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If you like wild places that feel remote but are still accessible, Eklutna Lake is your kind of playground. Nestled in a valley framed by jagged peaks and fed by glacial melt, the lake runs seven miles long and hides surprises in every bay and ridge. You can hike, paddle, bike, ski, or camp; the place rewards curiosity. Over the years I’ve learned there’s more here than just scenery. Here are 13 of the best things to do at Eklutna Lake, each offering a different kind of memory.
1. Paddle the Glacier-Fed Waters
Paddling across Eklutna’s turquoise surface is about as pure an experience as you can have. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards from local outfitters and glide over glacier-fed water that shimmers differently by the hour. Guided tours add local insight and safe routes through hidden coves, while solo paddlers can explore at their own pace. Mornings are calmer before the wind picks up, and since the water is icy, wearing a wetsuit and life jacket is smart. Start early, hug the shoreline, and let the stillness remind you how vast Alaska can feel.
2. Ride the Lakeside Trail by Bike
Cycling the Lakeside Trail gives you the best mix of motion and scenery. This 12-mile gravel path follows the lake’s eastern edge, weaving through spruce, birch, and open views of the peaks. It’s mostly flat, so you can coast and take breaks wherever a view grabs you. Rent a sturdy mountain bike, pack water and a repair kit, and stay alert for hikers or wildlife sharing the trail. As you ride, you’ll catch shifting colors on the water and notice how the landscape changes mile by mile. It’s the kind of ride that clears your head without feeling rushed.
3. Hike Twin Peaks Trail
Twin Peaks Trail rewards effort with unmatched views. The climb begins in the forest, then opens into alpine meadows and rocky slopes where the entire lake spreads below you. Along the way you might spot Dall sheep or watch clouds slide between summits. It’s a steady uphill trek, so bring layers, water, and sturdy boots. The payoff is pure silence and a sweeping panorama of Eklutna and the surrounding ridges. Start early to avoid crowds and shifting weather by the time you reach the upper lookout, you’ll see why locals call it one of the area’s best hikes.
4. Take the Bold Ridge Hike
For a wilder challenge, Bold Ridge pushes you deep into backcountry views. The trail branches from the Lakeside path and climbs steeply toward Bold Peak, gaining altitude fast. Each switchback reveals more of the valley and lake far below until you’re surrounded by tundra and silence. It’s a demanding day hike, but if you’re prepared for a long push, the ridge delivers huge rewards- open sky, glacial horizons, and the kind of solitude that makes you forget time. Pack for a full day, respect changing weather, and take it slow on the descent.
5. Explore Remote Public-Use Cabins
A handful of public-use cabins dot the shoreline, each offering rustic shelter and rare solitude. Places like Kokanee, Yuditna, and Serenity Falls Cabins can be reserved in advance and reached by trail, bike, or boat. Inside, you’ll find bunks, a wood stove, and little else you bring your own gear, food, and water. Staying overnight lets you see Eklutna in its quietest hours, from sunrise light spilling across the peaks to stars over the still lake. Check reservations early, carry out everything you pack in, and enjoy the kind of off-grid calm most travelers miss.
6. Camp at the Main Campground
The main campground near the lake entrance is ideal if you like simple comforts and quick access to trails. Shaded by spruce and birch, the 50 sites each have picnic tables, fire rings, and room to spread out. Mornings are calm and crisp, and by evening, alpenglow paints the peaks. It’s first-come, first-served, so weekdays are easier for snagging a spot. Once you set up camp, everything’s close: launch your kayak, hop on your bike, or just sit by the water with coffee in hand. It’s basic camping done right.
7. Fish for Dolly Varden and Kokanee
Fishing at Eklutna is simple and peaceful. The lake’s cold, clear water holds Dolly Varden trout and kokanee salmon, which you can catch from shore or by kayak. Focus near stream inlets or rocky coves and bring the right license before you cast. The fishing isn’t about trophies- it’s about quiet time and the occasional glint of silver below the surface. With the mountains mirrored around you, even an empty line feels rewarding.
8. Go Winter Skiing, Snowshoeing & Fat Biking
When winter locks in, Eklutna transforms. The same trails you hike in summer become frozen routes for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat-bike rides. Locals glide over snow-packed tracks or trace the frozen lake’s edges when conditions are safe. Always check ice thickness before venturing out and carry proper gear-winter here can shift fast. The reward is total stillness: sunlight flashing off ice, the muffled sound of snow underfoot, and a horizon wrapped in white.
9. Visit the Spillway & Dam
At the lake’s far end, the spillway and dam show how nature and engineering meet. You can walk across the structure, watch water funnel into the Eklutna River, and get a clear sense of how the lake’s levels are managed. It’s quieter than the main beach, and the views upstream toward the glacier are striking. Motorized boats aren’t allowed on the lake, so the whole area stays peaceful, with only wind and water as background sound.
10. Pair with Thunderbird Falls
Just before the turnoff to Eklutna Lake sits Thunderbird Falls, a short, rewarding side trip. The trail is about 1.6 miles round-trip through mossy forest, ending at a viewing deck above the roaring falls. It’s an easy add-on before or after your lake adventure, and in winter the waterfall freezes into shimmering ice columns. The forest feels enclosed and cool a nice contrast to the open expanse of the lake.
11. Wildlife Viewing & Foraging
Wildlife is everywhere here if you’re patient. Moose often graze near the trail, bald eagles soar overhead, and bears occasionally wander the slopes. Bring binoculars, keep distance, and carry bear spray when hiking deeper routes. In late summer, you’ll also find wild blueberries and lowbush cranberries—just make sure you identify them correctly before tasting. Observing nature here isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about slowing down enough to notice what’s around you.
12. Photography & Sunrises / Sunsets
Photographers love Eklutna for its shifting light. Early mornings wrap the peaks in gold, while evenings turn the water deep blue and pink. The lake mirrors every cloud, and mist often rises at dawn. You don’t need fancy gear to capture it just timing and patience. Bring extra batteries since the cold drains them fast. Try shooting from ridgelines or near the cabin docks where reflections stretch longest. Every hour offers a new tone and mood worth chasing.
13. Do a Paddle + Hike + Bike Combo
For the ultimate Eklutna experience, combine it all. Local outfitters offer “Paddle & Pedal” trips where you kayak part of the lake, hike a ridge trail, then bike back along the shoreline. It’s a full-day adventure that keeps the scenery changing and your energy high. Each leg feels distinct-quiet water, steep trail, open ride and together they give you a rare sense of immersion in this landscape. Plan ahead, pack snacks, and savor the rhythm of switching from one element to another.