In A Nutshell
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Aniakchak?
Aniakchak is inaccessible by road and must be either flown or boated to. Aniakchak may be directly accessed via air taxi flights chartered from King Salmon, AK and other nearby small towns and villages. Air charters can land you at Meshik Lake, Surprise Lake in the caldera, or Aniakchak, Amber, or Kujulik bays on the Pacific Ocean. Regularly scheduled commercial flights to King Salmon (AKN), which serves as NPS administrative headquarters and the starting point for many Aniakchak adventures, are available from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) via PenAir and Alaska Airlines.
Power boats can reach the Preserve portions of Aniakchak from villages along the Pacific Ocean coastline.
Can I drive to Aniakchak? Is Aniakchak ever closed to visitor use? Are there any visitor facilities at Aniakchak? Can I bring my gun to Aniakchak? Is there private property within the National Monument and/or Preserve? Are campfires allowed? How do I store my food? Do I need a permit to travel, camp, and/or spend the night at Aniakchak?
No. Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve is inaccessible by road.
The National Park Service imposes no operating hours or seasonal restrictions. Access to and movement within Aniakchak, however, may be limited or restricted at any time depending upon prevailing weather conditions and/or volcanic activity.
Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve is a truly primitive landscape with no federally-maintained public facilities.
Firearms are permitted within the Preserve portion of Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve. Hunting is allowed in accordance with Alaska State Fish and Game (ADF&G) regulations. Any wildlife killed in defense of life or property must be reported to ADF&G within 15 days. The meat of a game animal that you have legally taken becomes your property, but you may not kill another wild animal to protect the meat unless the meat is critical for your livelihood or survival.
Can I keep any fish I catch at Aniakchak?
Retention restrictions, catch limits, and closures may apply; all fishing is subject to Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) regulations.
Yes. Access to private lands is prohibited without prior consent of the landowner. Please respect the rights of property owners and avoid illegal trespassing.
Can I camp anywhere in Aniakchak?
No. Private lands do exist within the National Monument & Preserve. Access to private lands is prohibited without prior consent of the landowner.
Yes. Dead and downed wood only may be used for campfires; live trees may not be cut for any purpose. Due to the presence of archeological sites throuhout Aniakchak, please refrain from any ground-disturbing activity when constructing campfires. Campers are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace Principles to reduce their impact on the Aniakchak environment.
Food must be stored in a manner to prevent bears from obtaining it. Fresh caught fish and other odorous substances, such as toothpaste and garbage, must also be stored appropriately. The approved method for food storage at Aniakchak requires a bear-resistant food container (BRFC). Contact the park for a list of manufacturers of BRFCs. The King Salmon Visitor Center has a limited supply of BRFCs which may be checked out for non-commercial trips on a first come, first served basis. Ice chests, coolers or dry bags do not provide adequate protection from bears. Fish entrails should be discarded in a swift-moving river current.
Permits are not required for public access to or overnight stays within Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve. However, campers are encouraged to make known their itinerary information.
Retention restrictions, catch limits, and closures may apply; all fishing is subject to Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) regulations.
Aniakchak In Depth
News from the Parks
Colorado Section of Vast Bike Network is 1,000 Miles
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
January 5, 2009 - 12:43pm
More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado. The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.
Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
January 5, 2009 - 12:32pm
Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming. The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.
A Trip to Yosemite National Park via YARTS is a Must for Valley Residents
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
January 5, 2009 - 12:31pm
The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.” The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.
Nene Killed on the Road in Haleakala National Park
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
January 5, 2009 - 12:21pm
An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously. Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.
Life's a Beach: U.S. Virgin Islands are Calling You
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
January 5, 2009 - 12:19pm
Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation. You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.
