Little Nelchina Rec Site

Draining off obscure lakes in the eastern edge of the Copper River drainage, the clearwater Little Nelchina River wanders south, crossing the Glenn Highway and continuing for several miles to join the Nelchina River, a swift and rocky glacial river issuing from the Nelchina Glacier in the Chugach Mountains. Twisting and braiding through a forested valley, with ridges rising above the river, and spectacular views of the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains, the river reaches Tazlina Lake 27 miles from the put-in at little Nelchina State Recreation Site. Tazlina Lake, 21 miles long, deep, and cold, is the product of the mighy Tazlina Glacier, largest north-flowing glacier in the Chugach Range.