Know Before You Go: Alaska Adventures

Exclusive Wilderness Lodges

Wilderness lodges offer remote access to some of Alaska’s most pristine landscapes. These all-inclusive stays often require bush plane access and provide immersive nature experiences, excellent meals and expert guides. Many are in prime wildlife viewing areas, such as Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp in Lake Clark National Park. 

What sets Alaska’s exclusive wilderness lodges apart is their total immersion in the wild. Often surrounded by tundra, glaciers or coastal meadows, these secluded retreats offer front-row seats to brown bears, moose, whales or caribou—sometimes right outside your cabin window. With no roads for miles, the only sounds are wind through spruce trees or loons calling over a still lake. Guests trade screens and traffic for stargazing, quietude and guided wildlife adventures led by expert naturalists. These lodges deliver an unmatched sense of place, ideal for travelers who value solitude, scenery and meaningful connection with the land. 

Highlights of Alaska wilderness lodges include: 

• Secluded locations far from crowds 

• On-site naturalist guides and wildlife tours 

• Gourmet meals and comfortable accommodations 

These lodges cater to travelers seeking immersive Alaska nature and wildlife adventures, often with fly-in-only access and small guest numbers. 
 

Rustic and Mid-Range Accommodations

Across gateway towns and park entrances, travelers can find simple lodges, family-run inns and mid-range hotels. These provide comfort and convenience without the cost or logistics of remote lodges. Rustic and mid-range Alaska accommodations offer easy access to parks and wildlife tours without sacrificing amenities. While they may not offer the seclusion of fly-in wilderness camps, many feature locally inspired decor, hearty meals and knowledgeable staff with deep regional roots. Rooms are typically cozy and practical, and some properties include on-site tour operators or shuttle services to nearby attractions. These stays are ideal for travelers who prefer a road-accessible base from which to explore Alaska’s landscapes. You’ll find these options in: 

• Denali’s park entrance area 

• Kenai Peninsula towns like Seward and Homer 

• Wrangell-St. Elias gateway communities 

They’re ideal for road trips and guided Alaska wildlife tours based in more developed regions. 
 

City Stays – Anchorage, Juneau & Fairbanks

Alaska’s cities serve as essential hubs for flights, gear rental and trip prep. While often used for a night before or after wilderness travel, each city offers its own blend of culture, nature access and practical convenience—including a wide range of accommodations. You’ll find everything from major hotel chains and family-run B&Bs to boutique inns, hostels and independent motels. These urban stays provide flexible options for all budgets and travel styles. 

Anchorage 
Alaska’s largest city and the state’s primary air gateway, Anchorage is a common launch point for adventures into Denali, Katmai and Lake Clark. Set between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, it also offers access to local hiking, biking and wildlife viewing along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. 

Juneau 
The state capital and a major Inside Passage cruise port, Juneau blends dramatic scenery with cultural stops like the Alaska State Museum. A jumping-off point for Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord, it’s only accessible by boat or plane. 

Fairbanks 
This interior city is popular for northern lights trips, Arctic expeditions and river-based wildlife tours. Visitors can explore gold rush history, soak in nearby hot springs or venture north toward the Dalton Highway and Brooks Range. 
 

Camping in Alaska – What to Know

Camping offers access to wild places with the flexibility to explore on your own terms. Alaska has public campgrounds, backcountry options and privately owned campgrounds—each requiring planning and gear suited to remote, rugged conditions. 

Camping in bear country comes with serious responsibilities. Always follow regional regulations and practical safety measures: store all scented items in bear-proof containers, never cook or store food near your tent and dispose of waste properly. Use established bear lockers when available, and carry bear spray in accessible reach. Familiarize yourself with protocols from land managers like the National Park Service, Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. 

Know the difference between frontcountry and backcountry camping. Developed campgrounds offer established pads, fire rings, pit toilets and sometimes bear lockers—though many are still very remote. Dispersed camping, allowed in some areas, means no services and minimal impact camping only. Backcountry camping typically requires a permit and route planning, with extra precautions in place due to isolation and wildlife. 

Always follow Leave No Trace principles to protect Alaska’s pristine wilderness. Minimize campsite impact, pack out all trash and be respectful of wildlife habitats and waterways. 

Essential gear for Alaska wilderness camping: 

• Four-season tent with ground tarp 

• Insulated sleeping bag (rated to 20°F or lower) 

• Waterproof layers, wool socks, gloves and warm hat 

• Bear-safe food storage (bear canister or locker) 

• Cooking stove and fuel, as open fires may be prohibited 

Know your surroundings and be bear-aware. Camp only in designated zones and follow all Leave No Trace principles. 

