Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

About

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve protects over four million acres of wild Alaska, where steaming volcanoes rise above glacial valleys and bears fish in rivers thick with salmon. Located on the western shore of Cook Inlet, roughly 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, this park is one of the least visited in the national park system, offering solitude that's increasingly rare in America's public lands.

There are no roads into the park. Visitors arrive by small aircraft, typically flying into Port Alsworth, the park's small gateway community on the shore of Lake Clark. That remoteness is part of the appeal. The flight in is spectacular, crossing the Cook Inlet and threading between volcanic peaks before descending toward water so clear it glows turquoise.

The Port Alsworth Visitor Center serves as the main hub for trip planning and orientation. Inside, you'll find exhibits on the park's geology, wildlife, and Indigenous heritage. Rangers can help you plan your visit and answer questions about current conditions. The center also hosts programs and film screenings that bring the park's stories to life.

Wildlife is a major draw. Brown bears gather along rivers and lakeshores during salmon runs, and the park is home to moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. Birdwatchers will find bald eagles, tundra swans, and dozens of other species. The coastline along Cook Inlet is rich with marine life.

There are no entrance fees anywhere in the park, making it one of the most accessible national parks from a cost perspective. Accommodations range from rustic wilderness lodges to backcountry camping. Several air taxi operators and guide services based in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula can arrange transport and multi-day trips.

The best time to visit is June through September, when temperatures are mild and daylight stretches long into the evening. Summer highs typically reach the 50s and 60s. Weather can change quickly, so layered clothing and rain gear are essential no matter when you visit.

Accessibility

Lake Clark's remote, roadless setting presents real challenges for visitors with mobility limitations, but the National Park Service has worked to make the main visitor area welcoming. The Port Alsworth Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, with exhibits and programs available to all visitors. An all-terrain wheelchair is available for loan at the visitor center, designed specifically for the unpaved roads and paths around Port Alsworth.

Because there are no roads into the park, all access is by small bush plane or boat. Visitors with mobility needs should contact air taxi operators in advance to discuss boarding assistance and aircraft configurations. Some operators may be better equipped than others to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility devices.

The community of Port Alsworth has unpaved roads and trails. The loaner all-terrain chair can help with getting around town and reaching nearby lakeshore viewpoints. Beyond Port Alsworth, the park is largely undeveloped backcountry without maintained trails or paved surfaces.

Several wilderness lodges operate within and near the park. Accessibility features vary significantly between lodges, so contact them directly when planning your stay. Some may offer ground-floor rooms or other accommodations.

For visitors who find the backcountry inaccessible, flightseeing tours from Anchorage or the Kenai Peninsula offer dramatic aerial views of the park's volcanoes, glaciers, and lakes without requiring any ground mobility. Contact the park at (907) 781-2218 or visit the Port Alsworth Visitor Center for current accessibility details and to arrange use of the all-terrain wheelchair.

More accessible places in Alaska

• Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward)
• Alaska Aviation Museum (Anchorage)
• Alaska Botanical Garden (Anchorage)
• Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center (Fairbanks)
• University of Alaska Museum of the North (Fairbanks)
• Gates of the Arctic National Park (Gates of the Arctic NP)

Photo credits

• Lake Clark National Park & Preserve - ak-lake-clark-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-1: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Lake Clark National Park & Preserve - ak-lake-clark-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-3: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Lake Clark National Park & Preserve - ak-lake-clark-national-park-preserve-us-national-park-service-4: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)