Otter Lake, Warrior Xtreme Paintball open for summer fun

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The grand opening of the Otter Lake complex and the Warrior Xtreme Paintball course at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is May 22.

People with JBER access can bring their non-motorized boats, or rent one of the many available boats as they spend the day recreating at one of the most pristine camping locations on JBER.

“Otter Lake is gorgeous,” said Trevor Bird, Otter Lake and Warrior Xtreme Paintball manager. “It’s a great spot to spend time with your family and get away from the hustle and bustle. Realistically you can forget you’re on a military base because it’s so quiet and calm.”

One can cast a fishing line for a rainbow trout, though only after acquiring a fishing license and checking in through the iSportsman system, Bird said. Swimming is not allowed on the lake.

Life-vests are required when paddling in a boat.

One can turn a visit into an overnight excursion at one of the cabins or camping grounds overlooking the lake and keep the recreating spirit going.

Future plans for the lake include the installation of a fishing dock, scheduled for this summer, Bird said.

Everything necessary for an Alaska camping adventure is available through Outdoor Recreation and the Otter Lake complex, Bird said.

The lake is tucked within a sea of spruce and birch trees. Not far from the calm and tranquil space is the Warrior Xtreme Paintball course. A $10 rental fee will give a group full run of the 2.5 acre course.

Interested parties can call the Otter Lake boat house to make their paintball reservation at 384-6245.

“We’ve had a father and son rent the space,” Bird said. “They just wanted to run around the woods and shoot at each other.”

Participants are encouraged to bring their own gear, however, only paint supplied by the venue and compressed air is allowed, Bird said. People new to paintballing can find all the necessary gear at the venue.

“It’s a great place to visit if you’re new to the base,” Bird said. “Come out and check it out and see what Alaska is all about.”

“It’s really cool that this base has these resources,” he said. “It’s something that I don’t think you get at a lot of other places. When people come out here, they get excited that we have this in our back yard. You can leave from your house on the Richardson side and in ten minutes you can be out here. It feels like you got a little vacation.”