Lake Clark National Park and Preserve protects a spectacular Alaska wilderness where turquoise lakes, glaciers, volcanoes, mountains, rivers, tundra, forests, and the coastline of Cook Inlet come together. Although the park lies only about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, there are no roads leading into it, making the flight across the Alaska landscape part of the adventure.

Brown bear viewing is one of the most popular reasons to visit Lake Clark National Park. Along the Cook Inlet coast, bears can often be observed feeding in tidal marshes and other rich habitats. Chinitna Bay is especially well known for coastal bear viewing, while Crescent Lake provides opportunities to watch bears fishing for salmon when conditions and seasonal movements align.

Port Alsworth is the primary community within the park and an important base for visitors. Located beside Lake Clark, it provides access to lodging, air-taxi services, hiking trails, kayaking, fishing, and other wilderness activities.

Hiking and backpacking provide opportunities to explore landscapes ranging from lakeshores and forests to rugged mountain terrain. Unlike heavily developed national parks, Lake Clark has relatively few maintained trails, and experienced travelers can design wilderness routes through largely undeveloped country.

Fishing is another major attraction. The park’s lakes and rivers support salmon and other fish, attracting anglers to remote lodges and guided fishing experiences. Kayaking, rafting, boating, photography, wildlife watching, camping, flightseeing, and guided wilderness trips provide additional things to do.

Two active volcanoes, Redoubt and Iliamna, rise above the region and add another dramatic element to the landscape. Glaciers and icefields surrounding the mountains feed the rivers and lakes below.

There are no large national park hotels, but Port Alsworth and remote locations throughout the region offer wilderness lodges and other accommodations.

Whether you fly in to watch brown bears, fish an Alaska river, paddle across Lake Clark, hike into the mountains, or stay at a remote wilderness lodge, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve offers an extraordinary combination of accessibility by air and genuine Alaska isolation.