How to Choose the Right Option for Your Alaska Wildlife Trip

Your accommodations in Alaska should match your goals, comfort level and destination. Wilderness lodges are ideal for intimate wildlife viewing with expert guidance. Mid-range hotels and inns work well for travelers using road access or Alaska Railroad routes. Camping suits the self-reliant and adventurous. 
 
Ask yourself: 

• Do I want expert-guided wildlife encounters? 

• Am I comfortable flying on a bush plane? 

• Am I prepared for unpredictable weather and rustic settings? 
   

When in doubt, guided tours with included accommodations can simplify planning while enhancing your Alaska national parks experience. 

Accommodation FAQs

What’s the best wilderness lodge in Alaska?

The best wilderness lodges in Alaska are fly-in retreats in places like Katmai and Lake Clark, where remote settings offer exclusive wildlife access and solitude. 

These lodges place you far from the road system, in some of the most pristine landscapes in North America. While many are exceptional, Nat Hab’s fly-in properties offer small group intimacy, expert guides and unparalleled proximity to bears, moose, caribou and more. Whether you’re waking up to the sound of salmon splashing in a wild river or photographing bears from your front porch, these lodges are designed for immersive nature experiences. 

Top wilderness lodges offer: 

• Fly-in access to remote national parks 

• Exclusive bear-viewing opportunities 

• Small guest capacity for a personal feel 

• Expert naturalist guides 

• Cozy, off-grid cabins or lodges 

Does Natural Habitat Adventures own any lodging in Alaska?

Yes—Nat Hab owns and operates Alaska Bear Camp, a private fly-in lodge bordering Lake Clark National Park. 

This eco-conscious camp, perched above the beach where coastal brown bears forage for clams and salmon, offers unmatched wildlife access. It’s built for low-impact travel and high-impact memories, combining comfort, sustainability and expert-led exploration.  

Alaska Bear Camp Highlights: 

• Private location accessible only by bush plane 

• Coastal brown bear encounters right outside your door 

• Heated cabins with beds, ensuite toilets and wood stoves 

• Naturalist guides and small group sizes 

• Walk-in bear viewing from camp boardwalks 

Can I camp safely in bear country?

Yes—camping in bear country is safe when you follow strict safety practices and remain alert. Bears typically avoid people, but improper food storage or careless behavior can lead to dangerous situations. Backcountry sites in Alaska often provide bear-proof lockers, and campers are strongly advised to cook far from tents, never store food inside shelters and keep camps clean at all times. Bear safety essentials for camping: 

• Use bear-proof containers or lockers for food and trash 

• Cook and eat at least 100 yards from your tent 

• Keep scented items (toothpaste, deodorant) away from sleeping areas 

• Travel in groups and make noise when hiking 

• Carry bear spray and know how to use it 

Are hotels in Alaska expensive?

Alaska hotel prices vary widely, with remote lodges costing more than in-town accommodations due to their location and logistics. 

In Anchorage, Fairbanks or Juneau, mid-range hotels are comparable to U.S. cities, but once you venture into national parks or off-road locations, expect higher prices. Fly-in wilderness lodges include meals, guides and excursions, so they offer good value despite the upfront cost. Booking early is key—especially in peak summer. 

Factors that affect hotel rates in Alaska: 

• Proximity to airports, highways or towns 

• Season—summer (June–August) is highest 

• Amenities included (meals, guides, transfers) 

• Access—lodges that require charter flights are pricier 

• Room style—from rustic inns to luxury lodges 

What are Nat Hab's accommodations like?

With Nat Hab, you’ll stay in select lodges and some of Botswana’s most exclusive safari camps, located on private conservancies in remote wilderness areas. These camps are strategically placed for unmatched access to wildlife and unspoiled natural beauty. They are locally staffed, offering warm, knowledgeable hospitality and a deeper connection to the people and places that make Botswana so extraordinary.

Can I stay inside Denali or Katmai national parks? 

Yes—select lodges and camps offer rare overnight stays inside Denali and Katmai, including Nat Hab’s private properties. 

Nat Hab guests stay at a remote backcountry lodge in Denali with helicopter access, surrounded by vast tundra and prime wildlife habitat. In Katmai, travelers enjoy coveted fly-in lodging at Brooks Falls or stay aboard the M/V Natural Habitat Ursus, a private expedition ship stationed near bear-rich coastal meadows. These exclusive accommodations offer a deeper immersion in Alaska’s wildest parks, with the rare opportunity to bypass daytime crowds and experience nighttime solitude in otherwise restricted areas. 

Lodging options inside Denali and Katmai include: 

• Helicopter-access lodge in Denali’s backcountry 

• M/V Ursus—private ship for coastal bear viewing in Katmai 

• Cabins near Brooks Falls in Katmai