Bucket List Alaska – 5-Day National Park Expedition
Now Booking for 2026
This is more than a vacation—it’s an epic journey into the wild heart of Alaska through one of Earth’s last true wildernesses. Take five days to personally discover five of the least visited units of our National Park and Wildlife Refuge system. Leave the cruise ship crowds behind and witness the majesty while experiencing the solitude of our most remote public lands. They’re all in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, where the largest salmon runs on earth fuel unique ecosystems teeming with life.
Each day, you’ll fly out from Crystal Creek Lodge in a legendary de Havilland Beaver aircraft to a new destination. You’ll immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Alaska’s National Parks, Preserves, and Wildlife Refuges. Wildlife encounters, surreal landscapes, fishing opportunities, and moments of awe await.
Weather can affect the order of delivery for any of these adventures. Our head guide will work closely with you to schedule the trip safely and enjoyably.
Day 1: Katmai
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Going East
Katmai is 4.1 million acres directly east. It’s home to 2,200 Brown Bears and the legendary Brooks Falls. There’s also the lunar-like volcanic landscape of The Valley of 10,000 Smokes, created in 1912 by the greatest pyroclastic eruption of the 20th Century. Your Katmai experience will include safely observing giant bears; feasting on salmon, seashore or meadows; and an interpretive tour of the Valley with its steaming volcanos & glaciers. Fishing opportunities abound within Katmai, where you can fish with the brown bears. Please inquire.
Day 2: Aniakchak
Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve
Going Southwest
A true hidden gem and the least-visited unit of the National Park Service. Aniakchak is a massive volcanic caldera 6.6 miles across, over 800 ft. deep and containing a large aquamarine lake within. There are numerous volcanic features within the caldera. We sometimes see a resident caribou herd walking within or on the ridges. Aniakchak is raw, remote, and humbling beyond words. Combine this experience with a beach landing/beach-combing or some fishing. Our head guide will give you all the options.
Day 3: Lake Clark
- Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Going Northeast
Lake Clark is a 4+million acre National Park of towering, jagged mountains, flowing glaciers, aquamarine lakes & wild rivers to the Northeast of us. It’s a full day of waterfall hikes, searching for Dahl Sheep and seeing our ultimate destination, Dick Proenneke’s hand-built log cabin made famous in books and movies (do some research to amp yourself up!). This Park is a dream for photographers, history buffs and nature lovers.
Day 4: Becharof
Becharof National Wildlife Refuge
Going South
At approximately 1.2 million acres, Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Showcases Becharof Lake, the fourth largest lake in Alaska named after the first Russian explorer that crossed it in 1792. It’s a landscape carved by glaciers, punctuated by volcanoes and rich with biodiversity. Things we might do include standing beside bubbling volcanic vents, walks on the trails & abandoned villages of ancient Aleutic hunters & gatherers, stalking caribou for photos, seeing bears feeding on the hundreds of thousands of salmon that enter the lake or fishing on one of several fantastic fishing streams.
Day 5: Alaska Peninsula
Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge
Going Southwest
This is an epic expedition along the wild coast of the Alaska Peninsula to Cape Seniavan, named when Alaska was a Russian possession. Enroute as you fly south along the seashore, the towering volcanos of the Alaska Peninsula Mountains will be directly on the left and Bristol Bay of the Bering Sea will be on the right. Cape Seniavan is a permanent colony for hundreds to thousands of Pacific Walruses that can be seen hauled out onto the beach. Along the way to the Cape, we typically see caribou, moose, bears, wolves, Sea Otters, a myriad of seabird species and numerous other possible animals, including several possible species of whale. If we have time we can beachcomb for antique Japanese glass fishing floats and other treasures. No fishing available as we have lots to see and do on this incredible day.
These are just a few examples of the many exciting day trip options available with Crystal Creek Lodge! Please ask about other options that could be added to this List of Guided Fishing and Adventure Possibilities.
Check out our Fishing page and our Adventure page to learn more about opportunities to enjoy the Alaska fishing season. Discover the wonders of Crystal Creek Lodge through our Instagram page, where you can immerse yourself in stunning visuals and learn more about our exciting adventures in the Alaskan wilderness!
Crystal Creek Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Naknek River, near King Salmon, Alaska, is a renowned exclusive luxury fishing and adventure destination with over 400 5-star reviews. Since 1988, we’ve been delivering thousands of hardcore, exciting, and memorable flyout excursions.