Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is truly a hidden gem: 4 million acres of glaciers, volcanoes, turquoise lakes, and a bear population that outnumbers the human one. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’ve truly dropped off the grid, this is your spot. Trust us, it’s worth it!
As the 3rd least visited National Park in the country, Lake Clark may not have been on the top of your list. In this post we’ll share everything you need to know to have an incredible trip to Lake Clark National Park.
What's Inside
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In fact, with no roads leading in to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, you have no choice but to arrive like a true adventurer — by plane. Trust us, it’s worth it.
What is Lake Clark National Park?
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve spans over 4 million acres in southwest Alaska. The park sits about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage, tucked neatly between the Alaska Range and the Bristol Bay lowlands. It features two active volcanoes (Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna), massive glaciers, alpine tundra, and the largest lake in the park—Lake Clark itself. The park is home for sockeye salmon, bear, moose, wolves, and over 180 species of birds. Despite its size, it remains one of the least visited U.S. national parks, with around 17,000 annual visitors as of 2023.
Weather
Weather in Lake Clark National Park is unpredictable — even by Alaskan standards. Summers (June through August) are cool and mild, with temperatures typically ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C). Rain is common, so waterproof gear is essential. Winters are harsh, cold, and snowy, often dropping well below 0°F (-18°C), and the park is mostly accessible only by specialized transport.
No matter the season, layers are your best friend.
What’s the Difference Between Lake Clark National Park and Preserve?
Lake Clark National Park and Lake Clark National Preserve are neighbors and have slightly different rules. While the two areas largely boast the same features, it’s around how people use the land that defines it’s differences.
Park: The focus is on conservation and recreation within the Park. Sport hunting and trapping are not allowed here for tourists, as it’s strictly for hiking, wildlife watching, camping, fishing, and soaking in the wild beauty.
Preserve: In the Preserve area, while the land is still protected, regulated hunting and trapping are allowed. The Preserve was created so that traditional Alaskan subsistence activities and sport hunting could continue under controlled guidelines.
Moreover, for non-residents the long and the short of it is:
Park = No hunting
Preserve = Hunting allowed with permits
Subsistence hunting is permitted in the park by residents with proper permits.
How to Get to Lake Clark National Park Without Getting Lost
First things first: you can’t drive here. There are no highways and no rental cars in or around Lake Clark National Park. There are a few ways to get to the park, but the simplest is to hop on a small plane from Anchorage, Homer, or Kenai. Most travelers fly into Port Alsworth, a tiny town that serves as the main gateway to the park. Port Alsworth is charming, rustic, and the locals are always welcoming.
Things to Know About Air Taxies in Alaska
- Not all flights are direct- Depending on the airline, some will drop off and pick-up passengers from surrounding villages. While the stops are typically less than 10 minutes, the exact route will often be determined the day of your flight.
- Your luggage doesn’t always fly with you. Most airlines include ~50 pounds of luggage per person and aim to get your luggage on the same plane. However, some have policies that if your luggage is over 50 pounds then they transport it on a separate flight.
- Delays can be very common. Weather can be unpredictable in this area. It’s important to keep travel plans flexible in case there is a weather delay.
- You can’t fly with stove fuel for backpacking. Lake & Peninsula Airlines has a cool policy that though you can’t fly with your fuel, they will keep your can of stove oil in Anchorage and they will give you one of theirs once you land in Port Alsworth. That way you don’t have to scramble to find a canister for your trip.
Cost & Duration
The cost and length of air taxies vary. For example, a charter from Anchorage to Port Alsworth takes 1-1.5 hours and costs ~$575/person round trip, when this article was published. Air taxies can range to the ballpark of $800 per hour of flight time.
Air Services
Below are available options for air taxies that may fly into Port Alsworth.
Note that there are two airstrips in Port Alsworth, both of which are privately owned by Lake Clark Air and Peninsula Airlines. Those airlines charge a ramp fee to other airlines, therefore, other air taxi companies may decline to fly into Port Alsworth. It’s best to contact the airline directly to confirm before booking tours.
From Anchorage
From Chugiak
- Hawk Mountain Air (907-406-3280)
From Kenai or Soldotna
From King Salmon
From Kodiak
From Port Alsworth
Getting Around Port Alsworth
Ports Alsworth is a small village and mostly walkable around town. Many tour operators offer water taxi or transportation services included in their experiences, making it easy to travel into remote areas of Lake Clark.
In fact, there are no rental car companies in Port Alsworth!
