Lake Clark National Park

Tucked in the south-central crook of Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is an untamed wilderness of epic proportions. It boasts alpine tundra, glaciers, glacial lakes, rivers, and two volcanoes inside more than 4 million acres, and is home to a dizzying array of wildlife. Sighting opportunities ranging from grizzly bears to caribou to wolves, not to mention the sockeye salmon that spawn inside its streams. These fish are critical for the park’s unique ecological dynamics, and also help supply the Bristol Bay fishery, one of the most important sources of salmon in the country.

Because it’s so vast, the weather patterns at Lake Clark National Park can actually be split into two distinct climate areas: the coast and the interior. The coastal region sees frequent rain and fog, averaging between 40 and 80 inches of precipitation annually, while the interior sees only 17 to 26. The coast also offers milder winters, whereas the interior regularly reaches extremely cold temperatures as low as -40 F. Keep in mind, however, that this is Alaska, and freezing temperatures are possible at any time of the year. From late September until early April, you can expect to see snow in the park; the namesake lake begins freezing in November. Because the weather is so extreme and variable in this region, it’s especially important to keep tabs on the forecast as you’re planning your adventure -- and to bring along the foul weather gear you may need. Click here to see the park’s official weather page, which also links to resources for real-time updates.

About a hundred miles southwest of Anchorage, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is actually relatively accessible for an Alaskan wilderness, but you should still plan to have all of your supplies before entering its boundaries. The park is not on the road system, and so is primarily visited by hiring small planes from the nearby communities of Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer.

Visitors to Lake Clark engage with the wilderness by partaking in a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, bear- and bird-watching as well as taking on the water system in power boats, rafts, or canoes. Local tour companies provide guide services to visitors, and park officials may also occasionally offer organized events and opportunities. Check out the official National Park Service calendar for full details, as well as the directions page for more information about tourist resources in the area.