Lake Clark is one of the National Park System's true gems--a large sliver of all of the best parts of Alaska rolled into one easy-to-get-to place. Lake Clark is one of the National Park System’s true gems—a large sliver of all of the best parts of Alaska rolled into one easy-to-get-to place.It is almost as if Mother Nature created it with explorers in mind, offering diverse environments for mountaineers, backpackers, paddlers, big-game fisherman, hikers, and photographers to play in. There are also guide services permitted to guide in the park who fly aircraft, land outside the park and walk into the park for guiding purposes. Lake Clark's goal is to provide the highest possible level of accessibility to our visitors. One of the most beautiful places on the planet. They are experts on his life and are eager to talk to any visitors that come by. A rugged wilderness requires special care from visitors. Your visit to Lake Clark might include a quiet moment watching coastal Alaskan brown bears graze on the protein rich sedges at Silver Salmon Creek or Chinitna Bay. The National Park Service has a helpful compilation of local travel operations at … Plan a trip that is conducive to one or the other as switching between the two types of landing gear can be time intensive and expensive. On the west side of the Cook Inlet opposite the Kenai Peninsula, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is nestled in a stunning landscape. Sprawling across a massive landscape of 2,045,000 acres, this beautiful creation of nature is worth a visit when in Alaska. May travel to locations like: Port Alsworth, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, and other suitable beaches, runways, or frozen lakes if conditions are right. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve helps protect all these animals similar to National Parks in the Lower 48. However, you can take the bus to Airport South Terminal, take the walk to Anchorage airport, fly to Iliamna, then take the travel to Lake Clark National Park. Lake Clark National Park doesn’t have a “marque” feature that draws the attention of visitors, and it’s hard to get to. In the Lower 48 you are not allowed to hunt in National Parks. The Farm Lodge: 907.781.2208 & 888.440.2281 Lake Clark Air: 907.278.2054 & 800.662.7661 2425 Merrill Field Drive Anchorage, AK 99501 Air taxis can be taken from Anchorage on to the park. The following linked air taxi operators are permitted to operate within the national park under FAA Part 135 air taxi regulations which require three miles visibility and glide distance to shorelines while crossing open water such as Cook Inlet. Warning: This national park is quite remote. The nearest airport with major airline service and car rental is in Anchorage (ANC). The rental comes fully equipped with everything needed to make your trip safe and enjoyable. How must I store my food? It is important to act on those feelings and voice any concerns. These lists are not endorsements by the National Park Service but are intended to provide information. Discover Lake Clark National Park and nearby wilderness areas like Redoubt Bay Lodge and Chinitna Bay on fly-in bear viewing tours from Anchorage. Crescent Lake, the location of the lodge, is beautifully set amidst mountains in Lake Clark National Park. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage. For instance, it would be unrealistic to go to both Crescent Lake and Silver Salmon in the same trip, even though on the map they look in close proximity. Bush pilots in Anchorage say, "Lake Clark is just out the back door"—a one-hour flight. These suggestions may help you figure out what you want your adventure to be. There are no roads that lead to Lake Clark National Park, therefore access to the park is granted almost exclusively by small aircraft. There are a wide variety of lodging options within the park from rustic camping opportunities, to all inclusive lodges offering guided tours. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve was established in 1980 as part of the overall Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, because it was in the National Interest to protect the unique brown bear viewing habitat (so you could visit and bear witness to … How to Get There? If you can get here, you will be rewarded with gorgeous scenery and lots of activities without the crowd. Lake Clark was designated a National Monument in 1978 and later became a National Park and Preserve in 1980. Are drones allowed? However, you can take the bus to Newark Airport, take the walk to Newark airport, fly to Anchorage… The flight from Homer, AK to Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park to the bear watching area is an adventure by itself with magnificent flight-seeing including volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains all set against the backdrop of the azure ocean. Give yourself a few extra days on each side of your travel in the likely event of weather delays. Please contact each provider individually for pricing and availability. Lyle Wilder, of Lake & Pen Air, regularly takes park stampers on collection runs, and also uses the hub-and-spoke approach to reach Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park & Preserve in one day. Learn how to get to this isolated park in Alaska. Tony and Becky show us the cabin. