Hidden Lake Campground

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

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.

Hidden Lake Campground has 44 total campsites with 23 sites in the Skyview loop available by reservation. (All sites in Lake and Ridge Loops are available as first come, first served and must be paid for with cash or check at the self-serve iron ranger.) This campground does not have electric or water hookups available.

A free boat launch is available on Hidden Lake with adjacent parking for vehicles with boat trailers.

Water hand pumps are available in each camp loop and near the boat launch. Although water is available, we cannot guarantee that it is potable. Self-treatment, such as bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, is advised. The on-site dump station is currently under replacement and is unavailable for this summer season.

Two day-use pavilions with raised charcoal grills and picnic tables are available first come, first served. Groups over 20 people in size require a Special Use Permit issued at Refuge headquarters.

Need to Know

Check in: 2 pm Check out: 12 pm (noon)

Campground hosts are on duty daily. Host sites are located at Skyview #5 and Ridge #37.

Cell phone coverage is limited within Hidden Lake Campground.

Campground Reminders:

Quiet Hours are from 11 pm to 7 am. Please be respectful of other campers.

Campers may only collect dead and down wood for campfire use. Firewood bundles are available for sale at camp host sites (cash only $5 per bundle). Do not leave campfires unattended at any time. Put your fire out completely before leaving. Loaner buckets are available near water hand pumps to fully extinguish campfires.

Dogs must be on leash less than 9 feet long while in the campground.

Help prevent bear encounters. Store all attractants, food, coolers, in vehicles or bear resistant storage boxes while not directly attended or in use.

Natural Features

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge spans 1.9 million acres along the western Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. The region includes the western slopes of the Kenai Mountains, forested lowlands along Cook Inlet, rivers, lakes and wetlands. To the east is Chugach National Forest and southeast is Kenai Fjords National Park.

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 of Burney’s Trail are views of Hidden Lake, Skilak Lake, and the Kenai Mountains. The upper part of Burney’s Trail follows the fires edge of the 2019 Swan Lake Fire.

Boating: Hidden Lake is open to boats, though personal watercraft (like jet skis) are not permitted.

No summertime landing of aircraft is permitted on Hidden Lake.

Changes & 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.

Contact Information

Mailing

PO Box 2139 Soldotna AK 99669

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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.

Available Campsites

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