Peterson Lake Campground

Overview

Peterson Lake Campground sits along Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge near Sterling, offering 4 wooded sites on Petersen Lake. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it’s surrounded by spruce with lake access, featuring fire rings for a quiet, primitive stay. This campground is a secluded base for campers looking to fish for trout, watch for floatplanes landing on the lake, or hike the refuge trails, with Sterling’s services a short drive away.

Location & Access

• Location: Off Skilak Lake Road, near Sterling, Alaska.
• Access: Reachable via gravel Skilak Lake Road off the Sterling Highway; it’s about a 2.5-hour drive south from Anchorage or 20 minutes from Sterling.
• Seasonal Accessibility: Open May through September, depending on road conditions.

Campsite Details

• Number of Sites: 4 sites, suitable for tents and RVs.

Amenities & Facilities

• Restrooms: Vault toilets available.
• Water: No water provided—bring your own or filter from the lake.
• Additional Amenities: Each site includes a fire ring; some sites are wheelchair-accessible (terrain permitting).

Activities & Nearby Attractions

• On-Site Activities: Fish for rainbow trout in Petersen Lake, hike nearby trails, watch floatplanes, or enjoy a campfire by the shore.
• Nearby Attractions: The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge offers the Skilak Loop trails; Sterling, 20 minutes west, provides river access and services.