Quartz Lake State Recreation Area

About

Quartz Lake State Recreation Area is a popular 600-acre Alaska State Park situated along the Richardson Highway at Mile 277.8, about 10 miles north of Delta Junction and 86 miles southeast of Fairbanks. The recreation area encompasses Quartz Lake and Lost Lake, providing diverse year-round outdoor recreation opportunities in Interior Alaska. The campground offers 103 total camping sites: 16 developed campsites in a loop configuration and 87 parking and camping sites in a parking lot development. There is no RV size limit, making it accessible to large rigs. The park includes two boat launches, an ADA-accessible fishing dock, picnic sites, a picnic shelter, a swimming area, a beach volleyball court, water (seasonal), and vault toilets. A commercial business operates boat rentals at the park. Quartz Lake is renowned for exceptional fishing, with over 34,000 fish harvested annually. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with more than 300,000 fingerling rainbow trout and coho salmon annually, plus biennial stocking of Arctic char and Chinook salmon. Rainbow trout can reach 18 inches or more, with a trophy fish of 25.5 inches caught in 1980. Five hiking trails traverse the park, offering extraordinary views of the Tanana River Valley, Alaska Range, Shaw Creek Flats, and the lakes. Wildlife viewing is excellent, particularly at Lost Lake where moose, swans, and beavers are commonly observed. Summer activities include fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, hiking, picnicking, and camping. Winter activities include ice fishing, snowmachining, dog mushing, and skijoring, with ice huts available for rent. The park also features two public use cabins: Glatfelder Cabin (accessible by boat or trail) and the Quartz Lake Cabin (currently destroyed by fire and closed indefinitely).

Directions

Located at Mile 277.8 of the Richardson Highway, 10 miles north of Delta Junction. Turn right on Quartz Lake Road, then right on Quartz Lake Road Access. The campground is approximately 3 miles from the highway.