“Chuqilintnu Trail”, Wasilla Creek Boardwalk
Located in Wasilla, Alaska, this easy trail cuts through gorgeous marshland. The forested area is beautiful and the wetlands beneath your feet are teeming with wildlife. The trail ends at a little platform in the middle of the wetlands.
Directions: From the Glenn Highway Interchange, stay on the Parks Highway for 1.5 miles. Take the trunk road exit. Turn left onto Trunk Road. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto S. Trunk Road. After 1 mile take a slight right onto E. Nelson. Parking is 0.4 mile on the left. Google Map Directions
Parking: No parking fee, but the lot is small and can fill up quickly on a nice summer afternoon.
Swan "Quggesh" Lake Trails
If you’ve enjoyed the Wasilla Creek Boardwalk & Trail, you’ll love visiting Swan Lake. A trail to the south takes you down a boardwalk and out to the viewing platform at Swan Lake where you’ll get views of the Palmer Hay Flats and the Chugach Mountains in the distance. A trail to the north takes you on a 1-mile upland loop through a beautiful birch forest, with more views from the bluff out into the Refuge. The area is also the location of a former Dena’ina village site and holds cultural significance. The area is called Quggesh, which means swan.
Directions: From the Glenn/Parks Highway Highway take the Trunk Road exit and turn left onto Trunk Rd. Go through the traffic circle and take the exit onto South Trunk Road. Follow South Trunk Road as it becomes E. Nelson Road. Follow E. Nelson Road past the Wasilla Creek Trail parking lot until you see Machetanz Elementary School on your right. Just past Machetanz Elementary, take a left onto S. Barn Gable Loop (you will have already passed the other end of this loop), and the parking lot and trailhead are on the right. Look for the trailhead sign.
Parking: No parking fee, but the parking lot is small and is in a dense residential area. Please respect those living in the neighborhood.
https://greatlandtrust.org/projects/swan-quggesh-lake-boardwalk-trail/
Reflections Lake Trail in the Palmer Hayflats State Game Refuge
The sun's out and the views are never-ending on the Reflections Lake Trail. This ADA and Stroller-friendly 1-mile trail just off the Glenn Highway is perfect for a lunchtime or after-dinner walk. The lake sits at the confluence of Knik and Matanuska Rivers, and the trail offers lots of well-placed benches, wide paths, and interpretive panels allowing the whole family to enjoy Alaska's long sunny days out on the trails!
Directions: Mile 30 on Glenn Highway at Knik River Access Exit. Park at the maintenance road for a short walk directly to the lake. Google Map Directions.
Parking: Parking spaces are limited. No parking pass required.
