Finding the Eagle Watch
From Anchorage Airport:
Chances are that you will be arriving in Anchorage at the airport and will be renting a car. To get to The Eagle Watch, you will need to find the New Seward Highway and head south. From the airport, follow International Airport Road (east) out to Minnesota (the road, not the state) and turn right (south). Drive until you find a major intersection. Huffman Road is a good one, but O’Malley or Dimond will do just as well. Turn left (east) and take the (south) ramp onto the New Seward Highway (Alaska #1).
Seward Highway Southward
After a few miles you will be out of Anchorage. Enjoy the scenery of the mountains to your left and Turnagain Arm (Captain Cook had to turn again when he failed to find the Northwest Passage) to your right. After turning around the head of Turnagain Arm, there will be no "major" intersection until you get to the Hope Junction. This comes just after crossing Canyon Creek. Do not take a right turn but stay on Alaska #1. About 88 miles south of Anchorage is the junction with the Sterling Highway (Alaska #1).
Caution: the "Straight" Fork takes you to Seward!
Take note and be careful - many people wind up in Seward! You will be driving through mountains on a stretch of 3-lane road, two lanes heading north and one heading south (your lane). Jerome lake will have passed to your right and the vista opening up in front may distract you. At about mile 38 of the Seward Highway is an insignificant looking junction (but marked with a green sign) with just one lane spurring off to the right. Turn right here!!
Home Stretch
That one-lane road will very soon merge with the Sterling Highway (Alaska #1) and you will be on your way. If you see a sign indicating you are on Alaska #9, you have missed your turn and are on your way to Seward. From the intersection it is about 60 miles into Soldotna. Stay on the main road and go through 3 traffic lights and you’re on the home stretch. In another 40 miles or so you will arrive in Ninilchik. As you get to the Tesoro® gas station, the only one in town, take a left turn (east) onto Oilwell Road. After just about 3 miles is a sign letting you know you have arrived at the Eagle Watch. Turn left and come on in! Total distance is about 200 miles from the airport in Anchorage. Figure on about three and a half hours of unimpeded driving. This means no snow, ice, or traffic. During the summer months, believe it or not, the first two are not important factors, but as snow and ice recede, the traffic really begins to fill up, so allow at least 4 hours for driving.