Are you looking to take your family adventures to the next level?  Here at Run Wild My Child, we believe adventure trips create everlasting bonds in families.  This is why a family adventure trip is one of our favorite ways to vacation! They not only create core memories, but they’re a way to pass along the spirit of adventure, resilience, and confidence to our children.

Today, we’re excited to share a family vacation in a place so wild that it will take your breath away…a place where you are guaranteed to see bears, caribou, eagles, tundra, glaciers, waterfalls, mountains, and turquoise lakes in the most incredible backcountry setting.  Let Araceli Gonzalez, a California mom of three, introduce you to Lake Clark Resort. Lake Clark Resort is located in remote Southwest Alaska and offers access to Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park. It’s just one hour from Anchorage and is a beautiful farm lodge and adventure resort for outdoorsy families! Let’s take you on a tour! 

*This post was sponsored by Lake Clark Resort. All opinions expressed and photos contained herein belong to the author.

Lake Clark Resort, step into the WILD 

Lake Clark Resort is in Port Alsworth, Alaska, a quaint little town about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage.  It is home to less than 200 people and is only accessible via plane or boat.  It is truly a community surrounded by wilderness, beautiful mountains, glaciers, sandy beaches, salmon runs, brown bears, and a gorgeous coastline! You will be blown away by the blue and turquoise waters of Lake Clark. The area is also home to many active volcanoes.   

The most amazing part is that Port Alsworth is right in the middle of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, a park so WILD it took our breath away. Because of it’s exclusive and remote location, staying at Lake Clark Resort gave us a direct connection to the most wild and remote parts of southwest Alaska. The resort offers all-inclusive accommodations, complete with tours and adventures for the entire family. 

Experience wild Alaska

In my opinion, the tours and activities offered through Lake Clark take you into Alaska the way it is truly meant to be experienced.  A place where you will experience Alaskan hospitality and visit the most untamed places Alaska has to offer. Cozy cabins, home-cooked Alaskan meals, and the wildest adventures for the entire family!

We had the incredible opportunity to spend some time at Lake Clark Resort earlier this month and had the WILDEST experience. We were amazed by the beautiful location, fantastic accommodations, stellar meals, and unbelievable guided adventures. 

Sounds pretty unbelievable, right?  Let me take you into the WILD! 

Getting to Lake Clark Resort

Lake Clark Resort is located in Port Alsworth, the headquarters for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The resort is special for many reasons, but one of the best highlights is its access to the remotest parts of Lake Clark National Park and Katmai National Park—only accessible by boat or plane!

Our trip began in Anchorage, Alaska, where we took a one-hour scenic flight directly to the resort. We departed from Merrill Field, a small airport in Anchorage, and set out on a scenic flight over Lake Clark Pass, where we flew over glaciers, glacial streams, and the most beautiful mountain range.  The resort takes great care in planning and designing packages for small groups and families.  We packed our bags, and the resort took care of all the planning, making it easy for busy families. 

Upon landing at Lake Clark Resort, we were immediately blown away by the views and stunning mountain range surrounding the resort.  The resort sits right on Lake Clark with an uninterrupted view of Mount Tanalian and it is breathtaking! 

Adventure travel made easy

Lake Clark Resort makes it easy to vacation as a family. This is an ADVENTURE trip that’s guaranteed to leave lasting core memories on every member of our family. The resort offers adventure for all ages and interests, which makes it perfect for large families!  We were so impressed with the attention to detail and careful planning that goes into making it a memorable experience. 

Our package was a well-rounded experience, giving us exclusive access to the most remote parts of Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park. Lake Clark offers customized packages and adventures ranging from day trips to weeks at a time, so you can fill a trip with daily adventures, or pick a few to do in between days at the resort.

Lake Clark Resort family adventures

Here are a few of the adventures Lake Clark Resort offers:

• Katmai National Park – A trip by float plane to Katmai National Park, complete with guided bear viewing. This adventure included travel to the icon Brooks Camp home to Alaska’s notorious brown bears in the most remote location of Katmai National Park and Preserve. This national park sits in the most remote backcountry and is only accessible by float plane. 
• Volcano tour – A tour over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes home to active volcanoes. This valley was created by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and we saw waterfalls and glacially carved lava flows throughout the Valley. 
• Fishing – A guided boat tour around Lake Clark complete with catch-and-release fishing around the lake.  Stops along incredible pristine turquoise water beaches.  Lake Clark Resort has access to some of the area’s best fishing! 
• Exploration – A stop at the Joe Thomas Cabin and a hike to a hidden waterfall through lush Alaskan forest.
• Hiking – A hiking trip through Lake Clark National Park to Tanalian Falls and Kontrashibuna Lake.  

