Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-21 to 2026-12-15; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

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.

At the park

• Hunting activity
• Waterfalls scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Backpacking trail
• Hiking trails trail

Shows and experiences

• Historic sites & museum
• Junior Ranger program

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Limits

Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent

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.

Weather & when to go

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, but temperatures are hotter in summer and colder in winter. Frost and snow can occur any time parkwide, but are most common from September to early June. Lakes here typically begins freezing in November and melting in April. Ice conditions dictate whether planes need floats or skis to land on lakes.

Visitor center

Port Alsworth Visitor Center

Visitor center

Port Alsworth Visitor Center

Visitor center

Port Alsworth Visitor Center

Visitor center

Port Alsworth Visitor Center — Visitors arriving during the winter months are encouraged to stop by the park's Port Alsworth Field Headquarters located next to the Visitor Center. — The visitor center is located midway up the easternmost runway in Port Alsworth, AK.

Facilities on the park map

1 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 1 mobility rental, 1 picnic area, 4 visitor information.

Where to stay

• 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 small creek that runs into the lake. It commands a sublime view of Lake Clark's upper reaches, backed by mountains rising to 6,000 feet. It's an ideal place for kayaking, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing.