Southcentral Community: Big Lake
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Located approximately 60 miles north of Anchorage, Big Lake is far enough away from the Big City to offer the peace and quiet of country life, yet close enough to provide all the necessary and desired amenities. The community covers nearly 138-square-miles at the west end of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and has grown from a single homestead in the early part of the century into a bustling community of about 2,000 full-time residents, including three-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser and his family.
As a tremendously popular tourist and recreational area, 58 percent of the area’s total housing are mostly private recreational units, resulting in large weekend and seasonal population increases as the area teems with people who have come to enjoy the many recreational opportunities. Big Lake is known as ‘Alaska's Year-Round Playground.’
Big Lake North State Recreation Site is located on the lake and has 63 overnight parking spaces, walk-in tent sites, picnic area, shelters, water, outhouses and provides wonderful views of the Alaska Range. On a clear day you can even see Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America.
Also located on Big Lake Road is Fish Creek Park, a popular day-use area with access to Fish Creek, a salmon spawning observation deck, picnic area, swimming, pavilion, restroom, playground and parking area. Another mile down the road is Big Lake South State Recreation Site, a day-use and camping area with fire pits, outhouses, water, parking and a boat ramp.
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Big Lake is known as Alaska's Year-Round Playground
Population: 2,982
Location: Big Lake is a community on the shores of Big Lake, 13 miles southwest of Wasilla, in the Chugach Mountains.
Access: By road, 3.5 miles off the Parks Highway on Big Lake Road, junction with Parks Highway is at Milepost 52.3.
Accommodations: Bed and breakfasts, cabins, vacation rentals and campgrounds, all services.