Dew Mound Trail

The feel

This is a rolling forest loop past beaver ponds and glacial boulders. The trail passes tall grasses, shrubs, and spruce and birch, with boulder fields and rocky ravines along the way. It is narrower, rootier and rockier than the Albert Loop Trail, with more elevation gain.

Dew Lake sits about 2.6 miles from the nature center, with a rocky knob on the right that hikers use as a lookout and photo point. The trail rewards you with views of the Eagle River Valley, and Dew Mound itself is a large glacial erratic. Cutoffs let you shorten the loop when your legs tap out.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Loop, 6 miles, with about 300 ft of gain. Narrow, root and rock trail, rated moderate. The Rapids, Mt. Meadow, Four-Corners and Cumulus cutoffs make smaller loops.

Time

About 2.5 hours.

Parking

The Eagle River Nature Center is the trailhead, where Eagle River Road ends. The trail starts behind the main building.

Fees and passes

$5 day use; an Alaska State Parks pass is accepted.

Dogs

Welcome, and must be under control on this trail. Leashes are required in the parking lot. No bikes.

Hazards

Bears and moose are commonly sighted.

Cell signal

Basically non-existent in this area.

Season and access

Open year-round, foot traffic only. Camping is only allowed over half a mile from the trailhead.

Mingo says

Pick a cutoff to make a smaller loop when you tire. The trail is open year-round.

Before you go

• Bring $5 for day use, or an Alaska State Parks pass.
• Download your map first, because there is basically no cell signal.
• Tent campers can use the bear proof storage container at Echo Bend, first-come, first-serve, no reservations.

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