Clam Gulch

In an area that’s famous for fishing, here is one spot where you don’t need a tackle box to blend in. As the name implies, this is a clamming town— with thousands of razor clams harvested annually from the sandy beaches.

Best of all, there is a pretty short learning curve for clamming: all you need is a little gear, a few safety pointers and a license, all of which you can get at one of the general stores in town, or through most B&Bs if you’re spending the night. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game also has good info on the latest regulations (such as the 60-clam limit—but really, if you’re just passing through, would you even need 60 clams)?

Summer is the best time in general to go clamming—mostly because the weather is more comfortable—but within that time frame, your best clamming will happen during extremely low tides called “minus tides.” You can track those here, ask a local, or pick up a free tide table at most gas stations and stores.

If you’re not into digging your own clams, make a stop at the state recreation area on the bluffs of Clam Gulch, which has great views of Cook Inlet, the Aleutian Mountain Range and its three tallest peaks: Mount Iliamna, Mount Redoubt and Mount Spur.

Highlights of visiting here:

• Clam Digging
• Camping
• Snowmobiling in Caribou Hills
• Beachcombing
• Wildlife spotting: moose, bald eagles, gulls and many small birds and mammals.