Hiking - Ben Walter's Park Floating Dock

View from Ben Walter's Park as a Floatplane Lands

Stats

Distance:  0.1 miles         Difficulty: Easy           Time:  15 min

Summary

Tucked away at the side of Beluga Lake in Homer, Alaska, Ben Walter’s Park is

quite small, but interesting.  In summer, Beluga Lake is home to several floatplane operations, as well as several varieties of migratory bird.  In the winter, when the shallow lake freezes over, Beluga Lake belongs to ice fishers and a variety of vehicles playing in the ice.

Opinion

Marsh Grasses in
Early Spring

This park is very small, but pleasant.  There is very little territory for walking or playing, but it is fun to sit on the floating dock and watch the floatplanes taking off and landing.  In the morning, you can often see migratory birds; we have seen a pair of swans, golden eyes, and a few types of duck.

Trail Advice

This trail has the usual voracious mosquitoes during summer and has little shade.  We strongly recommend a good coating of both sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

Suitability

This very short trail is suitable for all ages.  With some determination a wheelchair can probably be pushed down the gravel walkway and out to the floating dock.

Trailhead

The entrance to the park is just behind the Homer McDonald’s (on the corner of Sterling Hwy and Lake St).  From the Sterling Hwy, turn north on Lake street, then immediately turn right on Ben Walter’s Ln.  Take the first right past the McDonalds to find the small gravel parking lot.  I’ve never seen the lot full.

The Park

Floating Dock in Early Spring

At the parking lot are a public restroom and the trailhead to a very short walk to Beluga Lake.  The trail ends at a set of floating docks surrounded by marsh grasses.  There is a beautiful view to the north of the mountains over the lake. 

By mid- to late-May the migratory shorebirds have arrived and you can see a variety of birds in the lake (especially in the morning).

Floatplanes

Taking Off

During summer Beluga Lake is an active floatplane airport.  Most of the planes take off between mid morning, but can be seen departing at various times during the day.  They return throughout the day, but landings are common after lunch and on into the early evening.