Lake Clark National Park
Alaska Est. 1980

Lake Clark National Park

Lake Volcanic Mountains Glacier
Plan a visit Check conditions
Established
1980
Size
2,619,733 acres
Visitors / yr
18.5K
Entrance
Free
Best season
June through September
Nearest airport
ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International
01

Why Lake Clark is worth the trip

Alaska · Established 1980

Lake Clark is Alaska concentrated. Just across Cook Inlet from Anchorage, three mountain ranges collide around a 40-mile turquoise lake, two active volcanoes steam on the skyline, and coastal sedge meadows host some of the most reliable brown bear viewing anywhere. At Silver Salmon Creek, sows graze with cubs while photographers stand a respectful field away.

No road touches the park. Everyone arrives by small plane or boat, which keeps visitation under 20,000 a year and keeps the place feeling found rather than visited. This is also where Dick Proenneke hand-built his cabin at Twin Lakes and filmed what became Alone in the Wilderness. The cabin still stands, and the pilgrimage to it captures what Lake Clark offers. Room, in every direction, to be gloriously alone.

02

Top things to do in Lake Clark

Where we would start, and what we would plan a day around.

01 Flight Seeing at Lake Clark Flying · nps.gov Flight Seeing at Lake Clark Discover safely from a bird’s eye view. Volcanoes, coastline, mountain ranges, tundra, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and more! What will you see on your flight... 02 Remote Base Camping Backcountry Camping · nps.gov Remote Base Camping A camping trip into Lake Clark's trail-less wilderness can be a spectacular and rewarding experience. Thorough preparation and careful trip planning will help ensure... 03 Camp at Kontrashibuna Lake Backcountry Camping · nps.gov Camp at Kontrashibuna Lake Pack up and journey out to the wilderness. Lay in your tent listening to a lone wolf's howl. Stand in awe as mountains reflect... 04 Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast Wildlife Watching · nps.gov Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast Learn where to go to see bears and become familiar with bear viewing best practices. Then watch the park's beautiful new 11 minute-long film, A...
Before you go

Get the Lake Clark heads-up

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03

Plan your trip

Our guides for the big decisions, plus the gear, maps and lodging we would actually use for Lake Clark.

Fun Facts

Where to stay

Gateway towns with lodging, food and outfitters.

  • Port Alsworth, AKGateway town
  • NPS Priest Rock Public Use Cabin In the park
Compare stays near Lake Clark

Maps & guides

Carry paper. Cell service dies fast inside most parks.

Lake Clark Trails Illustrated map
Waterproof National Geographic topo of the park.
View on Amazon
America the Beautiful pass
$80 a year. Covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Get the pass

What to bring

Field-tested picks we bring on park trips.

  • Bear Spray
    Required carry in grizzly country. Practice the quick-draw before you need it. View on REI
  • Trekking Poles
    Save your knees on steep descents and river crossings. View on REI
  • Rain Jacket
    Mountain weather turns fast. Pack a shell even on clear mornings. View on REI
  • Fleece Jacket
    Mid-layer warmth for alpine mornings and evening campfires. View on REI

Getting there

  • ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International 120 mi
NPS Official Page Reservations Google Maps

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Lake Clark map

VC Visitor Center CG Campground Nearby Park
04

When to go

Loading weather...

Month-by-Month Conditions

Tap any month for details

Month
High
Low
Crowds
Roads
Jan
24°
10°
Low
Partial
Feb
30°
15°
Low
Partial
Mar
35°
15°
Low
Partial
Apr
47°
30°
Low
Partial
May
59°
39°
Low
Open
Jun Best
67°
47°
Peak
Open
Jul Best
69°
52°
Peak
Open
Aug Best
66°
49°
Peak
Open
Sep Best
57°
42°
Heavy
Open
Oct
44°
32°
Low
Open
Nov
32°
21°
Low
Partial
Dec
27°
15°
Low
Partial
Best months to visit Crowd level (low to peak)
05

More Lake Clark guides

06

Parks near Lake Clark

Within reach if you are building a longer trip.

Kenai Fjords National Park
Alaska

Kenai Fjords

147 miles away
Katmai National Park
Alaska

Katmai

179 miles away
Denali National Park
Alaska

Denali

189 miles away
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias

349 miles away

Worth protecting

Lake Clark belongs to all of us

Protections that took generations to win can be rolled back in a single session of Congress. We keep watch so they hold.

See what's at stake Join the fight for Alaska

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