Johnstone Adventure Lodge

A true wilderness experience, this fly-in-only lodge features two secluded chalets set amid a stunning mixture of sea, forest, and a glacier-formed lake.

Pristine Location

Your visit to Johnstone Adventure Lodge begins by taking off in a helicopter or bush plane from Seward. You’ll fly over a spectacular Alaskan landscape, gazing out at sea, mountains, glaciers, and the gorgeous Kenai Fjords, before landing on a quiet beach in a glacier-carved valley. Because the lodge is only accessible by air, you can’t help but notice that the land has remained amazingly pristine. And as you start to explore, you’ll discover a unique combination of Alaskan beauty: waves crashing on the shore, forests to hike through, and a huge glacially formed lake.

Handcrafted Log Chalets

You’ll be met by owner Jordan, and make your way to one of the two 22 x 20 chalets—beautiful wooden structures with big windows and lots of light. In each you’ll find a queen-size bed with fine linens; on-demand hot water with a tiled shower; a full kitchen with sink, propane range, and oven; and a deck with seating—perfect for relaxing.

During your stay, all three meals are provided plus snacks.

Explore

You’ll see the shimmering lake—with the glacier that formed it at one end—as you fly in, and it may well be the first thing you want to explore. It’s located about 1.5 miles away, over a flat, enchanting landscape covered in moss. Jordan keeps a zodiac on-site so guests can enjoy a boat ride to the other end of the lake to see the glacier up close.

There are lots of other hikes to do, too, ranging in length and difficulty, and Jordan and Jaime can be your guide. You can also explore sea caves down by the beach and look for wildlife—shorebirds, mountain goats, and the occasional deer, and even humpback whales offshore. Join the other guests if you like, or just explore on your own.

If you’re an experience surfer, talk with Jordan about surf possibilities at Johnstone Bay.

If you like, end the day with a bonfire on the beach, sharing tales of your wilderness adventures.

About the Lodge

Jordan came to Alaska to ski and explore the mountains. But it was a Jet Ski trip from Valdez to Cordova that sparked his interest in coastal Alaska and surfing locations around the state. A similar trip led him to Johnstone Bay, whose beauty absolutely blew him away. In 2013, he acquired the property the lodge now sits on, cleared it, laid the groundwork, and brought building materials over on a 100-foot landing craft built for the open ocean. He spent parts of 2015 and 2016 building a chalet, then built the two additional chalets in 2017. The result is a true labor of love, and an experience that reflects the can-do attitude that personifies Alaska.