Tucked in the state of Alaska, Lake Clark National Park offers tourists acres of tranquil solitude and adventure. This National Park is home to smoking volcanoes, rugged jade mountains, gurgling glacial rivers, bear dense coastlines, and is dotted with turquoise lakes.
While making any bookings for this destination, do consider buying visitors medical insurance in case you face a situation towards your health that might cost you additional expenses.
Many adrenaline-filled activities await you here at Lake Clarke National Park, as well as tranquil quiet nights under the stars and beautiful scenery.
Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers Visiting Lake Clark National Park - FAQs
Medical insurance should be an essential part of your travel as you can't foresee any future incidents. Any health issue or injury will cost you more than you planned to spend, so for such cases, your visitors medical insurance will be your financial cushion.
Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Lake Clark National Park?
There is always a risk of falling ill or getting injured during your trip and at a national park with limited connectivity and barely any facilities, it's best to be prepared. Healthcare in the U.S. is known to be among the most expensive in the world, so being ready with a visitors medical insurance plan that can get you the medical care you would need without having to worry about paying the expensive bills is key.
What should I look for in my Lake Clark National Park visitors medical insurance?
Your visitors medical insurance plan should have coverage for any new emergency medical expenses that arrive during your trip. Also, the following benefits would be wise to cover for additional financial safety:
- PPO Network participation
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage for conditions that unexpectedly become aggravated during the trip
- Coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
While comparing insurance, look for adequate coverage for common health issues and pick one that suits your budget. Buying visitors medical insurance can also minimize your financial burden.
Things to Do For Your Lake Clark National Park Travel
There are a multitude of activities waiting to be explored at Lake Clark National Park. Many of the activities involve experiencing the park's wildlife and majestic scenic beauty that the park has to offer.
- Red Salmon Trail - This is something you should watch when you are at Lake Clark National Park. Every year, the Sockeye or red salmon traverse up the Newhalen River to return to where they were born. The numbers average 372,000 fish returning to these waters. The Sockeye Salmon is a keystone species of Lake Clark's ecosystem and watching them as they migrate back is a delight. You can fish also in select areas. A bush plane can take you to fishing holes where you can catch salmon and view bears who wade into the waters to grab the fish.
- Kayaking and Canoeing - One of the best ways to enjoy a day in the park is to rent a boat or kayak. The tranquil waters of the lakes and rivers are worth traversing. Carry your gear with you and use the air taxi to transport them along with your fellow travelers. Watch out for air traffic and other kayakers when you are exploring the lake. Planes whizzing overhead at lower altitudes will be common, as most of the park is accessible only by air.
- Grizzly viewing - Bear tours take off from Anchorage, Homer, Kenai, and Soldotna. Take a day tour or stay at the lodges in Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek to view bears over multiple days. You can also take an aerial view with spectacular views of the tundra landscape or fly on a seaplane. You can also take a boat or camp overnight to catch bears in their natural habitat. Whichever option you chose, consider the time at hand, how close you want to view them, and the time of the year you visit the park.
- Backpacking and hiking - If you are going to this national park exclusively for backpacking, make the most of it by organizing which trails you can cover within your time. Beaver Pond Loop Trail is the easiest one spanning 3 miles (about 4.8 kilometers) with an elevation of 600 meters (about 1,970 feet). This trail is at its peak during fall. Upper Twin Lakes Loop, Fishtrap Lake to Snipe Lake, Tanalian Mountain Trail are the more strenuous and longer trails, but are well worth the views. These are recommended for the expert backpackers and those who are looking for more adventurous expeditions.
- Birdwatching - The raw beauty of the Alaskan wilderness is best enjoyed in leisure, especially if you have been backpacking across the national park. There are a variety of habitats in the park that allow for an abundance of bird species to thrive. Around 187 species of birds including raptors, seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl have been sighted within the park and the preserve. The Peregrine falcon is also found here, mainly at the Tuxedni Bay coastline. The Foothill and Lake region westward of the the Chulitna Flats and the Chigmit Range are popular resting areas for these birds, as well as the migratory ones.
Key Guidelines for Travelers to Lake Clark National Park
Be prepared and aware of your resources, belongings, and anything you take into the park because once you enter deeper into the park, any shops selling supplies will be lacking.
- The Weather - The temperatures can drop significantly when the sun sets in the park regardless of the time of year that you visit. It's best to set out after taking into account local weather and heeding any warnings of disturbances. Despite warnings, it's always wise to be prepared for the worst. Carry enough woolens and waterproof clothing in case you face cold, wet weather. The weather might also affect any plane operation and boats, so consult the local weather again before setting out.
- Water Activities - Wear a life jacket at all times when indulging in any river or lake activities. The river tends to change with the time of day and the local weather. Shallow waves can turn into bigger ones, hampering river rafting, kayaking, or fishing. You can bring your equipment from home, or rent it from the local stores. The park has shops which sell guided tours in which an instructor will accompany you with your equipment.
- Wildlife - Lake Clark teems with wildlife, like bears, birds, and moose. They generally steer clear of humans, but the bears, and especially the moose, can be territorial during mating season. The moose will stray to feed on summer vegetation and come fall, get into fights with the advent of mating season. If you encounter an animal in distress, don't touch it and report it to the Park Ranger. Touching it might compromise your health as wild animals are carriers of germs, as well as the health and well-being of the animal.
- Camping - Unlike bigger and more popular national parks in the U.S., setting up camp and hiking isn't restricted to specific spots in Lake Clark. There are designated areas that are popular with tourists, but you can set up camp in the most stable areas which aren't popular areas for the wildlife to congregate. Summer is a good time to visit Alaska, however, that season brings with it fire hazards. Exercise caution while setting up campfires, especially if you are at a clearing with plenty of scrubs and dried vegetation around you. It won't take long for your surroundings to catch fire due to carelessness.
Before You Travel to Lake Clark National Park - Do This
Take an inventory of your belongings and do make sure you have any passes you might have issued. Proper clothing and outdoor gear should also be packed in abundance.