🏔️ Top of Hatcher Pass — A small alpine cirque lake beside the 3,886-foot summit of Hatcher Pass, reachable by road only in summer.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mile 19.2 Hatcher Pass Road, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK |
| Road access | Summer only, usually July through late September |
| Size | 360 acres |
| Camping | First come, first served; no online reservations |
| Parking | Limited |
| ADA facilities | None listed |
As listed by Alaska State Parks in October 2026.
About Summit Lake
Summit Lake State Recreation Site sits at the top of Hatcher Pass in the Mat-Su Region of Alaska State Parks. Hatcher Pass Summit lies inside the 360-acre site at an elevation of 3,886 feet. Summit Lake itself is a small cirque lake, or tarn, about 20 feet deep, sitting in the bowl where a long-gone alpine glacier once began. All the terrain around you is glacially carved. The lumpy ground north of the lake is not made of boulders; frost action in the wet soil heaves it up.
This is high, exposed country. Snow can fall in any month at this elevation, and deep snow often lingers on north-facing slopes into late summer, so a snowball fight in August is entirely possible.
Getting There
The site is at Mile 19.2 Hatcher Pass Road (Alaska State Parks also gives Mile 19.6 on the same page), about 2 miles past the turnoff to Independence Mine State Historical Park. From Palmer, take the Glenn Highway and exit onto Hatcher Pass Road. From Willow, take the George Parks Highway to Hatcher Pass Road. The park’s coordinates are 61.7704, -149.3153.
Road access is limited to the summer months, usually July through late September. Between Mile 17.5 and Mile 32.5, Hatcher Pass Road is rough, narrow, steep gravel, and Alaska State Parks does not recommend RVs or large vehicles. Expect slow going and limited parking at the site.
Things to Do
Alaska State Parks lists hiking, trails, berry picking, photography, paragliding, skiing and snowmobiling here. The popular April Bowl Trail starts at the site and climbs to a smaller alpine lake; if you want more, you can keep climbing toward Hatch Peak to the south. On most summer weekends you can watch paragliders soaring around the nearby peaks, and blueberries ripen throughout the area in August.
In winter the site is the gateway to the west side of the Hatcher Pass Management Area for skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers. Check current road and trail conditions with Alaska State Parks before you go.
Camping
Campsites at Summit Lake are first come, first served. Arrive with a backup plan on busy summer weekends, because parking is limited.
Camping reservations: Camping at Summit Lake State Recreation Site cannot be booked online; Alaska State Parks lists no reservable sites for this park. Cabins and campsites that can be booked are listed at reservealaskastateparks.com. As of October 2026.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (usually July to late September): the only season with road access, and the time for hiking the April Bowl Trail, watching paragliders and picking blueberries in August. Winter: skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling on the west side of the Hatcher Pass Management Area. In any month, pack for snow and cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you drive to Summit Lake State Recreation Site?
Only in summer: Alaska State Parks says road access is usually open from July through late September (as of October 2026).
Can you reserve a campsite at Summit Lake?
No. Campsites are first come, first served, and Alaska State Parks takes no online reservations for this site (as of October 2026).
Is Hatcher Pass Road suitable for RVs?
Alaska State Parks does not recommend RVs or large vehicles, because Hatcher Pass Road is rough, narrow, steep gravel from Mile 17.5 to Mile 32.5 and parking at the site is limited.
How was Summit Lake formed?
Summit Lake is a cirque lake, or tarn, about 20 feet deep; its basin is where a long-gone alpine glacier began.
Nearby: Independence Mine State Historical Park is a short drive away, at the turnoff about 2 miles back down Hatcher Pass Road.
Keep exploring: our full Alaska state parks guide.
🏔️ Visit Summit Lake State Recreation Site
Check road access and conditions before you drive up Hatcher Pass.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Summit Lake State Recreation Site
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in Alaska State Parks and campgrounds when leashed and accompanied by the owner; unleashed dogs are allowed in the backcountry if under voice control.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not exceeding 9 feet required in developed facilities (campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, swim beaches, boat ramps).
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No statewide pet ban on beaches; swim beaches count as developed facilities where the 9-foot leash rule applies.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- In the backcountry leashes are not required but pets must remain under voice control; in trapping areas (e.g. Chena River SRA) leashing is strongly advised for dog safety.
Are dogs allowed at Summit Lake State Recreation Site?
Pets are welcome in Alaska State Parks and campgrounds when leashed and accompanied by the owner; unleashed dogs are allowed in the backcountry if under voice control. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.alaska.gov. More: Alaska state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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