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Lake Louise State Recreation Area

Lake Louise State Recreation Area

Lake Louise State Recreation Area

Recreational activities draw in visitors year-round to this magnificent lake near Glennallen.

Located west of Glennallen in the Copper River Valley, Lake Louise State Recreational Area is a popular year-round playground for Alaskans and visitors alike. The 90-acre recreation area lies at the south end of Lake Louise, and along with adjoining Susitna Lake, extends over 37 square miles. The area is surrounded by four scenic mountain ranges: the Wrangell, Talkeetna, Chugach, and Alaska Ranges. This is Alaska's largest lake system that is accessible by road.

THINGS TO DO

Lake Louise offers great year-round fishing for Arctic grayling, whitefish, burbot, and lake trout. Other summer activities include camping, boating, birding, hiking, biking, and berry picking. In the winter, visitors can go ice fishing, ride snowmobiles, cross-country ski, ice-skate, and view the northern lights.

WILDLIFE

The two lakes and the surrounding area are home to a variety of wildlife and birds, including the only known freshwater nesting site for cormorants. This nesting site, known as Bird Island, is also a rare inland nesting site for gulls. Other wildlife that may be seen while traveling the large lakes include moose, wolf, bear, fox, sheep, lynx, and the annual fall migration of the Nelchina caribou herd.

LANDSCAPE

There are many small islands at the south end of the lake, most of which have private homes built on them. The Lake Louise area has a dry Interior climate due to high mountains shielding the region from moist maritime weather. Precipitation is only about 10 inches annually. Both Lake Louise and Susitna Lake can be rough and have hidden sandbars in shallow areas. Boaters are cautioned to keep their speed low and be alert in shallow areas.

HISTORY

Near the end of World War II, the U.S. Army established a recreation facility at the lake and built the first road into the area, Lake Louise Road, while building the Glenn Highway. After the war, the area was homesteaded and the lake was eventually designated as an official state recreation area. Traces of the WWII era can still be found today on the trails leading up to the dilapidated cabins at the "Army Point" campground, including one that was used by General Dwight D. Eisenhower before he was president.

FACILITIES AND CAMPING

The state recreation area has a campground with a total of 67 sites. The campsites feature fire rings and picnic tables. Other facilities include a picnic area, covered picnic shelter, a boat launch, and a walking trail. A private concessionaire manages the campground and offers boat rentals and guided fishing trips.

GETTING HERE

Lake Louise is 32 miles northwest of Glennallen and accessible by road via Lake Louise Road from Mile 159.8 of the Glenn Highway. Lake Louise State Recreation Area is located at Mile 17.2 on the Lake Louise Road.

Learn more about the Lake Louise community.

For more information, visit the Lake Louise State Recreation Area website.

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