Lake Alice is a hidden 230-acre gem in the western Bridger-Teton National Forest of Wyoming – a long, mountain-rimmed lake created by an ancient landslide, and home to the only known pure-strain, naturally reproducing Bonneville cutthroat trout lake population in existence. Reached only on foot, horseback or mountain bike, it’s a special destination for anglers chasing Wyoming’s native cutthroat and for backcountry campers seeking solitude. This guide is part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Lake Alice at a glance
- Surface area: ~230 acres (about 3 miles long)
- Elevation: ~7,745 ft, in the western Bridger-Teton National Forest
- Formed: by an ancient landslide off 9,325-ft Lake Mountain that dammed Poker Creek
- Access: hike, horseback or mountain bike only – about a 4.6-mile out-and-back trail
- Top fish: Bonneville cutthroat trout (a unique, pure native strain)
A landslide lake with a rare native trout
Thousands of years ago a massive landslide peeled off Lake Mountain and dammed Poker Creek, creating Lake Alice – and the scar is still visible on the mountainside today. That natural dam isolated the lake, and over time it became home to the only known pure lake strain of naturally reproducing Bonneville cutthroat trout, untouched by outside genetics. For anglers working on Wyoming’s “Cutt-Slam,” Lake Alice is a meaningful place to catch a wild Bonneville cutthroat.
Fishing Lake Alice
The lake is managed to protect its special Bonneville cutthroat trout, so special regulations (often catch-and-release or reduced limits) apply – check current Wyoming Game and Fish rules before you keep a fish. A Wyoming fishing license is required. Anglers fish from the bank and small craft packed in; the remote, clear water and native trout make it a bucket-list cutthroat lake. Please handle these rare fish carefully.
Hiking, camping and what to know
Lake Alice is reached only by a roughly 4.6-mile out-and-back trail (moderately challenging), open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. The Lake Alice Campground offers nine primitive sites about 1.5 miles’ hike east of the Hobble Creek Campground, making an overnight trip easy. Come self-sufficient – this is remote national-forest country – and practice Leave No Trace. There’s no developed swim beach; the water is cold and clear.
Water level and getting there
As a natural landslide-dammed lake, Lake Alice holds a stable level. It’s in the western Bridger-Teton National Forest, about 34 miles northeast of Cokeville in far western Wyoming, reached via Smoot and the Hobble Creek area. The Salt River Range and Star Valley are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Wyoming license is required; special regulations protect the native cutthroat.
- Trail access only: hike, horseback or bike in (~4.6 miles round trip).
- Rare fish: the only pure-strain Bonneville cutthroat lake – handle with care and follow the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Lake Alice?
Bonneville cutthroat trout – Lake Alice holds the only known pure, naturally reproducing lake strain of this native fish.
How do you get to Lake Alice?
By a roughly 4.6-mile out-and-back trail open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking; there’s no road to the lake.
Can you camp at Lake Alice?
Yes – the Lake Alice Campground has nine primitive sites about 1.5 miles east of Hobble Creek Campground.
Where is Lake Alice?
In the western Bridger-Teton National Forest, about 34 miles northeast of Cokeville in far western Wyoming.
Related: explore the small lakes of Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
Explore more Wyoming lakes: the largest lakes in Wyoming and the deepest lakes in Wyoming.
