How to visit Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Glaciers, volcanoes, forested coasts—these distinctive Alaskan landscapes are packed into this rarely visited reserve. Here’s what you need to know.

The Tlikakila River carrying ash from Iliamna Volcano in Lake Clark National Park
Tlikakila River carries ash from Iliamna Volcano into Cook Inlet. The braided waterway is one of three nationally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Photograph by Michael Melford, Nat Geo Image Collection
ByJoe Yogerst
May 30, 2023
15 min read

Why you should go to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

The epitome of rugged wilderness, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers a glimpse of what Alaska was like prior to the arrival of Europeans 300 years ago. With Katmai and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks, it presents the array of Alaska terrain: coastal wetlands and estuaries, snowcapped and glacier-draped mountains, myriad lakes and rivers, boreal forest, and tundra.

“[It’s] a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes,” says ranger Chelsea Niles. “Local people and culture still depend on the land and water as we continue to preserve the ancestral homelands of the Dena’ina people, an intact ecosystem at the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world.”

Golden sunlight hits Alaska's Range Mountains
Sunlight radiates across the Range Mountains, whose southern end extends into Lake Clark National Park, where it meets the Aleutian Range.
Photograph by Bill Hatcher, Nat Geo Image Collection
A brown bear runs away with a silver salmon in Lake Clark National Park
A brown bear carries a salmon in Lake Clark National Park. Fish are a critical food source for the mammals, which is why the park sets guidelines for giving the ursids wide berth when it comes to fishing.
Photograph by Barrett Hedges, Nat Geo Image Collection

To the Dena’ina who settled the region more than a thousand years ago, Lake Clark is Qizhjeh Vena (“a place where people gathered lake”). Their heritage unfolds at places like Kijik (Qizhjeh) National Historic Landmark and Archeological District on the north shore of Lake Clark.

The park also harbors the vast Jay S. Hammond Wilderness Area, three national Wild and Scenic Rivers (the Mulchatna, Tlikakila, and Chilikadrotna), and two national natural landmarks (Redoubt Volcano and Iliamna Volcano).

It’s one of the best places in North America to observe and photograph brown bears (aka grizzlies), along with a host of other creatures in their natural habitat. Plus, the fly fishing is legendary.

(Make the most of your next national park trip with these planning guides.)

Where to find the best views in the park

Winging over the park in a floatplane is the best (and easiest) way to view the park’s primal landscape. Half a dozen Anchorage-based outfitters offer day trips to coastal or inland regions as well as air taxi service to/from lodges in and around Lake Clark. It takes 60-90 minutes to reach the park in a Cessna, Piper, or vintage DeHavilland Beaver floatplane. Check the NPS site for a list of authorized air taxi providers.

Glacier runoff of Drift River Lobe coming off of Double Glacier in Lake Clark National Park
Drift River Lobe Double Glacier (pictured) is one example of the great ice sheets that have helped shape the topography of Lake Clark National Park.
Photograph by Michael Melford, Nat Geo Image Collection

Best water or coast view: Along the north side of Chinitna Bay looking inland toward snowcapped Iliamna Volcano.

Best inland view: The summit of 3,960-foot Mount Tanalian near Port Alsworth.

Best aerial view: Flying over the Alaska Range between Cook Inlet and Lake Clark.

(Take amazing travel photos with these essential tips.)

Where to find the park’s best hikes

Given its remote and wild nature, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers plenty of options for adventurous backcountry hiking, but only a handful of trails are well marked, easy on the feet, and easy to access. Here are a few noteworthy trails, by difficulty:

Easy hikes: Several marked, maintained trails near the visitors center and airfield in Port Alsworth are ideal for families with children. These include routes to tranquil Beaver Pond (3.2 miles roundtrip), photogenic Tanalian Falls (four-mile return), and secluded Kontrashibuna Lake (5.5-mile return).

