What it's like
Auke Lake is a 160-acre lake in Auke Bay. Lake Creek and Little Lake Creek feed it, and it drains through a single outlet, Auke Creek, into saltwater at the bay. Salmon use that outlet to reach the lake.
A spartan trail circles the eastern side of the lake through some of the largest Sitka spruces in Juneau. The Auke Lake Trail was redesigned in 2009 by the University of Alaska Southeast with partners including the City and Borough of Juneau. A visit is quiet and simple, with the lake and the forest close at hand.
Good to know
- Hike with a buddy and be bear aware on the trails.
- Ice-out typically happens in mid-April, and salmon run into the lake from July through October.
- Juneau is very spread out, so a car or taxi is the practical way to reach the lake.
Auke Lake
Auke Lake is a 160-acre lake in Auke Bay, a few miles from downtown Juneau. A spartan trail wraps around its eastern side through some of the largest Sitka spruces in the city.
Tours that go here
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Nugget Falls
Nugget Falls is a 377-foot waterfall that drops into Mendenhall Lake, reached on a short, flat trail from the Mendenhall Glacier area. It is one of the most popular walks in Juneau.
Mount Roberts Trail
Mount Roberts is a 3,819 foot peak just east of downtown Juneau. Its trail starts at a trailhead on Basin Road and climbs steeply to the Mountain House and the summit.
Mendenhall Glacier
A massive glacier calving into its own lake, and Juneau's most popular attraction. Most visitors look at the face from the visitor center, then walk the trails to Nugget Falls.
Perseverance Trail
Perseverance Trail is the most popular and easily reached trail system in Juneau. It climbs from the end of Basin Road into the Gold Creek valley behind downtown, past old mine ruins.
The same kind of day, elsewhere
Hiking
