Tucked along the Haines Highway in Southeast Alaska, Mosquito Lake State Recreation Site offers a peaceful lakeside retreat surrounded by the towering peaks of the Chilkat Range. Despite its name, don’t let the mosquitoes deter you — this small but scenic recreation area rewards visitors with calm waters, mountain reflections, and a quieter alternative to the busier stops along the highway.

The lake sits in a glacially carved valley roughly 27 miles north of Haines, making it an easy side trip for travelers heading to or from the Canadian border. In summer, the lake warms enough for swimming along its shallow edges, and anglers can try their luck casting for Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout. The surrounding area is excellent for birdwatching, with species drawn to the wetland habitat fringing the lake. Paddlers will find the lake’s modest size ideal for a relaxed canoe or kayak outing with minimal wind exposure.

A small campground provides basic facilities for overnight stays, including picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Sites are first-come, first-served and rarely crowded, giving campers a genuine sense of solitude. There is no potable water, so pack your own supply.

The best time to visit is June through August, when long daylight hours and warmer temperatures make lakeside camping most comfortable. Fall brings stunning color to the surrounding birch and cottonwood, though nights turn cold quickly.

Mosquito Lake is the kind of place that doesn’t make highlight reels but lingers in memory — simple, beautiful, and unmistakably Alaskan.

Explore Nearby

• Haines Highway-Valley of the Eagles — Scenic Byway in Alaska
• Lincoln Rock Light — Lighthouse in Alaska
• Eldred Rock Light — Lighthouse in Alaska