Skilak Lake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skilak Lake
Skilak Lake Location in Alaska Show map of Alaska Skilak Lake Location in North America Show map of North America
Location	Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Coordinates	60°24′59″N 150°20′02″W / 60.41639°N 150.33389°W / 60.41639; -150.33389
Primary inflows	Skilak River, Kenai River
Primary outflows	Kenai River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	15 mi (24 km)
Max. depth	528 ft (161 m)
Surface elevation	194 ft (59 m)
Frozen	late Nov.- late April
Islands	Frying Pan Island, Caribou Island

The turquoise water of Skilak Lake and the Kenai River delta, as seen from the air

Skilak Lake is a large lake on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The lake is part of the Kenai River system but also contains glacial runoff, being fed by meltwater from Skilak Glacier. The water is exceptionally clear with a mostly rocky bottom, relatively free of aquatic vegetation. It is within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and can be accessed by Skilak Lake Loop Road via the Sterling Highway. Maximum depth is 528 feet (161 m), it is 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 4 miles (6.4 km) wide in places. Early Russian explorers mistakenly believed Skilak and Tustumena Lake to be a single body of water. It is a popular destination for Alaskans due to it being only about a half-hour drive from Soldotna, and approximately two hours from Anchorage. There are two campgrounds at the lake, one is a developed campground with a host, the other un-hosted and with only basic facilities. There are many well-developed and maintained trails along the lake and its access road, as well as campgrounds and public-access cabins.