Can you reserve a site at Tern Lake Day Use Area?

No. Tern Lake Day Use Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Tern Lake Day Use Area

Facility · Alaska ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area (National Heritage Area) · Restricted Access

636 ft
Elevation

May 3, 2017 - The gate Tern Lake Day Use area is open. This site is a day use site with 13 picnic sites only. No Fees

Water, fish viewing platform, toilets, information board, fire grates, and tables.

Getting there

Travel south on the Seward Highway from Anchorage and make a right onto the Sterling Highway. This site is located at Milepost 37.

60.53033, -149.55719 · 60°31'49.2"N 149°33'25.9"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 66°F in Jul, down to 24°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	24	29	35	45	55	63	66	64	55	42	30	27
Low °F	9	13	14	27	34	42	47	45	38	27	17	12
Precip in	3.5	5.3	2.2	2.3	2.1	1.7	2.4	3.8	6.0	5.4	4.2	3.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Tern Lake Day Use Area

Can you reserve a site at Tern Lake Day Use Area?: No. Tern Lake Day Use Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Tern Lake Day Use Area

Crescent Lake Cabin 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crescent Saddle Cabin 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Quartz Creek Campground 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tenderfoot Creek 7.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Devils Pass Cabin 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Trail River 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Trail River Cabin 10.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ptarmigan Creek 10.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Juneau Lake Cabin 11.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Romig Cabin 11.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crescent Creek Campground 4.8 mi · Campground
Eastern Kenai Peninsula 8 mi · Facility

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Contact

Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.