Klutina Lake Road is a 23-mile dirt pack trail that travels alongside the Klutina River and down to the lake. The Klutina is one of the major five rivers in the Copper Basin. Its eerie brilliant blue makes it beautiful to run alongside.
A 2021 Alaska Supreme Court ruling ensures public access to the lake and the BLM land around it. The road begins at the yellow gate outside the Princess hotel and continues to a grey metal gate near the lake. Beyond the grey gate, there is a short portion of trail to the lake. There are private properties adjacent to the easement between to gate and the lake. These properties have signs stating "no trespassing" but as long as you remain on the trail you will legally reach the rocky beach on Klutina Lake, which is the end of the route.
This trail is packed full of beauty and animal life so enjoy, and keep your eyes open! Plan in advance how you will get back. The road is best aided by an ATV; vehicles can make it back there but it’s pretty rough. In the fall, the river washes up causing deep mud puddles. Do your research to find the current road status. If you hit this road in the right day it’ll be a magical run!
