This falls under the "great trail if you live nearby, A-OK trail if you don't" category of trails…read more The views it leads to are just OK. It kind of fizzles out at the foot of the mountains, but doesn't really lead to the summits of them. You can keep going and climb the mountains, but you will be very much off trail. The first few miles are in the trees, eventually it opens up into an A-OK valley. I had no idea this trail was here, and I'm glad we tried it, just not sure I'll be back. It's very close to the the outstanding Chugiak cafe: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chugiak-cafe-chugiak So you could make a morning of it :)

First off, credit to John Tyson and his book, "Best Hikes Near Anchorage" for outlining this trail…read moreand giving all the pertinent details needed! If you're from out of town and looking for a good introduction to backcountry hiking, this is a trail for you. The first two miles are at a moderate uphill pace and then it levels out. If your from in town and looking for a versatile trail with backpacking options, also for you. Excited to hike beyond the four mile point next time. Start your GPS at the trail sign (where you'll find some general trail notes and any notices you need to know). and not at the parking lot. There are some really nice views of the inlet and Sleeping Lady. At about the 1.6-1.9 mile mark you'll come across a perfectly situated log on the right of the trail which provides for a nice seat and a beautiful view. Take this in as you'll be headed inland from this point. If you're a little tired at this point, the harder climbing is almost done. Make sure to follow the sign for "Summer Trail." It is the smaller of the two paths, but the correct one. Around mile 4, you'll cross a bridge with a decent stream. It's a great stopping point for pictures and maybe your turning around spot I'd recommend going on about another half mile. At that point the trail opens up into a flatter area with some nice peaks to your left. Throw out a blanket and make yourself a cup of coffee! The trip back is much quicker as it is all downhill. John Tyson says 4-6 hours. Pretty accurate I would say. My wife and I did it in just under 4 hours with a 30 minute break. Didn't see much wildlife. Saw some moose prints and moose droppings. Maybe one ptarmigan. The views are still worth it to me.

I live nearby and wanted to rent a kayak last minute towards the end of the day. I called and they…read morewere very accommodating and said I could pick up before 6 and keep all night and bring back the next evening or just leave when I finished that night. They had everything I needed, including several kayak choices to pick from. I paid $40 to use from about 5pm-8:30. Rates on door say $10 an hour or $50 per day. I stayed out on the lake about 4 hours and it was a great solo trip! They were doing a class about the time I was going out and the ladies looked like they were enjoying their time. For being so close to town, the lake and location are still tucked away and make you feel like your getting out in Alaska's beautiful scenery. The store is off the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy in a red and yellow building. There's a small port-o-potty behind the building for facilities, otherwise, use Fred Meyer or go before you come. If you have your own kayak, you can put in at his dock for $5 (says a sign). Great experience and plan to come back until I get my own.

Took the 2 hour basic kayaking class with my adult son (22) and two younger kids (12 & 13). Randy…read morewas a great instructor and explained everything clearly and answered any questions we had. Once in the boats he explained each stroke and then demonstrated before letting us try each paddling stroke. Everybody had a good time and we all learned something. The only minor improvement I can think of is to have each student get into and out of a kayak on dry land to make sure everything is adjusted and fitted to them before getting in at the dock. If we had done this I think my kayak might have been better fitted to me. I am a bigger guy at 265-270, 5'10", and not in the greatest shape (unless round is a shape). The kayak I used is what I would call a hybrid kayak with a very large square shaped cockpit. Anyway, the seat was all the way back (I didn't know this when I got into the kayak), and I couldn't reach the foot braces at all - even adjusting them all the way to the shortest position. By the time I realized this, everybody was in their boats and we were moving on with the course. I was able to learn and complete all the different paddling strokes despite not really fitting the kayak very well - I was positioned too far in the stern of the kayak. Definitely plan on renting kayaks from them again in the future - I'll just make sure that I fit the kayak better than during the class. We will probably try out the Cottonwood Lake Family trip sometime this summer.

This is a terrific spot for enjoying the lake in a hot summer's day…read more The water is crystal clear (except in the swimming area where all the dirt has been kicked up). - There are several campgrounds. - There is a picnic area with grass and space to throw a football. - There is a beach area (gravel type) for swimming. - There is a boat launch and parking for around 8-10 trucks and trailers. - There is a dock. - There is limited parking AND IT DOES FILL UP. On those hot summer weekends, expect there to be a full parking lot and the possibility of waiting for a spot to park. - There is a camp host that walks around and checks the cars for the fee receipts. Make sure to pay or have your state parks decal displayed.

