Hidden Lake Campground

About Hidden Lake Campground

Overview The Dena’ina people call this special place “Yaghanen” - the good land. It's also known as the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. From ice fields and glaciers to tundra, forests, and coastal wetlands, the Kenai Refuge is often called “Alaska in miniature." Biodiversity is unusually high for this latitude because of the juxtaposition of two biomes: Sitka spruce-dominated coastal rainforest and the western-most reach of boreal forest in North America. This refuge is known for its moose, brown and black bears, lynx, wolves, trumpeter swans, and more. The Kenai River, which originates in the refuge, is renowned for its wide variety of sport fish including Chinook (king), sockeye (red), and coho (silver) salmon, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. This refuge, including the Kenai Wilderness, is an anchor for biodiversity on the Kenai Peninsula in a time of change - including development downstream, changing climatic conditions, and change through fire. More information is available online at kenai.fws.gov or by calling the Refuge Visitor Center at 907-260-2820. Camping on the Refuge Kenai National Wildlife Refuge has a variety of roadside campgrounds. Most campsites are on a first-come, first-served bases except for the Skyview Loop in Hidden Lake Campground. Camping may not exceed 7 days in Hidden Lake Campground or 14 days elsewhere on the refuge. Federal Interagency Senior and Access Passes reduce camping fees by 50% in refuge campgrounds. Recreation Hidden Lake Campground is found with the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge's Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, where 100 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a scenic 16 mile drive and multiple lakes for boating can be found. Hiking: Burneys Trail is located across from Skyview Loop- site #7 and connects to Hideout Trail for a thru hike ending at mile 1.9 Skilak Lake Road. The trail is short and relatively easy with a moderately steep section near its end. This trail passes through aspen and spruce forest. At the end o

How to Get There

Hidden Lake Campground is located at mile 3.6 Skilak Lake Road, most easily accessed from the east entrance of Skilak Lake Road (mp 58) off of Sterling Highway (AK Highway 1). Skilak Lake Road is gravel until you reach the paved campground road. Seasonal muddy conditions can be expected in late April and early May, depending on snowpack and other hydrologic conditions. Contact refuge staff at 907-260-2820 for current road conditions, especially if bringing large or heavy recreational vehicles early in the summer. Conditions typically improve quickly and Skilak Lake Road is usually accessible from mid-May through the summer by 2WD highway vehicles and recreation vehicles without difficulty.

What to Pack for Your Stay

Tuned to the live forecast for this park.

Plan Your Visit to Hidden Lake Campground

Heading to Hidden Lake Campground? A few things to know before you go:

• Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
• Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
• Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
• Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
• Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)