World's largest and busiest seaplane base.
Opened
1930
Location
Anchorage, United States
Lake Hood Airport, also known as Lake Hood Seaplane Base, is a public-use airport located adjacent to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska. It holds the distinction of being the busiest seaplane base in the world, handling over 100,000 aircraft operations in peak years.
The facility is built on two interconnected lakes—Lake Hood and Lake Spenard—which provide an extensive water runway for floatplanes and ski-equipped aircraft. It also features a paved land runway, making it one of the few airports in the world to offer both water and land operations side by side.
Lake Hood serves as a critical hub for bush flying in Alaska, supporting access to remote communities, wilderness areas, and recreational destinations that lack road connections. It is operated by the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport system under the Municipality of Anchorage.
Getting to & from
Lake Hood is accessible by road from downtown Anchorage and sits immediately adjacent to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, allowing easy connections between facilities.
Notable facts
- ›Recognized as the world's busiest seaplane base by the FAA.
- ›Built on the combined surface of Lake Hood and Lake Spenard.
- ›Features both a water runway and a paved land runway.
- ›Supports hundreds of based aircraft, predominantly floatplanes and bush planes.
- ›Serves as a lifeline transport hub for remote Alaskan communities without road access.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.