bear-proof food canister. Cost: $35. All other facilities at the campsite, including the general group use area, accessible picnic tables and fire ring are shared with those who reserve Node A.

Book Rail-Camping Packages


View Camping Booking Tutorial (PDF)

Roundtrip Rail from Anchorage or Girdwood and Spencer Camping

Know Before You Go

IMPORTANT! DO NOT MISS THE TRAIN AT 4:30 PM!

The Glacier Discovery Train is on a strict schedule and cannot wait for overdue passengers. We cannot emphasize enough to please be aware of the time and ensure that you are back at the Whistle Stop depot in advance of the scheduled 4:30pm departure from Spencer. Plan accordingly and conservatively estimate the time that it will take you to get back to the Spencer station. The Glacier Discovery Train will not be back to Spencer until the following afternoon.

• Passengers who opt for a ticket to the Spencer Whistle Stop, will step off the train with a U.S. Forest Service ranger. The ranger will lead a narrated walk to a viewing platform, about 1.5 miles from the whistle-stop. Unguided and overnight camping is also permitted. Please review the Alaska Railroad Baggage policy prior to travel. See below.
• The Chugach National Forest is brown bear country. We recommend traveling in groups and making noise, especially when traveling near rivers and in heavily vegetated terrain. Additionally, moose are prevalent in the area - be aware of your surroundings and be respectful and cautious around all wildlife.
• During your visit to the Chugach National Forest, please practice the seven "Leave No Trace" principles, www.lnt.org.
• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
• For more information on the recreation opportunities at the Spencer Whistle Stop and the Chugach National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach.
• Bear Safety
• Firewood

Recommended Gear List for All Visitors

• Hiking boots
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Polypropylene, nylon or wool clothing (avoid cotton)
• Emergency gear such as:
  • a first aid kit
  • knife
  • signaling device such as a whistle
• Map of the Spencer Glacier area
• Insect repellent and/or head net

Alaska Railroad Baggage Policy for Spencer Glacier

The Alaska Railroad offers checked baggage service on the Spencer Whistle Stop Train. For your safety and the safety of others, only one carry-on is allowed per person. Carry-on bags may not exceed 15" x 14" x 6". Please remember to carry on medications, cameras or other items that you will need during you train ride.

Each ticketed passenger may check two (2) pieces of luggage. Checked luggage weight is limited to 50 pounds. The special handling fee for bikes, excess, oversized, and overweight bags is $20.00 for the Spencer Whistle Stop train.

All animals must be in kennels and/or muzzled; animals will be transported in the baggage car. Please provide your own kennels and/or muzzles. There is a $20.00 fee for transporting kennels. Only Seeing Eye dogs will be permitted in the passenger cars.

Firearms, to include rifles or revolvers, are not allowed inside the passenger coaches or depots. Firearms may be transported via baggage car if they are unloaded, stored in a hard sided case, and bolt action is removed, or has a trigger locking guard applied. Concealed weapons are not allowed onboard any train.

During hunting season, game must be cleaned and packed in game bags or coolers before placement in the bag car.

Inflatable kayaks, canoes and rafts must be deflated and packed in a backpack or duffle bag. (Due to space constraints full size non-inflatable kayaks and canoes are not permitted.)

Federal Railroad Administration regulation prohibits the transport of all types of camping stove fuels and/or motor fuels on passenger trains.