Park Details
Go to Park Details
Park Details
Location Information
Location:
150 miles southwest of Anchorage, on the west side of the
Cook Inlet, at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula.
Address:
Headquarters: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
4230 University Drive, Suite 311
Anchorage, AK 99508
Field Headquarters: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Port Alsworth, AK 99653
Telephone:
Headquarters: (907) 271-3751
Field Headquarters: (907) 781-2218
Transportation:
Access to the Lake Clark region is by small aircraft. Float
planes may land on the many lakes throughout the area. Wheeled
planes land on open beaches, gravel bars, or private airstrips in
or near the park. There is no highway access to the park and
preserve. A one to two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai or
Homer will provide access to most points within the park and
preserve. Scheduled commercial flights between Anchorage and
Iliamna, 30 miles outside the boundary, provide another means of
access.
Field headquarters for the park is located at Port Alsworth. There are only minimal National Park Service facilities available elsewhere in the park and preserve. Back country patrol cabins, staffed on a limited basis, are located at Telaquana Lake, Twin Lakes, Crescent Lake and Chinitna Bay.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Open year round.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Fees:
No admission or user fees for non-commercial users.
Reservations/Permits:
None required for non-commercial uses. Reservations
recommended for most visitor services from commercial vendors.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
June through August temperatures average between 50 and 65 degrees F with considerable precipitation. Weather conditions in the region change suddenly and proper equipment, rain and cool weather gear, extra food, and extra cooking fuel, are essential for any back country travel. Frost and snow can occur in September and October, and in mid-summer evening frost should be expected. Strong winds can occur at any time. Winter temperatures can sink to below 40 degrees F.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
A small visitor center is located at Field Headquarters at Port
Alsworth, and features displays covering natural history topics
and a small ANHA sales outlet. Park displays are located in
Kenai at the Bicentennial Visitor and Cultural Center.
Trails, Roads:
There are no roads in the park. One two to three mile trail
to Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake is accessible from the
town of Port Alsworth. The 50 mile Telaquana Trail depicted on
maps is an undeveloped historic route from Lake Clark to
Telaquana Lake.
Programs/Activities:
Video and slide programs, nature walks, and hikes are
available on request at Field Headquarters. An educational
outreach program at area schools and communities is offered year
round.
Lodging and camping facilities:
There are several lodges in Port Alsworth, on Cook Inlet, and
along the shores of Lake Clark. Lodging includes bed and
breakfasts, rustic cabins, housekeeping cabins and upscale
fishing lodges. Some lodges are open year round. Only minimal
facilities are available within the park's interior.
There is one designated camping area in Port Alsworth. Camping is allowed without a permit throughout the park (with the exception of private inholdings).
Food/supplies:
Food service is usually available associated with lodging
facilities. There is one cafe in Port Alsworth. It is open from
May 15th through October. Groceries and camping supplies are not
available within the park. Fishing licenses, fishing gear, and
fuel may be available locally.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and
Opportunities:
Various commercial use operators utilize the park and preserve.
Most are related to wilderness use, such as guide services, boat
rentals, and air taxis. Lists of operators are available from
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. A bookstore located at
Port Alsworth Visitor Center is managed by the Alaska Natural
History Association.
Accessibility:
Most National Park Service buildings and local visitor
services, facilities, and air charters are not handicapped
accessible.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Sight-seeing, hiking, camping, backpacking, sport fishing, mountaineering, river running, flight-seeing, bird and wildlife watching, lake kayaking, photography, and hunting in the preserve.
Visitation
Highest June through September.
Basic Visit Recommendations:
Fishing vacations at various lodges; backpacking and camping
for a week at remote lakes; river float trips.
Visitor Impacts:
Hunting season in preserve during fall; subsistence use in
park.
Special Events Programs
Annual Telaquana Trail Trek.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Katmai National Park, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.
Additional Information
The airstrips at Port Alsworth are privately owned. Many acres of land within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve are privately owned. Residents practice a subsistence lifestyle. Most of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a wilderness little used by people. While in the back country it is not unusual to never see another back country party. It is imperative that back country users be self sufficient and have the knowledge and skills for safe wilderness travel. Use care in selecting campsites away from game trails and fresh signs of bears. Cache all food and scented items away from campsites. Use minimum impact camping techniques and restore your campsite to a natural appearance before leaving. Do not leave or bury garbage - please pack it out. Insect repellent is essential and mosquito head nets are recommended. Weather conditions in the region change suddenly and may cause changes in plans which often delay scheduled pick-up by aircraft by as much as several days.