Big Lake North State Recreation Area

🏆🏆🏆🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Big Lake north shore — popular Matanuska-Susitna Valley lake recreation area with 3,000-acre Big Lake, one of the busiest boating lakes in Alaska.

Visitor Information

About Big Lake North

Big Lake North State Recreation Area on Big Lake in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley provides camping and lake access about 70 miles north of Anchorage. Big Lake is one of the most popular recreational lakes in Southcentral Alaska, surrounded by birch forest with views of Denali on clear days. Summer days here last nearly 20 hours.

Things to Do

Camping (60 sites), fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon, boating, swimming, waterskiing, and enjoying midnight sun views of Denali reflected in the lake. Winter brings ice fishing, snowmobiling, and dog mushing.

About Big Lake North

Big Lake North State Recreation Area in Matanuska-Susitna Borough provides access to Big Lake — one of the most popular summer recreation lakes in Southcentral Alaska. Just 60 miles north of Anchorage, Big Lake sits in the shadow of the Alaska Range and offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the Mat-Su Valley. Summer days here last 19+ hours, giving anglers and boaters seemingly endless daylight.

Things to Do

Fishing for rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, and burbot, boating, floatplane watching (Big Lake is a major floatplane base), camping, jet skiing, and waterskiing in 19 hours of summer daylight.

Insider Tips

Float plane country: Big Lake is one of Alaska’s busiest float plane bases — watching takeoffs and landings is entertainment in itself. Pro tip: Fish early morning before boat traffic picks up. Winter tip: Ice fishing on Big Lake draws thousands — drill a hole, drop a line, and wait for rainbow trout or landlocked salmon. Rent an ice fishing shelter for comfort.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: Fishing, boating, swimming, and float plane watching. 18-20 hours of daylight. Winter: Ice fishing, snowmachining, and dog mushing on the frozen lake. Spring (May): Ice breakout — a dramatic annual event. Fall: Moose hunting season and northern lights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Big Lake from Anchorage?

About 60 miles north via the Parks Highway — roughly 90 minutes by car. Big Lake is the closest major recreation lake to Anchorage, making it extremely popular on summer weekends.

Can I camp at Big Lake North?

Yes — camping is available at the SRA. Sites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends for the best spots. Bear-proof food storage is required.