The Most Popular Lake in Alaska: Exploring the Coveted Gems of the Last Frontier
Voting rules: Choose the lake you think is the most popular!
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 7, 2023 08:23)
Discover the captivating beauty of Alaska's pristine lakes by participating in our latest ranking, "What is the most popular lake in Alaska?" Here at StrawPoll, we're thrilled to host this exciting poll featuring thousands of breathtaking lakes that are waiting to be explored. Cast your vote for your favorite Alaskan gem or suggest a hidden treasure that deserves recognition. Unveil the charm of these stunning water bodies that offer spectacular views, thrilling adventures, and serene escapes. Let's dive into this thrilling quest to crown the most popular lake in Alaska and unleash the allure of this magnificent destination. So, what are you waiting for? Join us now, make a splash, and let the ranking begin!
What Is the Most Popular Lake in Alaska?
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167votesLake Clark is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. It is located in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and offers stunning views of mountains and glaciers.DescriptionLake Clark is a picturesque lake located in southwest Alaska. It is known for its stunning beauty, diverse wildlife, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The lake is nestled within the boundaries of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, providing a pristine and protected environment for visitors to explore.
- Location: Southwest Alaska
- Size: 1,480 square miles (3,830 square kilometers)
- Depth: Up to 600 feet (180 meters)
- Length: 42 miles (68 kilometers)
- Width: max. 15 miles (24 kilometers)
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229votesKenai Lake is a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and hiking. It is located on the Kenai Peninsula and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.DescriptionKenai Lake is a stunning glacial lake located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. The lake offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Chugach Mountains and is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. It stretches for approximately 25 miles, making it one of the largest and most popular lakes in the area. Kenai Lake was formed by the retreat of the Harding Icefield during the last ice age, sculpting the landscape and leaving behind this magnificent body of water.
- Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
- Size: Approximately 25 miles long
- Color: Crystal-clear turquoise
- Surrounding Mountains: Chugach Mountains
- Formation: Resulted from the retreat of Harding Icefield during the last ice age
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312votesEklutna Lake is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and camping. It is located in Chugach State Park and offers stunning views of the mountains and glaciers.DescriptionEklutna Lake is a beautiful and popular lake located in the Chugach State Park in Alaska. It is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and offers stunning scenic views. The lake was formed by glacial activity during the last ice age.
- Location: Chugach State Park, Alaska
- Size: 1,500 acres
- Depth: up to 400 feet
- Length: 8 miles
- Width: 1 mile
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425votesChilkoot Lake is a popular destination for fishing and wildlife viewing. It is located near Haines and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests.DescriptionChilkoot Lake is a popular lake located in Southeast Alaska. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and is often visited by tourists and locals alike. The lake is surrounded by dense forests and towering mountains, providing a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing.
- Location: Southeast Alaska
- Area: Approximately 27 square miles
- Depth: Up to 210 feet
- Elevation: 110 feet above sea level
- Water Source: Multiple glacial rivers and streams
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512votes
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0Kluane Lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and hiking. It is located in the Yukon Territory but is easily accessible from Alaska. The lake offers stunning views of the Kluane Mountains.DescriptionKluane Lake is a stunning glacial lake located in the southwest corner of the Yukon Territory, just across the border from Alaska. It is known for its surreal turquoise color and breathtaking mountain backdrop.- Location: Southwest corner of the Yukon Territory, near Alaska
- Size: Approximately 408 square kilometers
- Length: Approximately 70 kilometers
- Depth: Deepest point recorded - around 91 meters
- Water Source: Primarily fed by the Slims River, which originates from Kluane National Park
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615votes
Roy Wood · Public domainNaknek Lake
Natural forcesNaknek Lake is a popular destination for fishing and wildlife viewing. It is located near Bristol Bay and is known for its salmon runs.DescriptionNaknek Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Alaska, located in the Bristol Bay region. It is a large, freshwater lake known for its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. The lake is surrounded by picturesque mountains and serves as a gateway to the Katmai National Park and Preserve. Naknek Lake offers visitors a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and camping.- Location: Bristol Bay, Alaska
- Size: Approximately 45 miles long and 1-15 miles wide
- Elevation: 125 feet
- Max Depth: 450 feet
- Surface Area: 189 square miles
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712votes
Gorgo · Public domainLake Louise is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping. It is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.DescriptionLake Louise is a glacial lake situated in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, and it's one of the most famous and picturesque lakes in Canada. Its stunning emerald color transforms with the changing sunlight, and the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers provide a breathtaking backdrop.- Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Surface Elevation: 1,730 m (5,680 ft)
