For this reason, some floatplane air taxis based out of other communities may choose not to fly to Port Alsworth. They live in a smaller cabin near Dick’s and maintain the historic site. Some charter boat services on the Kenai Peninsula offer tours that include portions of the Lake Clark coastline, drop-off and pick-up services, or custom charters.In general, these charters are not regularly scheduled and are arranged individually. In fact, we were told it was the 3rd least visited park in the system. Please contact each provider individually for pricing and availability. Rent our motorized skiff, the Ket'nu, and explore Lake Clark National Park on your own schedule. Below you will find a listing of the two major airports in Alaska. Lake Clark National Park doesn’t have a “marque” feature that draws the attention of visitors, and it’s hard to get to. The information below will help you come prepared for all that this wonderful, challenging place has to offer. ; 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. Primarily in winter, these businesses are capable of landing on frozen lakes or any snow packed area if the conditions are right. 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. Those guides operate under FAA part 91 regulations which have lower safety visibility and glide distance requirements. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness. Wilderness adventure is easy to find in Lake Clark. There is no direct connection from New York to Lake Clark National Park. At Silver Salmon you must land on a beach and at Crescent you would need floats. In the Lower 48 you are not allowed to hunt in National Parks. The park is known as Qizhjeh Vena to the native Dena’ina people, or “the lake where people gathered”. Crescent Lake, the location of the lodge, is beautifully set amidst mountains in Lake Clark National Park. Warning: This national park is quite remote. Maybe your visit will be a rigorous backpacking trip with friends over tundra slopes and past turquoise lakes...whatever you're planning, find more information here! The first step is usually deciding where you want to go within the park and preserve and then finding a plane or air taxi that has the appropriate equipment to take you there. 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. 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. How must I store my food? There is no direct connection from Anchorage to Lake Clark National Park. Bush pilots in Anchorage say, "Lake Clark is just out the back door"—a one-hour flight. Lake Clark is not on the road system; therefore, access is primarily by small aircraft. Like many areas in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system and travel takes place primarily by small plane. As a vast and largely undeveloped wilderness, there are countless places to explore; however, there are a few areas of particular interest. Set in the heart of the Chigmit Mountains, to the west of Cook Inlet, the park boasts great ecological diversity. The Athabascan people known as Dena’ina have lived in the Lake Clark region for thousands of years. 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. The Park Service turned the volunteer positions into a job, and now they are rangers for 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. Sprawling across a massive landscape of 2,045,000 acres, this beautiful creation of nature is worth a visit when in Alaska. 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. Lake Clark National Park is located on the western shores of the Cook Inlet. Like many areas in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system and travel takes place primarily by small plane. 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. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. The land and water supports, shapes and sustains their culture. One of the most beautiful places on the planet. 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. Lake Clark was designated a National Monument in 1978 and later became a National Park and Preserve in 1980. Qizhjeh Vena, meaning ‘a place where people gathered’ in Dena’ina Athabascan, is the original name of Lake Clark. Tony and Becky show us the cabin. Find information about fees, passes, permits, reservations, operating hours and seasons, current conditions, weather, and pet policies. Planning ahead for flexibility and inclement weather is vital to a sucessful trip. 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. These suggestions may help you figure out what you want your adventure to be. Asking a question may be all it takes to refocus on safety and avoid a mishap with the flight. 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. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, where the Alaska and Aleutian mountain ranges meet, is a true hidden gem. 3 Ways to Explore Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. There is no place to switch planes or landing gear in between these two locations. Below are alphabetized lists of authorized air taxis that travel to and from the park and preserve. This ocean front setting is the ultimate bear habitat. A rugged wilderness requires special care from visitors. The beaches below mean high tide along Cook Inlet are outside Lake Clark National Park. 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. 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 Are drones allowed? It has the only real development and services around including a couple of hotels, tour companies, school, and church. In Alaska, we talk about the "circle of safety" where the passenger is a partner in ensuring a safe flight. Discover Lake Clark National Park and nearby wilderness areas like Redoubt Bay Lodge and Chinitna Bay on fly-in bear viewing tours from Anchorage. The park can only be reached by small airplane or by boat. Air taxis can be taken from Anchorage on to the park. There are no roads that lead to Lake Clark National Park, therefore access to the park is granted almost exclusively by small aircraft. 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. Learn how to get to this isolated park in Alaska. 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. If you can get here, you will be rewarded with gorgeous scenery and lots of activities without the crowd. At just over 4 million acres, Lake Clark is roughly twice the size of Yellowstone National Park and larger than the state of Connecticut. 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. Chances are, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is unlike any park you've experienced. History. The weather, terrain, and wildlife can all present challenges. Chances are, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is unlike any park you've experienced. