We meet outside the Dena'ina Center. Please be parked and ready 15 minutes before the start time to ensure a timely departure. All tours leave no later than 5 minutes after the start time. There is no parking at the Dena'ina Center. The JCPenney Parking Garage is the best option, at 414 W 6th Ave.
Description
Looking for a tasty tour that has a little of everything? Then spending time hiking, foraging and cooking with us is your go-to option. This is a great pick for families with younger kids, as pizza could be on the menu. On this one-of-a-kind daytrip, you’ll learn how to forage wild Alaskan edibles, experience world-class hiking, and learn the art of backcountry cooking. This tour is available in either Talkeetna or Anchorage!
Highlights:
• Experience a unique Alaskan activity with a skilled forager and guide!
• An enjoyable experience for everyone! Great for families with children.
• Partake in a past-time shared among all cultures.
• Learn about Alaska's foraging potential. Try wild greens, fungi and berries.
• Learn how to cook backcountry-style using fresh-foraged ingredients!
• Eat whatever we find!
NOTE: We'll show you what to pick, but guests must pick their own food.
Ready for a unique tour that you can savor for day to come? Come forage and cook with us today!
Tour Options
Anchorage Location
Chugach State Park
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
10:00 AM
Season
Starts May 15, 2027
Adult (ages 18–65)
$249
Youth (ages 8–17)
$249
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 3.
Itinerary
240 min
(ANCHORAGE LOCATION)
Upon arrival at your designated location, our experienced guide(s) will let you know what to expect, and give you tips for spending the day safely in the Alaskan wilderness. Then, we will hit the trails in search of Alaska's finest ingredients. Depending on the season, we could uncover wild greens, edible wildflowers, fiddlehead ferns, fireweed shoots, mushrooms, berries, and so much more. All of which we can take back to the campsite for education on how to prepare, cook, and eat using backcountry equipment and supplies. Finally, after a delicious backcountry dessert our guides will say goodbye, and it is on to your lodging destination for a relaxing end to your dream-day.
Transportation included in total time of tour:
(1 hour transportation & 4 hours hiking, foraging, and cooking)
What's included
Included
All gear and equipment provided
We'll have hot drinks ready if you'd like.
We'll forage and cook what we find!
Traveller Ratings
4.9
14 reviews
5
13
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Anchorage
Starting price $249 is 32% above the typical $189 for tours of similar length in Anchorage
Excurgo comparison of 192 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
No experience required, but you should be able to walk at least 3 miles on flat pavement, or 2.5 miles of uneven rolling terrain over the course of 2 hours. Some parts of the trail are steep and hilly, placing additional stress on areas of the body not impacted by level terrain. Not recommended for those with cardiac or respiratory issues/illness. May be difficult for those with severe joint issues.
Participation waiver signature required prior to departure.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats take?
Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats lasts about 5 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats cost?
Prices start at $249 per person for this Anchorage experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:00 AM.
Can I cancel Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We meet outside the Dena'ina Center. Please be parked and ready 15 minutes before the start time to ensure a timely departure. All tours leave no later than 5 minutes after the start time. There is no parking at the Dena'ina Center. The JCPenney Parking Garage is the best option, at 414 W 6th Ave. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 4 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Backcountry Eats & Foraging Treats worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 14 verified reviews; it is run by Go Hike Alaska.
Reviews(14)
4
401sumad
August 17, 2025
Ultimate Alaskan foraging adventure
This was such and amazing experience. Matt took us to forage for coral tooth mushrooms, nagoonberries, fireweed flowers and etc. We made mushroom risotto and tea out of what was foraged. Matt was very knowledgeable and patient. He answered all of our questions (there were LOTS of questions). Matt was accommodating with taking family photos in the stunning scenery. Such an amazing experience!
Operator response
Glad to hear it! I heard you hit the coral tooth jackpot while out. Thank you for joining us!
C
cailindeas2
August 8, 2025
What a great tour - I definitely recommend
I took the foraging tour, was picked up downtown and brought to the Eagle River Nature Center. There were 5 people on the tour plus Matt, the guide. We walked along the trail and learned loads about the native plants and mushrooms we came across. We found a good amount of mushrooms, loads of berries and some medicinal plants and herbs that we brought back for our lunch. Matt was fun and informative and also a trained chef. He made us herbal teas, mushroom risotto, grilled reindeer sausage (not foraged), and he served cake for dessert (gluten free) topped with a delicious berry compote including many of the berries we found on the hike. Luckily, it was a beautiful day. This tour surpassed my expectations - I strongly recommend it.
