Wood-tikchik State Park

Open — Open year-round. Special use permits required for camping on Nishlik, Slate, Upnuk, and Chikuminuk Lakes, and for Tikchik River float trips. Permits are $350 flat fee regardless of nights stayed and are non-refundable. Reservations available up to seven months in advance via Reserve America.

About

Wood-Tikchik State Park is the largest state park in the United States, covering 1.6 million acres of remote wilderness in southwest Alaska, north of Dillingham. Named for its two systems of large interconnected clear water lakes, the park provides visitors with an exceptional wilderness experience characterized by pristine waters, abundant wildlife, and complete solitude. The park is accessible only by chartered floatplane from Dillingham, which connects to Anchorage via regularly scheduled air service. There are no roads to the park, and facilities are minimal, with great emphasis placed upon low-impact camping and Leave No Trace practices. The entire park is open to camping, though special use permits are required for the Upper Tikchik Lakes area, including Nishlik, Slate, Upnuk, and Chikuminuk Lakes, as well as for floating the Tikchik River. Recreational opportunities include world-class fishing for salmon and rainbow trout, paddling vast interconnected lakes, floating scenic rivers, wildlife viewing, berry picking, hiking, and photography. Visitors should be prepared for true wilderness conditions with no services, ranger presence, or developed facilities. The park is home to moose, black and brown bears, marmots, porcupines, and numerous bird species, particularly during the massive salmon migrations.

Directions

Access requires chartered floatplane from Dillingham. First fly to Dillingham from Anchorage via regularly scheduled air service, then charter a floatplane to reach any of the lakes within the park.

Nearby Campgrounds