Tanana Lakes Recreation Area

The feel

Tanana Lakes is a 750 acre multi-use recreation area with two sandy swimming beaches, motorized and non-motorized lakes, a pavilion, an accessible playground, picnic sites and two sand volleyball courts. A boat rental vendor sits at the Non-Motorized Boat Launch Area, so you can get on the water without your own gear.

Four short hiking trails run through the park: Sandpiper at 0.12 miles, Flicker at 0.56 miles, Chickadee at 0.19 miles and Eagle at 0.66 miles. The lakes are stocked annually with Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon, and fishing is available year round.

What to expect

What it is

A 750 acre park with swimming beaches, two lakes, short trails, a playground and a rifle range.

Crowds and best time

Open 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily in the summer season.

Parking

Paved parking.

Fees and passes

Picnic pavilions cost $10 per hour. No entry fee is stated.

Dogs

No dogs on beach sand.

Kids

Accessible playground and sand swimming beaches.

Hazards

Wear a personal flotation device. No ATVs in the Non-Motorized Area.

Season and access

The park gate is locked at 10:00 pm in summer. The address is 4400 S Cushman Street Ext. No camping and no fireworks.

Mingo says

Aim for a summer day and be out of the gate before 10:00 pm. Take a motorboat to Tanana Lake, since Cushman Lake is closed to motors.

Before you go

• Book a picnic pavilion at fnsb.gov/parks or call (907) 459-1070; it costs $10 per hour.
• Keep your dog off the beach sand.
• Bring a personal flotation device for the water.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.