Copper River in south-central Alaska is a vital salmon spawning stream and major waterway known for wildlife, glacial sales, and outdoor recreation.

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Geography

ContinentNorth America
RegionAlaska
SubregionSouthcentral Alaska
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
CountyValdez-Corpus Christi Census Area
DistrictCopper River basin
TimezoneAmericaAnchorage
Latitude62.5
Longitude-145.25
Maps
☀️5:14 PM LOCAL TIME

Copper River rises from the Chugach Mountains and flows southwest toward Prince William Sound, passing through remote valleys, braided channels, and glacial outflows. The river and its tributaries support one of the *largest wild Sockeye salmon runs in North America, drawing anglers and commercial harvesters. The basin's rugged terrain and settled glaciers give the area a stark, powerful atmosphere—great for multi-day kayak trips, river crossings, and wildlife viewing of species like moose, grizzly bear, and eagle*. Key access points and communities include Cordova, Gulkana, and trails across the Wrangell–St. Elias and Chugach ranges; routes and services are variable and largely wilderness-based.

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Sun Dec 14, 2025, 2:55 AM

Copper River | Alaska's wild, glacial artery | Local.Link