Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve

Activities

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  Camping

  The National Park Service maintains no campgrounds in Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve; all camping is primitive.

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  Fishing

  Sport fishing is permitted in both the monument and preserve in accordance with Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) regulations. An Alaska sport fishing license is required of all nonresidents 16 and over, and most residents 16 to 59. You may also need a harvest record card and/or king salmon stamp before you fish. For more information and to buy your licenses, stamps, and tags online, visit ADF&G's License and Permits web site.

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  Hiking

  While there are no formal trails within Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve, hikers and backpackers will find excellent hiking conditions atop the ash and cinder fields of the caldera floor.

  Because the Aniakchak landscape also features swift, cold rivers and seemingly impenetrable patches of dense vegetation, the path of least resistance will often be an animal trail. Be sure to make noise as you walk in these conditions to warn wildlife of your approach.

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  Hunting

  Sport hunting and trapping are permitted in Aniakchak National Preserve, but not in Aniakchak National Monument. To hunt and trap in the preserve, you must have all required licenses and permits and follow all other state regulations.

  The National Park Service and the State of Alaska cooperatively manage the wildlife resources of the Preserve. An Alaska State hunting license is required for all hunters age 16 or older. Bag and possession limits vary by species and by area. Always check current hunting regulations.

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  Water Sports

  The weather on Aniakchak is severe; life-threatening conditions can develop rapidly. Extremely violent winds in the caldera, particularly near 'The Gates,' can shred tents and prevent air rescue. A hefty budget and pre-tested skills and gear are absolutely necessary.

  You can float from inside a volcano to the ocean, past spectacles of wildlife and geology. From Surprise Lake, the river flows a peaceful mile to The Gates. The river moves swiftly through this narrow gorge in the caldera wall, and large rocks demand precise maneuvering. A gradient of 75 feet per mile makes this section challenging. After a more gentle 10 miles comes the confluence with Hidden Creek, and the river is again filled with car-sized boulders, abrupt bends, and a narrow bed requiring extreme caution. After 5 more miles, the river slows to meander toward the Pacific Ocean and the seals, sea otters, bald eagles, and sea birds of Aniakchak Bay.

  Total float time: 3 to 4 days from Surprise Lake to the bay. Camp on sandy gravel bars for flat tent sites and fewer bugs--and so that your human impacts are readily erased by subsequent high water. Use a small backpacking stove; firewood is scarce in treeless tundra.