Wood-Tikchik State Park

Fast facts

• Established: 1978
• Size: nearly 1.6 million acres (6,475 km²), the largest state park in the United States
• Waters: two great chains of lakes, the Wood River lakes and the Tikchik lakes
• Gateway: Dillingham, reached by scheduled flights from Anchorage
• Managed by: Alaska State Parks

The landscape

Wood-Tikchik spreads across southwest Alaska from the tundra of the Nushagak lowlands into the Wood River Mountains. Long, deep lakes fill glacier-carved valleys, linked by clear, fast rivers. The park was created to protect salmon spawning grounds and the fish and wildlife that depend on them, and to keep subsistence use alive. Brown bears, caribou, moose, wolves and bald eagles are common.

Best time to go

June to August is the season for paddling and fishing. Summer weather is cool and changeable, with long days. The salmon runs peak in July and August, drawing bears to the rivers. Early fall brings colour and the first storms.

Getting there and around

The park is not connected to the road system. Visitors fly to Dillingham and charter a floatplane into the park, landing on one of the lakes. Paddlers then float the rivers and cross the lakes, often ending at Lake Aleknagik, where a road leads back to Dillingham. Lodges on the lakes offer guided fishing trips.

Things to do

Multi-week canoe and kayak trips through the lake chains and down rivers such as the Tikchik and Nuyakuk are the park’s signature adventure. The fishing, for salmon, rainbow trout, Arctic char and grayling, is world-class. Hiking into the mountains and watching bears and caribou round out a trip.

Staying safe

This is one of the most remote parks in North America. Carry a satellite phone or messenger, a full repair and first aid kit, and extra food for weather delays, since floatplanes cannot always fly. Big lakes build dangerous waves in wind; paddle near shore and wait out storms. Rivers have sweepers and cold, fast water. Brown bears are everywhere: carry bear spray, use bear-resistant containers and camp away from fishing streams. Leave a detailed trip plan with your air service.

Know before you go

Permits are required for camping and floating in the upper Tikchik areas. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm permits and conditions with Wood-Tikchik State Park before you go.

Coordinates

59.9785, -158.6117

Magnetic declination

10.5° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

Best seasons

Summer (June to August)

Difficulty

Strenuous (remote, fly-in)

Access / trailheads

No connection to the road system. Fly to Dillingham on scheduled flights, then charter a floatplane to one of the park's lakes. A road runs from Dillingham to Lake Aleknagik at the park's southern edge.

Water

Lakes and rivers everywhere; treat all water.

Cell / satellite coverage

None. A satellite phone or messenger is essential.

Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency

Emergencies: satellite device to 911 (Alaska State Troopers). Wood-Tikchik State Park office: 907-842-2641.

Permits & regulations

Camping and floating permits are required in the Tikchik River, Nishlik Lake, Slate Lake, Upnuk Lake and Chikuminuk Lake areas. Apply online or through the park office.

Leave No Trace

Camp on gravel bars and durable ground, store food in bear-resistant containers, pack out everything, and respect subsistence camps and Native allotments.