Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is just about as diverse of a national park as there is in the U.S. It includes: three mountain ranges, a coastline with rainforests along the Cook Inlet, a plateau with alpine tundra on the west, glaciers, glacial lakes, major salmon-bearing rivers, and two volcanoes, Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. A large collection of brown bears live in this area feeding on the salmon. No roads lead into the park so visitors must arrive by either boat or floatplane. There is only one maintained circuit of trails in the park which is listed below. Although the day hikes in Lake Clark don’t live up to its grandeur, there are still plenty of outdoor activities. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are all very popular. Lake Clark is home to some of the best fishing grounds in the National Park System. Getting to the park isn’t easy but once you are there you won’t want to leave! Official Website.
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1. Tanalian Falls Trail
This is the only maintained trail system in the park and preserve but it is a beauty. Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake are both gorgeous spots that add majesty to this park. Hikers can take a clockwise path taking Beaver Pond Trail all the way to the lake before returning via Tanalian Falls Trail. The trailhead is located in Port Alsworth, AK near the Lake Clark National Park Visitor Center.
- 5.5 miles – Loop
- 800′ gain
- Moderate