Hidden Lake Campground

About

Hidden Lake Campground is located within the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, often called "Alaska in miniature" for its diverse landscapes spanning ice fields, forests, and wetlands. The campground provides 44 total sites: 23 reservable sites on Skyview Loop and 21 first-come-first-served sites on Lake and Ridge Loops. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table, with vault toilets and hand-pump water available throughout. The campground offers direct access to Hidden Lake via a free boat launch with trailer parking. Personal watercraft are prohibited, and no summertime aircraft landing is permitted on the lake. Burney's Trail begins across from Skyview Loop site 7 and connects to Hideout Trail, passing through aspen and spruce forest before reaching views of Hidden Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai Mountains. The upper portion follows the edge of the 2019 Swan Lake Fire. The Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area encompasses 100 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a 16-mile scenic drive. Wildlife viewing opportunities include moose, brown and black bears, lynx, wolves, and trumpeter swans. The Kenai River system originating in the refuge supports Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon along with Dolly Varden and rainbow trout.

Directions

Located at mile 3.6 Skilak Lake Road, most easily accessed from the east entrance off Sterling Highway (AK Highway 1) at milepost 58. Skilak Lake Road is gravel until reaching the paved campground road. Seasonal muddy conditions can occur in late April and early May depending on snowpack. Road conditions typically improve by mid-May and are accessible to 2WD vehicles and RVs.