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Kenai Fjords Tours runs a daily cruise to the National Park from the port of Seward |
If your clients are looking for a true Alaskan nature experience, nothing can compare to a wilderness lodge. These hideaways may be tucked away on a glacial lake or nestled at the base of a snow-capped peak—or both. It’s the perfect opportunity for clients to see wildlife as they hike and fish—or just relax—surrounded by quiet and solitude.
Don’t mistake “wilderness lodge” for “primitive”—some of these inns offer the most luxurious accommodations in Alaska, complete with gourmet cuisine and expert guides. Of course, this unique experience isn’t exactly a bargain: prices can range between $300 and $800 per night, and significantly more if the lodge is only accessible by plane.
But for many, the rewards far outweigh the cost. Staying at a wilderness lodge is one of Alaska’s most authentic—and memorable—experiences. One of Alaska’s great wilderness locales is just three hours from Anchorage: Kenai Fjords National Park has almost every type of ecosystem in the state and the park is home to some of the most pristine glacial vistas in North America.
Into the Wild
Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge offers a unique remote island experience in the vast expanse of Resurrection Bay, near Kenai Fjords National Park. Located on a privately owned parcel of land on Fox Island, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is nestled in the woods between the oceanside pebble beach and a quiet island freshwater lagoon.
The property has eight guest cabins on the narrow peninsula just south of its Day Lodge. Four of these—two facing the freshwater lagoon and two facing Resurrection Bay—are housed in one building. The other four have been built as duplexes, with water views.
At the Day Lodge, guests dine on an all-you-can-eat prime rib and wild Alaska salmon meal and listen to a National Park Ranger talk about Resurrection Bay and the National Park.
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Pedersen Lagoon in Kenai Fjords National Park |
Unlike many remote wilderness lodges in Alaska that can only be accessed by plane, the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge is easily reached via a 45-minute cruise from the port of Seward. The cruise is provided by Kenai Fjords Tours, departing daily at 12 noon.
Agents should contact Reservations Manager Jessica Edwin (907-777-2800, [email protected]) or Dee Dee Kay (907-777-2829, [email protected]), sales manager, lodge division.
In the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park is the recently opened Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge (www.kenaifjordsglacierlodge.com), operated by tour operator Alaska Wildland Adventures (AWA). It is the first and only lodge inside the park.
The lodge and guest cabins reside within the Native-owned, 1,700-acre Pedersen Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary. AWA collaborated with Port Graham Native Corporation to develop the area. Built with careful consideration for the environment, guest capacity is limited to 16 cabins and is accessible by boat from nearby Seward. It is secluded, with easy access to wilderness.
Guests of Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge can expect comfortable cabins with private baths and can choose from a range of activities, including guided hiking, sea kayaking, photography and glacier and wildlife viewing. Guests can also find plenty of “me time” perusing the natural history library, beachcombing or relaxing on the lodge deck. In the evening, the main lodge serves as a dining room and lounge, with stunning views of Pedersen Glacier.
Guest education is also a component of the lodge experience. Visitors have the opportunity to take part in local natural and cultural history programs with one of AWA’s onsite naturalists.
Agents should contact Sales Manager Ross Silkman at 907-783-2928.
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Cabins at Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge provide simple comfort for nature lovers |