What Is Aniakchak National Monument?
Aniakchak National Monument preserves the caldera from a 3,500-year old volcanic eruption!
What Makes It Beautiful?
Oh gosh, this is a prize for park hunters! The lead-up is a one-hour floatplane ride over the densest lake country you’ve ever seen, connected by winding rivers that empty into the sea by tiny fishing villages. And then you reach the mountains where the monument is, towering over the landscape, and maybe they’re covered in intimidating clouds, maybe not. If not, you just might have the chance to enter the least visited—for good reason—national park in the whole system!
Whether you enter through the Gates of Aniakchak, where the water-filled caldera burst about 2,000 years ago, or go right up over the side, you’ll be treated to a hidden wonderland of old cinder cones and lava fields speckled with mosses and wildflowers like lupines! If you’re extra lucky, you’ll land on Surprise Lake, home to some very brave salmon that swim all the way upriver here to spawn, but only in the half of the lake that isn’t toxic! This place is as wild and remote and quiet as you can imagine, and it feels like a gift from some sort of weather god just to set foot in it!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at Aniakchak National Monument!
- Donate to Aniakchak National Monument!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
This is a fly-in park only, about an hour southwest of King Salmon. You’ll need to visit a charter service in King Salmon like Branch River Air!
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
This isn’t a park that you’re guaranteed to see! It’s surrounded by mountains, which create their own weather! I recommend staying in King Salmon for at least three or four days and visiting in June, which is one of the dryest months. Just be aware that visiting in June means fewer to no bears at nearby Brooks Falls! Set your expectations accordingly!
More Photos
