Entry No. 15 — the Anchorage file — filed under: cold war
Nike Site Summit
An abandoned Cold War Nike-Hercules nuclear missile battery at ~3,900 feet in the Chugach, one of the last two such sites in the country to close (1979). Volunteer-restored bunkers and launch structures sit on a mountaintop overlooking Anchorage; public access is by authorized FONSS tour only.
The move: Book a summer FONSS bus tour together and poke through the missile bunkers with the whole city spread out below — a strange, history-soaked alternative to a normal hike.
📍 Before you go Access is by FONSS bus only, and the site sits on military land — you must pre-register well ahead so JBER security can clear every passenger, so this is plan-in-advance, not a spur-of-the-moment trip. Tours load at the Arctic Valley Ski Area lot, reached by a gravel road climbing off the Glenn Highway northeast of town (a day parking fee applies at the lot). The bus does the climbing, so no hiking — but at ~3,900 feet the weather flips fast, so bring layers and sturdy shoes. It's strictly a summer thing. Pair it with Arctic Valley's own summer trails right at the trailhead.
- 📍 Arctic Valley / Chugach
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Atop Mt. Gordon Lyon, Arctic Valley (tours depart Arctic Valley Ski Area lot), AK
Hours: Guided tours summer only; advance booking required via FONSS
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · nps.gov
last checked: 2026-06-06