Lost Lake and Primrose Trails

An alpine-lake through-hike above Seward: up Lost Lake Trail, down Primrose to Kenai Lake.

Pass route / through-hikeSummerWinterKenai Peninsula & Turnagain

Season: Year-round (USFS). Summer is moderate and winter is more difficult. Snow can linger near the lake until July.
Distance: Lost Lake Trail is 7.3 mi one way and Primrose Trail is 7.5 mi one way, so the through-hike is about 14.8 mi (USFS).
Elevation: Lost Lake Trail gains 1,920 ft and Primrose gains 1,600 ft (USFS).
Cabins: None. Use the designated campsites at Lost Lake, some of which have bear boxes and pit toilets.
Booking: None for camping
Avalanche center: CNFAC (Seward/Lost Lake zone)

Overview

Both trails are Iditarod National Historic Trail segments on the Chugach National Forest. Lost Lake Trail climbs through spruce forest to open meadows, and its first view of Lost Lake comes at about mile 6. It then meets the Primrose Trail on the east side of the lake.

CNFAC added a daily Seward/Lost Lake forecast zone starting in winter 2024–25, which helps if you ski here.

Rules, permits, and etiquette

Camp at the designated sites. USFS asks backpackers not to camp on the Lost Lake peninsulas, so the tundra can recover.
Fires are prohibited in alpine areas.
Lost Lake Trail is closed to motorized use May 1 to Nov 30, and Primrose is closed to winter motorized use. Stock is closed April 1 to June 30.

Access, trailheads, and fees

Lost Lake Trailhead: At Seward Highway milepost 5, turn into the Lost Lake subdivision and follow the signs (USFS).
Primrose Trailhead: At Primrose Campground. Turn west at Seward Highway mile 17 onto Primrose Road (USFS).

Hazards

Avalanche terrain. In winter the upper trail is above treeline in avalanche terrain. Check CNFAC's Seward/Lost Lake zone.
Late snow. Snow can last near the lake into July.
Weather above treeline. The alpine section is exposed to wind, whiteout, and rain.
Bears. Use the bear boxes at the designated campsites.

Avalanche: before any snow-season trip, check our avalanche conditions page and the full CNFAC forecast.

Skills you need

Day hiking or overnight backpacking
Winter: avalanche awareness and navigation above treeline

Gear

A standard backpacking kit works. In shoulder season and winter, add traction and avalanche rescue gear.

Our lists: Backpacking kit

Map: huts, cabins, and trailheads

Only Primrose Campground is plotted, from the USFS recreation sites data. The Lost Lake Trailhead isn't plotted because we found no official coordinates for it. Basemap: USGS The National Map. Don't navigate with this map.

Primrose Campground (Primrose Trail start): 60.34083, -149.36972 source

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