🏆🏆🏆🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Glacier-carved finger lake in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley — popular swimming and canoeing destination surrounded by boreal forest.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alaska |
| Access | Check AK State Parks |
About Finger Lake
Finger Lake State Recreation Area in Wasilla provides camping and recreation on a long, narrow glacial lake in the Mat-Su Valley. The “finger” shape is classic glacial carving. The lake offers year-round recreation — summer fishing and paddling, winter ice fishing and cross-country skiing — with views of the Talkeetna Mountains.
Finger Lake State Recreation Area in the Mat-Su Valley provides recreation on a scenic mountain lake surrounded by boreal forest. Finger Lake is a popular floatplane destination and training lake for Alaska’s bush pilots — essential to a state where 82% of communities are not connected to the road system. Floatplanes are as common as pickup trucks in Alaska, and Finger Lake is a training ground for the next generation.
Things to Do
Fishing for rainbow trout and landlocked salmon, camping (41 sites), canoeing, kayaking, swimming, cross-country skiing and ice fishing in winter. A convenient Mat-Su Valley recreation spot near Anchorage.
Fishing for rainbow trout and landlocked salmon, canoeing and kayaking, floatplane watching, camping, swimming, and experiencing the floatplane culture that defines Alaskan transportation.
Insider Tips
Wasilla convenience: Finger Lake is just 5 minutes from Wasilla — perfect for a quick paddle or fish after work. Pro tip: Canoe or kayak the entire lake in an afternoon. Winter: The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race restart happens in nearby Willow — Finger Lake is on the race route. Watch dog teams pass through in March.
Best Time to Visit
March: Iditarod race — mushers rest at the Finger Lake checkpoint. Summer: Fishing, paddling, and swimming. Winter: Ice fishing, snowmachining, and cross-country skiing. Fall: Silver salmon and fall colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finger Lake connected to the Iditarod?
Yes — the Iditarod Trail passes through. During the race (March), mushers stop at the Finger Lake checkpoint. The race covers 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area (a short drive away) or Hatcher Pass East Special Management Area (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Wildlife & Nature
Finger Lake SRA — on Finger Lake in Wasilla. The area’s lake, boreal forest, and wetlands support moose, loons, and bald eagles. Stocked rainbow trout and landlocked salmon fill the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Wasilla — adjacent. Palmer — 10 miles east. Mat-Su Valley — surrounding.
Park Location
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