On the other hand, the community is itself a significant business hub between Wasilla and Anchorage, offering shopping, restaurants, recreation and employment.
Eagle River also has a close relationship with its neighboring community to the north, Chugiak, with which it shares some history.
The Chugiak-Eagle River Borough was established in 1974, only to be dissolved shortly thereafter when the arrangement was ruled unconstitutional by the Alaska Supreme Court.
Efforts to secede from the Municipality surfaced around 2000, and then became less prominent for a while as the community saw an influx of residents with social and economic ties to Anchorage and nearby Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson.
Wallace Mountain, on the far northeast corner of the community's road system, is home to several radio station transmitters and towers at the 1,900 feet (580 m) level.
On average, the area experiences 2 to 3 "chinooks" - a warm, dry wind that melts much of the snow and creates a minor thaw - during the winter months.
Local lore holds that seedlings should not be planted outdoors until after Memorial Day in May, and even then temperatures should be watched for light frost until June.
This scholarship pageant sponsored by the Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce also presents awards for Bear Paw Princess, Official Escort, Best Costume with an Alaskan Theme and Miss Congeniality.
The University of Alaska Anchorage provides classes in the area and formerly had a campus at the Eagle Center building, adjacent to the middle Glenn Highway interchange.
In 2019, the university chose not to renew its lease, but continues to provide classes at local public school locations.
There is a lot of local interest in sports: hockey, both indoor and outdoor soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, football, swimming/diving, hiking, and cross-country running and skiing.
A bike trail runs alongside the Glenn Highway from Anchorage past Eagle River and to Chugiak.
Sidewalks are available and kept clear most of the winter in the downtown area for walking and jogging along the Old Glenn Highway and Business Boulevard.
[23] The newspaper was founded in 1971 by Lee B. Jordan, who for decades remained active in the community as an authority on local history.
[24][25] The Star is part of the Binkley Company family of newspapers and shares reporting resources with its nearby sister publication, the Anchorage Daily News.