The most famous bird in the southwest, featured in folklore and cartoons, known by its long tail and expressive crest. The Roadrunner walks and runs on the ground, flying only when necessary. It can run 15 miles per hour, probably with much faster spurts when chasing a fast-running lizard or other prey. Its prowess as a rattlesnake fighter has been much exaggerated, but it does eat a remarkable variety of smaller creatures.
Paxson Lake is known for its reliable fishing, popular for lake trout, Arctic Char and grayling. At the mouth of the lake, where the Gulkana River begins, the fishing for grayling is particularly good. The Bureau of Land Management operates a 50-site campground along the Richardson Highway at the lakeshore with a boat launch and other facilities. One of the most popular river float trips in Alaska is down the Gulkana, and many people start their trip at the Paxson Lake campground.
