Activities to enjoy on and around Eklutna Lake
No matter how you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, a trip to Eklutna Lake in Chugach State Park offers up plenty of options for customizing your lakeside experience. Visitors can easily spend the day biking around the mountain lake or hiking the trails that provide pristine views of the water from varying vantage points. If you happen to be someone with a passion for nature photography, Eklutna Lake provides the color contrast and textures that bring photographs to life in picture-perfect style.
The Eklutna Lakeside Trail is a very popular option for cyclists and is just as inspiring when hiking. It’s relatively flat and manageable in terms of elevation changes which makes it a great route for adventurers of all ages. This lakeside trail spans the length of the lake, hugging the shoreline nearly the entire way. This means trekkers and cyclists have some pretty breathtaking views available to enjoy no matter where they find themselves on the route.
While the land-based fun around Eklutna Lake is always worth your while, there are opportunities to get out on the water as well. Kayaks and canoes are readily available to rent right within the parameters of the park. There’s also a boat launch that is exclusive for hand-carry vessels, making access to the water convenient and simple.
Guided lake visits and great wildlife watching in Chugach State Park
Some explorers looking to experience the best of Eklutna Lake are comfortable doing so on their own. Others prefer to adventure alongside a local and knowledgeable guide. If you fall into the latter group, the team over at Traverse Alaska can help you put together a guided half-day or full-day outing to Chugach State Park. As a tour participant, you can request a guided tour option that focuses on custom hikes, backpacking, kayaking, or a combination of it all.
If your Eklutna Lake visit happens to bring you to Chugach State Park between August and September, you’ll be right on time for blueberry season. Many visitors bring a bucket along during these months and collect berries on the slopes near the water. The Bold Ridge Overlook Trail is a prime lakeside route to the very best berry-collecting destinations in the area.
As you trek with a guide or pick berries, you’ll want to be sure to keep your eyes open for wildlife around Eklutna Lake. Much like the rest of Alaska, Chugach State Park offers world-class wildlife viewing opportunities to visitors and is home to over 45 species of mammals. There’s a good chance you’ll spot brown bears, moose, black bears, wolves, lynx, and even mountain goats during your time here.