Where to Stay in Port Alsworth
Considering the size of the village of Port Alsworth, there are quite a few options for where to stay.
Lodges, Cabins, & B&B’s:
- Lake Clark Resort: Formerly known as The Farm Lodge, this is the biggest lodge in town. Rates not advertised.
- Alaska’s Backcountry Inn: Option of modern cliffside chalet or cabin with breathtaking park views. Prices range ~$450-650/night (plus tax).
- Wilder House Bed and Breakfast: Quaint and cozy cabins that sleep up to 6 people each. Price ranges from ~$375-400/night (plus tax).
- Tulchna Adventures: Secluded lakefront property on Lake Clark. Rates not advertised.
Short & Long-Term Rentals
There are various Airbnb-type rental options in Port Alsworth ranging from $175-770/night (plus tax).
Camping
Tulchna Adventures is the only campground in town, offering 10’x12′ covered tent platforms with mosquito netting for tenters.
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is in Lake Clark National Park is primitive, meaning that no designated campsites or facilities are available. Backcountry camping permits are not yet required by the park.
- Check out the parks laws and policies for more info
- As always, please follow Leave No Trace Principles
Where to Eat in Port Alsworth
Just like cell service, dining options are a tad limited. It’s recommended to bring groceries on your flight in from Anchorage. Some lodges can arrange dining reservations upon request.
- CK’s Food Truck: Located near The General Lodge (permanently closed) at the intersection of Flight Line Road and McCullough Road.
- Cranberry Cache: Quick bite to eat, coffee, snacks, and Address: 108 Voyager Lane, 108, Port Alsworth, AK 99653
Gear and Supplies Rental
It’s recommended to grab any necessary camping and outdoor gear when in towns like Anchorage before flying into Port Alsworth. Tulchna Adventures is the only gear rental option in town with things like camp cookstoves, backpacking and basecamp tents, camp chairs, camp cook sets, water filters, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, bear spray, inReach Satellite communication devices, dry bags, and more.
Gear & Supplies Tips
- Keep in mind that you can’t fly with things like campstove fuel.
- Maps:
- Click here to view and download park brochure maps. Note that this is very rugged terrain and should be used for reference and not for navigation.
- Download USGS (United States Geological Survey) topographic maps of the Lake Clark region.
Popular Things To Do In Lake Clark NP
Adventurers alike flock to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve for one thing, unmatched remoteness, incredible wildlife, and breathtaking views. A few popular things to do in the park includes:
- Set Sail: Experience Lake Clark’s pristine beauty by gliding silently across its turquoise waters, surrounded by majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls.
- Birding: The mudflats around Tuxedni and Chinitna bays are hotspots for seeing over 180 species of birds, including bald eagles and trumpeter swans.
- Fishing: Anglers flock for boundless salmon, trout, and arctic char fishing typically from May to October. Bristol Bay is one of the world’s important producers of sockeye salmon.
- Visitors Center: The visitor center is located midway up the eastern most runway at 1 Park Place, Port Alsworth, AK 99653. The visitors center is seasonally closed from ~ September 18 – May 22 each year. If you’re traveling here in the winter, feel free to stop at the park’s Port Alsworth Field Headquarters located next to the visitor center.
- Bear Viewing: Available by plane or boat from Homor or Seward, bear viewing is a great activity along the coast of the national park. Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek are perfect spots. Flightseeing tours are popular during late spring and early fall.
Top Hikes
Take a 2 minute walk (~0.5 miles) from town where McCullough Road turns into Willow Road, you’ll find a trailhead that splits into 5 trails. While we recommend to take info on All Trails with a grain of salt, it is a good source of trail info.
The five trails are:
Trail | Rating | Round Trip Mileage | Estimated Duration | Elevation | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Easy | 3.4 mi. | 1 hour 33 minutes | 554 ft. | Loop | |
Moderate | 6.5 mi. | 3 hours 2 minutes | 1,118 ft. | Out & Back | |
Moderate | 4.2 mi. | 2 hours 1 minute | 777 ft. | Out & Back | |
Hard | 8.9 mi. | 5 hours | 3,772 ft. | Out & Back | |
Moderate | 1.8 mi. | 1 hour 10 minutes | 495 ft. | Out & Back |
Bear Safety in Lake Clark Region
Bear safety is incredible important in Lake Clark NP. This section is a quick and clever guide to bear safety, but we can’t stress enough how important is it to be bear aware when spending time in the backcountry. A few top tips when in bear country are:
- Your Food = Bear Magnet: Anything that smells needs to be securely stored within a half-mile of Lake Clark’s shorelines to avoid any unexpected visitors.
