8 Great Things to do in Lake Clark National Park
Lake Clark National Park is remote national park in southwestern Alaska, encompassing its namesake lake, Lark Clark, which is Alaska’s deepest lake. Wildlife viewing is incredible here as is the scenery. Take a day trip within the park, go for a hike, fish some of the world’s best waters, and appreciate this rugged wilderness. In this guide, we share eight great things to do in Lake Clark National Park.
About Lake Clark National Park
Lake Clark National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. National Park system. The park protects the deepest lake in Alaska, Lake Clark, as it is the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery. The area also has cultural significance to the Dena’ina people, as it is their ancestral homeland. Lake Clark is an area of rugged beauty in southwestern Alaska.
Lake Clark is the deepest lake in Alaska, measuring approximately 1,000 feet deep. It is 42 miles long and surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys. It is a stunning expanse of land and a great portrayal of wild Alaska.
LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK FACTS
Lake Clark is the deepest lake in Alaska
- LOCATION: Alaska
- CLOSEST CITY: Anchorage, AK (120 air miles)
- ANNUAL VISITORS: 18,500
- 60th most visited national park (out of 63)
- BECAME A NATIONAL PARK: 1980
- TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO: Kayak Lake Clark and visit the Historic Proenneke Cabin
How to Get to Lake Clark National Park
Lake Clark is generally reached by small aircraft, whether it be a float plane or a bush plane as it is not connected to any road systems. It is possible to boat to certain areas of the park, but it is a long journey consisting of water and overland travel.
What we did: We arrived into Anchorage from our home in Kentucky the day before we ventured to Lake Clark. From Anchorage, we flew Lake Clark Air to Port Alsworth, which is a gateway town to visiting Lake Clark National Park.
Our plane operated by Lake Clark Air
We stayed at the Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth, which has about 170 full time residents. Lake Clark Resort was great to work with in planning various day trips. It is also located very close to the Lake Clark National Park visitors center.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth. The resort has a variety of packages you can work out with them depending on your interests and what you want to do while in Lake Clark National Park.
Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth
Our package included our lodging and meals, our flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth on Lake Clark Air, and a day trip to visit the historic Proenneke Cabin. Our package also included our transportation via float plane from Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth to Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park, where we headed after our time in Lake Clark.
Booking everything through Lake Clark Resort was seamless and we had an overall fabulous experience with them. We really hope for a return visit someday soon!
When recreating in the great outdoors, be sure to follow the seven guiding principles of LEAVE NO TRACE: Plan & Prepare | Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces | Dispose of Waste Properly | Leave What You Find | Minimize Campfire Impact | Respect Wildlife | Be Considerate of Others
8 Great Things to do in Lake Clark National Park
1. Take a Day Trip within the Park
Taking a day trip to further explore Lake Clark National Park is one of the best things to do here. Lake Clark Resort made it easy as we simply requested what we wanted to do and they planned out the logistics.
On our day trip to visit the historic Proenneke Cabin, we took a 25 minute float plane from Lake Clark Resort, above the Chigmit Mountains, Lake Clark, and finally Twin Lakes, where the cabin is located.
Flying above Twin Lakes in Lake Clark National Park
Our little plane glided right onto Upper Twin Lake, just feet from Dick Proenneke’s cabin. It was an amazing experience to visit the cabin, having read the book and watched the documentary on Dick’s life here.
The historic Proenneke Cabin on Upper Twin lake in Lake Clark National Park
Below is a link to the article on our experience visiting the historic Proenneke cabin:
As for other day trip options, there are many! Again, Lake Clark Resort makes it easy as they have a variety of well planned out day trips available. A popular one is the Fire & Ice Tour which includes volcanic, mountainous, and glacial landscapes, hence the name. Fellow guests that we talked to at the resort also had plans to take a bush plane out to Bristol Bay to view walruses and to see brown bear feeding on clams. The wildlife viewing opportunities in Lake Clark National Park are spectacular.
2. Take a Hike
There are several backcountry hiking trails in Lake Clark National Park, so you have many options if you go that route. However, there are two maintained trails right near Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth, the Tanalian and Beaver Pond Trail.
Tanalian Trail
The Tanalian Falls Trail takes you through forest and up a hillside with fabulous views of Lake Clark. Continue on the trail to reach the beautiful Tanalian Falls.
Beaver Pond Trail
The Beaver Pond Trail follows a slow incline to the falls. On this trail, pass Beaver Pond and continue on to Tanalian Falls. On the way back, simply follow the Falls and Lake Trail for a loop hike.
Map of the hiking trails | Courtesy of the National Park Service
There is also a great hike near the historic Pronneke Cabin on Upper Twin Lake. We hiked from Dick’s cabin up to Teetering Rock for fantastic views over Upper Twin Lake.
