Nancy Lake State Recreation Area


Located along the Nancy Lake Pkwy, jutting off George Parks Hwy at Mile 67.3, this state recreation area is one of Alaska’s few flat, lake-studded parks, offering camping, fishing, canoeing and hiking. Although it lacks the dramatic scenery of the country to the north, the 22,685-acre area can be peaceful on weekdays – and thronging with Anchorage and Mat-Su residents on weekends. Download a map of the park from the website, as the area can be confusing.

The recreation area offers two campgrounds accessible by road, many backcountry campsites and 13 public-use cabins (per night $45 to $70) spread around the park. Reserve the latter through the Alaska Division of Parks, online or in person at its Wasilla office. Tent camping costs $20.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Iditarod Trail Headquarters

18.33 MILES

Near Wasilla, the town of Knik boasts a rich sled-dog history, since it's the home of many Alaskan mushers (and checkpoint 4 on the race route). For more…

2. Dorothy Page Museum

18.79 MILES

A collection of historic buildings right in the center of Wasilla's strip malls. Fridays are free.

3. Independence Mine State Historical Park

23.63 MILES

The main attraction of Hatcher Pass is 272-acre Independence Mine State Historical Park, a huge, abandoned gold mine sprawled out in an alpine valley. The…

4. Eklutna Village Historical Park

25.39 MILES

One of the most interesting anthropological sites in the region, where the uneasy marriage of the Athabascan and Russian Orthodox cultures is enshrined…

5. Musk Ox Farm

27.91 MILES

The Musk Ox Farm is home to a domesticated herd of these big, shaggy beasts. These ice-age critters are intelligent enough to have evolved a complex…

6. Friday Fling

28.81 MILES

An open-air market with local produce, art, crafts, food and live music. Held every Friday in summer.

7. Matanuska Valley Agricultural Showcase

28.83 MILES

A garden next to the visitor center that features flowers and the area’s famous oversized vegetables. But you have to be passing through in August if you…

8. Palmer Museum of History & Art

28.83 MILES

The log cabin that used to be just a visitor center is now more museum than brochures, with local art and interesting displays on Palmer’s agricultural…