Alaska region guide
Southwest
Bristol Bay, Katmai's bears and the volcanic Aleutian chain.
- Gateway towns
- King Salmon, Dillingham, Iliamna, Unalaska/Dutch Harbor
- Nearest major airport
- King Salmon (AKN) via Anchorage
- Best months
- June – September
- Getting there
- Scheduled flights from Anchorage, then floatplane
Overview
Southwest Alaska stretches from Bristol Bay and the great lakes of Iliamna and Naknek down the Alaska Peninsula and out along the 1,200-mile arc of the Aleutian Islands. There are almost no roads; this is fly-in country.
It is home to Katmai and Lake Clark national parks, where brown bears gather to fish for salmon, and to the Bristol Bay watershed, which produces the largest sockeye salmon run on earth and some of the finest fly-out trout fishing in Alaska.
Sub-regions
Inside the Southwest
Coming soon. Our in-depth sub-region guide for this region is being written.
Mountain ranges
The high country
Coming soon. Our in-depth mountain ranges guide for this region is being written.
Hiking & backcountry
Trails and routes
Coming soon. Our in-depth hiking guide for this region is being written.
Fishing
Species, waters and run timing
Coming soon. Our in-depth fishing guide for this region is being written.
Hunting
Game and terrain
Coming soon. Our in-depth hunting guide for this region is being written.
Wildlife & scenery
What you'll see
- Brown bears
- Caribou
- Seabirds and puffins
- Sea otters
- Walrus at Round Island
Getting there & around
Logistics
Scheduled flights
Daily flights from Anchorage to King Salmon, Dillingham, Iliamna and Dutch Harbor.
Bush & floatplane
Floatplanes from King Salmon and Iliamna serve Brooks Camp and remote lodges.
Seasonal guide
What's best, month by month
Coming soon. Our in-depth seasonal guide for this region is being written.
Gallery
In pictures
