Jewel Lake
Anchorage Parks and Recreation

Municipal Lakes

​The lakes are​ swim at your own risk, with no lifeguards on duty. This change helps to keep open swim and lessons available at our Municipal pools during summer operations. Additional lifeguard positions will continue to be posted online.​ As we gain staff, we will take steps to provide more opportunities for our lakes and pools.

Anchorage Lakes

There are two Municipal beaches in Anchorage with lifeguards on duty Saturday and Sundays —Jewel and Goose Lakes.​​​

Goose Lake

Adult MUST be present when children are in the water!

  • Location: 2811 UAA Dr.​
  • Opening Date​: May 27, 2023
  • Closing Date: August 13, 2023​
  • Lifeguards: Saturday and Sunday, noon - 7 p.m.
  • Amenities: Basketball courts, softball field (available for rental), playground equipment, covered picnic shelter, picnic tables, swimming area, beach, paved parking, bike trail access, non-motorized small craft area, portable toilets.
  • Notes:
    • Sailcraft are not permitted due to low power lines. 
    • Building restrooms closed due to earthquake damage. ​​

Jewel Lake

Adult MUST be present when children are in the water!

  • Location: 4342 W 88th Ave.
  • Opening Date​: May 27, 2023
  • Closing Date: ​August 13, 2023
  • Lifeguards: Saturday and Sunday, noon - 7 p.m​.
  • Amenities: Covered picnic shelter, softball field, volleyball sand lot, playground equipmen​​t, picnic tables, swimming area, beach, paved parking, restrooms, bike trail access, and non-motorized small craft area. 
  • Notes: 
    • Fishing is permitted 50' from swim area. ​

Eagle River Lakes

​​​There are two lakes in Eagle River without supervised swimming—Mirror and Beach Lakes.​​​​

Mirror Lake

  • Location: ​Mile 24 on the New Glenn Hwy. 
  • Amenities: Good area for canoeing, fishing, and has a day-use picnic area/covered pavilion. 
  • More Information: Call Eagle River Parks and Recreation at 907-343-1500. 

Beach Lake

  • Location:​ Beach Lake Rd. off of S. Birchwood Loop
  • Amenities: Good area for canoeing, fishing, and hiking. 
  • More Information: Call Eagle River Parks and Recreation at 907-343-1500. ​

Swimmer's Itch

​Lakes are prone to swimmer's itch in the mid to l​ate summer months. To find out what swimmer's itch is and how to prevent or minimize it, click on the brochure and read all about it. 
 

Motorized Vehicles on Water Bodies 

Anchorage Municipal Code sections 25.10.010, 25.70.045, and 25.70.060 define motor vehicles and describe where and under what conditions motor vehicles can be used on water bodies located within the Municipality. If there are any discrepancies between the summary information below and Anchorage Municipal Code,the Code controls.

Motorized vehicles, including remote controlled, model or miniature boats, cars and airplanes are PROHIBITED on all municipal water bodies, with very few exceptions. ​These exceptions are for a limited number of uses and are allowed on only a few water bodies, as follows:

 On the following water bodies:

  1. Campbell Creek  
  2. Chester Creek
  3. Fish Creek
  4. Rabbit Creek
  5.  Ship Creek (excluding the public boat ramp area and downstream thereof) 
  6. Bentzen Lake 
  7. Birch Lake
  8. Connors Lake
  9. Delong Lake
  10. Edmonds Lake 
  11. Goose Lake 
  12. Hood Lake 
  13. Jewel Lake
  14. Lower Fire Lake 
  15. Mirror Lake 
  16. Otis Lake
  17. Sand Lake
  18. Spenard Lake
  19. Sundi Lake

These uses are allowed (except as may be prohibited by federal or state law): 

  1. Airplane operation, if designated for such use by the Director (or in case of an emergency).
  2. Participation in a motorized event or use which is the subject of a facility use permit issued pursuant to Chapter 25.10. 
  3. Boats using an electric motor. 
  4. Remote-controlled model boats, cars and similar models (subject to noise limitations in the health code, chapter 15.70).

In addition, boats equipped with outboard motors of 50 horsepower or less, which must be operated at a no-wake speed when within 100 feet of a dock or shoreline on Sand Lake and Lower Fire Lake, during the hours of 4 to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

On all other water bodies, the above uses are or may be PROHIBITED unless you have a special permit issued to you by the Parks and Recreation Department. Refer to the code or contact the Department for details on restrictions and permitting.

 


Contact Info

Anchorage Parks and Recreation
632 W 6th Ave
Phone: 907-​343-4355

​​​​___________________________

James Reeves
​Aquatics Superintendent
james.reeves@anchorageak.gov