Ecotourism Activities | Copper River Lodge

Copper River Lodge is located on the southern shore of Lake Iliamna between Katmai National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park.  This region is the headwaters to the world’s largest salmon runs, which coincidently feeds one of the world’s highest concentration of brown bears. From active volcanoes to waterfalls and rushing rivers to Alaska’s largest lake and wind-blown tundra, the possibilities for adventure and photography are endless. Here is a sample of the guided activities we have to offer:

Photography: Expansive landscapes, wildflowers, and abundant wildlife make Alaska a photographer's paradise! Whether you’re a professional photographer looking for a specific shot or just packing the camera for fun, there is a photo opportunity around every corner.  

 

Bear Viewing: We offer guided tours where you can observe bears in their natural habitat. Spend a day at Brooks Falls from the comfort of a viewing platform or walk amongst bears along small tundra streams; we can help put together a once in a lifetime experience.

Rafting: Let our guides row you down one of the many rivers within a short flight of the lodge. This is a great way to view bears as they congregate to fish for returning salmon. Bring a camera and a fly rod, and enjoy either a full or half day scenic float.  These rivers are relatively mild, and not classified as white water. 

Hiking: Whether you want to take a short hike to a scenic vista as part of a kayaking trip or spend the day walking a tundra stream while photographing bears, there are multiple options to get out and stretch your legs.

Kayaking:  Copper River Lodge is situated at the head of Intricate Bay, named for its many islands and channels. These islands also offer protection from the main part of Lake Iliamna, Alaska’s largest lake. These protected, intricate waterways make for an incredible kayaking experience. We can offer a full day tour of the islands or combine an hour or two of paddling with another activity.

Fish Camp/Smokehouse Tour: Copper River Lodge has been operating for over 50 years, but the indigenous people of the Lake Iliamna region have been using this area for thousands of years for hunting, gathering, and of course, fishing.  The salmon still bring families together annually at fish camps around the region to put up their fish for the year to come.  In this visit, our guests will have a chance to learn local history and culture and see first-hand the traditional way to smoke salmon.   

Flightseeing: The daily commute doesn’t get much better than ours. Traveling by plane isn’t just the only way to travel in the Bush, but an incredible way to see Alaska. Flightseeing is a part of getting to and from our destinations, but let us know if you want to take the scenic route.

Lake Boat Tour: Take a trip out on Lake Iliamna in the comfort of our enclosed lake boat. Enjoy the scenery while watching for freshwater seals. This can be combined with kayaking, rafting, hiking and photography tours.