Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
Alaska’s Premier Canoe Wilderness — 14 Public-Use Cabins, Lynx Lake Loop 8-Mile Canoe Trail, 98-Site Campground, Red Shirt Lake Backcountry, Near Willow
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is a state recreation area at Mile 67.3 Parks Highway near Willow, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. The area features 14 public-use cabins on remote lakes, the 8-mile Lynx Lake Loop canoe trail, South Rolly Lake Campground with 98 sites, a 30-site Nancy Lake campground, canoe rentals, Red Shirt Lake backcountry camping, year-round recreation including winter cabin access by ski/snowshoe/snowmobile.
Nancy Lake is Alaska’s premier flatwater canoe destination — a lake-studded wilderness connected by portage trails offering multi-day paddling adventures through boreal forest. The 8-mile Lynx Lake Loop canoe trail winds through a chain of tranquil lakes — a full day paddle. 14 public-use cabins on Red Shirt, Lynx, Nancy, James, Rhein, and Bald lakes provide year-round wilderness lodging (wood-burning stoves, wooden bunks). South Rolly Lake Campground offers 98 sites with boat launches, and the Nancy Lake site adds 30 more sites. In winter, the parkway is plowed only to Mile 2.2 — beyond that, cabin access requires skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles.
Things to Do
Paddling
- Lynx Lake Loop — 8-mi canoe trail, full day
- Canoe rentals — South Rolly Lake
- Multi-lake chain paddling
Camping & Cabins
- South Rolly Lake CG — 98 sites
- Nancy Lake CG — 30 sites
- 14 public-use cabins — reservable year-round
- Red Shirt Lake backcountry — 3-mi hike in
Winter
- XC skiing + snowshoeing
- Snowmobiling
- Winter cabin access
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mile 67.3 Parks Hwy, near Willow, AK |
| From Wasilla | ~26 miles NW |
| Canoe Trail | Lynx Lake Loop — 8 mi, full day |
| Campgrounds | South Rolly (98 sites) + Nancy Lake (30 sites) |
| Cabins | 14 public-use — 6 lakes, year-round, reservable |
| Equipment | Wood stove, bunks, counters — BYOB supplies/water |
| Rentals | Canoe rentals at South Rolly |
| Winter Access | Road plowed to Mile 2.2 only — ski/snowshoe/snowmobile beyond |
| Parking Fee | Required |
| Coordinates | 61.6545° N, 150.1079° W |
Visitor Tips
- Canoe paradise: The Lynx Lake Loop is an 8-mile, full-day canoe trail through connected lakes — Alaska’s best flatwater paddling.
- 14 cabins: Reserve cabins well in advance — they’re popular year-round, especially the lakeside ones.
- BYOB: Cabins provide stove/bunks but you must bring all supplies including drinking water.
- Winter reality: The road is only plowed to Mile 2.2 in winter — reach cabins by ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile.
- Summer access: Most cabins are boat-access only in summer — rent canoes at South Rolly Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nancy Lake have cabins and canoe trails?
Yes — Nancy Lake State Recreation Area near Willow, Alaska, features 14 public-use cabins on six remote lakes (reservable year-round), the 8-mile Lynx Lake Loop canoe trail, canoe rentals, and 128 campsites across two campgrounds. Cabins have wood stoves and bunks but guests must bring all supplies. In winter, road access is limited to Mile 2.2 — cabins require ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile access.
Last updated: May 2026
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