Paddle boarding & Kayaking
Whether you're gliding across the crystal-clear waters of Tikchik and Nuyukuk Lakes or venturing into hidden corners of Wood-Tikchik State Park, each adventure can be the perfect escape for your family or friends that want to do more than fishing.
Paddleboarding and kayaking at Tikchik Narrows Lodge offer a serene way to experience the Wood-Tikchik Lake's. Our guides can bring you to secluded parts of the park, where you’ll have the chance to explore wild country in waters surrounded by rugged mountains carved by a glacial history. Paddleboarding is a fantastic activity to connect with the stillness of our backyard waters, far from any signs of civilization.
Bear Viewing
Bear viewing in Katmai National Park, especially at Brooks Falls, is incredible during the salmon run, as these fish are the primary draw for bears seeking rich food sources.
>While Brooks Falls is famous for predictable bear sightings, other areas like Togiak and Wood-Tikchik State Park also offer great, though sometimes more random, viewing opportunities, thanks to their remote wilderness and abundant salmon populations. The extraordinary salmon presence fuels bear populations, creating unique bear-viewing opportunities in the interconnected ecosystems of Katmai and beyond.
Bear Viewing
Bear viewing in Katmai National Park, especially at Brooks Falls, is incredible during the salmon run, as these fish are the primary draw for bears seeking rich food sources. Read More
While Brooks Falls is famous for predictable bear sightings, other areas like Togiak and Wood-Tikchik State Park also offer great, though sometimes more random, viewing opportunities, thanks to their remote wilderness and abundant salmon populations. The extraordinary salmon presence fuels bear populations, creating unique bear-viewing opportunities in the interconnected ecosystems of Katmai and beyond.
Birding
Calling all bird lovers! Birding in Wood-Tikchik State Park is an opportunity to see a wide range of migratory and Alaskan-native bird species. This park is a summer destination for many migratory birds that return to Alaska to breed, including the northern pintail, American wigeon, and the Pacific loon.
Raptors such as bald eagles and peregrine falcons soar over the park’s expansive lakes and fjords, while shorebirds like the greater yellowlegs and sandpipers frequent the wetlands. Also, many different species of owls call this area home. This setting also attracts unique species like the Aleutian tern, which is rare to see elsewhere. Birders here can experience Alaska’s avian diversity amidst a landscape that provides natural habitats critical for these species’ seasonal migrations and breeding cycles.
Wildlife
There's a reason that the Bristol Bay watershed is known as one of the world's most valuable ecosystems. Due to the pristine habitat, clean water, and incredible salmon runs, this area is rich with Wildlife. In the Wood-Tikchik State Park you can see Alaska's magnificent small and large mammals in their natural environment.
Moose are commonly sighted, often grazing near the lake shores, while brown and black bears roam the forested areas and frequent the land around the lodge, drawn by seasonal salmon runs. The park is also home to elusive species like caribou, lynx, and the rare wolverine, all of which add to the park's rich biodiversity. With its remote setting and diverse landscape, Wood-Tikchik offers an exceptional experience for those hoping to observe Alaska’s iconic wildlife in a truly wild setting.
Wildlife
Moose are commonly sighted, often grazing near the lake shores, while brown and black bears roam the forested areas and frequent the land around the lodge, drawn by seasonal salmon runs. The park is also home to elusive species like caribou, lynx, and the rare wolverine, all of which add to the park's rich biodiversity. With its remote setting and diverse landscape, Wood-Tikchik offers an exceptional experience for those hoping to observe Alaska’s iconic wildlife in a truly wild setting.
Hiking and Foraging
Hiking through Tikchik State Park to reach "Sad Face" and its impressive granite peak is a stunning way to experience Alaska's wild landscapes while foraging for seasonal berries.
As you ascend, you’ll find rich patches of wild blueberries, crowberries, cranberries, salmon berries and other native berries scattered along the trails, especially on the sunlit slopes and near the rockier terrain closer to the summit. The hike itself is an adventure, blending breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and valleys with the reward of freshly picked berries—a true taste of Alaska. Foraging here makes every step of the journey feel deeply connected to the land and its natural abundance.