Moderate hikes: The Tanalian Mountain route is a full-day 8.6-mile roundtrip trek via the Beaver Pond loop that ascends more than 3,000 feet. The view from the top is awesome—Lake Clark in one direction, the Aleutian Range in the other. But the last mile or so to the rocky summit is steep, narrow, and often slippery. This hike is not recommended for children aged 10 and under.

Challenging hikes: Lake Clark offers half a dozen well-known, multiday backcountry options. The Telaquana route in the remote northwest corner rambles across the tundra and boreal forest between Lower Twin and Telaquana Lakes. Originally blazed by the ancient Dena’ina Athabascan people, this route’s average duration is seven to 10 days and includes a panoramic view of the snowcapped, glacier-filled Neocola Range just east of the lakes.

Bikers cross the rough terrain and melted ice of southern Alaska's Range Mountains
Cyclists ride across the rough terrain and melted ice of southern Alaska’s Range Mountains, which lie just north of Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Photograph by Bill Hatcher, Nat Geo Image Collection

Shorter but no less challenging, the Fishtrap Lake to Snipe Lake route meanders through thick brush and alpine tundra near the park’s western boundary. It can take anywhere from one to four days, depending on the hiker’s bushwhacking and navigation skills.

Both routes require hikers to be dropped off and picked up by floatplane. Hikers should be vigilant of all wildlife, especially bears. Bear-resistant containers (BRCs) for food and garbage storage are mandatory and/or highly recommended for those camping within half a mile of a lakeshore.

Overall, backcountry trekkers should be well versed in map reading, compass use, and dead reckoning, as well as experts at crossing rivers, inclement weather, and other aspects of wilderness survival. Bushwhacking through the park’s roadless wilderness is the norm.

(Dazzling views, no crowds—these are North America’s ultimate hikes.)

Where to find the best spots for seeing wildlife

Bears: Brown bears are far and away the main wildlife attraction at Lake Clark. The Aleutian Mountains separate the park’s bear population into two distinct groups. The coastal bruins feast on salmon, clams, sedges, and berries in the salt marshes, tidal flats, and river estuaries along Cook Inlet. The inland bears scout the boreal forest, tundra, and lakeshore in search of salmon and a variety of other food sources.

Bear viewing season runs from late spring to early fall when flightseeing companies offer day trips to the park’s coastal region. This is the best and safest way to see these celebrated bruins. Find a list of authorized concessionaires here. The top spots for viewing are Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, and Crescent Lake.

Two brown bear families walking on the tidal flats in the morning at Lake Clark National Park
Two coastal brown bear families walk along the tidal flats in the morning at Lake Clark National Park. Flightseeing—viewing wildlife by plane—is the best and safest way to see the park’s famed grizzlies.
Photograph by Barrett Hedges, Nat Geo Image Collection

Birds: From shorebirds to raptors, more than 180 bird species have been spotted in the park. Among the many photogenic birds are bald eagles and peregrine falcons, trumpeter swans, and ptarmigan. The mudflats around Tuxedni and Chinitna bays on the coast and Chulitna Flats near Lake Clark are considered some of the best for birding.

Other wildlife: Caribou graze the tundra west of Lake Clark, while Dall sheep climb the western slopes of the Aleutian Range, including Tanalian Mountain near Port Alsworth. Moose wade through shallow watercourses and boggy areas below the timberline, while wolves tend to inhabit the boreal forest. During the warmer months, beluga whales cruise offshore.

(Here’s where to see wildlife safely from your car.)

Best things to do for families

Kids and their parents can explore several well-marked and fairly easy trails near the visitors center in Port Alsworth, including the aforementioned routes to Beaver Pond (3.2-mile round trip), Tanalian Falls (four-mile return), and Kontrashibuna Lake (5.5-mile return).

In addition to hiking, Alaska Alpine Adventures offers a weeklong guided Twin Lakes kayak camping trip and a seven-day guided Turquoise Lake kayak and hiking journey.

Where to stay in Lake Clark National Park

Lodges and cabins: Port Alsworth has a variety of cabins, bed & breakfast inns, and small private hotels, like The Farm Lodge, located on a plot homesteaded by village namesake “Babe” and Mary Alsworth in the 1940s. Other indoor options include Redoubt Mountain Lodge on Crescent Lake, Bear Mountain Lodge on Chinitna Bay, and Silver Salmon Creek Lodge on Cook Inlet.

