Lake Hood
Anchorage, AK, 99502
Just three miles southwest of Anchorage, Lake Hood serves as the runway for one of the largest and busiest seaplane bases in the world. Nearly 200 flights take off daily from the waters of Lake Hood ferrying supplies and passengers to remote Alaskan communities and secluded mountain landscapes. This steady stream of float planes delights visitors and aviation buffs.
The basics
The Lake Hood Swimming Beach is one of the best places to watch the float planes takeoff and land at Lake Hood. A paved walking and cycling trail hugs the east shore of the lake. A visit to Lake Hood is included in many sightseeing tours of Anchorage including the popular Anchorage Trolley Tour. Several flightseeing tour companies depart for Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali from Lake Hood
Things to know before you go
*Lake Hood is a must-see for aviation enthusiasts and a great activity for children. *The Lake Hood Swimming Beach (no swimming allowed) is a great place to enjoy a picnic and watch the float planes. *Learn about Alaska’s aviation history at the nearby Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. *No admission fees are required to visit Lake Hood.
How to get there
Lake Hood is located in southwest Anchorage close to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Alaska Aviation Museum. To get there from downtown, bus 40 (the Airport bus) gets you within walking distance. Several sightseeing tours of Anchorage include transportation to Lake Hood.
When to get there
The activity at Lake Hood is busiest during the summer months, but planes land all year on the lake. During winter, plane sightings are less frequent, but the lake is maintained for ski-equipped planes.
The Alaska Aviation Museum
For an introduction to Alaska’s rich aviation history and culture, visit the Alaska Aviation Museum located on Lake Hood. Exhibits and vintage aircraft displays tell the stories of Alaska aviation pioneers and visitors can watch seaplanes take off and land on Lake Hood from the control tower while listening to live radio tower feed. The museums also lets visitors try their own hand at flying with full-immersion flight simulators.
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