Camp ObserverLake Clark National Park & Preserve
Directions
Lake Clark is located on the Alaska Peninsula southwest of Anchorage and north of Katmai National Park. It is not on the road system; therefore, in order to get here you must travel either via plane or by boat. A one to two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai, or Homer will provide access to most points within Lake Clark. Fixed-wing aircraft are allowed to land on all suitable lakes, rivers, beaches, gravel bars, and open ground in both the park and preserve unless the area is closed or otherwise restricted.
Reviews
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve offers well-maintained cabins with beautiful views and a rustic, historic feel. Visitors generally appreciate the solitude, scenery, and amenities like fire pits and wood stoves. Hiking trails nearby provide rewarding views but can be challenging and less maintained. Float plane access may be difficult due to landing and mooring limitations. Mosquitoes and tall grass are common in the area, requiring preparation.
Beautiful and well-maintained cabins
Spectacular lake views and sunsets
Amenities like wood stove and fire pit
Excellent fishing and paddling opportunities
Solitude and peaceful setting
Mosquitoes and tall, dense grass especially on trails
Hiking trails are poorly maintained and sometimes hard to navigate
Limited or no safe mooring spots for float planes
Cabin sleeping capacity slightly less than advertised
Dark interior due to small windows
Katie B
Reviewed 4 months ago
I have been here before and loved it. Sadly this trip the weather didn’t cooperate and we didn’t get to go. Too windy to boat there. We will try again!
Hans G
Reviewed a year ago
Wonderful solitude
The cabin was beautiful and well maintained
Ben S
Campground:Joe Thompson Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 2 years ago
NPS did a fantastic job of refurbishing it and making it comfortable without taking away the feeling of an old trappers cabin. The cabin truly takes you back in time. The view from the front door is spectacular and I'm not sure theres a better place on the lake to watch the hours long sunset. The beach has a nice fire pit with grill top. Make sure to bring sleeping pads for the wooden bunks. Previous campers left quite a few nice supplies including propane, bear spray/bells, first aid kit, and matches. The fire wood was plentiful...As were the mosquitoes. The hike behind the cabin up Portage creek is tough and the trail has numerous obstacles to go around and 6 foot high grass to navigate through. Probably the least maintained trail I've ever been on in a National Park. Many times we wondered if we were still on the right trail and almost turned back. But the view from the top was worth it and we spent hours up there recovering with lunch and hot chocolate before returning to the cozy cabin. Hope to come back someday!
Kathy C
Reviewed 2 years ago
This cabin is large with a separate sleeping area although there is only space for 5 to sleep not 6 as advertised in the BLM information. There is plenty of space outside around the cabin to pitch a tent. The cabin is well maintained and the location is beautiful. One of the best federal cabins I have been to. Make sure that you rent kayaks so that you can get out on the lake to explore. The fishing for grayling was excellent.
Martin W
Campground:Joe Thompson Cabin
Site:
Reviewed 3 years ago
We had a great time at the cabin and everything was in good condition.
We also hiked up Portage Creek Trail. Sometimes the trail was hard to find because the grass was about 6ft tall but the view from the top was worth the effort.
We hope to come back soon!
Bridget M
Reviewed 3 years ago
We lucked out and the weather cooperated for our entire 3 day stay for a fly-in adventure. The cabin is in a great shape. Thank you NPS for the extra bug netting, and bunk bed pads; both unexpected and totally appreciated. The only thing made better is if there was a working rowboat/canoe/kayak.
Keep your options open
Watch for a matching campsite across monitored campgrounds in Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.
Campgrounds
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve has 3 campgrounds, 2 campsites in total.
3 of 3 campgrounds match
