Alaska RV Travel, Camping, and Adventure

Experience the beauty and uniqueness of the Alaskan landscape. You can't get much farther away than Alaska. The camping season for most state campgrounds is generally mid-May through mid-September. There are exceptions to these dates around the state, especially with private campgrounds. But, while the views are spectacular in the winter, travel is difficult and may be impossible during certain times.

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September 15th....we have termination dust apparent throughout the Chugach range. Termination dust refers to the first dusting of snow--pretty much meaning that summer is over. Of course we already knew this since its been getting colder and the days getting shorter. Down to about 12 hours of daylight now, and temperatures tonight will be in the 30s.

Overview: Part of the Nancy Lake State Recreational Area, South Rolly Campground is about 90 minutes north of Anchorage. To enter the recreation area, turn west onto Nancy Lake Parkway at Mile 67.3 of the Parks Highway. From there, the Nancy Lake Parkway is a paved road 6.5 miles in length, ending at South Rolly Lake Campground and the entrance to the Red Shirt Lake Trail. During the winter the parkway is not plowed beyond the Winter Trailhead at mile 2.2. South Rolly Lake Campground has 99 campsites and is the largest in the state system. It is spread over beautiful forested hills with approximately 10 lakeside sites and many more within close distance to the boat launch. Many of the sites are pull-throughs, including several that are directly on the lake. This is a very quiet campground with each site having enough space and vegetation that you aren't too aware of your neighbors (unless they are very noisy). The camping limit is 15 days and there is no limit on vehicle size, although only 2 vehicles are permitted in each site. There is a fee for campsite rentals, and sites may not be reserved.


Facilities: There are no hookups for electricity, water, or sewers, and no shower facilities. There are outhouses within easy walking distance of all sites, and water is available at a water pump (not recommended for drinking unless treated first). There is no dump station at the campground. All of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Bear-proof trash receptacles are well-placed and easy to access.


Wildlife: There are black bears in the area, and they do come near/into the campground, so you need to be careful with your trash and food storage. Occasionally a brown bear might make an appearance, although this is rare. Other animals in the area are moose, red fox, porcupines, beavers, loons, arctic terns, and other waterfowl, and a variety of other small mammals, birds, and insects (including the famous Alaska mosquito).


Lake Activities: South Rolly Lake is restricted to electric trolling motors and non-powered boats only. Canoe rentals are available from Tippecanoe Rentals.


Hiking: The popular Red Shirt Lake Trail is located at the entrance to the campground. There is a well-defined 3 mile trail that goes to the lake. This trail is of moderate intensity, and takes about 90 minutes to hike.

Eklutna Lake Campground, Chugach State Park, Alaska
Overview: Eklutna Lake Campground has 50 campsites, two of which are classified for use by those with disabilities. All of the campsites are back-in sites with the exception of one pull-through (this is one of the sites for those with disabilities).

The campground is beautiful with large sites
that are well-spaced. There is lush vegetation and plenty of shade. Eklutna campground has two water sources, one pump with non-potable water, and one
faucet with potable water. The availability of potable water is unusual in the state parks, and this is a nice attribute.

Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. There are latrines, but no showers. An overflow camping area has 15 sites in a large parking-lot type space. Camping fees are posted, and camping is allowed for 15 consecutive nights.
There are various interpretive displays and a telescope for viewing wildlife and the lake. There is a picnic shelter for group activities in the day-use area. A large group picnic and camping area may be reserved by calling the Chugach State Park Headquarters at (907)345-5014.

Considerations for those with disabilities:
*The restroom facilities are large and are accessible.
*There are two campsites allocated specifically for those with disabilities. One of these is a pull-through site.
Both of these sites are close to latrines, and both have larger concrete pad areas.

Eklutna Lake
This beautiful lake, carved by the Eklutna glacier, is 7 miles in length and is fed by glacier and freshwater streams. Eklutna lake provides the drinking water for Anchorage. Non-motorized boats, or boats with an electric motor, are allowed on the lake. However, there is no boat launch and boats must be carried by hand from the parking lot to the lake, a distance of up to several hundred feet depending on the level of the lake. This is a rocky and uneven access which will make it difficult to wheel a canoe. The lake is high in the fall but as much as 60 feet lower in the spring. Very little water enters the lake during the cold winter months but it fills rapidly in the summer with rain, snow and glacial melt. Naturally the water is quite cold, and life vests should always be worn.

