Burney's Trail

The feel

The trail climbs through aspen and spruce forest on a native surface with a gentle to moderate grade. It is short and relatively easy, with a moderately steep section near its end. The trailhead is at 230 ft and the top is at 530 ft.

At the top you get views of Hidden Lake, Skilak Lake and the Kenai Mountains. The upper part follows the edge of the 2019 Swan Lake Fire.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Out and back, 1.2 miles total, 0.6 mile one way, with about 300 ft of gain. Native surface through aspen and spruce, with a moderately steep section near the end.

Time

About 0.5 hour.

Parking

Park in the amphitheater lot at Hidden Lake Campground. The trailhead is across from Skyview Loop (Site #7), at mile 3.6 of Skilak Lake Road.

Kids

Rated easy.

Season and access

Reach Skilak Lake Road from the East Entrance at milepost 58 off the Sterling Highway. The road is gravel, paved at the campground entrance, and muddy from late April to early May.

Mingo says

Aim for mid-May onward, once the gravel road to the campground has dried out. The trail sits in the Skilak Wildlife Recreation Area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Before you go

• Call the refuge at (907) 743-9146 for road conditions if you are driving a large or heavy RV before mid-May.
• Enter Skilak Lake Road at the East Entrance, milepost 58 off the Sterling Highway.
• The trail connects to the Hideout Trail and ends at mile 1.9 of Skilak Lake Road if you plan a thru hike.

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