How do I get to the river?
The Alagnak Wild River is inaccessible by road and must be reached by plane or boat. The Alagnak may be directly accessed via air taxi flights chartered from Anchorage, King Salmon, Iliamna, Kodiak, Soldotna, Homer, or other nearby Alaska towns and villages. Regularly scheduled commercial flights to King Salmon (AKN), which serves as National Park Service administrative headquarters and the starting point for most Alagnak adventures, are available from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) via Ravn Alaska and Alaska Airlines.
Can I drive to the river?
No. The Alagnak Wild River is inaccessible by road.
Is the Alagnak ever closed to visitor use?
The National Park Service imposes no operating hours or seasonal restrictions. Access to and movement within the Alagnak Wild River corridor, however, may be limited or restricted at any time depending upon prevailing weather conditions.
Are there any visitor facilities along the river?
The National Park Service does not maintain any public facilities along the Alagnak River. However, there are several lodges located on private land along the Alagnak Wild River corridor: Royal Wolf Lodge, Alaska Trophy Adventures, Katmai Lodge, and Branch River Lodge. These fly-in lodges provide overnight accommodations, meals, and guided fishing using motorized boats and aircraft.
Can I bring my gun to the Alagnak?
Firearms are permitted within the Alagnak Wild River corridor and in the adjacent Preserve portion of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Hunting is allowed in accordance with Alaska State Fish and Game (ADF&G) regulations. Any wildlife killed in defense of life or property must be reported to ADF&G within 15 days. The meat of a game animal that you have legally taken becomes your property, but you may not kill another wild animal to protect the meat unless the meat is critical for your livelihood or survival.
Can I keep any fish I catch on the Alagnak?
Anglers may not retain rainbow trout from June 8 – Oct. 31. Other seasonal restrictions, closures and limits may apply; all fishing is subject to Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) regulations.
Is there private property along the Alagnak Wild River corridor?
Yes. Access to private lands is prohibited without prior consent of the landowner. Please respect the rights of property owners and avoid illegal trespassing.
Can I camp anywhere along the river?
No. Private lands do exist along the river corridor. Access to private lands is prohibited without prior consent of the landowner.
Are campfires allowed?
Yes. Dead and downed wood only may be used for campfires; live trees may not be cut for any purpose. Due to the presence of archeological sites along the corridor, please refrain from any ground-disturbing activity when constructing campfires. Campers are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace Principles to reduce their impact on the Alagnak environment.
How do I store my food?
Food must be stored in a manner to prevent bears from obtaining it. Fresh caught fish and other odorous substances, such as toothpaste and garbage, must also be stored appropriately. The approved method for food storage along the Alagnak requires a bear-resistant food container (BRFC). The King Salmon Visitor Center has a limited supply of BRFCs which may be checked out for non-commercial trips on a first come, first served basis. Ice chests, coolers or dry bags do not provide adequate protection from bears. Fish entrails should be discarded in a swift-moving river current.
Do I need a permit to travel, camp, and/or spend the night along the Alagnak Wild River?
Permits are not required for public access to or overnight stays within the Alagnak Wild River. However, campers are encouraged to make known their itinerary information. For more information, see our permit page.
