How to Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail

The Horseshoe Lake Trail is one of the best easy hikes in Denali National Park and one of our favorites in the park. Named for its distinctive oxbow shape, Horseshoe Lake sits just 1.2 miles from the park entrance, making it accessible to virtually every visitor regardless of fitness level or how much time you have.

We saved it for the end of the day, after already tackling the Savage Alpine Trail and the Mount Healy Overlook earlier that morning, and it was the perfect way to finish. The crowds had thinned out, the light was golden on the water, and the whole place felt peaceful in a way it doesn’t at midday.

The trail takes you first to an elevated overlook above the lake, then winds down to the shoreline and around the entire perimeter. Highlights include an impressive beaver dam, views of the Nenana River where you can watch whitewater rafters pass below, and the chance to spot wildlife.

We saw moose multiple times in the area around this trail during our visit. It’s suitable for all ages and ability levels, and at just 2 miles with minimal elevation change, it fits easily into any Denali itinerary.

Table of Contents

Horseshoe Lake Trail Stats

The follow stats are roundtrip from the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead.

Distance: 2.0 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Total Ascent: 300 feet
Elevation at Trailhead: 1,720 feet
Elevation at Horseshoe Lake: 1,500 feet
Time: 1 to 2 hours

Elevation profile

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

Parking and Trailhead

Denali National Park only has one entrance, which is located at the intersection of Parks Highway (Route 3) and Park Road. From the entrance, drive 1.2 miles along Park Road and you will see railroad tracks that cross Park Road. Immediately past the railroad tracks is the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead on the right side of the road along with a small parking area. This is the ideal place to park for this hike.

If the parking area at the railroad tracks is full, then additional parking is available at the Denali Visitor Center. Continue on Park Road another 0.2 miles past the railroad tracks and you will reach a roundabout. At the roundabout follow the signs to the Denali Visitor Center, which is only a short distance further.

If you end up parking at the Denali Visitor Center, then you have three options for hiking from the visitor center to Horseshoe Lake:

You can take the Murie Science and Learning Center Trail to the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead.
The Denali Bike Trail will take you to where the railroad tracks cross Park Road (the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead will be on the opposite side of the road). Both the Murie Science and Learning Center Trail and the Denali Bike Trail will add about a half a mile to the hike in each direction, making the total hike 3 miles roundtrip.
Alternatively, you can take the Taiga Trail to where the Horseshoe Lake Trail crosses the railroad tracks. This will add about a mile to the hike in each direction, making the total hike 4 miles roundtrip.

If you have any questions about which way to go from the Denali Visitor Center parking lot, just ask one of the park rangers at the information desk located at the visitor center building.

Horseshoe Lake Trail Map (courtesy: nps.gov)

How to Hike to Horseshoe Lake

Step-By-Step Trail Guide

The Horseshoe Lake Trail is an out-and-back lollipop trail. You will follow the trail down to the lake, make a complete circle around the lake, and then return back up to the trailhead the same way you came down.

Horseshoe Lake Trailhead

From the Horseshoe Lake Trailhead located where the train tracks cross Park Road, hike next to the train tracks in the northbound direction for about 100 yards. DO NOT walk on the train tracks as they are operational and a train may pass at any time. Instead, walk along the tree line that runs parallel to the train tracks.

As you are walking next to the train tracks, look for a signpost on the left side pointing across the tracks. This signpost is telling you to turn right and cross over the tracks in order to stay on the Horseshoe Lake Trail.

The well-maintained, compacted dirt and crushed gravel trail will now lead you down to the lake. You will have to descend a little more than 200 feet in order to reach the lake. A portion of the trail has been made into a staircase to help ease its steepness.

Near the top of the descent there is an opening in the trees to your left that provides a great view overlooking the lake. There is also a bench at this viewpoint if you want to sit an enjoy the view for a bit.

First view of Horseshoe Lake

Just before you get to the lake, there will be a trail split with a posted sign. This is where you start the circle around the lake. So, whichever direction you go you will end up back at this signpost.

I recommend going straight at this signpost. The view of the beaver dam, which you will see later in the hike, is more impressive if you hike the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. The rest of this trail description is written such that you will go straight at this signpost (hiking the loop in a counter-clockwise direction).

The trail will now bring you close to the shore of the lake. There will be a bench here if you would like to sit and enjoy the view (the only lakeside bench that we saw).

You will also see a posted sign for the Beaver Dam spur trail, which as the name suggest will take you to see the Beaver Dam. This tenth of a mile long spur trail (0.2 miles roundtrip) is optional since you will also walk past the Beaver Dam when you circle around to the other side of the lake later in the hike.

As you continue to follow the Horseshoe Lake trail you will leave the lake behind for a bit and the trail will take you out to the Nenana River.

The Nenana River

Another view of the Nenana River

The trail then circles back towards Horseshoe Lake and you will be walking towards the Beaver Dam.

The beaver dam

Continue to follow the Horseshoe Lake trail until you circle the entire lake. At the end of the loop, retrace your steps back up the hill and out to the train tracks.

