Hidden Lake Campground
From ice fields and glaciers to tundra, forests, and coastal wetlands, the refuge is often called “Alaska in miniature.” Biodiversity here is unusually high for this latitude due to the meeting of two distinct biomes: the Sitka spruce-dominated coastal rainforest and the westernmost reach of North America’s boreal forest. This rich ecosystem serves as a critical anchor for biodiversity on the Kenai Peninsula amidst regional growth, shifting fire regimes, and a changing climate. Wildlife & Fisheries Mammals: Home to moose, brown and black bears, lynx, wolves, and more. Birds: Nesting grounds for trumpeter swans and various waterfowl.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Alaska · reservable in Alaska · pets allowed in Alaska
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
Site guide
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 2 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 3 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 4 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 5 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 6 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | Pull-through | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 8 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 9 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | |
| 10 | Back-in | Gravel | No / – | 20 / – | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 6, 10, 15, 20 are listed accessible |
- Campsites & Reservations
- Hidden Lake Campground features 44 total campsites:
- Skyview Loop: 23 sites available by online reservation.
- Lake & Ridge Loops: Available on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment must be made on-site via cash or check at the self-serve "iron ranger" pay station.
- Hookups: No electric or water hookups are available.
- Water, Boating & Amenities
- Boat Launch: A free boat launch is available with adjacent parking for vehicles towing boat trailers.
- Water Supply: Hand pumps are located in each camp loop and near the boat launch. Note: Water is not guaranteed potable; please boil for at least 1 minute or treat before drinking.
- Dump Station: On-site RV dump station
- Day-Use Pavilions & Group Permits
- Two day-use pavilions with raised charcoal grills and picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups larger than 20 people require a Special Use Permit issued at Refuge headquarters.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Hidden Lake Campground Access & Road Conditions. Location: Mile 3.6, Skilak Lake Road (Best accessed via the East Entrance at Milepost 58 off the Sterling Highway / AK Highway 1). Road Surface: Gravel, transitioning to paved road at the campground entrance.
| Nearest town | Soldotna, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 60.4583° N, 150.1945° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The Dena’ina people call this special place Yaghanen — “the good land.” Today, it is known as the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
- Water is not guaranteed potable; please boil for at least 1 minute or treat before drinking.
Charges and cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
Explore
Video
Hidden Lake Campground and Resort, Hot Springs, South Dakota
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Kenai Wilderness, which overlaps Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
- inKenai Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Fish and Wildlife Service · 1,354,247 acres
- inKenai National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 1,943,006 acres
- inChugach National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 6,244,689 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Cooper Landing Historic DistrictHistoric district · Cooper Landing · 12.4 mi
- Cooper Landing Post OfficeBuilding · Cooper Landing · 12.4 mi
Natural features
Spanning 1.9 million acres across the western Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is a dramatic expanse of Alaskan wilderness. The landscape sweeps from the rugged western slopes of the Kenai Mountains across forested lowlands, rivers, lakes, and coastal wetlands along Cook Inlet. Positioned at the heart of the peninsula, the refuge borders Chugach National Forest to the east and Kenai Fjords National Park to the southeast.
Recreation
- Hidden Lake Campground is located within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area—a destination featuring 100 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a 19-mile scenic drive, and multiple lakes for boating.
- Hiking: Burney's Trail
- Located across from Skyview Loop (Site #7), Burney’s Trail connects to the Hideout Trail for a continuous thru hike that ends at Mile 1.9 of Skilak Lake Road.
- Difficulty & Terrain: Short and relatively easy, with a moderately steep section near the end as it winds through aspen and spruce forest.
- Highlights: The upper portion follows the burn edge of the 2019 Swan Lake Fire and offers sweeping views of Hidden Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai Mountains.
- Boating & Water Rules
- Boating: Hidden Lake is open to motorized and non-motorized boats. Personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis) are not permitted.
- Aircraft: No summertime landing of aircraft is allowed on Hidden Lake.
Guidebooks for Alaska
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hidden Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hidden Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Hidden Lake Campground?
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Hidden Lake Campground have?
25 sites, including 25 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Hidden Lake Campground?
Hidden Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Hidden Lake Campground?
Dump Station: On-site RV dump station
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Hidden Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hidden Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hidden Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Hidden Lake Campground?
Sites 6, 10, 15, and 20 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hidden Lake Campground?
Hidden Lake Campground is located within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area—a destination featuring 100 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a 19-mile scenic drive, and multiple lakes for boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hidden Lake Campground?
Soldotna, Alaska.
Source: Getting there
What if Hidden Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Russian River (7.7 mi), Cooper Creek South (10.8 mi), and Quartz Creek Campground (15.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby