Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area

The kids and I just spent 5 days camping in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area, about 1 hour north of Soldotna. It is an area with a high concentration of wildlife and lakes. There are 12 trails, from the easiest Egumen Lake (.6 miles, no elevation change) to the Skyline Trail, (2 miles round trip, 2300 foot climb--mentioned in one of my other blog posts). We went on 7 of the hikes, and I will detail each in separate blog entries for ease of reading & so it is clear which pictures go w/which hike. There are also 9 campgrounds, of which only 3 charge fees. The rest are free, but don't offer as many services (no campground hosts; no trash pickup). All campgrounds are on lakes and have boat launches, and all have only pit toilets. Seven of the nine have drinking water. There are also wilderness cabins for rent by reservation. Skilak Lake Road is a gravel road that runs parallel to the Sterling Highway. Many of these campgrounds were established for the road crews who built the Sterling Highway. If you want to get off the main road for a few miles, slow down and take in a hike, the Skilak Lake Road is a good option as it leaves the Sterling Highway and then rejoins it about 18 miles down the road.