Nancy Lake State Recreation Area - Willow, Alaska

Sarah Stockman Bennett (Muddy Cajuns)

Great walk in the back country. Bring bug spray or net. 2.9 miles to Red shirt. Have good shoes. Great canoe area. Primitive camping and tend at South Rolly or say use for 5$. Watch your feet on trail. Rock n roots.Bear bell & spray is a must.

J West (JWest)

Nancy lake recreation area is multiple lakes connected by land. We paid for parking and camping then put in north off the main entrance at Tanaina Lake and paddled to the portage for Milo Lake. There are two portages, one was farther and was where we wanted to go but the portage was mostly washed out from storms. The shorter one there is pretty easy.

One the other side of Milo, the portage to Ardaw was about twice as long and quiet a bit rougher from the recent rains. The park service has done a great job of building out some raised pathways but they don't quiet go all the way through. So be prepared for some super muddy spots if there's been rain.

On the far side of Milo, there are 3 campsites and an outhouse, bear box, and campfire rings. There's often fire wood left behind.

We kept paddling to Ardaw to find a more stable pathway, no mud here. This is where we decided to set up camp. There are also 3 camp sites here, a great fire ring up on top of the hill that we also used as our kitchen area and we set up camp at the bottom of the hill. There's an outhouse - but no bear box here.

Rain set in pretty heavy all night and the next day so we decided to turn around and go back the way we came to complete our trip. We weren't sure what the rain had created on the other portage pathways so this seemed easier.

All in all, this is a great way to see multiple lakes and enjoy paddling and portaging.

A few tips
- pack light, portaging heavy stuff or multiple trips back and forth can be taxing, especially with rough pathways.
- canoes are available for rent from a sweet couple at the Taniana Lake put in area. This is a great option to bringing your own, and theirs have carrying handles to help with portaging.

Cybele LeClare

We rented the new handicap accessible Rhein Lake cabin for a weekend in mid October. The cabin is the largest public use cabin we ever been in. The big belly stove warmed us with minimal effort. The trail was a great ~the lake was even better ~a wonderful place to kayak ~ This winter we plan to do this again and take advantage of the groomed cross country ski trails. Nancy Lakes Recreation is Matanuska Susitna Gold.

Benjamin de la Garza

Beautiful park. The camp host was friendly and helpful while I was staying in the campground. It was clean and quiet, except for the occasional train passing by. The lake was nice to take the canoe into for some fishing.

Dana G

So many good trails to hike or canoe!! Nice clean campsites. Lots of wildlife. Such a pretty place

Amy Macpherson

While I love this area, I do wish the state would invest more money in its maintenance and upkeep. Some improvements to the cabins and some clean up for the portage trail would be awesome.

Shanna Miller

Went on the Lynx lake canoe trail. Harder than expected, but so beautiful it was worth it! Saw lots of different birds.

Kathy Burgmann

Stayed at a cabin on Bald Lake. It rained and rained. Cabin stayed dry. Very quiet.