Skilak Lake

The lake is part of the Kenai River system but also contains glacial runoff, being fed by meltwater from Skilak Glacier.

It is within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and can be accessed by Skilak Lake Loop Road via the Sterling Highway.

Early Russian explorers mistakenly believed Skilak and Tustumena Lake to be a single body of water.

[2] It is a popular destination for Alaskans due to it being only about a half-hour drive from Soldotna, and approximately two hours from Anchorage.

[3] There are many well-developed and maintained trails along the lake and its access road, as well as campgrounds and public-access cabins.

The turquoise water of Skilak Lake and the Kenai River delta, as seen from the air
The upper end of the lake seen from Skilak Lake Road, to the left is the Kenai River delta, in the distance is the Skiak Glacier floodplain