See all of our articles about Alaska

About Our Experience and Is It Worth It?

We hiked the Horseshoe Lake Trail in the late afternoon. For us, it was a great end of the day hike. Earlier in the day, we hiked both the Mount Healy Overlook Trail and the Savage Alpine Trail. Since we saved this hike for the end of the day, we missed the midday crowds and were able to enjoy the peacefulness this lake setting offers.

This is a must do hike when visiting Denali National Park. We really liked doing it at the end of the day, but it can also make for a great morning hike, if you are waiting for cloud cover to burn off before tackling a strenuous hike into the mountains for alpine views.

We saw people of all ages and various ability levels enjoying this hike.

What to Bring on the Horseshoe Lake Hike

Sunscreen
Insect repellant
Bear spray
Rain jacket: Just in case bad weather moves in.

Hiking Gear Guide

Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?

If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.

When to Visit Horseshoe Lake

The Horseshoe Lake Trail is accessible from late May through early October, which aligns with Denali’s main visitor season. We’ve visited in July and found it lush and green, with wildflowers along the trail and plenty of birdlife at the lake.

Timing within the day matters almost as much as the season. This is one of the most visited trails near the park entrance, and midday crowds (especially from tour buses) can make the shoreline feel surprisingly busy for such a peaceful setting. We strongly recommend hiking it in the early morning or late afternoon for the best experience.

In September, the trail takes on beautiful fall colors, with the birch and aspen turning gold. Crowds drop significantly after Labor Day, and temperatures are cooler, which are ideal conditions if you’re sensitive to heat or want more solitude.

Wildlife Safety

Be bear aware, moose aware, and wolf aware. Posted signage at the Denali Visitor Center provides the following advice:

Bears:

1. Talk and/or sing while you are hiking to make your presence known so you don’t surprise a bear. If you run out of things to say then simple repeat the phrase “Hey Bear”.
2. If you see a bear, do not run as they may see you as prey. Put your arms up to make yourself look bigger and back away slowly while keeping your eyes on the bear. Get at least 300 yards away from the bear.
3. If the bear charges at you then use bear spray.

Moose:

1. Stay at least 25 yards away from a moose.
2. A moose may charge if you are too close, especially a mother protecting a calf. If this happens then run and get away as fast as you can. They will try to trample a perceived threat.

Wolves:

1. Stay at least 25 yards away from a wolf.
2. If a wolf approaches you then shout aggressively and throw rocks at it.

In 2021 it was estimated that 350 bears, 1,700 moose, and 90 wolves (14 packs) inhabit the 6 million acres of Denali National Park. We did not see any of this type of wildlife while hiking the Horseshoe Lake Trail but we did see moose twice in the same general area as this trail.

Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the National Park Service website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail?

Most hikers complete the Horseshoe Lake Trail in 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail is 2 miles round trip with modest elevation change, so there’s no need to rush. We typically take closer to 1.5 hours because we spend time at the lake overlook and the beaver dam.

Is the Horseshoe Lake Trail worth it?

Yes. It’s one of the most rewarding easy hikes in Denali National Park. The combination of a scenic lake, a working beaver dam, views of the Nenana River, and a good chance of wildlife sightings makes it far more interesting than a typical short nature walk. It also offers a different side of Denali than the alpine hikes further into the park.

Is the Horseshoe Lake Trail good for beginners and families?

Absolutely. The trail is well-maintained with a compacted gravel surface and stairs on the steeper sections. It’s manageable for children and older adults, and we saw hikers of all ages and ability levels on the trail. It’s one of the best family-friendly hikes in Denali.

Can you see wildlife on the Horseshoe Lake Trail?

Yes. The area around Horseshoe Lake is active wildlife habitat. We’ve personally seen moose near this trail on multiple occasions. Denali’s front country supports bears and moose, so always carry bear spray and make noise on the trail.

What time of day is best for hiking Horseshoe Lake?

Early morning or late afternoon. Midday brings the heaviest foot traffic, particularly from tour groups. We hiked it in the late afternoon and had a much quieter, more enjoyable experience as a result.

More Hiking in Denali National Park

Horseshoe Lake is a great warm-up hike, but Denali has much more to offer on the trail. For a full overview of every hike worth doing in the park, our guide to the best hikes in Denali National Park covers the top trails by difficulty and location, including which are accessible by car and which require the park bus.

If you’re ready to go bigger on the same day, the Mount Healy Overlook Trail is the best moderate hike near the park entrance, with sweeping views from 1,500 feet above the valley floor. For something more challenging, the Savage Alpine Trail is one of the finest hikes in the park, with an excellent chance of seeing Denali on a clear day.

And if you want to plan your full visit, our Denali National Park travel guide and things to do in Denali posts cover everything from bus tours to flightseeing.

If you have any questions about how to hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail, of if you would like to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information about Alaska

Read all of our articles about Alaska in our Alaska Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide.

Save this post on Pinterest for when you’re ready to go.

Save to Pinterest Save

How to hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail in Denali National Park & Preserve: map, photos, hiking tips, and more.

How to Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail | Denali National Park