McKinley Lake Trail
This well-maintained trail winds its way through mature spruce-hemlock forest and ends at the north end of McKinley Lake. Several bridges allow hikers easy crossing over small streams. This trail also provides access to two public use recreation cabins: McKinley Trail Cabin **(100 yards beyond the trailhead sign); and McKinley Lake Cabin ** at the end of the trail. A rough, unmaintained trail continues for ¼ mile past the lake cabin and accesses the remains of the Lucky Strike Mine. Interpretive signs guide the visitors through the history and remains of the abandoned mine.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Download trail guide and map here
Access #1: Copper River Highway mile 21.6
Access #2: Via Pipeline Lakes Trail
Elevation: 50 ft - 60 ft (15 m - 18 m)
Length: 2.4 miles (3.9 km)
Recommended Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
USGS Map(s): CORDOVA (B-4)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3.6 hours (round trip)
Use: Heavy
Per night prices range from $50-75 (2018 prices) depending on season. Cabin fees are based on non-peak/peak season. Seasons vary by cabin. A non-refundable service fee will be added to each reservation by Recreation.gov
Getting There
Directions
Access #1: Copper River Highway mile 21.6
Access #2: Via Pipeline Lakes Trail
Visit the nearest office for more information.
Office Page Here
Cabin: Accessible by motor vehicle at Mile 21 of the Copper River Highway. The cabin is located 80 yards from the road on the McKinley Lake trail.
There are two cabins in the McKinley area and sometimes there’s some confusion about which one is which. McKinley TRAIL cabin is the one near the Copper River Highway, about 100 yards up the trail. McKinley LAKE cabin is on the lake, about 2.25 miles from the trailhead.
Cabin is located at the start of the McKinley Lake trail in a spruce hemlock forest.
