Alaska's Best Roadside Adventure Lodges
Far away from the tourist traps...
Looking for high quality, high value lodging that isn't overrun by tour buses--but don't want to spend what it takes to get to fly-in wilderness lodges? Rent a car, drive our scenic highways, and stay at these roadside lodges. They're on the way to, or near our top attractions and national parks. Yet you'll get a more intimate, authentic experience of Alaska, because they're small and personal. Think of them as similar to small inns in the Lower 48, with one big difference: you'll enjoy Alaska-sized views and activities.
Not all roadside lodges are created equal. We've collected our favorites around the state: you can count on a clean, comfortable room, courteous service, friendly staff, quality food, and exciting nearby activities. The map below shows all the locations you can choose from.
Depending on where you stay, you can cast a line for salmon at a nearby fishing stream. Float or paddle down glacial rivers on a guided rafting trip. Ask the lodge to arrange a flightseeing or bear viewing tour into the wilderness. Discover gorgeous landscapes on nearby hiking trails. Saddle up for a horseback ride into the Alaskan wilderness. Take a guided trek on a nearby glacier using crampons and an ice axe. Go canoeing, dogsledding, gold panning, and more.
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Roadside Adventure Lodges
Discover cozy cabins, great food, and big Alaskan adventures at this intimate lodge that sits on the edge of the wilderness yet is super-accessible from Anchorage. It lies tucked in at the back of the Knik River Valley and at the end of Knik River Road, where Alaska’s real wilderness opens up, with mountain and river views — but without a flight or long drive. It’s the perfect place to escape for a few days, with lots of activities available from ...more
Alaska Heavenly Lodge offers the best of both worlds: all the seclusion and luxury normally associated with fly-in lodges, as well as the affordability and convenience of being on the road system. Built in 1974, Alaska Heavenly Lodge is made up of three hand-hewn log cabins. The Main Lodge features a full kitchen, a 16-person dining room table, a comfy sitting area with a wood-burning fireplace, a loft library, and a deck overlooking the Kenai ...more
Alaskan adventures and great lodging await at the Great Alaskan Adventure Lodge. This all-inclusive experience lets you drive or fly in to the property, which sits on 25 acres at the confluence of two rivers. An old homestead with cabins and luxury tent options, the lodge makes for a comfortable stay. You’ll also find an array of adventures — everything from great fishing to glacier cruising. The owners have been perfecting their itineraries for ...more
Look out your window to the junction of the Klutina and Copper Rivers, 200 acres of wilderness, and the park’s awe-inspiring mountains.
Just 2.5 Hours from Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway, The Lodge at Black Rapids is an undiscovered gem.The peaks of the Alaska Range, trout-filled lakes, swift rivers, and alpine tundra surround the lodge, which is named for the Black Rapids glacier. The owners built the Lodge over nearly 10 years, designing it to fit into the landscape. There are six rooms in addition to the bunkhouse, with queen beds and private baths. Large windows ...more
The Alaskan Kennicott Glacier Lodge is a replica of one of the historic copper-mining buildings. It’s a luxurious property that sits in the heart of the ghost town and the center of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, surrounded by spruce and mountains. Curl up by the fireplace with a book, enjoy the home-cooked meals, and linger with a glass of wine on the deck that nearly juts out over the Kennicott Glacier. Choose from either the ...more
Live off-the-grid, Alaska-style, at this family-run bed-and-breakfast lodge off the Denali Highway, in the heart of Alaska. Camp or stay in a lodge room and indulge in the natural beauty surrounding you.
Located seven miles from the park entrance, the comfortable accommodations at Denali Park Village are far enough from the park’s hustle and bustle that you can focus on Alaska’s natural treasures.
Want to find out where Alaskans take their visitors? Visit McCarthy Lodge and the Ma Johnson Hotel for an experience National Geographic calls “authentic, sustainable, memorable.” McCarthy offers small-town charm nestled among spectacular glaciers and mountains – in a national park twice the size of Denali. Equally impressive is that it is the only accommodation and restaurant recommended by Michelin Guide for the McCarthy-Kennicott area. It’s ...more
Looking for an intimate and accessible getaway with an authentic Alaskan feel? Alaska Wildland Adventure’s Kenai Riverside Lodge will fit the bill, with just 16 cabins set on the Kenai River, surrounded by 3,000-foot snow-capped mountains. This easy-access riverside lodge has a remote feel, but is still right on the road system. Meals are served family-style, creating a more intimate experience, and allowing you to mingle with fellow guests and ...more
An exclusive lakeside oasis with hideaway cabins accessible by car and only 7 miles south of Denali National Park entrance. In addition to luxurious accommodations, you can enjoy the art gallery, artisan bakery, and spacious lawn with a campfire circle and a lovely view of the Alaska Range.
This private lodging business may be the ultimate way for independent travelers to stay in the famously just-off-the-grid McCarthy. They’re located just before the footbridge leading into town, so you can park your car right by your private guest house —without the hassle of parking and having your stuff schlepped over the bridge. A favorite among locals and visitors alike, the modern guest houses have great views of the Wrangell St. Elias ...more
This 86-room lodge not only has endless views over a vast valley, but it also sits on the banks of the Kenai River, which teems with fish. With vaulted ceilings made of naturally finished wood, cozy sitting areas with wood-burning stoves and private porches, it’s easy to feel like the whole place is yours. The area is famous for its fishing, but you also have easy access to Kenai Fjords National Park, a wild land filled with glaciers, marine ...more