Fishing:
The best fishing spots are near the south side of the picnic area, and where the Twin Peaks, Yuditnu, Bold and Eight-mile creeks flow into the lake. Dolly Varden are the most abundant fish in the lake.

Vegetation:
The vegetation surrounding Eklutna Lake consists of spruce and birch at the lower elevations. The forest floor is covered by ferns, and a variety of mushrooms, and wildflowers. At higher elevations you will find wildflowers and a variety of
berries such as highbush and lowbush cranberries, rose hips, blueberries, currants, raspberries, and crowberries. There are also poisonous berries such as baneberry, so one needs to positively identify any berries before eating them.

Wildlife
Moose, muskrats and a variety of waterfowl may be spotted near the lakeshore. Brown and black bears, wolves, and mountain goats also inhabit the park and
Dall sheep may often seen on the steep hillsides. Smaller mammals such as fox, lynx, porcupine, hare, ground squirrel, ermine, marmot, vole, and pika can also be seen. Birds in the area include golden eagles, hawks, ptarmigan, grouse and several varieties of songbirds and water birds.

Hiking
There are approximately 30 miles of trails in the Eklutna Lake area.

Twin Peaks Trail begins in the parking lot and is about 2.6 miles in length.It is rated moderate to difficult because of the steep areas. It takes 90 minutes to 2 hours to hike up, and about an hour to hike down (naturally depending on your ability and fitness level). There is a great view of the lake and valley from the top.

Lakeside Trail is 13 miles, one way, and is rated easy. The trail is relatively flat and is an
old roadbed. Each mile is marked for easy reference.
Typical travel times (one-way) are: 6 hours for hiking; 2-3 hours for bicycling; 4-5 hours for horseback; 50 minutes for ATV (ATVs only allowed Sunday through Wednesdays, although this can vary). Motorcycles and cars are prohibited.

Eydlu Bena Loop Trail is about 2 miles in length and is rated easy to moderate. The trail begins at the trailhead parking lot and splits off at the start of the Twin Peaks trail. There are a variety of trees and other vegetation, and a viewpoint for the west end of Eklutna Lake is along the trail. The trail ends at the Lakeside Trail and from there you take Lakeside Trail for about 1/2 mile to return to your starting point. The total loop is about 2 miles.

Bold Ridge Trail is about 3.5 miles one way and begins at mile 5 of Lakeside Trail The rating is moderate to difficult. There is a steep climb to the alpine tundra, requiring about 1.75 hours going up and 1 hour coming down for hikers in good condition. There is a variety of wildflowers and
berries along the trail. Wildlife includes marmot and ground squirrels and occasionally bears or wolves are seen on the mountainsides.

Along the Bold Ridge Trail you will be treated to gorgeous views of the Eklutna Valley and Glacier, and the Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. While the maintained trail ends at the base of Bold Peak, experienced climbers may continue on to the summit (7,552-feet).

The East Fork Trail is approximately 5.5 miles one way and is rated easy to moderate. The trail begins at mile 10.5 of the Lakeside Trail and it parallels the East Fork of Eklutna River to a glacial lake. The peaks Bashful (the tallest peak in
Chugach State Park at 8005 feet) Bold, and Baneful
tower above the river to the northeast. Lots of berries along this trail.

Eklutna Glacier Trail is about 0.75 miles in length, from mile 13 of Lakeside Trail. The rating for this trail is easy to moderate. This trial begins at mile 13, where the Lakeside Trail ends. The trail leads to an interpretive display and a view of the Eklutna Glacier. While the trail is well-marked, there are potential hazards along the way-falling rocks, the swiftly flowing river, and
instability in the retreating glacier. Only those who are trained and properly equipped should venture onto the glacier.

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CRKT CR3008 Big Eddy Alaska Fillet Knife Kraton Handle ComboEdge

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Caterpillar Active Alaska - Men's Winter Boot

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Hiking Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park From Day Hikes to Backcountry Treks