4 Best Gateway Towns To Lake Clark National Park

Lake Clark National Park may be one of the least-visited national parks in the country, but the low visitor count has nothing to do with the park’s quality and everything to do with its remote, hard-to-reach location. Those who do manage to make their way to this Alaska park will find a varied landscape made up of the Neacolas and the Chigmit mountains, active volcanoes, glaciers, and clear, salmon-filled lakes. To enter the park, visitors need to board a small taxi plane from one of the surrounding towns, or occasionally arrive by boat when conditions allow. It is best for travelers to know which areas they would like to explore before taking off, as this determines the type of plane and operator needed. Each of the towns below has a handful of charter options where local guides take guests from the airport directly toward the park.

Kenai

Kenai is a serene destination that suits anglers seeking their next big catch. The town is known for its strong salmon fishing along the Kenai River. Home to roughly 7,770 people, Kenai also works well as a home base for travelers hoping to explore Lake Clark National Park. To reach the park from Kenai, visitors have a couple of options. One is Alaska West Air, a local air-taxi company offering charter flights into remote wilderness areas, including Lake Clark National Park. During the summer, these charter flights can fill quickly, so planning ahead is recommended. Another option is Natron Air, a statewide air-taxi and bear-viewing operator based at the nearby Soldotna Airport that flies routes across the region’s glaciers, volcanoes, and coastal wetlands. After time in the park, visitors can explore Kenai’s local attractions, including dining at Louie’s Steak and Seafood, booking a Kenai-based fishing charter such as Fish On, or relaxing at the Quality Inn Kenai.

Homer

Often called the “Halibut Fishing Capital of Alaska,” the small town of Homer offers plenty for anglers and outdoor travelers. Upon arrival in this fishing town on Kachemak Bay, visitors may want to check into the Land’s End Resort, a waterfront property with direct beach access and wide views of the distant Kenai Mountains. Access to Lake Clark National Park is available through several options in Homer, including charter and tour companies such as Adventure Airways, Smokey Bay Air, and Stellar Air Service. These operators run small-plane flights into nearby wilderness areas and coastal bear-viewing locations. Adventure Airways offers frequent bear-viewing trips and less frequent flights toward the national park, so checking schedules in advance is advised. For the other flight options, travelers usually need to arrange a charter. Outside the park, visitors can spend time at Bishop’s Beach Park, walk the Beluga Slough Trail, or visit the Pratt Museum, which features art, history, botanical gardens, and rotating exhibits.

Kodiak

Kodiak, Alaska serves as a transportation hub for the surrounding archipelago and is a strong starting point for travelers interested in exploring remote parks and preserves. To reach the Lake Clark region from Kodiak, visitors can work with companies. One of them is Andrew Airways, a long-established Kodiak-based charter operator that arranges custom trips, bear-viewing outings, fishing excursions, and flights into remote areas of the Alaska Peninsula and nearby national parklands. There are also many things to do in town before or after time in the backcountry. For meals, visitors can try the native-owned Nuniaq, known for using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, or Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant, a long-running local favorite serving pub-style food. History-focused outings include the Alutiiq Museum and the Kodiak Military History Museum at Miller Point Fort Abercrombie.

King Salmon

King Salmon, Alaska, is often used as a gateway to Katmai National Park and Preserve, but it also works as a starting point for trips into Lake Clark National Park and the surrounding wilderness. Air-taxi companies such as Trygg Air Alaska, which operates charters and national park flights from bases in Anchorage and King Salmon, can arrange custom trips to Lake Clark. Between May and October, visitors also have access to float-plane service through Branch River Air Service. This long-running King Salmon operator connects travelers with remote destinations across Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula. When not inside the national park, visitors will find many outdoor recreation options. Fishing with local Katmai guides, staying at lodges such as Alaska Rainbow Lodge, bear watching, and dining at the Sockeye Saloon are all worthwhile ways to spend time in King Salmon.

Why the Journey to Lake Clark Is Worth It

For travelers willing to take on the logistics of reaching Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, the experience can be deeply rewarding. The park is home to bears, caribou, sheep, moose, wolves, and abundant fish, set among volcanoes, blue-green lakes, and glacier-carved valleys. Although access is limited to small aircraft and, during some seasons, boats, the process is made easier through the gateway towns outlined above, where air-taxi operators regularly fly into the Lake Clark area. With charter flights available and vast wilderness awaiting, these communities offer a practical starting point for visitors seeking the most remote and undisturbed sides of Alaska’s national park system.