Goose Lake Swimming Lake
Anchorage, Alaska · on Goose Lake · Chester Creek Greenbelt
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Goose Lake Swimming Lake
Goose Lake is a small kettle lake in Anchorage, Alaska, adjacent to the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, that the Municipality of Anchorage designates as one of its two official municipal swim beaches. It is a developed city park lake with a sandy swim area, picnic facilities, and trail access rather than a backcountry or remote swimming hole.
Goose Lake sits within an urban greenbelt setting near the UAA campus in Anchorage, formed as a glacial kettle lake with a maximum length of about 0.3 miles. The park around it is a developed municipal recreation area connected to Anchorage's citywide trail and greenbelt network (per the Chester Creek Greenbelt land unit).
Swimming at Goose Lake Swimming Lake
The lake has a municipally designated swimming area and beach used by locals in summer; there are no lifeguards, so swimming is at one's own risk. Water is typical of a shallow Alaskan kettle lake; the Municipality warns of swimmer's itch (a mild skin irritation from parasites) becoming more common in mid-to-late summer.
How to get to this swimming hole
Goose Lake Park is located at 2811 UAA Dr. / 3220 E. Northern Lights Blvd., near the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, with paved parking on site.
Parking: Paved parking is available on site at the park (per Municipality of Anchorage lakes page).
The hike in
- Time on foot
- 1-2 minute walk from parking to the beach
No hike is required; the designated swim beach is directly adjacent to the paved parking lot at Goose Lake Park, a short walk of a minute or two across the park grounds. The park does connect to Anchorage's citywide greenbelt/bike trail network for those who want to arrive on foot or bike instead of driving.
Drive-up urban park lake, not a backcountry destination.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It is a maintained municipal swim beach with a designated swimming/beach area (kid-friendly setting), but the Municipality of Anchorage posts no lifeguards on duty ('swim at own risk') and warns of swimmer's itch (a mild parasitic skin irritation) becoming more common in mid-to-late summer, so supervision and post-swim rinsing are advised.
Parking
Free
Paved on-site parking lot at Goose Lake Park (2811 UAA Dr. / 3220 E. Northern Lights Blvd.); no parking fee is mentioned on official municipal park pages, consistent with standard Anchorage neighborhood parks.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are available on site; the Municipality of Anchorage's park listing identifies Goose Lake Park as a high-use site with public restrooms, while the Lakes page also references portable toilets serving the swim beach/picnic area.
Hours
8am-10pm (standard Anchorage Municipal Parks hours, per the Municipality's park listing page for Goose Lake Park)
On the water
Restrictions: Sailcraft (sailboats) are prohibited due to low-hanging power lines over the lake. Gasoline motorboats and jet skis are not permitted; only non-motorized small craft and electric-motor boats are allowed, per Municipality of Anchorage lake rules.
Goose Lake is small (max length ~0.3 mi), so watercraft use is limited to quiet, non-motorized paddling rather than powerboating.
Goose Lake Swimming Lake: FAQ
Is Goose Lake Swimming Lake kid friendly?
It is a maintained municipal swim beach with a designated swimming/beach area (kid-friendly setting), but the Municipality of Anchorage posts no lifeguards on duty ('swim at own risk') and warns of swimmer's itch (a mild parasitic skin irritation) becoming more common in mid-to-late summer, so supervision and post-swim rinsing are advised.
Do I need to hike to reach Goose Lake Swimming Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Goose Lake Swimming Lake?
Paved on-site parking lot at Goose Lake Park (2811 UAA Dr. / 3220 E. Northern Lights Blvd.); no parking fee is mentioned on official municipal park pages, consistent with standard Anchorage neighborhood parks.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Goose Lake Swimming Lake?
Goose Lake is small (max length ~0.3 mi), so watercraft use is limited to quiet, non-motorized paddling rather than powerboating.
When is the best time to visit Goose Lake Swimming Lake?
Summer (typical Anchorage swimming season); the Municipality notes swimmer's itch risk increases in mid-to-late summer.
What are the rules at Goose Lake Swimming Lake?
No lifeguards on duty (swim at own risk); sailcraft (sailboats) are prohibited on the lake due to low-hanging power lines, per the Municipality of Anchorage.
What water body is Goose Lake Swimming Lake on?
Goose Lake Swimming Lake is on Goose Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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