Alaska’s Ultimate Lake Experience: Eklutna Lake
Journey to Eklutna Lake
Alaska’s Tucked Away Hidden Gem
About Eklutna Lake:
Less than an hours drive from Anchorage (22 miles), tucked in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, is the pristine destination of Eklutna Lake. This gorgeous lake features over 15 miles of shoreline, and is a prime sport for hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, fishing, and ATV riding. Eklutna Lake is located within the Chugach State Park and is 1 mile wide and 7 miles in length. It is a great destination for a day trip or overnight stay.
Eklutna Lake is fed by the Eklutna Glacier making the water one of the coldest in the area. So if you choose to go in the lake or take your kayak or boats out, beware of the freezing cold water temperatures.
Our Visit to Eklutna Lake
A day after visiting Katmai National Park and Preserve (click here to check out our post on Katmai) we decided to head up to Eklutna Lake. The drive took us 45 minutes via the Glenn Highway and before we knew it we were there. Our first night at Eklutna Lake we camped in one of the 60 plus first come first serve camp sites.
If you know anything about Alaska especially in the summer then you’ll know that the sun literally doesn’t set until after midnight. We decided to take the stroll down to the Lakes waterfront to catch the sunset as we arrived very late. It was one of the coolest sunsets we’ve experienced together on all of our journeys.
Twin Peaks Treats
After awakening to the sun around 5am the next day, we knew we wanted to go for a hike to catch some of the views that we had heard so much about. We stopped for a coffee and sandwich at Twin Peaks Treats, a short drive up the road from the campground. This local restaurant serves ice cream, coffee, drinks, and pre made sandwiches and wraps. Twin Peaks Treats sits at the base and in view of the Twin Peaks above. Outdoor seating and an incredibly helpful (with directions and recommendations) and friendly staff, made it a great stop and a good start to the day.
Twin Peaks Trail
After our morning coffee and breakfast we headed back down to the lake to gear up and start our journey into he mountains. We chose the Twin Peaks Trail, and it was a great choice. The trail is marked as a 2.5 mile hike (misleading as it is 2.5 up and 2.5 back, so technically a 5 mile hike) that leads to an open mountain meadow with views of the lake and valley below. Along the way we experienced breathtaking views and even an old vehicle from what looks like the 50’s or 60’s that rolled down the cliff.
We highly recommend the Twin Peaks Trail if visiting Eklutna Lake. On our way out of the park as we headed for Hatcher Pass we came a cross a large black bear walking along the road. It was really cool to just slowly drive alongside the bear as it ventured down the road and off into the woods until the bear disappeared into the thick Alaskan brush.
How To Get to Eklutna Lake:
Eklutna Lake is located 22 miles north of Anchorage. Which in Alaska means it takes about 45-60 minutes to travel. From downtown Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway north to the Eklutna exit and heading towards Eklutna Lake Road East into the mountains. About 10 miles along the road will bring you to the entrance the park. The road reaches a dead end when you arrive at the recreational area. Fees for entry to the lake are $5 and can be paid at the entrance to the recreation area.
Equipment Rentals at Eklutna Lake
When traveling to Eklutna Lake especially when visiting Alaska you most likely will not have all of the equipment needed in order to truly take in what the Lake has to offer. Lifetime Adventures Alaska offers rentals on everything that you need. They are located along the Lake Side Trail nearby to the parking area for the recreation area. They offer kayaks, paddle boats, bikes, and guided tours around the lake.
Lifetime Adventures Alaska is a huge piece of Eklutna Lakes popularity. So definitely check them out the next time you make the trek to Eklutna Lake. Click here to view prices, equipment, or to book rentals for your next trip.
Summer Activities at Eklutna Lake:
Biking and ATV Riding:
Eklutna Lake as stated before has over 15 miles of shoreline. This makes it a great destination for visitors to bike or ATV around the lake. The lake features a trail circling the lake which is a great spot to use your bicycles. There are ATV trails as well along the lake and it is a very popular destination for those seeking off-roading fun.
Kayaking:
Eklutna Lake is one of the best destinations in the state for kayaking. A short walk from the designated parking area and you’ll find yourself along the shore of the lake. You won’t have to carry your kayak too far. With over seven miles of lake to work with, Kayakers can spend an entire day on the water.
As mentioned before, please be aware of the cold water temperatures if you chose to jump or if you capsize. Signs for what to do and how long it will take for hypothermia to kick in are located on the trail to the lake. be sure to reads them over, it could just save your life.
Hiking:
Eklutna Lake is prime destination to catch some great Alaskan trails. Hiking trails are located around the lake and entering the surrounding Chugach Mountains and some even ahead to the top of some pretty gnarly peaks. The trails range from easy to difficult but one thing about Alaska hiking is that east trails are moderate anywhere else and same goes for their moderate trails. They are extremely difficult due to the terrain and elevation.
As previously discussed above, our favorite hike at Eklutna Lake is the Twin Peaks Trail. This 5 mile round trip moderate (difficult) hike sees an elevation gain of 1,800 feet and take you right into the heart of the Chugach Mountains. The views along the trail are unparalleled. The trails leads to a sprawling open mountain meadow where views of some sheep make it a very cool scene. Take note that sign to the trail says it is only 2.5 miles, but that is just one way as it is not specified on the sign.
Camping:
Eklutna Lake features the Eklutna Lake Campground which has been rated as one of Alaska’s best. The campground is home to 50 first come first serve camp sites which are open to RV’s and well as vehicles and tents. Fees for the campground are $20 per night and can be paid at pay stations at the entrance to the lake.
The campground also features 5 for rent cabins that requires either a hike, bike, ate, or kayak to access as no roads lead to the cabins. The cabins are typically priced around $100 per night depending on the season and availability.
Winter Activities at Eklutna Lake:
Cross Country Skiing:
During the winter months at Eklutna Lake, visitors to the park use the trails around the lake for some cross country skiing. The flat terrain makes for a perfect location to catch some great views and get a nice workout in when visiting the Lake.
Snowmobiling:
Most of the ATV trails around the lake are a little difficult to get to during the winter but that doesn’t mean people don’t use them. Snow Mobiling is a very popular winter activity for reaching the cooler part so the park from Eklutna Lake.
Ice Skating:
Because Eklutna Lake is fed by the Eklutna Glacier it makes for some of the coldest water in the region. During the winter months when the water freezes, visitors take the opportunity to skate around the beautiful lake which has to be one of the coolest locations to do so in the world. (In my opinion).
Camping:
Camping is available year round at Eklutna Lake. The cabins are equipped with hot water and a wood burning stave for heat. The RV and tent campgrounds are also available albeit definitely cold.
