Eagle River, Anchorage, Alaska

This article is about the community. For the river upon which the community is located, see Eagle River (Cook Inlet).

Eagle River is a community within the Municipality of Anchorage situated on the Eagle River, for which it is named, between Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) and Chugach State Park in the Chugach Mountains. Its ZIP code is 99577. Settled by homesteaders, Eagle River has been annexed to the Municipality of Anchorage since the 1970s—a relationship that is, at times, complicated.[1][2][3] On the one hand, Eagle River functions as an Anchorage suburb--many Eagle River residents work, shop, and participate in community life in the Anchorage Bowl. On the other hand, the community is itself a significant business hub between Wasilla and Anchorage, offering shopping, restaurants, recreation and employment.[4] Much of the community is made up of residents from nearby Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Secession efforts have from time to time gained traction by residents who would like Eagle River legally regarded as a separate community. Eagle River also has a close relationship with its neighboring community to the north, Chugiak, with which it shares some history. If Eagle River were not part of the Municipality of Anchorage, it would be classified as one of the five largest cities in Alaska.

Aerial view, looking northeasterly, of Eagle River and the surrounding area. View includes portions of Chugach State Park, the Glenn Highway, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Knik Arm. The river of Eagle River itself can be seen following a winding path to the south of the settlement.
View of the mountainous scenery found in abundance in the upper Eagle River valley.
  1. ^ newsengin (2019-04-18). "EAGLEXIT: Chugiak-Eagle River residents renew separation push". The Alaska Star. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  2. ^ Armstrong, Amy. "Eaglexit: Some Folks in Chugiak-Eagle River Want to Leave Anchorage Behind". The Anchorage Press. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  3. ^ "Eaglexit backers continue to seek support". Anchorage Daily News. 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
  4. ^ "About Us," Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce official website, 2023. Retrieved Nov. 14, 2023.