My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Getting to Port Alsworth & What to Expect
Depending on where you've booked your stay at Port Alsworth, getting to Lake Clark can either be very easy or a bit confusing. Luckily, my husband and I booked our Lake Clark experience through Lake Clark Resort which includes all transportation and logistics - and departs right from Merril Field Airport in Anchorage. If you book your stay through an Airbnb or other lodge, you might have to book your own flights. If this is the case, I recommend calling Lake Clark Air or Rusts Flying Service to see if you can book a round trip ride out with them.
Once you arrive in Port Alsworth, you'll see no paved roads, a couple of ATVs, and even more float and bush planes. Because this is a remote location in Alaska without stores, it's important to bring what you need with you. I recommend carrying bear spray on every hike you go on (the Cranberry Cache offers rentals) and if you're staying in an Airbnb you might also want to bring some pre-packaged food options. The town of Port Alsworth is located right along the shores of Lake Clark, has about 150 residents, and is based around 2 gravel airstrips next to the famous Lake Clark National Park.
If you're planning to visit for a short period of time, it's essential to plan ahead to make the most of your visit. If you don't want to bother with bringing your own food/gear, I highly recommend booking your stay in Port Alsworth through Lake Clark Resort - they include any gear you might need (bear spray, waders, boots, fishing gear, etc.) and all meals during your stay.
Some of my Favorite Nearby Tours :
Port Alsworth 3 Day Itinerary
Day 1 Morning :
First things first, you'll have to make your way to Lake Clark. Depending on who you end up flying over with, the flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth is right around an hour. If you're lucky, you might have the chance to sit in as "co-pilot" in the front of the plane - this has the best views and I recommend trying to sit up there if you have the chance. On the flight there you'll see incredible views of the mountain ranges, fly over an amazing river valley with glaciers surrounding you, and if you're as lucky as we were - you'll even fly over an entire harbor seal colony and have the chance to see belugas in Cook Inlet! If you're able to choose which time you fly out, I recommend going as early as you're comfortable - this way you have the maximum amount of time to spend in Port Alsworth.
Day 1 Afternoon :
Once you arrive in Port Alsworth and get settled, chances are it might be sometime in the afternoon. If you're staying at Lake Clark Resort, dinner is at 6 pm, so I recommend taking a little tour of where you're staying and familiarizing yourself with Port Alsworth before dinner. The town is built around the two large runways that are parallel with each other, so it's fairly easy to navigate and small enough to walk the town on your own. After dinner, I recommend heading out for one of the shorter hikes around Port Alsworth - Beaver Pond Loop Trail. If you don't bring bear spray with you, the Cranberry Cache at Lake Clark Resort has bear spray you can use for the day, and I highly encourage you to bring some with you no matter which hike you do. Beaver Pond Loop Trail is a 3.4 mile loop trail with a 554 foot elevation gain, and it's fairly easy. This is where we saw some bear tracks, and after making it back (and if you're brave enough) you can take a quick glacier dip in the bay before turning in for the night. 
Day 2 Morning :
If you decide to stay in the Port Alsworth area for your full day (and not do any day trips like fishing or bear viewing). There are two "day hikes" that you can do in the area. Mount Tanalian is a hike for those that are really looking to challenge themselves. At just around 9 miles with a nearly 3,800 foot elevation gain, it's definitely not for the faint of heart and could easily take you the whole day. The views at the top will reward you though and you'll be able to enjoy the panoramic views of Port Alsworth and Lake Clark! The easier option is to hike to Tanalian Falls - a 4.2 mile hike that only gains 777 feet of elevation. Once you make it to the falls, you'll be able to enjoy the bottom and top views of the falls - and if you bring a fishing pole you can even try fishing for some grayling at the base! If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue the hike to Kontrashibuna Lake. I recommend bringing a sack lunch with you to enjoy a picnic at the bottom of the waterfalls - just make sure to pack out everything you bring with you! If you decide to do a day trip from Port Alsworth, Lake Clark Resort can coordinate all the logistics for you. If you're having a hard time deciding which day trip to do, I highly recommend a guided fishing trip around Lake Clark or a bear viewing trip! 
Day 2 Afternoon :
Once you make it back to the Port Alsworth area, and if you haven't already done this on Day 1, I encourage you to explore Port Alsworth! If you're able to, there are a few places I recommend visiting before your flight out tomorrow :
Day 3 Morning :
Unfortunately, my husband and I had an early flight on our last day in Port Alsworth, meaning we really didn't get to do much exploring on this day. If you do have some time to continue exploring, I recommend looking into completing one of the hikes you haven't yet, or, taking out one of the kayaks! Kayaks & canoes are available at the Cranberry Cache at Lake Clark Resort, and if the weather's nice I recommend taking the kayaks out and around the corner of the bay and into the main area of Lake Clark. This will give you a brand new perspective of the area, and hopefully some epic blue glacier water to enjoy! You can even keep your eyes out for bears, lynx, and eagles on the shoreline. When it's time for you to catch your flight back to Anchorage, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife and glaciers!
Watch my 3 Day Lake Clark Visit here!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> Your First Visit to Denali National Park -> My Flight to Katmai National Park -> Day Trip to Lake Clark National Park
Pin this Lake Clark Guide for later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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