- Length: 2.4 km (1.5 mi)
- Width: 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
- Depth: 70 m (230 ft)
Lake Louise in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful lake in Canada
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular hike in Banff
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular place in Alberta
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful places in Canada
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful body of water in the world
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful part of the Rocky Mountains
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88votes
Schwede66 · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake Hood is the largest seaplane base in the world and a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts. It is located near Anchorage and offers stunning views of the city and the Chugach Mountains.DescriptionLake Hood is the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world, located in Anchorage, Alaska. It was established in 1954 and has since become a significant hub for general aviation and floatplane operations in the state.- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
- Size: Over 1,500 acres (6.07 km²)
- Runways: 2 asphalt runways and 1 water landing area
- Seaplane Base: Largest and busiest in the world
- Year Established: 1954
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99votesSkilak Lake is a popular destination for fishing and camping. It is located on the Kenai Peninsula and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests.DescriptionSkilak Lake is a large freshwater lake located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It was formed during the retreat of glaciers thousands of years ago, and it is now surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes and dense forests. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters, which are ideal for boating, fishing, and kayaking.
- Location: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
- Size: 15,947 acres
- Max Depth: 136 feet
- Length: 17 miles
- Width: 4 miles
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1013votesLake Spenard is a popular destination for seaplane enthusiasts and is located near Lake Hood. It offers beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains and the city of Anchorage.DescriptionLake Spenard is a popular lake located near Anchorage, Alaska. It is a glacially formed lake with stunning natural beauty and is known for its recreational activities.
- Size: 4.9 square miles
- Maximum Depth: 56 feet
- Water Source: Glacial meltwater
- Average Water Temperature: 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit
- Activities: Floatplane landings, seaplane takeoffs, boating, fishing, and water sports
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Ranking factors for popular lake
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SizeThe area and depth of the lake contribute to its popularity. Larger and deeper lakes can accommodate more recreational activities and draw more visitors.
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AccessibilityThe ease of reaching the lake, including the availability of roads, trails, and public transport, affects its popularity. A lake that is easily accessible is likely to be more visited than a remote one.
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Recreational opportunitiesThe availability of activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, and wildlife viewing can influence a lake's popularity. The more activities a lake offers, the more likely it is to be a popular destination.
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Scenic beautyA picturesque lake with stunning natural surroundings is likely to be more popular than a lake with less appealing scenery.
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WildlifeLakes with diverse and abundant wildlife can attract more visitors, especially those interested in birdwatching, fishing, or wildlife photography.
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Facilities and amenitiesAvailability of facilities like campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, boat ramps, and parking can affect a lake's popularity. Well-maintained facilities can improve visitor experience and attract more people.
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Water qualityClean and clear water can make a lake more appealing for swimming, boating, and fishing.
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Seasonal variationsSome lakes may be more popular during certain seasons, such as during the summer months for swimming or ice fishing in the winter.
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Cultural or historical significanceLakes with historical or cultural significance can draw more visitors due to their unique stories and connection to local or national history.
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Social media and word of mouthPopular lakes may be promoted through social media, travel websites, and blogs, attracting more visitors. Positive reviews and recommendations from friends and family can also impact a lake's popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular lake in Alaska. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or lake is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1951 views
- 202 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each lake once every 24 hours. The rank of each lake is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular lake in alaska
Alaska is home to some of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world, including its majestic lakes. With over 3 million lakes, it's no wonder that Alaska is called the "Land of a Thousand Lakes." Each lake in Alaska has its own unique charm and beauty, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. However, among all the stunning lakes in Alaska, there is always one that stands out. In this article, we will explore the most popular lake in Alaska, as voted by the people in our StrawPoll survey. Discover the beauty and allure of this iconic lake that draws people from all over the world.
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