Hit the Trail on an
Alaska ATV Tour!

ATVing on the Magnificent Eklutna Lake Trail System

The other day I and two friends, Desmon and Steve, embarked on a self-organized Alaska ATV tour into the Eklutna Lakeside Trail area.

Wow! I can not believe that it took me four years to discover this place. Afterall, I only live a half hour away! If you are coming to Alaska anytime soon, you will really want to consider adding this to your Alaska adventure vacation itinerary!

Despite that it was getting late in the season (October 2nd), we loaded up the four-wheelers and headed fifteen minutes south on the Glen Highway to the Eklutna Exit (mile marker 26). From the Eklutna Exit we drove another 10 miles to the trailhead and, there, unloaded our three ATVs.

Desmon had been on this trail before, so he took the lead on our ATV trek. This ATV tour took us 14 miles deep into the half a million acre Chugach State Park.

Chugach State Park is Amazing!

Yes indeed! Chugach is the third largest state park in the entire United States and yet, it is one of the most easily accessed. The parks' front line of mountains jut up well in view of the much-traveled Glen Highway, from Anchorage, north to the Matanuska Valley. The park is literally right off the highway along most of the stretch.

The average tourist sees these mountains as well. They drive past them when they are northbound to Denali and they pass the same mountains when they are south bound to Whittier. But I don't believe most realize what lies beyond what they see from the highway. They come all this way and miss the Chugach State Park. What a shame!

Back to our ATV fun...

I brought my camera, of course, and I took a lot of pictures. The Birch leaves were at their peak so I couldn't help but stop often and snap off a picture.

Eklutna Lake and the trail system here is one of the best for those visiting Alaska. There is a small hut near the parking area that rents kayaks and canoes and bicycles.

If you can't ATV, then a bike would be the next best thing.

Special Notes About the Park

There is a $5 dollar park entrance fee per vehicle

Only non-motorized boats are allowed on Eklutna Lake. Eklutna is not only the largest lake in the park -- It is also the primary water source for the City of Anchorage!

The Eklutna Lakeside Trail system is available for ATVing Sunday through Wednesday only

On average expect the trip to last about 3 hours if using ATVs

Eklutna is about 45 minutes north of Anchorage

The average summer temperature at Eklutna Lake is between 40-70 degrees fahrenheit

Local Wildlife

While on this trip we saw numerous Dall Sheep high on the mountains and canyon walls. At one time we could see seven or eight of them spread out over the high panoramic view. They were so high up that they looked like little white specks to the human eye. Steve was the only one to remember to bring binoculars. Next time I'll know!

Also along the 14 mile trail, we spotted numerous grouse and other game birds.

Although not seen on this particular trip, moose and wolves inhabit parts of the park. Other animals in the area include porcupine, ground squirrels, marmot, fox and lynx. Be sure to bring a camera, preferrably with a telephoto lens to get better shots!

Speaking of animals, we saw this sign posted on a bathroom door.... Didn't see a porcupine this time, but I have previously. Porcupines are huge up here...seriously! I bet they could eat a bathroom! :)

A Cabin and a Waterfall -- How Cool!

At mile 12 we came across the Serenity Falls public use cabin.

It was really nice. Made me want to stay there. No one was there at the time and the door doesn't lock, so we went inside to take a look around!

One whole side of the cabin/hut is made up of windows. What a view of the steep canyon walls! Then of course, there was a great view of Serenity Falls. Serenity Falls is a multi-tiered falls that is beautiful. Be sure to watch the video below to see the falls.

This cabin is equipped with wooden sleeping platforms, a wood heating stove, chairs or benches, and a table. A pit latrine is nearby. Water is supplied from the lake in the summer or snow in the winter. Please purify all water before using.

A group can rent the entire cabin for $115 a night or for as little as $10 per bunk space. Maximum sleeping space is for 13 people. The bunks are made out of plywood....if you stay, I recommend that you bring a foam or air mattress.

Just a bit further, we came to the end of the ATV trail. From here you see the churning turquoise blue Eklutna River.

Alaska ATV Tour The Eklutna Glacier isn't visible from this spot, but knowing that it wasn't too far away left no doubt in my mind that that water was not only pretty but COLD!

I almost find it out the hard way though. I climbed out on a rock, in the middle of the river, so that I could get a good picture. I lost my balance and nearly ended up in the river and just about lost my camera!

All I could think of was that I'd lose all of my pictures! Somehow I recovered and caught my camera about 3 inches above the water!!