- Bear-Proof or Bust: Keep all food, garbage, cooking equipment, and toiletries in bear-resistant containers, hard-sided buildings, locked vehicles, or hung properly from trees – no, “it’ll be fine,” allowed!
- A few bear canister options are BearVault, Counter Assault Bear Keg (no really, that’s what it’s called), and Lighter1. Bear canisters range in size and price.
- Can it fit? Make sure all of your odor-rich food and items can ALL fit in your bear resistant containers (BRC).
Lake Clark currently offers free-use bear resistant containers at the park’s visitor center in Port Alsworth.
How much can you expect to spend going to Lake Clark National Park?
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of estimated costs to help you budget for this remote Alaskan experience. The below example is for a 7-day 6-night trip for 2 people traveling to/from Anchorage.
The total trip cost will vary dramatically based on tours and excursions, but based on the example below the cost for 2 people for 7-days 6-nights would be $5,400 for a average daily spend of $771.43/day.
A couple things to note about this estimate:
- Taxes are generally not reflected below
- Price estimates as of April 2025
Travel Aspect | Cost Per Person | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
Airfare: Round-trip from Anchorage - Port Alsworth | $575/person | $1,150 |
Lodging: Airbnb 6 nights @ $300/night | $900 | $1,800 |
Meals: Estimated grocery budget (since no restaurants available) More if dining out at a fly out lodge | $150 | $300 |
Excursions & Tours: Bear viewing for 6.5-hours | $1,075 | $2,150 |
Total Cost | $2,675 | $5,400 |
Travel Tips for Visiting Lake Clark NP and Port Alsworth
Plan Ahead: Air taxis and lodges book up faster than cookies at a campsite, so consider booking at least 6 months out.
Pack for Every Season: Sunny mornings can quickly turn into rainstorms so bring layers and rain gear.
Stay (Kind Of) Connected: Consider bringing or renting a satellite phone, unless you enjoy yelling, “can you hear me now?”
Respect the Residents: Always carry bear spray on you, know how to use it, and store your gear and supplies properly.
Leave No Trace: Everything you bring should leave with you. No, that biodegradable banana does not grow in Alaska! Pack it in, pack it out.
Cash is King: We may not still be in the gold rush, but many local businesses prefer cash. Unless you want to trade granola bars for dinner, hit an ATM before your air taxi.
Local Guides ROCK: Not only does hiring local guides support the locals, but they’re the gatekeepers to an incredible, untouched piece of the world. Plus, they know all the best spots!
Respect the Land: The Dena’ina Athabascan people call Qizhjeh Vena / Lake Clark their ancestral homelands and their heritage runs deep.
Stay Informed: Check in with the National Park Ranger Station or Visitor’s Center for updates on trail conditions and weather.
Live in the Moment: Stop scrolling socials, throw the out of office on, and enjoy the fresh air. We promise, it’s awefully great!
Lake Clark National Park FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lake Clark National Park?
Early summer to early fall is the perfect window to visit. Unlike Anchorage, early spring and late fall get even dicier in Port Alsworth with iffy weather windows.
Can I travel with my dog to Lake Clark National Park?
Leashed dogs are technically allowed in the park and preserve, however, it’s strongly discouraged. Also, do you really want to fly with your dog on an air taxi?
Do I need backcountry permits in lake Clark National Park?
At this time, the park does not require backcountry camping permits.
Conclusion on Visiting Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
We’ve covered a lot! Let’s be honest. Getting to Lake Clark region isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and jump away. It can be the trip to make a detailed planner want to pull their hair out. For those who dare though, it’s an incredible mountainscape tucked away for only the adventurous to enjoy.
Lake Clark is wild in the best of ways. Few roads, no crowds, and no fast food. Just you, nature, and maybe a air taxi pilot named Gary who lives in the best office he’s ever imagined. Lake Clark is the adventure all of your coworkers and friends will want to hear about.
More Information:
Alaska Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Best Time To Visit Alaska: When to Go and What to Expect
Top Places to Visit in Alaska
Megan Shurites
Megan is Chief Adventure Officer and Founder of GuideR Adventure with extensive experience in adventure travel all over the world. Megan has been to almost all US states and 5 of 7 continents and enjoys off the beaten path experiences. She strives to empower others to collect memories with those you love and conserve our natural spaces.
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