Top 8 Wilderness Lodges in Alaska for Adventure Seekers

1. Introduction

These Alaska lodges offer a deeper connection to nature along with a sense of adventure — and a touch of luxury.

2. The Allure of Alaska’s Wilderness

The wilderness of Alaska has long captured the imagination of adventurers — and for good reason. With over 650,000 square miles of land and roughly 700,000 residents, there are great swaths of the state that few humans have explored.

One of the best ways to really experience the Alaska of your dreams is to stay at a backcountry lodge. These far-flung locales invite travelers to immerse themselves in a truly unique Alaskan experience. Despite usually being out of cell phone reception, you won’t exactly be roughing it — these destinations combine unforgettable adventures with luxurious comfort. Here are some of our favorite Alaska wilderness lodges.

3. Salmon Falls Resort

Sitting in the midst of Tongass National Forest in Alaska’s famed Inside Passage, adventure is literally at the doorstep of Salmon Falls Resort. Originally constructed in 1986 for fishing enthusiasts, the resort now offers a wider range of activities, including flightseeing, kayaking tours, shrimping, hiking trips, and excursions to downtown Ketchikan. Guests can also enjoy salmon roe and wine pairings, wildlife-watching excursions featuring humpback and orca whales, seals, eagles, and sea lions, cruises via zodiac, and bear-watching expeditions.

4. Ultima Thule

It’s fitting that Ultima Thule translates to “a distant or unknown region,” considering its location in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve. At 13.2 million acres, the park is the largest in the U.S. and offers unparalleled opportunities for exploration. Ultima Thule facilitates adventure by providing guests with a pilot and a bush plane to maximize their experience. Daily activities might include picnicking on the largest non-polar glacier in the world, packrafting in an alpine lake, or exploring abandoned gold mines and remote mountains. Meals are served in the main lodge, featuring locally harvested salmon and wild game, as well as vegetables from the lodge’s greenhouse.

5. Eleven Winterlake Lodge

If you’re craving a meaningful immersion into some of Alaska’s most remote lands, this is the destination for you. Located over 100 miles from the nearest road, Eleven Winterlake Lodge was initially a simple trapper’s cabin on the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Now, it’s a lush retreat where daily itineraries are personalized for each guest, offering activities such as helicopter rides, glacier treks, and river rafting adventures. Each guest stays in one of Winterlake’s six hand-crafted cabins and enjoys incredible meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

6. Tordrillo Mountain Lodge

While Tordrillo Mountain Lodge is famous for its exceptional winter program, including heli-skiing and snowboarding in perfect powder on untouched mountains, it also serves as a luxurious year-round base camp just 40 minutes from Anchorage. Summer activities include whitewater rafting, alpine hikes, Via Ferrata climbing, and heli-biking. After a day of adventure, guests can indulge in the lodge’s impressive wine cellar, dine lakeside, and unwind in the copper hot tub.

7. Talon Lodge

At Talon Lodge, near Sitka, fishers can choose between saltwater and freshwater fishing. Anglers can venture out into the open ocean for king or silver salmon and halibut or explore quiet streams in pursuit of rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, and more. For non-fishing enthusiasts, the 13-room lodge also offers ATV trips, kayaking, hiking, and whale watching. After your day of adventuring, guests can enjoy communal meals prepared by visiting chefs and local craft beers at the beachfront bar.

8. Tutka Bay Lodge

For travelers seeking a balance between adventure and relaxation, Tutka Bay is the ideal destination. Adventurous guests can engage in halibut fishing, bear viewing, or glacier trekking, while those preferring leisure can explore tide pools, practice yoga on the expansive deck, join daily wine and beer tastings, or participate in a three-course cooking class in a retired crabbing boat with celebrated Alaskan chefs.

9. Tikchik Narrows Lodge

Few travelers venture far north in Alaska, making Tikchik Narrows Lodge a hidden gem. Located in one of the rugged regions of the state, it is accessible only by seaplane from Dillingham in southwestern Alaska. The lodge is perfectly situated for sportfishing, with all five species of Alaska salmon and seven species of freshwater fish available. It features a large communal area with a natural stone fireplace and a circular dining room suspended above the lake, offering breathtaking views and endless summer sunsets.

10. Sheldon Chalet

Sheldon Chalet is considered one of the hardest-to-reach lodges in the world. Situated just 10 miles from the summit of Denali, the only access is via bush plane or helicopter. Founded by the children of an adventurer, this opulent, all-inclusive five-bedroom lodge starkly contrasts the wild, frozen landscape it occupies. Each room offers cozy amenities like faux-fur blankets, crackling fireplaces, and slippery comfort. Adventurous activities include spelunking in snow caverns, snowshoe glacier trekking, and gourmet picnics. In winter, guests may be fortunate enough to witness the ethereal northern lights, with front-row views guaranteed.