The 7 Most Remote, Epic, & Otherworldly Wilderness Lodges in Alaska: Rugged Luxury
Alaska has a growing number of wilderness lodges popping up throughout the state. Some stand out more than others, though. Here’s a list of the most remote, most epic, most rugged, most wild accommodations in Alaska. You’ll probably be surprised by the list.
Here at Indigo Alpine Guides we’ve started running a number of custom trips called Rugged Luxury. We start with a basecamp hiking adventure and then fly to one of these lodges. You get the rugged and real experience of remote camping and hiking in the Alaska backcountry followed by the beautiful experience of having a warm soft bed, a hot shower, and a four course meal still surrounded by massive beauty. Reach out if you’re interested in a custom Rugged Luxury adventure. In general these trips are booking 1 - 2 years in advance.
I
Ultima Thule Lodge
Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Ultima Thule is for people who want to experience the real (hyper-luxury) Alaska. People who are craving wild places and raw experiences. To escape, for a moment into nature and come away with memories that will last a lifetime.
It is for travelers who are looking for authentic experiences and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and feet wet. Adventurers who want to be left in awe of nature and can appreciate the value of a place where the mountains are still without names.
The real reason Ultima Thule comes in first is because of their epic excursions. From that beautiful cozy base you’ll have personal pilots to take you all over one of the coolest mountain ranges on earth. If you want to have an epic fancy lunch by a glacier or a rugged 15 mile hike along a serpentine ridge line, their team can make it happen. This is one of the main lodges we use for Rugged Luxury trips. Basecamp in the Wrangells for 3-4 days and then get a bush plane bump to Ultima Thule where you’ll be met with a hot shower, soft bed, and five-star meals.
II
Sheldon Chalet
Ruth Gorge Ampithertre, Alaska Range, Denali National Park
An old private inholding right in the center of Denali National Park got transformed into one of the fanciest and swankiest remote wilderness lodges anywhere on earth.
Honestly, I feel pretty mixed about the Sheldon Chalet being built so recently in Denali National Park and the style of luxury it’s putting forward. Before the chalet there was just a cool small hut called the mountain house in one of the best climbing amphitheaters on earth. A very different vibe. Nonetheless, I can’t help but be in awe that such a place exists.
III
Iniakuk Lake Lodge
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Wilderness lodges in Alaska come in different flavors. Some are aiming for white glove luxury (Sheldon Chalet) while others are aiming to give you an incredible experience while still staying true to the rough and wild roots of Alaska. Iniakuk falls in the second category. A beautiful lodge in an unbelievably remote range gives access to incredible wild and stunning beauty all while getting to return back to a home-cooked meal and cozy vibe.
The Brooks Range is a special place. Huge open expanses of terrain, super jagged rock spires, massive grizzlies, and a certain arctic hum that is impossible to put into words. We run most of our trips up there because it’s become our favorite spot in Alaska. This is one of the main spots we run our rugged luxury basecamp hiking trips. Basecamp in the Brooks Range and then finish off with 3 - 4 days at Iniakuk Lake Lodge.
IV
Tordrillo Mountain Lodge
Tordrillo Mountains
An incredible lodge regardless of the season. Epic skiing in winter. Epic hiking, mountain biking, fishing, in the summer and really whatever the weather will allow in the shoulder seasons. If Sheldon Chalet is glitz and glam and Gucci, and Iniakuk is the coziest, warmest, friendliest but also most expensive mom and pop Bnb you’ve ever seen, then Todrillo a mix of Surfer culture and Hollywood come to Alaska.
One of the newest lodges on the list, this place is modern style. It also has one of largest capacities of any of the lodges here, so expect to have company unless you intend to book out the entire place.
V
Windsong Wilderness Retreat
Twin Lakes, Lake Clark National Park
This place is epic. A beautiful wilderness lodge on one of the prettiest lakes in Alaska. More relaxed and downtempo than most of the other lodges on this list. Be prepared to relax and create your own adventure. Take out the motor boat to visit Dick Proeneke’s Cabin, play cards, cook delicious meals, relax in the sauna and swim in the lake.
This place is the perfect end to our Telaquana to Twin Traverse. Unlike almost all the other lodges here, you can end that epic backpacking trip by walking right to the lodge.
VI
Tebay Lodge
Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Tebay lodge is a sister lodge to Ultima Thule. It’s mostly used in winter to access some of the best backcountry skiing in the world. Joining one of their plane-assisted ski weeks with Pacific Alpine Guides should be on every devout backcountry skier’s bucket list. But in the summer it’s one of the most off the beaten path lodges in Alaska. In the summer, you’ll have the lodge all to yourself to soak in the epic views and incredible fishing in the Tebay Lakes zone.
Tebay Lakes lodge makes an incredible end to any Wrangells Trip. But in particular, it’s an epic end to the Seven Pass route or Iceberg Lake to Bremner Mines trip.
VII
Pigot Bay Cabin
Pigot Bay, Prince William Sound
I’m a little hesitant to add this one to the list because it’s so darn special. But in truth, the secret is already out. You can have a similar experience to the other lodges on this list but for literally 1/130th of the cost. Pigot Bay is a public use cabin overseen by the Tongasss National Forest. If you can somehow manage to get a reservation, it’s the best deal on this list by a mile.
Access the cabin by kayak, water taxi, or your own vessel. In the winter, base out of the cabin for some pretty sweet backcountry skiing out the back.
IN CONCLUSION…
Want to plan a trip that combines the authentic ruggedness of camping in the Alaskan wild with the creature-comfort luxury of a wilderness lodge? Reach out and we can provide some ideas or get to brainstorming.
Didn’t see anything inspiring? I’m surprised, but, not to worry, there’s lot’s more options. Check out our friends over at Fly Out Alaska. They’re the real experts on the Alaska Wilderness Lodge Scene.
Happy exploring,
Jack and the IAG Fam.