Fielding Lake

Fielding Lake State Recreation Site encompasses a scenic alpine lake in the Alaska Range along the Richardson Highway. The 615-acre site provides camping and fishing access at one of the few roadside alpine lakes in Alaska, offering stunning mountain scenery and quality lake trout fishing. The recreation site serves Richardson Highway travelers and anglers seeking a wilderness experience accessible by road.

The alpine lake and surrounding mountains support wildlife adapted to high-elevation conditions, including ground squirrels, marmots, and pikas. Caribou from regional herds occasionally cross the alpine terrain, while wolves and wolverines roam the surrounding wilderness. Lake trout (actually Arctic char) inhabit the cold, clear waters, providing excellent fishing opportunities.

The site lies above treeline in alpine tundra, with low-growing vegetation including dwarf willows, sedges, mosses, and lichens. Wildflowers bloom profusely during the short summer growing season, painting the tundra with color. The surrounding peaks rise above even this vegetation zone into the realm of bare rock and permanent snowfields.

Fielding Lake occupies a glacially-carved cirque in the Alaska Range, surrounded by peaks of metamorphic and granitic rock. The lake was formed by glacial excavation and is dammed by a moraine at its outlet. The surrounding mountains display dramatic glacial features including arêtes, horns, and hanging valleys. Active glaciers remain visible on higher peaks nearby.

The alpine location produces harsh conditions with a very short summer season and severe winters. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 60°F, while winter temperatures plunge far below zero. Snow can fall any month of the year, though the main snow season runs from October through May. High winds are common in the exposed mountain setting.

Athabascan peoples traveled through mountain passes in this region for trade and hunting. The Richardson Highway, following earlier military and gold rush routes, brought vehicle access to this previously remote alpine zone. The highway remains one of Alaska's most scenic drives, providing rare road access to true alpine environments.

Alaska State Parks developed Fielding Lake as a recreation site to provide public access to this exceptional alpine setting. The site represents one of the few places in Alaska where visitors can drive to a genuine alpine lake with camping facilities. Despite the challenging climate, the site offers a unique opportunity to experience Alaska's mountain wilderness.

Lake trout fishing is the primary attraction, with the deep, cold lake supporting a healthy population of these hard-fighting fish. The alpine scenery provides outstanding photography and wildlife viewing opportunities. Simple hiking in the alpine tundra allows exploration of the mountain environment. The drive along the Richardson Highway through this corridor is itself a major attraction.

The recreation site offers basic camping facilities and a boat launch. Located along the Richardson Highway at approximately 2,650 feet elevation, it is accessible by paved road but the access road to the lake may have rough sections. The site is very remote with limited services available; travelers should come fully prepared. The site operates primarily from June through September due to snow conditions.

The remote location and harsh climate naturally limit use, helping preserve the alpine environment. Fishing regulations protect the lake trout population, which grows slowly in the cold, nutrient-poor waters. Management emphasizes low-impact recreation consistent with the wilderness character of this exceptional alpine site.