I'm with Joy G, this place is like a liquor store for Baptists: a place everyone goes, but no one…read moretalks about going to! I had only heard about it when my brother was visiting. He's a avid fisherman and did extensive research, and stumbled upon this area. Now that I've finally visited, I recognize it as the place where a lot of drone videos posted on social media are shot. There's a well-maintained parking lot with no fee. From here, you can go right to the water and fish. There's also a very short, but very well-maintained hiking trail. (maybe ¼ of a mile) The highlight here for me is the small bridge. It's right at the start of the hiking trail, over a milky-turquoise canal, and Pioneer Peak almost perfectly frames the scene in the background. It's an easy-to-take show that will blow away all your non-Alaska friends. If you're a tourist: this place is a must-visit. If you're a fisherperson: this place is a must-visit. If you're an avid hiker: this place is a must-visit...once. It's probably a good place to look for the Northern lights though! Decent sky views and you can stay close to your (warm) car!

Wanted to visit this area after reading great reviews from Elite Yelpers. I call the road you need…read moreto take to get there the "Palmer back road." Growing up religious we had these yearly summer camp meetings and that road is the only road I know to use to get there. Funny, I never noticed the sign for this place before, which is pretty large and obvious. Any way, it was my birthday and I wanted to get some fresh air with my family. We get there about 10am on a Monday morning. I was surprised to see a lot of fishermen in spots all around. I think they were just as surprised to see us. We started off strolling my youngest then found it easier to put her in a carrier. This place is breathtaking. The water is so calming and so tranquil. Love the bridge and as other yelpers mentioned, it is super close to the parking lot. Luckily it was sunny and we enjoyed the short hike through the wooded area. We were definitely the only people there not fishing. Greatful to have found this place.

Nancy Lake State park is HUGE. If someone has a negative experience, it's likely due to their…read morefailure to explore. In addition to two campgrounds cabins, there are countless lakes, ponds, streams and creeks, trails, parking lots and toilets. There's even canoe rentals. In winter theres some limited trail grooming as well. Fishing is popular in some of the lakes- see the state website for deets. Berry picking is excellent you're willing to explore as well. Bears are a real concern here so be prepared, we've seen them. Amazing bird watching as well. My only negative comment is the smaller campground by Nancy Lake proper is garbage- it needs a total overhaul. Head toward the campground by Rollly Lake deep in forest for the goods- you won't be disappointed.

This area is a perfect close to home getaway location. Lots of winter exploring to be had, and I'm…read moresure even more fun in the summer time with additional water activities. If the ratings are good definitely a nice spot to view the aurora. We rented a dry cabin for an overnight trip, and we're upset we didn't book for 2 nights. We were in cabin #4 as a party of 4 adults, 1 toddler & a lab with plenty of space. This cabin could easily accommodate 6 adults comfortable, but there was bunk space for 8. There are quite a few state owned dry cabins in this area. A few of them are even newer constructions, and very nice. We thought we were going to have to snowshoe into the cabin, but to our surprise the trails were groomed for cross country skiing so it was a very easy walk to cabin #4. The only downside of renting this cabin is this area is pretty busy with skiers and snowmobilers (snowmachiners) accessing the lake. We took a few mile walk around the lake. We considered ice fishing, but didn't due to lack of daylight. We saw a few people out fishing, but Nancy lake isn't exactly known to be a fishing location. We had a very nice time staying at the dry cabins, and I think they're a really fun activity to get out in the winter time!

It was an amazing! The leader John was a very good person! Hard working very knowledgeable! I…read moreenjoyed the fishing and food was very good!

It was my first time here. It's on horseshoe lake and has many cabins with multiple beds in the…read morearea. It's a decidedly religious camp run by the Church of the Nazarene. I came for a retreat and it was a nice time. Food was made by camp hands and there was even a camp cat named Heidi. There were paddleboats and canoes available. A friend of mine rented the cabins and space and had her wedding here. It's a very beautiful area and only an hour and a half from town.

Love this vast area past Wasilla. The drive-in has some of the most beautiful scenery…read more Hatcher's Pass I believe, will be a left hand turn after you've passed the lodge. The road is pretty narrow and as you elevate, it gets tricky with oncoming traffic, especially if you're in a larger vehicle. We recently visited on a sunny day with lots of traffic. We saw multiple paragliders' take off and land. Many hikers and bikers. The weather was perfect. The lake was unsurprisingly still pretty frozen.

Most beautiful experience, good was comforting. Scenery, exemplary! Sitting by a warm fire,…read more eating a very tasty sandwich and hot cocoa what a beautiful memory.

With 60 full hookup sites, showers and a laundry on site, you can concentrate on your summer…read morevacation without the need to search around for the facilities you need. If fishing is your preferred pastime, the campground is adjacent to the famous Little Susitna River. There is even a small boat launch beach area in the rear of the campground. At different times of the year you can fish for all five species of Alaskan salmon (Coho, King, Sockeye, Chum, and Pink) here on the Little Susitna. Ken and Sheila have been managing this campground for many years and have developed a clientele of regular campers. This makes the campground atmosphere a bit friendlier than other campgrounds. It is not uncommon to have an impromptu pot luck with your neighbors. When the fish are running this campground can fill up quickly so calling ahead to make reservation is recommended.