Lake Clark National Park
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: national park, outdoor adventure, scenic views
Accessible only by plane or boat, Lake Clark National Park offers one of Alaska’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters—watching brown bears in their natural habitat. Volcanic peaks, salmon-filled rivers, and coastal meadows make it an unmatched destination for bear viewing.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Watch Bears at Chinitna Bay – Observe brown bears foraging for clams, sedges, and salmon along the Cook Inlet coastline during spring and summer’s peak activity.
- Cruise Scenic Crescent Lake – Take a pontoon boat across this glacier-fed lake to spot bears fishing and eagles soaring above turquoise alpine waters.
- Fly to Silver Salmon Creek – Arrive by floatplane for incredible bear viewing as they fish for salmon, graze meadows, and roam along sandy coastal beaches.
- Join a Guided Walking Tour – Explore the park on foot with expert naturalists who teach safe bear-viewing etiquette and share insights into bear behavior.
- Book a Fly-In Day Trip – Depart from Anchorage or Homer for breathtaking aerial views of volcanoes, rivers, and wild coastlines before landing to see bears up close.
Make it Magical – Revel in the thrill of seeing wild brown bears up close. Book your bear-viewing flight. Fly from Anchorage to Lake Clark National Park, then board a pontoon boat to watch bears fishing and foraging in their natural habitat.
Photo Credit: Megan Richotte/NPS