Boating

Motor Boating

Many lodges and commercial operators provide boating trips, charters or boat rentals for visitors who want to explore Lake Clark, Crescent Lake, or the rugged coastal areas of the park on Cook Inlet.

Lake Clark is a forty-two miles long body of water ringed by glacially carved hanging valleys and snow-capped peaks. Crescent Lake, located in the heart of the Chigmit Mountains near the base of Redoubt Volcano is another popular lake destination in the park. Fishing opportunities abound in both locations, and boats can be a way of accessing this beautiful country. Motor boats are not available on most other lakes due to the difficulty of transporting one to their remote locations.

Many lodges and commercial operators provide boating trips and charters or even boat rentals for visitors who want to explore Lake Clark or the rugged coastal areas of the park on Cook Inlet. The list of companies authorized to operate within the park and preserve is a critical component for your trip planning. Additional charter services offering trips along the Cook Inlet coast can be found with an online search. Charters that don't offer guided services inside the park, but rather ply the waters along the coastline, don't need a permit from the park and aren't listed on our authorized guide list yet often offer clients access to the park.

 

Boat Trips and Water Taxis

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PFDs Required

Keep your safety in mind at all times. Each person in the boat must have a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) on board the vessel, and we strongly recommend that PFDs be worn at all times. Alaskan waters are icy cold, even when air temperatures are warm. Wind and weather can quickly work the lake's surface into a stormy sea unsuitable for small boats. Alaska has the highest rate of recreational boat fatalities in the nation. For more boating safety tips, check the State of Alaska Office of Boating Safety. 

 

Though rarely calm, the still waters of Lake Clark's inland lakes afford skilled paddlers scenic opportunities for adventure.

NPS/K. Lewandowski

Paddling

Most access to the park is by plane, which creates packing challenges for kayakers and canoers. A full-size boat, people, and gear won't fit in a smaller plane. Ask the air taxi service you plan to use whether they can accommodate your trip. 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.

The rivers in Lake Clark are more suitable for use with a kayak or raft than a canoe. See the river rafting page to get further details on the class of whitewater for some rivers.

 

Cold Water Safety

Please keep your safety in mind.

• 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.