Eklutna Lake is a special place and worth about a 20 minute (one way) detour off the main highway between Anchorage and Denali. The drive itself is very scenic and once you arrive at the lake area, there's an obvious day use area where you can park and use the pay machines for day use fees. I didn't do much of the trail, as I was heading north to Denali but did spend about 45 minutes or so walking the rocky shoreline and taking in the amazing views. There are a number of trails to explore here as well as kayaking and guided hikes. It's a glacier fed lake and also serves as a water supply for Anchorage. Alaska has no shortage of wonders and it's pretty special that you can drive a short distance from its largest city and arrive to a place like Eklutna Lake. Carry bear spray-sightings are common though we didn't see any. read more

Eklutna Lakeside Trail - Hiking Near Me - Eklutna, Alaska

We didn't hike the full trail, just went about a mile up and back along the lake from the parking lot, but even that short stretch was worth it for the views. There were plenty of spots along the old dirt road where you could step closer to the water and really take in the scenery. There were mosquitoes, but we came prepared with bug spray, so it wasn't too bad. Looking back, we probably would've enjoyed kayaking more. The lake was calm and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Even just sitting by the water felt peaceful. If we go back, we're skipping the hike and getting out on the lake. read more

The Eklutna Lakeside Trail is the terminus of many wonderful adventures. The lakeside trail is a mixture of ATV (wide road) and smaller single track style trails. The two merge at times and some of the lakeside trail is washed out or impassable on the bike. Here is a list of the things one might do after accessing the the trail. - - Go for a a hike or trail run. But carry bear spray and don't wear earbuds. Keep your head on a swivel. - - Go for a bike ride. There is both the ATV trail and the smaller running/walking/hiking/biking trail. The ATV trail and the bike trail merge throughout. Some of the lakeside trail is washed out. Maybe experienced mountain bikers may be able to navigate, but I think most will need to get off their bikes and walk through. - - Schedule a stay at one of the public use cabins. It is sort of difficult navigating to the reservations for this. I find that starting at this website and navigating to Reserve American is the most educational and easy. https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspcabins/index.htm - - Go for a swim from one of the many rocky/sandy beaches. Sunny days are the best. I suggest just going for it. Attempting to wade into this...no way. - - Build a driftwood shelter. Or a have a delightful camp fire (when burn ban is not in effect. - - Classic ski or snowshoe in winter. "Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world." John Muir read more

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As other Yelpers have mentioned, the drive-up can be dangerous if you're speeding in excess and not being safe. You'll lose cell/internet service almost immediately, make sure someone knows where you are and be sure to download music ahead of time :) During previous visits, the park entrance pay station was open. Memorial Day it was not. Parking is $5. You'll need to fill out an envelope and remit your payment in the applicable drop-box. FYI when the main day lot is full, you can apparently double park (not the greatest idea) and/or create your own parallel parking (this, I don't mind). We arrived early, but not early enough. Ended up parking at least 1.5 miles away in an overflow lot. Bummer, but at least I know for next time. This trail is wide and beautiful with lots to see. We had many butterfly encounters. I rarely see butterflies outside of exhibits, so it was special. We saw more ATV's than bikes. When they start to get annoying (and they will), just follow a long on the beach. We ended up laying a blanket out in a secluded area to take it all in. Picturesque. As mentioned by other Yelpers, more difficult hikes are accessible through this trail. read more

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How have I not reviewed this yet?! This is probably one of the top 2 most scenic trail heads I have ever been to! (the other would be the trailhead for Forbidden Peak located in North Cascades National park in Washington, it is MUCH more difficult to access though) You can car-camp here with your bros. You can rent a bicycle and ride along the no-gain trail that runs parallel to the lake. You can canoe and kayak in the lake. You can climb East Twin Peak. You can put on your big-girl boots and climb Bashful! You can just marvel at the bright blue lake, drink a beer, and drive home. It's up to you. There are also multiple cabins in the area. Some are 3 miles away, some are much much farther. Lots to explore here. BONUS: this place is even accessible in winter, the road to it is plowed! (super deluxe!) read more

