Alaska Regions: Southwest
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Southwest

Fly to remote islands and parks


Regional InformationBrown bear and fisherman in Lake Clark National Park

Alaska's Southwest includes the Aleutian Islands, the Yukon and Kuskokwim River deltas, and the Alaska Peninsula. The area is particularly famous among birders and brown bear photographers. Each year, dozens of rare bird species fly through Southwest Alaska on their migration route to summer in the Arctic. Large brown bears are consistently spotted at such locations as Brooks Falls, McNeil River, and Lake Clark, drawing wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.

 

The region is part of the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire" and is dotted with volcanoes. The largest eruption in North America occurred at Novarupta Volcano in Katmai National Park in 1912. Mt. Redoubt has been recently active, as well as Mt. St. Augustine and Mt. Kasatochi.

 

The two national parks in the Southwest are Lake Clark and Katmai. Both parks are renowned for fishing and bear viewing. Brooks Falls, located in Katmai National Park gives visitors the chance to see bears fishing for salmon at the top of a waterfall. Numerous other nationally and state protected lands keep much of Southwest Alaska wild. The communities in this area are predominantly Alaska Native villages, including the Aleut, Alutiiq, and Yupik tribes.

 

Fishing, including crabbing as seen on the Deadliest Catch show on the Discovery Channel, is a major industry in the region. Fishing lodges, such as Zachar Bay Lodge, offer both an excellent opportunity to fish in Alaska's wild waters, but also to see the abundant wildlife.

 

Shores of Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain

Accessibility

There are no roads connecting southwest Alaska to the rest of the state. While there is limited state ferry service and some cruise ships visit this region, the vast majority of visitors fly from Anchorage or Homer to their destination.

 

There is scheduled air service to Dutch Harbor, Adak, Kodiak, King Salmon, and St. Paul on the Pribilof Islands. Private lodges, bear viewing areas, and remote fishing streams can only be accessed by floatplanes and bush planes.

 

Select Tours

KODIAK ISLAND Tour 101Grizzly Bears in Katmai National Park - Courtesy of Marlin Brown
2 day/1 night tour to Alaska's Emerald Island.  Package includes a half-day bear viewing flight safari by seaplane and choice of city tour or rental car.

 

ALASKA HOMESTEAD LODGE - Tours 18, 114 & 115
 Take a scenic flight along Cook Inlet into Lake Clark National Park, known as the “Alaskan Alps”. The lodge offers the opportunity for viewing magnificent brown bears in their natural habitat, as well as fishing, clamming, canoeing, hiking, and berry picking.

 

BROOKS LODGE - Tours 17, 118 & 119
Seen frequently on TV nature programs and in print media, the scenes of the great Alaska brown bears standing on top of the falls have now become synonymous with the best Alaska vacation activities.  The annual salmon migration through Brooks River attracts brown bears in large numbers.  Special platforms built at the falls offer unobstructed and safe viewing of animals.Cormorant with eggs in nest on St. Paul Island

 

ST PAUL - PRIBILOF ISLANDS Tour 214
The Pribilof Islands are known for their stark beauty, significant seal populations and migrating bird populations.

 

ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS TOUR Tour 1550CTA
15 Day/ 14 Night tour takes you into the heart of 5 of Alaska's most fascinating National parks, all of which provide unique experiences to some of the most remote and wild lands left on earth!

 

Please contact us if you have any questions about visiting Alaska's Interior or the services we offer.

 

Click to visit other regions of Alaska:

Far North - Interior - Southcentral - Southeast - Southwest

 

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