Lake Clark Alaska ~ Home of the Bears

Lake Clark is in the centre of the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LCNPP). It is located 160 km southwest of Anchorage in the state of Alaska.  LCNPP is around 1,630,889 hectares of pristine and untamed Alaskan wilderness, of that approximately 1,067,000 hectares is the park and 570,000 hectares is in the preserve.

This area comprises of many streams, lakes, glaciers, salmon run, bear fishing and foraging, salmon fishing, forests, meadows and two volcanoes (Mount Redoubt and Mount IIiamna). Mount Redoubt is still an active volcano, the last eruptions were in 1989 and 2009. 

There is a large population of brown bears which are attracted to LCNPP due to the abundance of sockeye salmon, which has made this destination a very popular one for bear watching and photographing.

Lake Clark is so remote, the only way to get there is by boat or a one-hour small scenic air charter from Anchorage. The airstrip is on the beach, a shared zone with bears, humans and small planes. Rangers are present for all landings and take offs to ensure there are no bears on the beach.

The Main attraction – the Bears

Alaska is home to 95% of brown bears in USA. Lake Clark provides a protected habitat for its brown bears. 

Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear – what is the difference?

Both brown and grizzly bears are the same species. The only difference between them is their location, which impacts their diet, size and behaviour. Coastal bears are called ‘brown bears’ with diets that consist of marine based food, while ‘inland bears’ are called grizzly bears diet consist of vegetation. All bears have the characteristic shoulder hump, long curved claws and wide head.  

Lake Clark’s coastal brown bears have a wide variety of vegetation and marine food as rivers are full of clams and salmon. Bears gather in estuaries in large numbers to eat and mate. With the plentiful food in this area the brown bears grow larger and fatter, some males weighing up to 450kg. Average weight for males is 270 – 410 kg, height 2 – 3 metres. Females weigh approximately one third of a males weight.

There are very few places in the world where you can find such a large concentration of brown bears in such a small area. Lake Clark’s coastal habitats are wild places, and have no roads, towns or camping grounds. With a very small human population, humans are vastly outnumbered by the bears.

Bear viewing occurs in two small areas, Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek. It is due to strict guidelines and the use of trained local rangers that the bears in these areas are used to human presence and have no fear. 

Bears have never been hunted or fed in these areas, which makes these bears not fearful of humans. The trained and knowledgeable guides ensure that the bears are protected at all times. There is also an abundance of food for the bears and they do not have to share it with anyone.

There are two lodges in Cook Inlet to stay at when visiting Silver Salmon Creek in Lake Clark National Park. Alaska Homestead Lodge and Silver Salmon Creek Lodge. Both lodges are accessed by small planes from Anchorage or Soldotna. The best time to visit is in June – July when bears are out feeding in preparation for their winter hibernation. Sows are now more comfortable to show off their very young cubs

Fireweed is a tall plant (0.70m – 1.5m), with pink flowers. It is so named due to its ability to grow fast on forest floors and following fires. It grows in meadows, woods and along Alaska’s Highways. Bears and other wildlife feast on the small shoots.

It was such a great privilege to observe and photograph bears, sows and their cubs, and roaming around in their natural and undisturbed habitat in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. 

Please enjoy this short video of Lake Clark