Eklutna Lakeside Trail - Views from the East Twin Peak trail - Hiking Near Me - Eklutna, Alaska

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Hiked Thunderbird Falls Trail and afterward decided to head up the mountain to check out Eklutna lake. The ride up is REALLY hairy. The road is really twisty turny and vertigo inducing. NOT a good drive if you're a nervous driver. And there's no way in hell I'd drive up there in winter. The road is super narrow and it's avalanche country too. The road is undeveloped and there's no houses or business on the way up and no place to turn around if you chicken out. Once you get up there, it's worth it though. Eklutna is a beautiful glacial lake with a lovely view. The trails around the lake are easy and totally family friendly. They even allow ATVs on some portions of the trail, which is both a blessing and a curse. The Eklutna Lakeside Trail is almost 13 miles in one direction... I've never hiked the entire thing but I imagine I will soon. Obviously 26 miles is a lot to tackle in one day, so one would need to be prepared with bear spray, snacks, water, etc. I've DEFINITELY seen evidence of bears myself and there have been some notable "encounters" up at Eklunta in the past few years. Off of the main Eklutna Lakeside Trail there are two additional trails at either end of the trail- Twin Peaks and Bold Ridge. I've never hiked either because I'm a wuss. They're known for steep elevation gains in a short time and are classified as "difficult" by the state of Alaska. I hear the berry picking is great though. I'm sure the bears agree. read more

Eklutna embodies all that Alaska can offer: mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and 4-wheelin. I rode an atv 10 miles from the parking lot to the terminus of the lakeside trail. I suppose if you hiked and camped overnight you could reach the Eklutna Glacier, though it's retreated so far, it's probably not worth it. Late summer and early fall bring lots of berries, including raspberries and blueberries. And with berries, come bears, so just be aware of your surroundings. I've also passed by some fee-cabins and there are free campgrounds. At the eastern end of the lake there is actually a landing strip for small aircraft, though I don't know how often (if ever) it's used. Parking is a $5 fee and there is an rental facility that you can rent mountain bikes and kayaks! read more

Eklutna Lakeside Trail - Hiking Near Me - Eklutna, Alaska

Eklutna Lake ends up being the largest lake in the state and provides hydroelectric power to the Anchorage municipal. It's crystal blue water comes from Eklutna Glacier and other glacier runoffs. The lakeside trail is 12.7 miles one way. If you're into geocaching this makes for a great at day of caching considering there are 120+ caches on this trail, which can be accessible by hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATVing in the summer or cross-country and snowmobiling in the winter. Eklutna Glacier is located at the very end of the trailhead. From there it's less than a mile hike back to the glacier. Starts on a clear marked trail, from there hop across the boulder field and kinda just trails off with some bushwhacking. I have yet to make it back there, however it is there, somewhere. Off the lakeside trail there are alternate trails to explore: bold ridge, east fork and twin peaks for another real challenge. If you really wanted to spend the night, they also have a campgrounds with the basic necessities - water, fire pits, etc. All in all, it's a great time with great scenery. read more

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Love this place - it is both peaceful and a place to play in the water and even the mud! We brought a picnic and relaxed all day (we went in August so the weather was perfect!) kids were playing and the air was crisp. Everyone lounging around was respectful and friendly. I wish we had a place like this where I lived. read more

The state park pass was good here. We went hiking to the right. It ended after the dam. Went into marsh. Great view of the mountains. With binoculars we saw two fall sheep above the tree line. Not much in the way of trail info read more

Eklutna Lakeside Trail - Hiking Near Me - Eklutna, Alaska

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Beautiful, peaceful lake ~Feels like you could be in Northern Italy or Switzerland! We rented bikes and road the perimeter-very easy, very flat trail. So nice to get out of the city (there for business) and do something active. Stop at Rochelle's for Ice cream on your way there or back - or both!! read more