Day one: a trip to Katmai National Park Brooks Camp 

Have you seen iconic Alaskan photos of brown bears feasting on salmon as they jump through a waterfall? Well, if you want to experience that first-hand, Brooks Camp is arguably the most famous site in the world for bear viewing. People from all around the world travel here to catch a glimpse of the notorious brown bears feasting during the salmon spawning season in the summer months.  And the best part…Lake Clark Resort offers direct access to Katmai National Park, a remote park in Alaska only accessible by float plane.

Katmai is home to the notorious Alaskan brown bears and it is definitely a place you will want to add to your bucket list. We departed from Lake Clark Resort early in the morning to get ahead of the crowds. Our guide and pilot for the day was very familiar with this area and helped make our trip a seamless experience. 

We started off our morning with a homemade Alaskan hot breakfast at the lodge. Every morning before we departed for our adventures, I looked forward to a hot cup of coffee and a variety of homemade Alaskan jams. We then made our way to the float plane, departing right from the resort.  The resort provides a sack lunch, which always includes a baked good that my kids always looked forward to. We set out and flew over Katmai National Park taking in views of the wildest scenes Alaska offers. 

Brown Bears at Brooks Camp

Lake Clark Resort offers direct access to Brooks Camp, and it only took us a little over an hour by float plane. Flying over Katmai National Park was an amazing experience. Looking down on wild scenes from above was incredible! Webcams are set up throughout Brooks Camp, allowing access and viewing into this incredible location. Take a look here at Brooks Camp Webcams!

Upon arrival at Brooks Camp, all visitors are required to attend a brief bear safety talk outlining park regulations.  Lake Clark Resort took care of all the planning, and our guide was exceptional! We made our way to the viewing platform, where we were able to see brown bears in their natural habitat. It was an EXTRAORDINARY experience.  Seeing these magnificent bears in their natural element was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Prime viewing season is from July – September.  Our visit took place in late June, and we were able to catch sight of plenty of bears, including the magnificent “Chunk” who assumed his position right at the center of the falls. This was definitely a core memory and a thrilling experience for our kids. We spent all morning enjoying views and this scene from the viewing platform. It was something we will treasure forever.  This was very much backcountry Alaska, and you have to come prepared to fight off huge mosquitos and unpredictable weather, but it is worth it!   

Day two: a guided boat tour around Lake Clark

On day two, after a hot cup of coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls, we set out on a guided boat tour around Lake Clark. My husband and kids were excited to fish around Lake Clark—catch-and-release fishing at its finest! Our Captain and guide for the day were intimately familiar with the area, down to the best fishing holes hidden around the lake. We were impressed!

Lake Clark is over 40 miles long and offers access to outstanding fishing holes, pristine turquoise water beaches, and gorgeous waterfalls. The waters of southwest Alaska are known for having a great variety of fish. You can catch Arctic Char and Grayling, Rainbow Trout, and Salmon, among others. Fishing trips are available by floatplane and boat; Lake Clark Resort has private access to some of the area’s best fishing! 

Alaska hiking and fishing

 The kids caught plenty of fish and we then made our way to a sandy beach.  The resort packed us a lunch, which we enjoyed from a picturesque spot overlooking the most gorgeous mountain range.  We enjoyed a day full of sunshine, exploring sandy beaches along the lake! Since the sun was out, the kids quickly made their way into the lake for cold plunges.  We built forts and enjoyed our lunch along the banks of this gorgeous lake! 

After our picnic lunch, we made our way and explored these beautiful streams and inlets along the lake.  It is hard to appreciate the color of the water from these photos.  Wild and pristine water in all different shades of blue and turquoise.  We walked up the stream while the kids explored and took dips in the beautiful lake.  We saw moose tracks and even bear prints in the sandy areas.  While we didn’t see any more bears in the wild, we did spot eagles and the biggest beaver dam we have ever seen! 

 

Waterfall hikes and Joe Thompson Cabin

Our boys have been looking to walk behind a gushing waterfall, but the opportunity has never presented itself. It has been on their list for a while, and our amazing guide made it happen! Our guide led us down a trail to a gorgeous waterfall cascading down from the mountain ridge—the most pristine water we have ever seen. This particular waterfall had a trail leading to the back of the waterfall. The boys carefully made their way and walked behind it, and it was everything!

We also stopped to visit the famous Joe Thompson Cabin, located inside the Lake Clark National Park. It’s a small public-use cabin with rustic accommodations, available to the public, and would make for a really cool camping experience!

