Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary
4.5
About
Popular locale for viewing waterfowl and salmon.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- sainbashaIrvine, California4,381 contributionsBirds and viewsWe headed out by car from Anchorage towards Seward. It was a pretty cold and windy day. Within a few minutes on the Seward highway we stopped by at Potter Marsh Sanctuary. This was our first encounter with nature during our trip to Alaska. There was parking available and we got on the board walk. The view was lovely. We got to see some birds on the water. The walk ali g the marsh had some informative boards about birds there. This was a good first stop for about 20 minutes outside of Anchorage.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 18 May 2024
- MyersFamilyTravelers170 contributionsGreat place to walk and observe on a good dayWe were fortunate to have a clear (but windy) day so stopped here. Really nice boardwalks that cover a great deal of space and this is a great place for bird watchers. We also saw evidence of bears and moose, but sadly did not see any. A great place to visit if the weather is clear.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 11 August 2024
- Jill H153 contributionsMoose at the bird sanctuaryBoard walks surround the sanctuary and provide easy access for the disabled. You never know what you might see. We actually saw a moose eating right next to the boardwalk. Lovely scenery, quiet.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
725 reviews
Excellent
374
Very good
251
Average
86
Poor
12
Terrible
2
worldtraveller99
Greater London, UK2,725 contributions
Jul 2022
We loved walking on the boardwalk among the ponds, and also seeing the salmon swimming up the river. It is very relaxing there, though at the end of July we didn't see much else. What made it less relaxing was the constant barrage of noise from the gun range nearby, plus the highway which the boardwalk borders. Maybe could have built it further away into the wetland area? And it was free, which seems to be unusual in the USA.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin G
Edison, NJ34 contributions
Sept 2022
We have visited Potter Marsh a few times and it is one of our favorite places near Anchorage! We always meet interesting and friendly people there. The boardwalk is clean and straight. We saw many different kinds of birds, and one moose.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flosventure
Arizona219 contributions
Aug 2021
We had a 20min stop as part of a tour to see the Potter Marsh. I honestly didn't see a single bird that time and I've passed the Sanctuary a couple more times during my stay there and have never seen anything. What we did see was the salmon in the small river, that was pretty cool, so no wildlife for me. However, it was a cloudy, rainy day when I went and the clouds with the mountains and the grass made it quite a mystic landscape which was cool to experience and take pictures of.
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polaroids & Drinkin Stories
United States2,426 contributions
Nov 2020
Stopped here on my way back from Girdwood. It's right off the main highway. I was here in November and there were only a few people around. Not much bird-sighting. I think one eagle flew over. I imagine other times of the year it's much more active. It's a nice boardwalk system set up over some marsh lands. Nice place to watch sun set as well. Not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
Written 28 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill H
Williamsville, United States153 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Board walks surround the sanctuary and provide easy access for the disabled. You never know what you might see. We actually saw a moose eating right next to the boardwalk. Lovely scenery, quiet.
Written 3 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BarryH
Boston, MA42 contributions
Sept 2021
I wasn't sure what to expect from Potter Marsh but I was pleasantly surprised. The marsh is very pretty and has long boardwalks to make it easy to traverse. We saw several birds/ducks here including 2 Bald Eagles (who were posing for pictures). There are several explanatory signs to help explain what you're looking at.
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
preciousness22
United States777 contributions
Sept 2021
We were lucky enough to see this area during our recent September trip. All the autumn colors were in bloom and really put on a show for us. The marsh is a quiet, peaceful area with gorgeous mountain views in the background. It is just outside of Anchorage and is a great stop for photos and to see wild birds.
Written 25 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIOWSHU
Key Largo, FL130 contributions
Sept 2022
This is an easy stop right off the Seward highway. We parked easily and waked the raised boardwalk left then right. It was quiet while we were there, we saw various fowl. Looked like great moose habitat.
Written 15 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sainbasha
Irvine, CA4,381 contributions
May 2024 • Family
We headed out by car from Anchorage towards Seward. It was a pretty cold and windy day. Within a few minutes on the Seward highway we stopped by at Potter Marsh Sanctuary. This was our first encounter with nature during our trip to Alaska. There was parking available and we got on the board walk. The view was lovely. We got to see some birds on the water. The walk ali g the marsh had some informative boards about birds there. This was a good first stop for about 20 minutes outside of Anchorage.
Written 18 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarlaZ513
Loveland, OH83 contributions
Jun 2022
We stopped here on our way to Anchorage from Seward. It's free admission and free parking. Just a nice stroll along the boardwalk above the marsh. Great chance to stretch your legs and possibly see some birds. There are numerous signs that provide some information about how the marsh formed and some of the wildlife that inhabit the area.
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Latisha C
Mount Vernon, Texas
How well could someone with limited mobility access the boardwalks. She can walk short distances and a take a few stairs.
Written 1 August 2019
Yes, I believe all of the boardwalk was handicap accessible. Plus, there are a few benches....
Written 25 October 2019
You mentioned in your review that locals gave you tips on best viewing times. Can you please share those tips with me. Thank you!
Written 29 July 2018
I was given the same advice that the best viewing is before 10 am.
Written 2 August 2018
I will be coming out here by cab. How much time should I allow myself here? I will have time, just want to know how much to schedule.
Written 4 February 2018
I will be coming in July,2018. Can I expect good birding?
Written 4 February 2018
The best time to visit is late May and June for birding, but there are plenty of interesting birds to see in July. The bald eagles are usually in their nest feeding their fledglings. This is one of the best birding sites in Anchorage that is easily accessible. You should definitely stop by, even if only for an hour or two.
Written 10 February 2018
Elizabeth A
Leon, Mexico
How much is it to do a self guided tour of the marsh? Will a annual state park permit allow us entrance to the park? Is there a cost to park?
Written 27 January 2018
Hi, We visited Potters Marsh on a bus tour of Alaska. It was a free big parking lot with boardwalk along the marsh, filled with birds and water wildlife. It was totally free, a nice opportunity to take a walk and observe the marshland around you.
Written 3 February 2018
Can you please tell me approximately how much time to schedule for the boardwalk? Thanks!
Written 8 August 2016
The pleasure experienced at the marsh depends on the person, the weather, and how much u enjoy walking/observing/ etc. The boardwalk is less than a mile running eboth east and west from parking area, and the south end where the swans birth offer only pull outs. The average adult can do the boardwalk in 20-30 minutes. There are viewing scopes and rest areas for avid fowl watchers
Written 11 August 2016
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