The trail up to Teetering Rock; Teetering Rock with a vast view of Upper Twin Lake
3. Go Kayaking
Lake Clark Resort provides guests with free kayaks for use during their stay. We had a great time kayaking Lake Clark.
Our kayaks
We paddled all around Hardenberg Bay, where Lake Clark Resort sits, and out into Lake Clark. In Lake Clark, we kayaked around the island that sits just outside of Hardenberg Bay.
Kayaking in Lake Clark
The turquoise blue water is so clear and we could see many feet below. It was an overcast day with on-and-off drizzle, but with waders and rain jackets on we were dry and found the weather peaceful for kayaking. Kayaking Alaska’s deepest lake and national park namesake was a fantastic experience.
4. Boating Adventures
Sightseeing boat tours are available from commercial operators. One can also rent a boat to explore the lakes even further. Bear viewing from a boat trip is a popular activity in Lake Clark. Check with your lodging for their boating opportunities.
5. Take a Flightseeing Tour
Consider viewing this wild national park from above with a flightseeing tour. Your pilot will take you around, sharing information about what you are seeing below. We didn’t take an official flightseeing tour here (we have done that in Kenai Fjords National Park), however when flying from Lake Clark National Park to Katmai, we got a great tour during our ride. Our pilot shared all about the area, including all about the small communities of indigenous people that still call the area home. We also learned about the lakes we flew over as well as the land below, even moose and bear from above!
Both Lake Clark Resort and Rust’s service the Port Alsworth area with flightseeing day trips.
6. Fish in Some of Alaska’s Best Waters
Lake Clark is one of the best places in Alaska to fish! Here you will find five species of salmon, arctic char, arctic grayling, trout, pike, and Dolly Varden. Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Park is the most popular place to fish in the park.
Lake Clark, as seen from our float plane
You can also fish on Lake Clark as well as a variety of other lakes and rivers within the national park and the preserve’s boundaries. You will need to purchase an Alaska fishing license and learn about the rules and regulations on fishing here. Keep in mind that you are in bear country and fishing attracts them. Always be aware and keep your bear spray handy.
7. Camping and Backpacking
If you want a rustic, backcountry camping experience this is the place. The majority of the park is undeveloped, making it a fantastic place to be off the grid.
For more information on backpacking in Lake Clark, check out this section of the Lake Clark National Park’s website: All about backpacking in Lake Clark.
8. Visit the Visitors Center
There is a visitors center located in Port Alsworth, just a short distance from Lake Clark Resort. From Lake Clark Resort, walk across two gravel runways and head to the right.
One of two gravel runways you need to cross to get to the visitors center from Lake Clark Resort
You will come across a Lake Clark National Park sign.
The first national park sign, across from the two runways
Keep going, you are almost to the visitors center. You then will come across another sign guiding you down a short path to the visitors center. It is a small visitors center but with plenty of information and artifacts.
The Lake Clark Visitors Center with another national park sign
We checked out the displays and maps and enjoyed the outdoor displays as well.
The outdoor displays at the Lake Clark National Park visitors center
The outdoor displays are always available for viewing in case you reach the visitors center when it is closed.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The weather can impact your trip. In this part of Alaska, the weather can abruptly change causing day trips or transportation to and from your lodging to be cancelled. It is a good idea to have a backup plan and possibly allow for extra time. For example, we flew into Anchorage, Alaska the day before flying to Lake Clark and we had two days back in Anchorage at the end our trip. This allowed for potential weather delays as the small aircraft servicing this part of the state is dependent on low winds and good visibility, which can frequently be disrupted.
- Plan for mosquitos! Mosquitos can be quite intense here due to the location within thick woods and near coastal areas. Have a good insect repellant and possibly a head net.
- You are in the wilds of Alaska and this is bear country. Mammals such as brown bears, black bears, moose, lynx, coyotes, and wolves live here. Always be “bear aware”, have bear spray within reach, and keep food in bear safe containers. You cannot take bear spray with you on the small aircraft to get here, however there is bear spray available for rent or purchase at Lake Clark Resort.
- You will likely be “off the grid”. This is one of the great parts of being in the backcountry as it gives you the opportunity to fully engage and immerse in being here without the distractions that come in this digital age. However, if hiking or camping deep in the backcountry, consider a GPS device for emergency situations.
OUR PACKING LIST
Here is our packing list for Lake Clark National Park:
- Our go-to hiking backpacks are Osprey brand. They are very lightweight and comfortable and carry all our essentials. You can find the backpacks in a variety of colors and capacities.
- Camelback water reservoirs are a must when hiking longer distances.
- I really like these Black Diamond trekking poles. These fold up and are lightweight, especially great for packing when traveling and taking along on hikes.
- Mosquito headnets are recommended, especially in the summer months.
- No hike should be without a mini first aid kit!
Read More!
For more on travel to Alaska, see the following guides:
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