Directions

a map indicating Lake Clark's location across the Cook Inlet from Anchorage and Homer
Lake Clark is north of Katmai National Park and across Cook Inlet from Anchorage and Homer.

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.

Like many areas in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system and travel takes place primarily by small plane. 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 type of plane used will depend on what you want to do and where they want to go. 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.

For summer travel, choosing an itinerary that utilizes either a plane with wheels or a plane with floats for water landings is important. 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. 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. At Silver Salmon you must land on a beach and at Crescent you would need floats. There is no place to switch planes or landing gear in between these two locations.

Flying Safely

Lake Clark is rugged and remote. Planning ahead for flexibility and inclement weather is vital to a sucessful trip. Give yourself a few extra days on each side of your travel in the likely event of weather delays. In Alaska, we talk about the "circle of safety" where the passenger is a partner in ensuring a safe flight. Passengers should take an active role to ensure everyone's safety by getting familiar with the details of their trip. As a passenger, you should be willing to ask questions in a polite way if you feel uncomfortable about something or have additional questions. This idea can be intimidating, but if you are uncomfortable about something there is probably a reason. It is important to act on those feelings and voice any concerns. The pilot may have a simple answer that restores your comfort level. Asking a question may be all it takes to refocus on safety and avoid a mishap with the flight.

 

 

Air Taxi Services

Below are alphabetized lists of authorized air taxis that travel to and from the park and preserve. Please contact each provider individually for pricing and availability. These lists are not endorsements by the National Park Service but are intended to provide information.

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. 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. Those guides operate under FAA part 91 regulations which have lower safety visibility and glide distance requirements. The beaches below mean high tide along Cook Inlet are outside Lake Clark National Park.

Air Taxis Operating on Wheels

May travel to locations like: Port Alsworth, Chinitna Bay, Silver Salmon Creek, and other suitable beaches, runways, or frozen lakes if conditions are right.

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.

 
 

Air Taxis Operating on Floats

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.

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. For this reason, some floatplane air taxis based out of other communities may choose not to fly to Port Alsworth.

 
 

Air Taxis Operating on Skis or Wheeled-Skis

Primarily in winter, these businesses are capable of landing on frozen lakes or any snow packed area if the conditions are right.

 

 

Boating to the Park

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. While cook inlet can be potentially rough on days with high winds, open water crossings allow visitors a unique opportunity for travel to Lake Clark’s coastline that is an adventure all on its own. Traveling by way of boat, visitors have the chance to explore some of the incredible marine life found off the parks coast that you typically cannot see from the air. 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.

 

Directory of Commercial Visitor Service Providers

View a full list of services and contact information for authorized CUA Holders and Concessioners in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve by visiting services-lake-clark - Alaska (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Last updated: April 3, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 227
Port Alsworth, AK 99653

Phone:

907 644-3626

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