Located on the northwest side of Lake Clark, the historic Priest Rock and Joe Thompson public use cabins sleep three to six people, with simple wooden bunks, a wood stove, and an outhouse restroom. There is no electricity or running water. Visitors must bring their own food and drink, utensils and cooking stove, bedding, toilet paper, and other essentials. Reserve at Recreation.gov.

Sunrise above Kijik Mountain in Lake Clark National Park
Sunrise paints the skies above Kijik Mountain in vivid purples and pinks. Lake Clark offers some of the most gorgeous views of Alaska’s wild terrain.
Photograph by Michael Melford, Nat Geo Image Collection

Camping: Tulchina Adventures owns the only campground in Port Alsworth. Other than that, visitors can pitch a tent anywhere inside the park and preserve, except on private or native corporation land. However, backcountry camping is recommended only for those experienced in wilderness survival skills. Find areas here and guided camping trip companies here.

Because this is bear country, take measures to ensure your safety and that of the animals. While backcountry permits are not required, you should tell someone (like the visitors center) where you are going and when you plan to return.

(These tips will help you plan the ultimate camping adventure.)

Notable activities and excursions

Bear camp: Natural Habitat Adventures offers a six-day summertime “total immersion” bear camp with safari-style tents on Cook Inlet. Each season there’s at least one “women only” week.

Fly-fishing: Between summer fly-fishing and winter ice fishing, angling (which requires a license) is one of the park’s most popular pursuits. In addition to five different types of salmon, the main catches are trout, pike, burbot, grayling, and arctic char. Fishing season spans May to October, but most anglers aim for the August-September salmon runs.

Crescent Lake is considered the paramount fishing spot, but there are dozens of other lakes and rivers, including easily accessible Kontrashibuna Lake and Tanalian River near Port Alsworth. No matter where you cast a line, anglers should follow park service guidelines for fishing in bear country, including securing your catch and giving bears the “right of way” in prime fishing spots.

(Read how a fishing trip to Alaska united a father and son for the last time.)

Here’s what else you need to know

The major difference between Lake Clark’s park and preserve sections is the fact that hunting, trapping, and energy exploration and extraction are allowed in the preserve, while these activities are strictly forbidden in the park. Comprising mostly tundra and low-lying forest, the preserve portion lies in the west, while the park proper sprawls across mountains, valleys, and coast in the central and eastern areas.

Access: Getting to the park is only possible by air or water, either privately or with an authorized air taxi or charter boat service. There is no road access.

Closures: While late spring to early fall is the ideal time to visit, Lake Clark is open throughout the year. However, the visitors center and many of the lodges are closed during the cold weather months.

Air transport: Due to limited capacity and high demand, reservations for bear-watching flights or air taxis to/from park lodges should be made six months to a year in advance.

Permits: Backcountry permits are not required for overnight hikes. However, anglers should have a current state fishing license.

Cell phones: Service is limited or nonexistent in most of the park.

Are pets allowed in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve?

Leashed pets are allowed. But NPS strongly recommends leaving your pets at home or in a kennel because of the park’s wildlife and rugged terrain.

Accessibility

Because airplanes and boats are the only way to reach Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, access is often challenging. Port Alsworth Visitor Center is equipped with a wheelchair accessible ramp and information brochures in Braille. The ranger stations at Port Alsworth, Silver Salmon Creek, and Chinitna Bay loan all-terrain wheelchairs. To reserve, call 907-644-3626 or email through an online form on the NPS website.

(Learn how the National Park Service is making its public lands more accessible.)

Six-time Lowell Thomas Award winner Joe Yogerst has worked on more than 40 National Geographic books. He lives in California.
Go With Nat Geo: Explore Alaska’s natural wonders with Nat Geo Expeditions cruises. Learn more about Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in the National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States Ninth Edition.

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