A small campground with 40 wooded sites along Watson Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Located off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, this quiet facility offers lake access surrounded by spruce forest. Sites include fire rings and vault toilets. Visitors can fish for rainbow trout, paddle kayaks or canoes, and enjoy a campfire by the shore. A small boat launch allows non-motorized boat access to the lake. Open May through September depending on road conditions, accessible via gravel Skilak Lake Road. About a 2.5-hour drive south from Anchorage or 20 minutes from Sterling at approximately milepost 71 of the Sterling Highway. Water is available from a centralized hand pump.
First-come, first-served only
Small boat launch for non-motorized boats
Open May through Sep
Watson Lake Campground sits off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, offering 40 wooded sites tucked along the quiet shores of Watson Lake. Vault toilets are available. Open May through September.
The campsites are dry but water is available from a centralized hand pump. 40 sites suitable for tents and RVs with fire rings. Small boat launch for non-motorized boats. About 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage.
Secluded base for campers looking to fish for rainbow trout, paddle a kayak or canoe. Accessible via Skilak Lake Road off Sterling Highway.
Camping fees at Hidden Lake and Upper Skilak Campgrounds are $15 a night. All refuge campgrounds that are not currently in the fee system remain free. Watson Lake has recreational developments but is not listed among the fee campgrounds.
CampgroundTour strives to provide accurate campground information but cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Information is subject to change — please confirm details with the agency managing this facility before booking or making travel decisions. See our Terms of Use.
A small campground with 40 wooded sites along Watson Lake in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Located off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, this quiet facility offers lake access surrounded by spruce forest. Sites include fire rings and vault toilets. Visitors can fish for rainbow trout, paddle kayaks or canoes, and enjoy a campfire by the shore. A small boat launch allows non-motorized boat access to the lake. Open May through September depending on road conditions, accessible via gravel Skilak Lake Road. About a 2.5-hour drive south from Anchorage or 20 minutes from Sterling at approximately milepost 71 of the Sterling Highway. Water is available from a centralized hand pump.
First-come, first-served only
Small boat launch for non-motorized boats
Open May through Sep
Watson Lake Campground sits off the Sterling Highway near Sterling, offering 40 wooded sites tucked along the quiet shores of Watson Lake. Vault toilets are available. Open May through September.
The campsites are dry but water is available from a centralized hand pump. 40 sites suitable for tents and RVs with fire rings. Small boat launch for non-motorized boats. About 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage.
Secluded base for campers looking to fish for rainbow trout, paddle a kayak or canoe. Accessible via Skilak Lake Road off Sterling Highway.
Camping fees at Hidden Lake and Upper Skilak Campgrounds are $15 a night. All refuge campgrounds that are not currently in the fee system remain free. Watson Lake has recreational developments but is not listed among the fee campgrounds.
CampgroundTour strives to provide accurate campground information but cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Information is subject to change — please confirm details with the agency managing this facility before booking or making travel decisions. See our Terms of Use.