Tonglen Lake Lodge

If you’re looking for elegance Alaska-style, you’ve found it. Tonglen Lake Lodge is an exclusive lakeside oasis with hideaway cabins that feels like a fly-in resort, but is easily accessible by car and only seven miles south of the entrance to Denali National Park. Along with tranquility, you’ll find an art gallery, an artisan bakery, a lake view restaurant, and a spacious lawn with a campfire circle, swings, and even an outdoor performance stage. The two-story, hand-scribed central log lodge is itself a gallery radiating with artistic touches — handcrafted log furniture, stained-glass accents, pottery, paintings, and sculpture. There’s nothing else like it, comfortable and intimate, with a lovely view of the Alaska Range.

Artistic Living

Owner Donna Gates welcomes you to her homestead. She came to Denali in 1980 to work a summer job as a backcountry ranger, stayed the winter to run sled dogs, and never left. In its previous life, the property was a hunting camp with an eight-by-eight plywood shack and a trail heading up into the rugged Yanert River country. Donna has lived on this land for 40 years, and her love of the place has transformed it.

She raised her daughters here, and with them now grown, she was ready for a new adventure. An accomplished artist, she wanted to create something beautiful, something that would do justice to the land while incorporating all the things that were dear to her — friends, family, community, art. Talented friends and local artists and craftspeople helped turn her vision into reality, including her neighbor, Ken Wilbert, the man behind the log furnishings.

You’ll find Donna’s works in watercolor, oils, and pencil in the gallery, as well as the creations of other local artists, from pottery to metal works. With its emphasis on the arts, the lodge has an outdoor stage for performances where guests can relax on the lawn under the midnight sun. In addition to being enjoyed as the lodge restaurant, the great room above the Café provides a workshop space for the musicians, photographers, writers, and others who gather here to share their talents. There couldn’t be a more idyllic setting for a wedding — or a family reunion, conference or retreat. Guest can round out their days in Denali with a yoga class, evening nature hike on local trails, or an art walk of the property – all are available to guests at Tonglen Lake Lodge.

Luxury Log Cabins & Cozy Guest Rooms

Each of the lodge’s 11 log cabins comes with privacy, a cast-iron hearth, a king-size bed, a queen-size futon, and a bathroom with an oversized shower and heated floors. A short private path leads to the cabins, making each feel like a secluded hideaway.

There are two wings of the Guest House - perfect for a larger family, multigenerational party, or travelers looking for a bit more space. The north wing has three rooms, each with a king bed (two of these also have a ½ bath) and one private full bath off the main hallway. The south wing has two rooms, one with a queen and twin bed, and the other with two twin beds. There is also one private full bath off the main hallway.

Bathrooms are not shared between the two guest wings, but the two sitting rooms (one downstairs and one upstairs) are shared spaces. There is no summertime use of the kitchen or dining room.

Tonglen’s guests wont need to worry about the limited dining options in the area. Included in their stay is an artisan bakery breakfast— quiche, yogurt, homemade granola, fresh fruit, sandwiches and/or pastries—, to-go sack lunches, appetizers, snacks, and a three course dinner. A wide range of Alaskan Craft Beers, Alaskan Liquors and an extensive Wine list are available for purchase. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

Donna, who’s thought through every detail right down to the thread count of the sheets, is proud to say there’s not a single television set on the entire property. (There is, however, Wi-Fi.) But after spending time here, you may be tempted to wing that laptop into the lake