Lake Clark National Park Camping Adventure

Lake Clark National Park Camping Adventure

Reservation request

DATES

July 21, 2027 - July 24, 2027

REGION

Lake Clark National Park

TRIP COST

$6,300

DATES

July 21, 2027 - July 24, 2027

REGION

Lake Clark National Park

TRIP COST

$6,300

Twin Lakes are the heart of Lake Clark National Park and offers the best hiking in the region. Our four day base camp trip has ample time for enjoying the storied lakes and mountains and for enjoying the wilderness solitude.

Contact us to learn about our other National Parks trips that could combine with this trip.

TRIP DETAILS

Lake Clark National Park encompasses 4 million acres of rugged mountains, sprawling lakes, and wildlife rich coastline. Forged by volcanoes and hewn by glaciers the Park and Preserve are wild and spectacular. Few get to enjoy the quiet and solitude of the park’s interior, but we are sure you’ll enjoy hiking and paddling in the heart of the mountains.

Our choice for this year’s base camp is Twin Lakes (Niłqidlen Vena in Dena’ina). Surrounded by dramatic peaks, sheer cliffs and a mosaic of forests and tundra, the lakes are brilliant blue jewels at the headwaters of the Chilikadrotna River. This will be our home. And exploring this wilderness will be our privilege.

From our simple but comfortable camp on the lake shore, we spend our days learning about Lake Clark on foot and by boat. Hiking from the lake is excellent either in the boreal forest or on the gravely ridges. Steep mountains, alpine tundra, rocky canyons and broad glacial valleys beckon us to explore. Dall sheep, caribou and moose along with a great diversity of bird life make the hiking all the more fun.

When conditions permit we can canoe on the Lake which extends almost 4 miles to the outlet. The quiet movement is a great way to see wildlife and to cover ground. Canoes are also an excellent way to reach some of the better fishing spots. The lakes support trout, salmon, and grayling and the fishing can be very good. We won’t canoe everyday, but it will be fun to have the boats.

In addition to the natural history, Twin Lakes is famous because of naturalist Dick Proeneke who spent almost 30 years living in the area. He was an exceptional craftsman and writer who made numerous films and wrote One Man’s Wilderness which is “required” reading for the trip. A long day-hike from our camp will take us to his handcrafted cabin on Upper Twin Lake.

There is lots to see and do at Twin Lakes and it is a wonderful way to experience the heart of Lake Clark National Park.

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

July 20

Meet your guide in Anchorage for a pre-trip meeting at 5 pm. Location TBD.

July 21

Fly from Anchorage to Port Alsworth, flying over Cook Inlet, through the spectacular Lake Clark Pass and over the immense Lake Clark. In Port Alsworth transfer to a float plane for a short flight to Twin Lakes. We will camp on Lower Twin Lake on a nice gravel ridge with commanding views and good hiking.

July 22 - 23

Explore the area on foot. We can day hike to Dick Proeneke’s cabin one day and another great day hike around Emerson creek. Emerson woods has tall cottonwoods with generations of Goshawks, and not far up creek there is a canyon to explore (wolverine seen at mouth of it once upon a time, Dipper nest near falls) and a fine valley above where caribou are often grazing. Or we can head for the high country and enjoy vistas and blueberries on the mountain sides. Our time is ours to enjoy the park.

July 24

One last cast of the fishing rod. One last photo of sunrise over the lake, and its time to pack our tents. Weather permitting we meet the float plane for the flight back to Port Alsworth and then back to Anchorage.

The great food throughout the trip shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was a delight. As I review the meals, it sounds more like an immobile glamping excursion than an Arctic expedition — French toast and pancakes (with maple syrup!) and bacon and oatmeal and Mexican egg scramble, hummus and couscous and cheese and eggplant and jerky and smoked oysters and nuts and chocolate, Mexican feasts of pork quesadillas and enchiladas and a weenie roast and fusilli with salmon al fredo (with sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary) and Thai chicken stew and the Thanksgiving feast (I mean, really, turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes in the wilderness?)

- Tom, Cape Town, South Africa

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation beyond Anchorage

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils, boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

Select Camping Equipment is available through Arctic Wild

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear per our equipment list

Fishing gear, and fishing license

Gratuity for guide(s)

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures will likely range from the 40s to 70s. Mid 50’s is very common. Rain is nearly assured, but we do get plenty of sunny weather this time of the year too. Mosquitoes should not be a big issue, but there could be biting flies. Bring a mosquito head net and a small bottle of DEET repellent just in case.

RECOMMENDED READING

One Man’s Wilderness, Dick Proeneke

Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore

"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."

"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"

"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."

"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"

"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"

Eileen - Canning River

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