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Lake Clark National Park Facts

Lake Clark National Park Facts
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a 4,030,015 acre park located in southwest Alaska in the United States. Lake Clark, along with several other lakes and streams, is vital to the fishery in Bristol Bay. The area was originally protected as national monument in 1978 and in 1980 re-designated as a national park following the passing of the Alaska National Interests Conservation Act. Lake Clark National Park encompasses mountain ranges, rainforest coastline, an alpine tundra plateau, glaciers, volcanoes, and other features not found in other parks in the state. The park can only be reached by small airplane or by boat as there are no roads to access the park by vehicle.
Interesting Lake Clark National Park Facts:
It is believed that humans have inhabited the area of Lake Clark as far back as 10,000 years ago.
James Cook, a British Captain, surveyed Cook Inlet in 1778 and Russian traders began to establish themselves in the region in the years that followed.
A floatplane landed on Lake Clark the first time in 1930 and 12 years later an air taxi service was established.
A famous documentary titled Alone in the Wilderness, was filmed in Lake Clark National Park profiling Richard Proenneke, a man who survived in the wilderness in a cabin he built by himself.
Visitors to Lake Clark National Park can visit Richard Proenneke's cabin, located in Twin Lakes region.
At Cook Inlet Coast visitors can travel to Silver Salmon Creek, Chinitna Bay, or travel between the two along the Coastal Beach to watch brown bears.
Lake Clark is a 50 mile long lake. It is a popular lake for kayaking, and fishing. Port Alsworth on its shore is a town with lodging and gear.
There are mountains and volcanoes in Lake Clark National Park, including the Chigmit Mountains, Redoubt Volcano, and Illiamna Volcano. Crescent Lake is a good place to view Redoubt Volcano and bears.
The more common backbacking routes in Lake Clark National Park include Hope Creek Route, Low Pass Route, Trail Creek Route, Telaquana Route, Upper to Lower Twin Lakes Route, and Fishtrap Lake to Snipe Lake Route.
Visitors to the park can enjoy bear watching, bird watching, biking, camping, backpacking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, motor boating, and rafting.
Animals that can be found in Lake Clark National Park include brown bears, black bears, caribou, Dall's sheep, moose, and wolves. Bear watching is very popular but visitors have to be careful and follow certain rules to help avoid dangerous encounters.
Fish common to Lake Clark National Park's waters include sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, and arctic grayling, among others. There are anadromous fish (live in the ocean and spawn in freshwater) in the waters of the park.
The only amphibian found in the area is the wood frog.
Bear safety is an important part of visiting the park.
There are three rivers in the park that are designated as National Wild Rivers, including Tlikakila River, Mulchatna River, and Chilikadrotna River.
Approximately 11,500 people visit Lake Clark National Park each year.


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