🏆 Alaska Wilderness — Alpine lake at 1,100 feet on the Seward Highway — stunning turquoise glacial lake surrounded by Chugach Mountains at Moose Pass.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Alaska |
| Access | Check AK State Parks |
About Summit Lake
Summit Lake State Recreation Site sits at Broad Pass — the highest point on the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. At 2,300 feet elevation, the site offers treeline camping with expansive views of the Alaska Range. On clear days, Denali (20,310 feet) — the tallest mountain in North America — dominates the northern horizon.
Summit Lake State Recreation Site along the Seward Highway sits at the summit of Turnagain Pass — a 1,000-foot mountain pass through the Kenai Mountains between Anchorage and Seward. The alpine setting offers dramatic mountain scenery and serves as a year-round recreation hub. In winter, the pass receives enormous snowfalls and is one of Alaska’s most popular backcountry skiing and snowboarding destinations.
Things to Do
Camping with Denali views (when clear), fishing in Summit Lake, berry picking in the subalpine tundra, photography of the Alaska Range, and wildlife viewing for caribou and moose. The Parks Highway drive is one of Alaska’s great road trips.
Fishing in Summit Lake, camping, hiking in the alpine terrain, backcountry skiing and snowboarding in winter (massive snowfall), wildlife watching for Dall sheep and mountain goats, and photographing the dramatic Kenai Mountain scenery.
Insider Tips
Scenic drive stop: Summit Lake on the Seward Highway is one of the most photographed spots in Southcentral Alaska — the turquoise glacial lake reflects snow-capped mountains. Pro tip: Stop at the pullout on the south end for the classic calendar shot. Wildlife: Dall sheep are visible on the rocky crags above the lake — white dots moving across impossibly steep terrain.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round: Accessible on the paved Seward Highway. Summer: Best weather and turquoise water color. Winter: Dramatic frozen lake with Northern Lights. Fall: Alpine tundra turns gold above the lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the water turquoise?
Glacial meltwater carries suspended “rock flour” — microscopic rock particles ground by glaciers. These particles scatter light, creating the distinctive turquoise color found in glacial lakes worldwide.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Bettles Bay State Marine Park is within about an hour’s drive, and Sandspit Point State Marine Park is within about an hour’s drive.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🐾 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 Location
Plan your gear for Summit Lake State Recreation Site
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
