Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve begirds a total area of more than 4 million acres (the park is about 2.6 million acres while the preserve is about 1.4 million acres) in several boroughs including Kenai Peninsula Borough, Lake and Peninsula Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and the Bethel Census Area, all in Alaska. 

The closest city to this park and preserve is the city of Anchorage, which is Alaska’s largest city, that is located in the south-central part of the state, on the Cook Inlet. You can get to the park using an airplane or boat because the park is not on the road system. Fixed-wing aircraft can land on all suitable gravel bars, beaches, rivers, lakes, and on open ground within the preserve or the park unless advised otherwise.

The park and preserve protects a lot of geological diversity including granite spires, jagged peaks, and two symmetrical active volcanoes. There are also more than 20 glacial carved lakes including Lake Clark, that is over 40 miles long, and has the distinction of being the largest lake in the park and preserve as well as the headwaters for red salmon spawning. 

All these natural resources and other park amenities provide an opportunity for Lake Clark National Park & Preserve visitors to enjoy recreational activities like mountain climbing, camping, hiking, rafting, boating, wildlife viewing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. 

Visitors can also bring dogs into the Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, although there are some rules and regulations to be observed. Some of the basic rules include ensuring that you maintain immediate control of your dog at all times including keeping your pooch in a secure enclosure or on a leash that is six feet long (at most). 

At the Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, make sure that you clean up after your dog and that you dispose of your dog’s poop in the right way. Respecting the wildlife and plants in the park and ensuring that you are aware of the areas of the park that you should avoid when you are with your dog.