Hiking Lake Clark 

We also enjoyed hiking through Lake Clark National Park.  The Visitor Center sits right at the entrance to Lake Clark Resort.  We packed bear spray and packed plenty of water and made our way to Tanalian Falls. 

Trails right from Lake Clark lead to the Falls and to Kontrashibuna Lake. It is only about a 4-mile round trip hike to the falls and just a bit further to Lake Kontrashibuna.  For those more adventurous and willing to take on a more steep challenge, you can hike to the top of Tanalian Mountain, an 8.6-mile trail to the top.  The Tanalian Trails are a great way to explore Lake Clark National Park and explore the gorgeous and lush fields and forest. 

Enjoy your stay at Lake Clark Resort 

As soon as we arrived at Lake Clark Resort, we were greeted by beautiful views. Lodging at the resort includes a stay in a cozy cabin with all the amenities, including maid service. The cabins are heated and have covered porches, where we could relax while taking in amazing waterfront views. Lodging also includes home-cooked Alaskan meals served in the main lodge.

A Lake Clark Resort stay offers something for everyone, whether you enjoy fishing or simply want to experience the beauty of the Alaskan backcountry. Lake Clark Resort will ensure you hit all your quintessential Alaskan bucket list experiences. Breathtaking scenery, wildlife viewing, rafting, hiking, flightseeing, photography workshops, bear viewing, and camping are some of the many activities Lake Clark Resort offers.

All-inclusive Alaskan hospitality (and good food)

Our stay was all-inclusive, complete with home-cooked Alaskan meals served in the main lodge. And believe me, the food was something we looked forward to at the end of the day.  A slow evening enjoying home-cooked Alaskan meals was the perfect way to end each adventurous, action-packed day.

Homemade baked goods and warm rolls were also favorites! Steak, chicken, and salmon dinners were complete with salads and wonderful sides. The blueberry sparkling lemonade was also a favorite. We also enjoyed the homemade desserts and made-to-order lunches, and the kids loved the children’s menu!

For breakfast, we were delighted with the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls, pancakes, eggs benedict topped with smoked salmon, and so much more! All the beauty of the Alaskan Backcountry with all the cozy amenities of an all-inclusive resort! 

Alaska’s Midnight Sun 

One of the most memorable things for us was experiencing the midnight sun during our evenings at Lake Clark. From the end of April through August, a phenomenon known as the midnight sun takes over Alaska. The sun shines for up to 24 hours, and it is WILD.

This is due to the tilt of the Earth, which keeps Alaska in sunlight for 24 hours. The sun dips below the horizon but will never fully set. We took in views of gorgeous pink skies and a beautiful rainbow over Mount Tanalian.  

“Adventure begins in the land of the midnight sun.” John Muir

Build confidence and resilience through adventure travel

Lake Clark Resort is the most amazing place for an unforgettable ADVENTURE-filled family vacation.  It is rare to travel into the remote backcountry and still enjoy cozy accommodations, relaxation, and all-inclusive amenities for the entire family.  This was truly one of the wildest experiences we have ever been on and one that our children will remember for years to come! 

If you are looking to step out into the wild, Lake Clark Resort will be your guide and take you into Alaska’s most wild and remote backcountry experience.  Your kids will leave more resilient and more confident, and it will fill them with a love for nature and love for adventure that is sure to stay with them for years to come! 

Add Alaska and Lake Clark Resort to your bucket list

As I look back on our unforgettable adventure to Lake Clark Resort, it’s clear that this destination offers a unique and unparalleled adventure experience for families. From witnessing majestic wildlife in their natural habitat to exploring awe-inspiring landscapes of Alaska that include everything from glaciers to vibrant turquoise lakes, Lake Clark Resort is a true gem for any family seeking a deeper connection with nature and each other.

The breathtaking scenery and the spirit of adventure instilled in every activity create memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re searching for a vacation that combines the thrill of the wild with the comfort of a welcoming lodge, look no further. Add Lake Clark Resort to your family adventure bucket list—you won’t be disappointed!

LAKE CLARK RESORT 
PORT ALSWORTH, ALASKA
1006 Beaver Pond  Road
Port Alsworth, AK 99653

Phone: 907.781.2208 
Phone: 888.440.2281
email: galsworthjr@gmail.com

Is a trip to Alaska on your bucket list?

About the author

Araceli is a wife and momma to three wild and adventurous littles. She believes that nature and free play are truly the foundation of a beautiful childhood. Araceli and her husband have made it a priority to raise their children with a strong bond to the great outdoors. Araceli is a working mom with an extensive career in Project Management. She’s creative and crafty and loves collecting houseplants. As a family, they love exploring wild places, and she loves documenting their adventures.

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