Fielding Lake State Recreation Site
🎣 An Alpine Lake at Mile 200 — Where the Richardson Highway Reaches the Roof of Alaska — Fielding Lake State Recreation Site at Mile 200.4 Richardson Highway, Alaska, alpine lake at 2,840 feet, lake trout and grayling fishing, primitive camping, boat launch, Alaska Range views, Isabel Pass, tundra landscape, remote — Valdez-Cordova Census Area, AK
Mile 200 on the Richardson Highway. Elevation: 2,840 feet. Fielding Lake sits in a treeless alpine bowl below Isabel Pass — one of the highest highway passes in Alaska — surrounded by tundra, scree, and the Alaska Range dissolving into sky.
This is Alaska’s backcountry fishing delivered by pavement. A 2-mile gravel access road drops from the highway to a primitive campground on the lakeshore. The lake holds lake trout and arctic grayling. The water is cold and deep and the color of liquid metal. No services. No cell signal. No one counting how many fish you catch — just the wind, the tundra, and a 680-acre alpine lake that most Alaska travelers drive past without knowing it exists.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing | Lake trout (some exceeding 20 pounds) and arctic grayling — the two fish that define Alaska’s interior lakes. Troll for lakers with downriggers or cast for grayling along the shore and in the inlet streams. The grayling are elegant — spotted dorsal fins the size of sails. The lake trout fight deep and hard |
| Camping | Primitive campground on the lakeshore — gravel pads, fire rings, vault toilets. No water. No hookups. No garbage service (pack out everything). The campground is basic because the setting doesn’t need improvement. Your tent faces the lake. The tundra surrounds you. The sky is enormous |
| Boating | Primitive boat launch — suitable for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. The lake is 680 acres and exposed to alpine wind — check conditions before launching. A lightweight boat and a fishing rod are all you need. Paddle to the far end where the inlet stream enters — the grayling stack up there |
| Alpine Tundra | Walk the tundra above the lake — no trails needed, the ground is open and walkable. Alpine wildflowers in July. Blueberries in August. Ptarmigan year-round. The landscape is above treeline and feels like standing on the roof of the world |
| Northern Lights | Late August through April — the lake’s location at 63°N, high elevation, and zero light pollution make it exceptional for aurora viewing. On clear September nights, the northern lights reflect in the lake. Few places on a paved road offer this |
The Alpine Setting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Isabel Pass | The Richardson Highway crosses Isabel Pass (3,420 ft) just above Fielding Lake — one of the highest road passes in Alaska. The landscape transitions from boreal forest below to alpine tundra above. Fielding Lake sits in this transition zone |
| Alaska Range | The eastern Alaska Range flanks the highway — peaks rising to 13,000+ feet, glaciers visible on clear days. The volcanic Wrangell Mountains are to the south. The mountain scenery from the lake is dramatic and ever-changing with weather |
| Remote | The nearest services are in Paxson (20 miles south) — gas and a lodge. Glennallen is 70 miles south. Delta Junction is 70 miles north. Bring everything you need. This is Interior Alaska — self-sufficiency is not optional |
| Short Season | The access road is typically passable from mid-June through September. The lake freezes by October. Winter access is possible by snowmachine. Summer is brief, intense, and unforgettable |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jul–Aug) | ☀️ 20+ hours of daylight. Fishing prime. Wildflowers. Tundra alive. The lake at its most accessible |
| Fall (Sep) | 🍂 Tundra turning red and gold. Northern lights beginning. Lake trout aggressive. The most dramatic light |
| Spring (Jun) | Ice-out. Access road opening. Snow melting. The lake waking up. Fishing starting |
| Winter (Oct–May) | Lake frozen. Access by snowmachine only. Ice fishing possible. Extreme cold. Aurora spectacular |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive a regular car to the lake?
The 2-mile access road is gravel and can be rough — high-clearance vehicles are recommended. During dry summer conditions, a careful driver in a regular car can make it, but 4WD or a truck is better. Check road conditions before committing.
Are there bears?
Yes — grizzly bears are present in the area. Store all food in bear-proof containers. Make noise while walking. Carry bear spray. The tundra offers long sightlines — use them. Bears are a fact of life at this elevation in Alaska.
🎣 680 Acres of Alpine Lake. Lake Trout in the Deep. Grayling in the Shallows. And Nobody Else.
Drive to Mile 200. Take the gravel road down to the tundra lake. Cast for grayling at the inlet. Troll for 20-pound lakers in the deep water. Camp on the lakeshore with the Alaska Range behind you and the northern lights above. This is Alaska’s backcountry — delivered by pavement.
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