A Wasilla Area Lake with Public Access and Neighborhood Quiet
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Why Rent On Memory Lake
Memory Lake sits in the Wasilla area of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley in southcentral Alaska, with public access to the lake available via a parking area and an undeveloped boat launch maintained for visitor use. The shoreline is primarily private property, which gives the lake a residential quietness and a sense of community ownership that more fully developed recreational lakes rarely preserve. Families who find their way to Memory Lake discover a water experience that feels private without being exclusive.
A Mat-Su Rental Close to Multiple Lakes
Vacation rentals in the Wasilla area give families a home base within the Mat-Su Valley’s extraordinary network of interconnected lakes, where Memory Lake can serve as a quiet morning destination while Big Lake, Finger Lake, and the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area provide more developed options throughout the week. A rental with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and outdoor space provides the domestic foundation for a longer Alaska stay that is as varied or as focused as your family chooses to make it. Pet-friendly properties are widely available throughout the Wasilla area.
An Undeveloped Launch for Kayaks and Canoes
The undeveloped boat launch at Memory Lake is a feature rather than a limitation: it keeps the lake accessible to families with car-top kayaks and canoes while naturally discouraging the larger powered boats that dominate more developed launch facilities. The result is a paddling experience on calm, quiet water where the main sounds are the lake’s own birds and the gentle movement of the paddle. Fishing from a kayak along the vegetated edges of the lake is a productive and peaceful activity throughout the summer season.
The Wasilla Lake Network and Mat-Su Valley Days
Families who use Memory Lake as part of a broader Mat-Su lake week find that the valley’s density of accessible water destinations is one of its greatest assets. Morning paddles at Memory Lake give way to afternoons at Wasilla Lake’s Newcomb Park, evening drives to view the Alaska Range from the Palmer Hay Flats, and full-day excursions north to Nancy Lake’s canoe trail system. The valley’s outdoor circuit rewards families who approach it not as a single destination but as an extended landscape to be explored in day-long increments.
Wasilla and the Iditarod: Alaska’s Most Famous Sporting Tradition
Wasilla’s role as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s restart city gives the community a sporting identity unlike anything else in Alaska, and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters in Wasilla has year-round exhibits and sled dog demonstrations that are among the valley’s best family attractions. For families staying near Memory Lake during the March race season, watching the mushers leave the Wasilla restart at Sixth Avenue is a genuinely moving Alaska experience that no amount of television coverage adequately prepares you for.
- Surface area (mi)
- 0.21
- Max depth (ft)
- 20
- Elevation (ft)
- 469.16
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 2.39
Popular activities
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Memory Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
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No, swimming in Memory Lake is not always safe due to cold water temperatures and other hazards. Swimmers should be aware of potential dangers like sudden weather changes and avoid swimming after significant rainstorms or near any pipes. It is crucial to follow safe swimming practices and be mindful of one’s swimming abilities.
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Memory Lake in Wisconsin is a popular destination because it offers fishing for Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. The lake’s small size of 12 acres and maximum depth of 6 feet make it accessible for various fishing skills. In Alaska, Memory Lake’s proximity to Wasilla and its historical naming add to its interest.
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For Memory Lake in Alaska, the fishing regulations are typically outlined in the Southcentral Alaska sport fish regulations booklet. Memory Lake, being one of the stocked lakes, generally allows 10 salmon per day and 10 in possession. Specific restrictions and any updates should be checked in the latest Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet or with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
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There is no public beach at Memory Lake. The area has a gravel parking lot and a short foot trail to the lake, but it does not feature a beach. The site is used for summer and winter fishing and recreation, with basic amenities like toilets but no trash facilities or park benches.
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Memory Lake is near the towns of Wasilla and Palmer in Alaska. It is located 3.5 miles north of Wasilla and 10 miles northwest of Palmer in the Matanuska Valley.
