Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge

Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is an exclusive fly-in luxury wilderness lodge 220 miles (350 km) north of Fairbanks in Alaska’s Brooks Range. They offer comfort, quality and solitude 60 miles (100 km) north of the Arctic Circle on the edge of Gates of the Arctic National Park. The main lodge is 100% solar powered providing 24-hour electricity, running water and a wide range of amenities that are unmatched in Alaska’s Far North.

Unique Features: Built it by hand, one local log at a time, they extend that personal treatment to the care of all guests. Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is the only luxury wilderness lodge offering privately-owned accommodations within the Gates of the Arctic National Park. These vacation destinations are for adventurous, independent travelers. They provide a guide for every group at any fitness level and adjust all services to suit individual needs.

Accommodations: The Main Lodge sits back a few hundred feet from Iniakuk Lake and contains the dining hall, kitchen and three bedrooms on the second floor. Nearby is a bath house with modern showers and endless hot water. An additional two-bedroom guest suite with attached bath sits at the waters edge of Iniakuk Lake, just a few hundred feet from the main lodge. The upstairs lounge and fireplace provide a panoramic view of Iniakuk Lake and the Brooks Range, the perfect spot to contemplate the day’s activities. They only book one group at a time. Whether you are two people on a honeymoon or a family reunion, you get the entire lodge to yourself.

As Suite As It Gets: When money is no object, go for the Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness cabin which could have starred in “Jeremiah Johnson” with Robert Redford. It is surrounded by 5,000 foot (1500m) peaks with views of 7,000 (2100m) and 8,000 foot (2400m) peaks just a few miles away. It is a perfect destination for a couple or family of four. The murmuring of the Alatna River will lull you to sleep as a fire crackles in the wood stove. There are no indoor plumbing facilities, a nice privy is out back and wash water is heated in the cabin.

Dining: A day’s hiking starts with a big breakfast, hot coffee and fresh, homemade bread. No freeze-dried food at this table. Dinners and desserts are selected by Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge and customized to accompany each trip. Fresh baked sourdough breads, pastries and decadent desserts accompany wild Alaskan salmon at the dining table and the salad greens are grown on site.

Activities: You can spend your days cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding, and your nights chasing the Northern Lights, or you may choose to sit by the wood fire and enjoy the incredible peace and quiet of winter wilderness. Each trip is customized and after more than 40 years in the Brooks Range, they know what it takes to have a good time.

Spa & Fitness: Unfortunately, they do not have an on-site spa or fitness center, but with all of the amazing outdoor activities and fresh air though, you won’t need them. They suggest you hike, fish, photograph and repeat, the views and reflections of Iniakuk Lake are fantastic and the air is fresh and clear. There are no jet skis or airboats to interrupt the many ducks and loons that live on the lake.

Location: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is an American national park that protects portions of the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. The park is the northernmost national park in the United States, situated entirely north of the Arctic Circle. The park is the second largest in the U.S. at 8,472,506 acres (13,238 sq mi; 34,287 km2), slightly larger in area than Belgium.

Closest Airport: Your all-inclusive trip north begins in Fairbanks where a one-hour flight takes you to the Bush community of Bettles. In Bettles you will transfer to a floatplane for the 20-minute flight to Iniakuk Lake, a total journey of 225 miles. Your flights, meals, guides, fishing licenses, boats, gear, and food and all included.

Children’s Programs: No. They do not offer any supervised children’s programs.

Pet Friendly: No, unfortunately pets are not allowed.

Weddings: No, they don’t normally host weddings, although they may by special request.

Meetings: No, they don’t have the facilities to handle large business meetings or conferences.

Extra Info: Spend your days behind a dogsled crossing frozen ponds, winding along river valleys and between snow-laden stands of spruce trees. Come home each night to a modern log cabin, fabulous meals and a place to warm your feet by the fire as the northern lights erupt in a dazzling display.

www.gofarnorth.com