Skip to main content
LakeQuality

Updated July 2026

Thunderbird Falls

Anchorage Municipality County, Alaska — about 100 ft, taller than most.

Thunderbird Falls is an approximately 100-foot cascade on Thunderbird Creek in Chugach State Park near Eklutna, north of Anchorage. A short, family-friendly forest trail (about 1.8 miles round trip) climbs along the Eklutna River canyon to a viewing deck; in winter the falls freeze into climbable blue ice columns.

Height
100 ft
Type
Cascade
Access
Short Hike
Trail
1.8 mi out-and-back
Elevation gain
100 ft
Best season
Late spring through fall; freezes into blue ice columns in winter
Land manager
Alaska State Parks (Chugach State Park)
Watercourse
Thunderbird Creek

Before you go

Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Alaska State Parks (Chugach State Park) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.

Where to stay near Thunderbird Falls, Alaska

Top-rated places to stay near Thunderbird Falls, Alaska

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Planning a trip to Thunderbird Falls, Alaska?

Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Thunderbird Falls, Alaska — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thunderbird Falls drops about 100 feet. That makes it the 196th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 73% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.

The Thunderbird Falls Trail reaches it about 1.8 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 100 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Eklutna. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Alaska State Parks (Chugach State Park) for closures and current conditions.

Late spring through fall; freezes into blue ice columns in winter. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.

More Alaska waterfalls

Sources

Get trip conditions by email

Lake grades, water temperature, and seasonal conditions as the data updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.