VISITATION:

Highest June through September.

LOCATION:

150 miles southwest of Anchorage, on the west side of the Cook Inlet, at the north end of the Alaska Peninsula.

ADDRESS:

Headquarters: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
4230 University Drive, Suite 311
Anchorage, AK 99508
Field Headquarters: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Port Alsworth, AK 99653

TELEPHONE:

Headquarters: (907) 271-3751
Field Headquarters: (907) 781-2218

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open year round.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

June through August temperatures average between 50 and 65 degrees F with considerable precipitation. Weather conditions in the region change suddenly and proper equipment, rain and cool weather gear, extra food, and extra cooking fuel, are essential for any back country travel. Frost and snow can occur in September and October, and in mid-summer evening frost should be expected. Strong winds can occur at any time. Winter temperatures can sink to below 40 degrees F.

TRANSPORTATION:

Access to the Lake Clark region is by small aircraft. Float planes may land on the many lakes throughout the area. Wheeled planes land on open beaches, gravel bars, or private airstrips in or near the park. There is no highway access to the park and preserve. A one to two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai or Homer will provide access to most points within the park and preserve. Scheduled commercial flights between Anchorage and Iliamna, 30 miles outside the boundary, provide another means of access.

Field headquarters for the park is located at Port Alsworth. There are only minimal National Park Service facilities available elsewhere in the park and preserve. Back country patrol cabins, staffed on a limited basis, are located at Telaquana Lake, Twin Lakes, Crescent Lake and Chinitna Bay.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

No admission or user fees for non-commercial users.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
A small visitor center is located at Field Headquarters at Port Alsworth, and features displays covering natural history topics and a small ANHA sales outlet. Park displays are located in Kenai at the Bicentennial Visitor and Cultural Center.

Trails, Roads:

There are no roads in the park. One two to three mile trail to Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake is accessible from the town of Port Alsworth. The 50 mile Telaquana Trail depicted on maps is an undeveloped historic route from Lake Clark to Telaquana Lake.

Programs/Activities:

Video and slide programs, nature walks, and hikes are available on request at Field Headquarters. An educational outreach program at area schools and communities is offered year round.

Lodging and camping facilities:

There are several lodges in Port Alsworth, on Cook Inlet, and along the shores of Lake Clark. Lodging includes bed and breakfasts, rustic cabins, housekeeping cabins and upscale fishing lodges. Some lodges are open year round. Only minimal facilities are available within the park's interior.

There is one designated camping area in Port Alsworth. Camping is allowed without a permit throughout the park (with the exception of private inholdings).

Food/supplies:

Food service is usually available associated with lodging facilities. There is one cafe in Port Alsworth. It is open from May 15th through October. Groceries and camping supplies are not available within the park. Fishing licenses, fishing gear, and fuel may be available locally.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and

Opportunities:
Various commercial use operators utilize the park and preserve. Most are related to wilderness use, such as guide services, boat rentals, and air taxis. Lists of operators are available from Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. A bookstore located at Port Alsworth Visitor Center is managed by the Alaska Natural History Association.

Accessibility:

Most National Park Service buildings and local visitor services, facilities, and air charters are not handicapped accessible.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Sight-seeing, hiking, camping, backpacking, sport fishing, mountaineering, river running, flight-seeing, bird and wildlife watching, lake kayaking, photography, and hunting in the preserve.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

None required for non-commercial uses. Reservations recommended for most visitor services from commercial vendors.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Fishing vacations at various lodges; backpacking and camping for a week at remote lakes; river float trips.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Annual Telaquana Trail Trek.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Hunting season in preserve during fall; subsistence use in park.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Katmai National Park, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, McNeil River State Game Sanctuary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The airstrips at Port Alsworth are privately owned. Many acres of land within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve are privately owned. Residents practice a subsistence lifestyle. Most of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a wilderness little used by people. While in the back country it is not unusual to never see another back country party. It is imperative that back country users be self sufficient and have the knowledge and skills for safe wilderness travel. Use care in selecting campsites away from game trails and fresh signs of bears. Cache all food and scented items away from campsites. Use minimum impact camping techniques and restore your campsite to a natural appearance before leaving. Do not leave or bury garbage - please pack it out. Insect repellent is essential and mosquito head nets are recommended. Weather conditions in the region change suddenly and may cause changes in plans which often delay scheduled pick-up by aircraft by as much as several days.

View maps of the park and preserve at the NPS Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse!

Last Updated:Wednesday, 16-Jul-97 19:25:55
http://www.nps.gov/lacl/