Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Open — Open year-round with reservations available. Winter access to South Rolly Lake Campground is limited as Nancy Lake Parkway is plowed only to the Winter Trailhead at Mile 2.2, requiring snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes for further travel.

About

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area is one of the few flat, lake-studded landscapes in Alaska preserved for recreation purposes, encompassing 22,685 acres in the Mat-Su Valley. Located 90 minutes north of Anchorage along the Parks Highway at Mile 67.3, the recreation area features clear waters ringed with unspoiled forests of white spruce, paper birch, and black spruce that provide tranquil settings for diverse outdoor activities. The recreation area includes multiple camping facilities and 14 public use cabins located on Red Shirt, Lynx, Nancy, James, and Bald lakes. These insulated cabins are equipped with wooden bunks, counters, wood-burning stoves, outhouses, and outdoor fire rings, available year-round by reservation. The Nancy Lake Parkway travels 6.5 miles southwest from the Parks Highway to South Rolly Lake Campground, providing access to numerous lakes and the popular Nancy Lake Canoe Trail System. Summer activities include camping, canoeing, fishing, and hiking, with cabin access by boat or short walk. Winter transforms the area into a premier destination for cross-country skiing, dog mushing, and snowmachining. The Nancy Lake Parkway is plowed only to the Winter Trailhead at Mile 2.2 during winter months, beyond which access continues via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes. The recreation area operates with a 14-day camping limit and no RV size restrictions.

Directions

Located 90 minutes north of Anchorage. From Mile 67.3 of the Parks Highway near Willow, turn west onto Nancy Lake Parkway. The parkway travels 6.5 miles southwest to South Rolly Lake Campground. In winter, the parkway is plowed only to the Winter Trailhead at Mile 2.2.

Nearby Campgrounds