National Parks Journal
Photo: Eric Kilby · CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness.
Entrance Fees
No entrance fee. Other fees may apply for tours, camping, or transportation.
Getting There
Roads and entrances can close temporarily. Check current conditions on nps.gov (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Entrances & departure points
- Directions to Port Alsworth Visitor Center (opens in a new tab)
Port Alsworth Visitor CenterMain
Port Alsworth, AK · Staffed late May–early September
- Directions to Anchorage (air taxis) (opens in a new tab)
Anchorage (air taxis)Main
Anchorage, AK · NPS-authorized air taxis (see NPS list) · Mainly June–September
- Directions to Homer (air taxis) (opens in a new tab)
Homer (air taxis)
Homer, AK · NPS-authorized air taxis (see NPS list) · Mainly June–September
Airports
- ANC
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport · Anchorage, AK
ClosestMajor airport
No roads reach the park: air taxis fly from Anchorage, Homer and Kenai to Port Alsworth and other landing sites; boats can cross Cook Inlet to the coast in good weather.
Towns to stay in
Anchorage, AKFly-in base
Directions to Anchorage (air taxis) — driving directions from Anchorage (opens in a new tab)
Inside the park: Aerie on Lake Clark, Alaska's Back Country Inn, Alaska's Backcountry Fishing Lodge, and others · NPS lodging info (opens in a new tab)
Activities
Top Hikes
4 mi · 200 ft gain · out & back
Through birch groves and spruce hillsides with views of Lake Clark to a 30-foot waterfall cascading over ancient lava cliffs.
Starts at: Port Alsworth
5.5 mi · 200 ft gain · out & back
Past Tanalian Falls through wilderness to a spectacular alpine lake with opportunities for fishing arctic char.
Starts at: Port Alsworth
8.6 mi · 3,250 ft gain · out & back
Steep ascent from forest to alpine tundra with panoramic views of Lake Clark and surrounding mountains.
Starts at: Port Alsworth
3.2 mi · loop
Through quiet birch groves past an old beaver pond with nesting shorebirds.
Starts at: Port Alsworth
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events scheduled for Lake Clark National Park & Preserve. Events are updated daily — check back soon or visit nps.gov for the latest.
Best Time to Visit Lake Clark
Best time to visit: June–August
The best time to visit Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is June–August. Coastal bear viewing runs June–August, and lakes are ice-free for floatplane access during the short summer.
In those months, average highs are 64–67°F at Port Alsworth. Fewer than 10,000 people visit even in the busiest month, so crowds are rarely a concern.
Monthly averages at Port Alsworth (290 ft). Climate normals (1981–2010): PRISM Group, Oregon State University.
Weather & Climate
Lake Clark has two distinct climate areas: the coast and the interior. The coast is wetter and experiences milder temperatures. The interior gets half to one fourth as much precipitation, but temperatures are hotter in summer and colder in winter. Frost and snow can occur any time parkwide, but are most common from September to early June. Lakes here typically begins freezing in November and melting in April. Ice conditions dictate whether planes need floats or skis to land on lakes.