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve has famously established itself as a magnificent national park located in Alaska. Package #7 Lake Clark National Park Day Trip LAKE CLARK AIR & THE FARM LODGe port alsworth, alaska. Passengers should take an active role to ensure everyone's safety by getting familiar with the details of their trip. Know before you go! Like many areas in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system and travel takes place primarily by small plane. The park contains numerous sites with ancient and historic remains, and many places that are on the National Register of Historic Places - including the famous cabin built by Richard Proenneke in the late 1960s. Below you will find a listing of the two major airports in Alaska. Your expert pilot will will land at Redoubt Mountain Lodge located on the incredible blue Crescent Lake where you will spend your day. We did a full day bear tour which involved taking a Cessna plane from Homer to the park (highly recommend Smokey Bay Air). Lake Clark is not on the road system; therefore, access is primarily by small aircraft. In fact, we were told it was the 3rd least visited park in the system. Once you arrive in proximity to the park, you can travel to the park itself by air taxi or with a tour guide group. Of course, car rental does no good where Lake Clark National Park is concerned. Lake Clark National Park is located on the western shores of the Cook Inlet. As a passenger, you should be willing to ask questions in a polite way if you feel uncomfortable about something or have additional questions. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, where the Alaska and Aleutian mountain ranges meet, is a true hidden gem. Take to the Skies. This ocean front setting is the ultimate bear habitat. See about the services and facilities available. History. On an area of 145,000 square kilometers, 160 kilometers southwest of Anchorage a natural kaleidoscope consisting of high mountain ranges glaciers, rock towers of granite, thunderous waterfalls, a wave-like coastline and the largest lake in Alaska spreads. 3 Ways to Explore Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. The beaches below mean high tide along Cook Inlet are outside Lake Clark National Park. At Silver Salmon you must land on a beach and at Crescent you would need floats. He can also help you plan a realistic but efficient trip to several other parks using this strategy. Be aware that while any floatplane can land on the state waters in Hardenburg Bay at Port Alsworth, there may be issues with parking planes on privately owned sections of the shoreline. May travel to locations like: Twin Lakes and Richard Proenneke's Cabin, Turquoise Lake, Crescent Lake, Taziminia Lakes, Port Alsworth, Lake Clark, and other inland lakes. Asking a question may be all it takes to refocus on safety and avoid a mishap with the flight. 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. Rent our motorized skiff, the Ket'nu, and explore Lake Clark National Park on your own schedule. The Athabascan people known as Dena’ina have lived in the Lake Clark region for thousands of years. Set in the heart of the Chigmit Mountains, to the west of Cook Inlet, the park boasts great ecological diversity. The Ket'nu is an 18 foot Alaskan model Lund with a 2014 60hp 4 stroke Suzuki outboard with center console steering. Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing Enjoy an hour and ten-minute stunning flightseeing tour via floatplane from Anchorage to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. They live in a smaller cabin near Dick’s and maintain the historic site. Planning ahead for flexibility and inclement weather is vital to a sucessful trip. There are no fees to enter the park, and no reservations are required for camping. Quick facts. Chances are, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is unlike any park you've experienced. At just over 4 million acres, Lake Clark is roughly twice the size of Yellowstone National Park and larger than the state of Connecticut. This idea can be intimidating, but if you are uncomfortable about something there is probably a reason. Are some places closed? There is no direct connection from Anchorage to Lake Clark National Park. Air taxis to Lake Clark National Park are available from a number of cities, including Anchorage, Kodiak and Home. Where can I take my gun? However, in Alaska, many of the National Park areas also have an adjoining “Preserve” piece associated with it (Lake Clark National Park and Preserve). A day trip to Lake Clark National Park is a great way to see a seldom-visited National Park. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Tourism: Tripadvisor has 509 reviews of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Lake Clark National Park and Preserve resource. Here too local people and culture still depend on the land and water. Can I have a campfire? Visiting the Twin Lakes area in the summer requires a … It's remote and undeveloped, beautiful and vast. The land and water supports, shapes and sustains their culture. Bears fish and play along the shores of the lake. It's remote and undeveloped, beautiful and vast. A unique aspect of this trip is the opportunity to view the bears from the boat, you can get very close to the bears as they are fishing in the lake. ; The first human settlers arrived in the Lake Clark region in approximately 10,000 BP, sometime after the close of the last great ice age. It has the only real development and services around including a couple of hotels, tour companies, school, and church. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is just about as diverse of a national park as there is in the U.S. Qizhjeh Vena, meaning ‘a place where people gathered’ in Dena’ina Athabascan, is the original name of Lake Clark. The region also offers critical habitat for fish and wildlife including a massive watershed essential for red salmon. The primary way is float plane out of Port Alsworth, the small, remote community where the Park office and visitor center is located. Please note that the … Chances are, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is unlike any park you've experienced. Be aware that the two airstrips in Port Alsworth are privately owned by Lake Clark Air and Lake and Peninsula Airlines, who charge a ramp fee to other airplanes; therefore, other air taxis may decline traveling to Port Alsworth. There is no place to switch planes or landing gear in between these two locations. 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