National Park & Preserve · AK
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Lake Clark is quietest in January and February and busiest in July.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness.
18K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit Lake Clark
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 13 | Fog | 28°F | 16°F | 14% |
| Wed 14 | Heavy snow | 29°F | 13°F | 97% |
| Thu 15 | Snow showers | 33°F | 24°F | 96% |
| Fri 16 | Fog | 28°F | 20°F | 45% |
| Sat 17 | Fog | 27°F | 19°F | 18% |
| Sun 18 | Fog | 24°F | 17°F | 13% |
| Mon 19 | Light snow | 25°F | 13°F | 23% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F | 10°F | 0.7" |
| February | 30°F | 15°F | 0.8" |
| March | 35°F | 15°F | 0.6" |
| April | 47°F | 30°F | 0.5" |
| May | 59°F | 39°F | 0.4" |
| June | 67°F | 47°F | 0.7" |
| July | 69°F | 52°F | 1.4" |
| August | 66°F | 49°F | 1.7" |
| September | 57°F | 42°F | 2.6" |
| October | 44°F | 32°F | 1.3" |
| November | 32°F | 21°F | 1.3" |
| December | 27°F | 15°F | 1.0" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PORT ALSWORTH, AK US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- Free — Free entrance
- Hours
- The park and preserve are open 24 hours per day, seven days per week year round. However, visitor services are limited Labor Day through Memorial Day. Seasonal and temporary closures are listed by location on the Operating Hours & Seasons page.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
Lake Clark questions
When is the best time to visit Lake Clark?
Lake Clark is least crowded in January, February, and March. July is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit Lake Clark?
Entry to Lake Clark is free.
When is Lake Clark busiest?
Lake Clark is busiest in July, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is Lake Clark during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to Lake Clark. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.