Chena Lakes Recreation Area
A man-made lake recreation area near North Pole, offering boating, fishing and camping in summer and ice fishing and aurora viewing in winter.
This lake park was formed by flood control works on the Chena River and lies east of North Pole. Its lakeshore features beaches, campgrounds, trails and bike paths. In summer, you can rent canoes or stand-up paddleboards or fish for rainbow trout. In winter, once the lake freezes, ice fishing is popular. Far from city light pollution, it is also one of the places where locals go to watch the northern lights at night. A small fee applies for vehicle entry, and the park is about 30 minutes' drive from Fairbanks.
Opening hours
Summer open all day; some areas closed in winter
Nearby sights
- Santa Claus House (North Pole)
- Trans-Alaska Pipeline Viewing Point
- Gold Dredge 8
- Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
- Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
- Golden Heart Plaza
- Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
- Pioneer Park