Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

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Photo of blue sky with fluffy white clouds reflect in calm lake with mountains in the background.
The park's namesake lake is the largest lake by volume in the National Park Service.
Waterfall surrounded by forest in fall foiliage and mountains in the background.
The park protects thousands of waterfalls including Tanalian Falls, which is a popular day hike destination from the town of Port Alsworth.
Photo of a stratovolcano flanked with glaciers towering over a river valley.
Lake Clark is a land of fire and ice. Active volcanism and retreating glaciers created and continue to shape the peaks, moraines, and river systems in the Chigmit and Neacola Mountains.
photo of large alpine glacier
Perenial snow and glacial ice covers ~1,250 square miles, or 20% of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.
two brown bear cubs playing in the sedges
Bear viewing is a popular activity along the Cook Inlet Coast.
Forest of spruce trees blanketed in snow and fog.
Boreal forests encircle the earth's northern latitudes like an emerald necklace. Lake Clark's forest, which covers more than 440 thousand acres or 11% of the park, is dominated by white spruce mixed with black spruce and birch.
A colorful sky, an island with spruce trees, and mountains in the background reflect in a calm lake
A number of glacier fed lakes pepper the western boundary of the Chigmit and Neacola mountains like a string of spectacular turquoise gems.
Photo of a river delta flowing into tidal flats surrounded by green salt marshes and mountains.
Estuaries where rivers meet the sea provide a mosaic of rich habitats along the Cook Inlet Coast that support high numbers of bears and other wildlife.
Photo of a one story log cabin, cache, forest, and American flag reflecting in a calm, blue lake.
The park protects and interprets the Richard L. Proenneke National Historic Site and trail complex as a symbol of the national wilderness movement and a source of inspiration and solace sought out by visitors from throughout the world.
Photos: National Park Service

About 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.

Quick Facts

State Alaska
Designation National Park & Preserve
State Code AK
Weather 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,…

Location & Map

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is located in Alaska.

Operating Hours

The park and preserve are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week year round. However, visitor services are limited Labor Day through Memorial Day. Seasonal and temporary closures are listed by location on the Operating Hours & Seasons page.

Wednesday All Day
Monday All Day
Thursday All Day
Sunday All Day
Tuesday All Day
Friday All Day
Saturday All Day

Activities

Astronomy Stargazing Biking Boating Motorized Boating Camping Backcountry Camping Canoe or Kayak Camping Climbing Mountain Climbing Compass and GPS Orienteering Fishing Freshwater Fishing Fly Fishing Flying Fixed Wing Flying Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Backcountry Hiking Front-Country Hiking Off-Trail Permitted Hiking Hunting and Gathering Hunting Paddling Canoeing Canoe or Kayak Camping Kayaking Stand Up Paddleboarding Junior Ranger Program Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Snow Play Snowshoeing Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Lake Clark is located on the Alaska Peninsula southwest of Anchorage and north of Katmai National Park. It is not on the road system; therefore, in order to get here you must travel either via plane or by boat. A one to two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer will provide access to most points within Lake Clark. Fixed-wing aircraft are allowed to land on all suitable lakes, rivers, beaches, gravel bars, and open ground in both the park and preserve unless the area is closed or otherwise restricted.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 1 Park Place, Port Alsworth, AK, 99653
Phone 9076443626
Email lacl_visitor_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Archeology Arts Photography Aviation Explorers and Expeditions Farming and Agriculture Industry Mining Native American Heritage Animals Birds Fish Wolves Arctic Tundra Climate Change Coasts, Islands and Atolls Estuaries and Mangroves Fire Forests and Woodlands Fossils and Paleontology Geology Glaciers Grasslands Meadows Lakes Mountains Natural Sounds Night Sky Astronomy Aurora Borealis Oceans River and Riparian Scenic Views Trails Volcanoes Watersheds Headwaters Waterfalls Wetlands Marshes Wilderness

Things To Do

Flight Seeing at Lake Clark

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…

Remote Base Camping

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…

Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast

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…

Go Fishing on Lake Clark

Go Fishing on Lake Clark

Lake Clark provides excellent fishing opportunities for adventurous anglers. The park and preserve includes some of the most pristine fishery…

Go Fly Fishing at Tanalian Falls

Go Fly Fishing at Tanalian Falls

Want to try fishing in Alaska? This scenic spot offers both the lure of possible grayling catches and opportunities to…

Explore How Salmon Are Sustaining Southwest Alaska Communities

Explore How Salmon Are Sustaining Southwest Alaska Communities

The Kvichak watershed which is fed by Lake Clark and runs into Bristol Bay, is one of the world's most…

Visitor Centers

Port Alsworth Visitor Center

Come and enjoy the visitor center and exhibits and get information from our rangers. Visitors can find a wealth of park information including local hiking…

Hours: Visitors arriving during the winter months are encouraged to stop by the park's Port Alsworth Field Headquarters located next to the Visitor Center.

Campgrounds

NPS Priest Rock Public Use Cabin

The Priest Rock Cabin sits on the north shore of Lake Clark, approximately eight miles north of Port Alsworth. The cabin is perched above a…

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