The crystal-clear water of Lake Itkul has attracted people since ancient times. Today, in terms of purity and transparency, the water in Lake Itkul is comparable to the water in Lake Baikal. The water table resembles an oval of regular shape, the area of the lake is 23 square kilometers, the depth reaches 17 meters. Itkul is one of the freshwater sources of drinking water for the resort "Lake Shira" and the settlement Zhemchuzhny.
Along the shore of the lake there are many burial mounds that are archaeologically significant for the modern culture of Khakassia. Due to the unique beauty and spaciousness of the steppe landscape, the water area and the shoreland of Lake Itkul look tempting at any time of the year. On hot summer days, the air warms up to +35 degrees, but the nights are always cool and fresh, which should be taken into account when planning a vacation by the side of a reservoir. Unlike the surrounding lakes of the Shirinsky district, Itkul is a cooler lake, due to the water transparency and a large number of springs. The water temperature in Lake Itkul rarely rises above 20 degrees.
The shores of Lake Itkul and the adjacent territory are part of the Nature Reserve “Khakassky”, so recreation in this area is possible only with the permission of the Directorate. The reserved lake Itkul is the most valuable reservoir for nesting birds. Thanks to the vast food base, fresh water and swampy shores, many migratory birds gather here in spring and autumn. In order to protect wetlands, preserve the bird population and take care of the lake cleanness, its entire water area and surrounding shores are protected by the state. Since 2013, the Visitor Center of the Reserve “Khakassky” has been working on Itkul, organizing educational and scientific activities, as well as carrying out ecological cycling routes around Lake Itkul with stops at observation points.
Only a part of the northeastern shore of the lake, opposite the village of Kolodezny, is available for vacationers. Accommodation is possible only in tents or in a few summer houses. When pitching a tent on the lake, remember that parking closer than 50 m from the lake is prohibited. The entrance to the beach is fee-based. For a beach holiday, it is worth taking care of drinking water and opportunities for cooking. Active recreation on the lake is not provided, but it is possible to visit the hills to enjoy a panoramic view of the area.
