Southwest Alaska is largely unchanged, its wild landscapes preserved from large-scale human impact. The river-rich region is home to one of Alaska’s highest concentrations of brown bears as well as hundreds of species of migratory birds. In addition to classic Alaskan mountain scenery, the Aleutian Islands, the westernmost portion of the United States, sweep their way over 1,000 miles toward Asia.
For travelers, Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park have become famous for large populations of brown bears that feed each summer on spawning salmon. At Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park, swarms of grizzlies grab sockeye salmon out of waterfalls by the dozens. With such a bountiful and consistent food source, the bears co-exist in a way unprecedented in other habitats.
Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks
Southwest Alaska is not on the road system and is reachable only by plane or boat. Katmai National Park is the region’s most popular tourist destination; most people take a charter flight from Anchorage to Brooks Camp or one of the regularly scheduled commercial flights to King Salmon. From there, Brooks camp is a short trip on a floatplane or boat. Brooks Camp is the hub for brown bear viewing with a visitor center, viewing platforms, and an overnight lodge.
Lake Clark National Park, located north of Katmai National Park, is accessible primarily by small aircraft (when weather and tides permit, the east side of the park may be reached by boat). Most points in Lake Clark can be reached via a short flight from Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer. Local aviation companies also offer scenic flyover tours of the park.
For experienced outdoorspeople, the national parks of Southwest Alaska offer exceptional backcountry hiking. Lake Clark has the most inviting terrain, including an established system of shorter trails departing from Port Alsworth. For overnight trips, the Lakes District and the Cook Inlet areas have a number of commonly used hiking routes. The weather in Southwest Alaska is highly unpredictable and scheduled pick-ups can be delayed by several days. Bear safety measures and other backcountry preparation should be taken seriously.
