Red Shirt Lake

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Description

The trail starts at South Rolly Lake Campground Parking Lot. With your back to South Rolly Lake there is a dirt road with a gate. The trail starts just before the gate and to your left. This trail is dry and mostly all forested with a few minor swamps just off the trail.

At the end of the trail at Red Shirt Lake there are primitive campsites. Call ahead to reserve boats at the lake from Tippecanoe Rentals.

Also 4 cabins are available to rent, but in the summer are only accessible by boat. For more info: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/cabins/matsu.htm#nlsra

Important Information

Bring water for the hiking or camping or plan to purify the lake water. This trail is a bit rough for a stroller and rather long for young children unless you plan to stay the night and only if they can handle a 3 mile walk to the lake.

Bug dope is a must.

Etc.

The campground at South Rolly Lake is really nice and would be a great place to camp and do a day hike to Red Shirt Lake if you are not up to lugging a lot of gear. Stop at Miller's on the Parks Hwy in Houston for an ice cream cone and ask for the free ice cream with a biscuit on top for Fido.

Parking fee is $5 or use your State Parks sticker.

Note: there are numerous entrances into Nancy Lake and it can get quite confusing. Look for the mile markers (you're looking for 67 and then 1/2 mile from there). You want to take the Nancy Lake Park Road, which is just past a log cabin building operation. Do not take the road where the Polaris snow machine shop is.

Rating
This hike was rated 3 stars.
Difficulty
Somewhat easy
Distance
3 miles
From Anchorage
67.5 miles
Season
All year

Finding the Trailhead

Hike Map

Map of Red Shirt Lake