Operator response
Greetings Diedre. Thank you for you kind and insightful review! I had a great time looking for plants, berries and mushrooms with you while passing some knowledge along the way. This helps others understand what they can expect when they take this tour with us. Thanks so much, and it was nice meeting you!
T
TravelG895
July 30, 2025
Very rewarding and delicious day
This tour really took us off the beaten path and into the woods. We foraged for what was in season; blueberries, salmon berries, mushrooms, and a variety of greens and flowers. We then went about creating a very delicious and hearty meal of mushroom risotto with reindeer sausage, herbal tea ( that we picked), dessert with berry compote, and appetizer as well.
M
Mary_M
July 17, 2024
Wild Pickin' equals lots of grinnin'
The moose in the wild and the great knowledge we documented about the items we foraged was one for the books. We loved our guide and had lots of fun.
Operator response
Hello Mary,
Thanks for leaving us a review of your adventure featuring foraging and a great guide! Truly appreciate you taking the time out of your day to tell others about your experience. Take Care!
A
Andrea_G
June 21, 2024
Fantastic Foraging Adventure
If you are looking for a truly unique, personalized adventure literally “off the beaten path” then this excursion is for you! Our guide/owner Matt was amazing. His knowledge of the Alaskan flora and fauna was outstanding! We had a blast foraging for everything edible in the vast Alaskan forest including plant leaves, flowers and mushrooms. After hiking and foraging, Matt found a super cool location to break out the cooking gear and make lunch. He is an expert chef and involved our group in all aspects of the meal prep process. I felt like I was out on an adventure with an old friend. Don’t miss this incredible experience while in Anchorage!!
Operator response
Hey Andrea! Thanks so much for leaving us your kind words about or foraging excursion. Our trip together is one that will remain a memory for many years to come. We really had it all that day, oyster mushrooms, salad greens, social bliss, and a crazy awesome lunch! It did feel like I was hanging out with friends :)
Thanks again for taking the time to leave us a review!
V
Vicki_H
August 1, 2023
Gourmet foraging experience!
This was a fantastic experience! Relatively easy hiking with "forest bathing" and relaxing foraging with Matt as our awesome guide/educator/mushroom expert/gourmet chef. I was really looking forward to learning more about foraging and had not expected the lunch meal to be the gourmet experience it was! Matt cooked up an amazing mushroom risotto with the mushrooms we had foraged, a wild currant and strawberries compote over angel food cake with whipped cream, a delicious tea from spruce, juniper, clover, fireweed blossoms, snd added smoked salmon & cream cheese and blueberry jam appetizers and sauteed reindeer sausage. It was one of the most creative and delicious meals we have had in Anchorage. Matt let us assist in the foraging, meal prep, etc. as much as we wanted. I learned so much and hope to explore foraging back home on the East Coast. Our relatives, who live in Anchorage now want to do this excursion after hearing about our experience. Matt is a hidden gem in the Anchorage area!
Operator response
Heart! Where is my emoji?? :)
I'm so humbled by your kind review, Vicki! I had a really special day with you and Joe. It was an amazing experience for me as well, and one I won't forget. Take care, and let me know if you're ever in the area!!! Let's keep in touch :)
M
Marc F
July 14, 2023
Foraging for food is fun!
What an amazing experience. This tour is perfect if you love the outdoors, learning about nature, and enjoying a good meal. It has inspired me to learn more about foraging in my hometown.
Operator response
Yea yea! Thanks Marc. I had so much fun with you and Chris. What a day! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Alaska, and that foraging was one of the highlights of your time here. Take care!
4
43sophiam
June 26, 2023
Foraging tour
Leah was our guide for our tour - she is very knowledgeable and provides helpful tips for identifying plants. The lunch afterwards was great and rewarding knowing that we picked all our ingredients. Did not know what to expect when first booked this tour. Was prepared for a hike but this was a very leisurely stroll (which made sense as you need to be on the lookout at all times for potential food). Good for all levels of fitness (but again, if you're looking to break a sweat, this probably isn't for you).
L
Laura_P
June 17, 2023
Awesome Adventure
Leah was a super guide. She was knowledgeable and kind. She answered our questions and allowed us to be ab active part of the whole experience.
Operator response
Thanks again Laura for leaving us a nice review :)
L
Laura_P
June 17, 2023
Fabulous Foraging
Our guide was amazing! She was very knowledgeable and friendly. She answered all kinds of questions from us and included us in all aspects of the foraging and cooking experience.
Operator response
Hello Luara. So awesome to hear about your experience with Leah. As you put it, she's amazing! Thanks for taking the time to leave us a kind review!
Compare similar tours in Anchorage
Lowest price: Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour — $25
Best rated: PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage — 4.9 (3,364 reviews)
Shortest: Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour — 1 hour