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve has famously established itself as a magnificent national park located in Alaska. However, in Alaska, many of the National Park areas also have an adjoining “Preserve” piece associated with it (Lake Clark National Park and Preserve). On the west side of the Cook Inlet opposite the Kenai Peninsula, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is nestled in a stunning landscape. The pilot may have a simple answer that restores your comfort level. The nearest airport with major airline service and car rental is in Anchorage (ANC). It could include a visit to Dick Proenneke's historic cabin on upper Twin Lake. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska’s southwest region was established in 1980 to protect this area’s scenic beauty which includes volcanoes, massive glaciers, wild rivers and spectacular waterfalls. It includes: three mountain ranges, a coastline with rainforests along the Cook Inlet, a plateau with alpine tundra on the west, glaciers, glacial lakes, major salmon-bearing rivers, and two volcanoes, Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. Quick facts. The region also offers critical habitat for fish and wildlife including a massive watershed essential for red salmon. A day trip to Lake Clark National Park is a great way to see a seldom-visited National Park. 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. This idea can be intimidating, but if you are uncomfortable about something there is probably a reason. The potentially rough waters of Cook Inlet prompt most park visitors to fly in rather than boat over. How to Get There? 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. The Ket'nu is an 18 foot Alaskan model Lund with a 2014 60hp 4 stroke Suzuki outboard with center console steering. 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. 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 creeks that run through the prairies are loaded with Silver Salmon, attracting resident Brown Bear populations to the areas all summer long. It is important to act on those feelings and voice any concerns. You can, of course, go for longer if you’d like to camp and there are several areas of the park you could visit. There are a wide variety of lodging options within the park from rustic camping opportunities, to all inclusive lodges offering guided tours. He can also help you plan a realistic but efficient trip to several other parks using this strategy. May travel to locations like: Port Alsworth, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, and other suitable beaches, runways, or frozen lakes if conditions are right. They are experts on his life and are eager to talk to any visitors that come by. See about the services and facilities available. 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 … Once you arrive in proximity to the park, you can travel to the park itself by air taxi or with a tour guide group. Lake Clark's goal is to provide the highest possible level of accessibility to our visitors. Know before you go! Can I have a campfire? 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. There are no fees to enter the park, and no reservations are required for camping. Bears fish and play along the shores of the lake. Take to the Skies. When weather and tides permit, the east side of the park on the Cook Inlet coast may be accessed by boat via an open-ocean crossing. The information below will help you come prepared for all that this wonderful, challenging place has to offer. It's remote and undeveloped, beautiful and vast. Here too local people and culture still depend on the land and water. 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. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is one of the most pristine national parks you will find. 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. Take a plane into the heart of the park, or travel by boat or plane to the coast. Please note that the … These lists are not endorsements by the National Park Service but are intended to provide information. Package #7 Lake Clark National Park Day Trip LAKE CLARK AIR & THE FARM LODGe port alsworth, alaska. The rental comes fully equipped with everything needed to make your trip safe and enjoyable. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. The primary way is float plane out of Port Alsworth, the small, remote community where the Park office and visitor center is located. However, you can take the bus to Newark Airport, take the walk to Newark airport, fly to Anchorage… It's remote and undeveloped, beautiful and vast. Give yourself a few extra days on each side of your travel in the likely event of weather delays. As a passenger, you should be willing to ask questions in a polite way if you feel uncomfortable about something or have additional questions. For summer travel, choosing an itinerary that utilizes either a plane with wheels or a plane with floats for water landings is important. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve helps protect all these animals similar to National Parks in the Lower 48. Of course, car rental does no good where Lake Clark National Park is concerned. Dan Oberlatz, owner of Alaska Alpine Adventures, has been exploring Lake Clark National Park since 1992, and thinks it is the finest, yet most under-appreciated wilderness area in the entire national park system. Passengers should take an active role to ensure everyone's safety by getting familiar with the details of their trip. Where can I take my gun? We did a full day bear tour which involved taking a Cessna plane from Homer to the park (highly recommend Smokey Bay Air). Visiting the Twin Lakes area in the summer requires a … Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is just about as diverse of a national park as there is in the U.S. Your expert pilot will will land at Redoubt Mountain Lodge located on the incredible blue Crescent Lake where you will spend your day. The type of plane used will depend on what you want to do and where they want to go. Air taxis to Lake Clark National Park are available from a number of cities, including Anchorage, Kodiak and Home. The park is open all year, but most people visit between June and September when weather conditions are the mildest. 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. Are some places closed? The National Park Service has a helpful compilation of local travel operations at … Lake Clark is rugged and remote. 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