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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Lake Clark National Park and Preserve |
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1 Park Lane, Port Alsworth, AK 99653
Phone: 907-781-2218
Fax: 907-781-2119
Open All Year
Overview. Stretching from the coast of Cook Inlet over the jagged Chigmit Mountains to the tundra of an Alaskan interior, this park encompasses four million acres of mostly unexplored backcountry. Two active volcanoes, Iliamna and Redoubt, punctuate the dominating Chigmit Mountains. Located on the edge of the North American plate, this range of peaks thrusts upward as if to escape the great turmoil rumbling beneath the surface. Several earthquakes have been recently recorded. Then the landscape falls precipitously to the shoreline. Ongoing archaeological work shows that human beings have plumbed the area's rich resources for thousands of years. A steady supply of fish and game have made a settled life possible here. Wild rivers, tree-lined lakes, and expanses of tundra beckon hikers, anglers, kayakers, and rafters.
What to see and do. Getting to the park is your first task. There are no roads to the park. Charter with an air taxi to take you to Port Alsworth or directly to your backcountry destination. The park's field headquarters are in Port Alsworth, on the shore of Lake Clark. Rangers are happy to show an audiovisual program or lead a nature walk upon request. These activities are designed to introduce you to the area's natural resources and recreational opportunities. If you're planning on a backcountry hike, speak with a ranger about possible routes. There are no trails through the park except for the two-mile Tanalian Falls Trail just outside Port Alsworth. This one trail provides a great overview of the park's possibilities. You'll hike through forests and bogs on your way up the Tanalian River, with moose, Dall's sheep, and bear for company. If you visit during the summer, which is the general recommendation, you can expect carpets of wildflowers to greet your eyes. Backcountry camping is welcomed, and no permits are required, but you are encouraged to file a plan with the ranger. Expect dense underbrush at lower elevations, so stay on tundra and do your best to leave no trace of your passage. Mosquitoes and flies are abundant, so bring your repellent and head nets. Any natural formation is fair game for a hike: mountainsides, riverbeds, lakeshores, or string a hike between the many lakes.
Rafters and kayakers may have the best line on exploring the park. Three rivers, Tlikakila, Mulchatna, and Chilikadrotna, have been classified as "Wild" and tempt many rafters, both on their own and with guides. Kayaking on placid lake surfaces or down flowing rivers is another favorite activity. The park is so large you probably won't see the dozens of people who come for the splendid fishing. Salmon is the draw: king, chum, coho, humpback, and sockeye fill the streams. Hunting is allowed in the national preserve adjacent to the park but prohibited in the park itself. Check with the ranger about all fishing and hunting regulations.
No matter how you choose to enjoy Lake Clark, remember that the weather is volatile. It can change quickly from pleasant to fierce, even in summer, so you should expect chill and wet. Always pack in more food than you expect to need in case weather delays your air taxi pickup. Winters are extreme, and only the most experienced outdoorspeople should visit while the snow flies. Nevertheless, there is fabulous cross-country skiing to be had in March and April. Private lodging is available within the park, but it is pricey, and you need to reserve well in advance.
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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