Summit Lake State Recreation Site  

Summit Lake State Recreation Site Map

Facilities
There is no campground at the state recreation site but there is a trail around Summit Lake, and along the bluff above the lake. The views from the bluff viewpoint are outstanding, including the Willow Creek Drainage, the Susitna Valley, and the Alaska Range. You can also see "Nixon's Nose," a popular launch site for paragliders in the summer, who can ride the updrafts for several hours on a good day.

To the east of Summit Lake is April Bowl, a very small valley with a tarn and several small ponds. In the winter the valley is a popular destination for backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The park is also open to snowmachines when snow depth allows.

Fees
There are no fees at Summit Lake.

Accessibility
Access to the Hatcher Pass area is via the 49-mile-long Hatcher Pass Road from either Palmer or Willow. From Palmer, take the Palmer-Fishhook Road turnoff at Mile 49.5 of the Glenn Highway. From Willow, take the Fishhook-Willow Road from Mile 71.2 of the Parks Highway. Summit Lake is located at Mile 19 of Hatcher Pass Road, 30 miles from Willow. Road access to the park is limited to the summer months, usually July thru late September. For more information contact the Alaska State Parks office (907-745-3975) in Wasilla.