Kayaking, canoeing, and rafting the pristine lakes and rivers of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska offer unique opportunities to view the landscape, enjoy the solitude, and perhaps spot a moose or bear along the shorelines. Charter services also offer chances for exploring the park’s rugged coastline along Cook Inlet.

Kayaking is one way to explore Lake Clark National Park and Preserve / NPS - W. Hill

Forty-two-mile-long (67.59 km) Lake Clark, 9-mile-long (14.48 km) Crescent Lake, and the rugged coastal areas of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska are the most popular spots for motorboating and paddling. Logistics might be tricky in terms of bringing your own boat (most of the lakes and waterways are too remote), but many lodges and commercial operators provide boating trips and charters or even boat rentals for visitors wishing to travel the turquoise-hued waters nestled between the mountains.

According to park staff:

Since most visitors access the park via small plane, it may not be feasible to pack a full-sized boat, gear, and people. Inflatable canoes and kayaks or foldable kayaks are good choices for small aircraft. If your personal gear can't be flown into the park, you may want to consider hiring a guided kayak adventure or renting equipment from local gear shops who specialize in gear that fits small planes.

If you seek a little more challenge to your paddling adventure, three National Wild Rivers (Chilikadrotna, Mulchatna, Tlikakila) flow through the park and are popular for float trips and kayaks, both of which are more suitable than a canoe for these rivers. You can read about this on the park’s Rafting webpage.

Numerous rivers, including three National Wild Rivers, offer rafters ample opportunities to explore Lake Clark National Park and Preserve / NPS - K. Jalone

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve lists authorized companies offering boat trips, rentals, and water taxi services. If you wish to tour the Cook Inlet coast, you’ll need to use your internet search engine, since charter services offering coastal tours don’t need a permit from the park and thus are not listed in the link above.

No matter how you ply the pristine waters in this national park and preserve, you should always observe this safety advice for boating, per the park:

• A calm lake can quickly become rough. Keep an eye on the weather.
• Small waves in the morning and early afternoon came become large waves and white caps in just an hour or two.
• The frigid water and windy, wet weather are unforgiving.
• Alaska has the highest rate of recreational boating deaths in the nation. ALWAYS wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), even when the air temperature is warm. For more information, check with the state Office of Boating Safety.