Don’t just visit Alaska’s Brooks Range, EXPERIENCE IT.
The stunning views from Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge are but a small part of the Brooks Range. We are proud to offer additional fly-out Adventures in combination with your stay.
Float a river, flight-see over the Kobuk Valley National Park Sand Dunes or the Arrigetch Peaks in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Have a picnic in the middle of a caribou migration or walk the shores of a secluded lake, then return to Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge or the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness Cabins in time for dinner. Our adventures range from a few hours of flight-seeing to an entire day spent river rafting or wildlife viewing.
We also offer dog sledding tours during our “springtime,” late February to early April, when the snow is deep, the aurora dances overhead, and your own dog team stretches out in front of you.
Our all-inclusive tours reflect the choices most often made by our guests over the years and are based on a minimum of 2 people. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, simply email or give us a call. We have no minimum stay and are happy to provide custom quotations for small and large groups.
We believe a wilderness lodge should be remote, the food should be exceptional, and the experience should be unforgettable.
NATIONAL PARK ADVENTURES
Immerse yourself in Alaskan experiences by combining a stay at Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge with a visit to one of our privately owned wilderness cabins in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Relax on the porch of the Caribou Cabin and watch the Western Arctic Caribou Herd migrating through the blazing fall colors in August or float the Alatna River to our Arrigetch Peaks Wilderness Cabin.
Our National Park vacation destinations are for adventurous, independent travelers who want to experience Alaska’s wilderness knowing a warm cabin and a hot meal are at the end of each day’s hiking, float trip, or sled dog expedition.
FLIGHTSEEING
Alaska is big, real big, and our part of Alaska does not have any roads, so unless you have the entire summer to spend walking we recommend flight seeing. There is nothing quite like the throaty hum of an Alaskan Bush plane as it takes you across the wilderness at about 100 miles an hour. We offer flight-seeing trips into vast wilderness to have a picnic lunch with some of the local wildlife on a secluded lake or river of your choice.
If you are interested in adding the Kobuk Valley and Gates of the Arctic to your National Parks Passport stamps we can arrange an itinerary to both locations during your stay.
HIKING & WILDLIFE VIEWING
Latitude rather than altitude makes the difference in the Brooks Range where a few thousand feet can bring huge temperature differentials and changes in weather. Hiking at the Arrigetch Peaks cabin in Gates of the Arctic National Park starts at about 1,000 feet (300m) above sea level and tops out at 7,000 feet (2100m) for some of the most rewarding hiking in the range. The lowlands are heavily forested with few trails.
The Caribou Cabin, on the Continental Divide, sits atop the range at 3,000 feet (900m) above sea level, but the surrounding peaks are only 2,000 feet (600m) above. Hiking here is all above tree line, so the views are endless and the hardest part is deciding when to return home to the cabin. Share the mountain tops with caribou and Dall sheep.
Whatever your hiking interests and fitness level, the Brooks Range has something to offer and it’s our pleasure to help you discover it. Your safety and comfort are important to us and our guides will be with you every step of the way.
WINTER AURORA & DOG SLEDDING
Chances are you’ve never been on a dog sled before so we’ll teach you the commands, how to drive a team, set a snow hook, and the importance of hanging on. We have taught ages 5 to 85 to mush on custom built sleds made in Alaska. A guide will be with you the entire time, out front, in control, and there to talk you through the process.
The mushing season is short in the Brooks Range. We only offer tours February 20- April 10, when the days are long and the snow conditions are perfect. Our bookings are exclusive, you get the entire lodge for the duration of your stay for a totally private and immersive experience.
Depending on your itinerary, 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, we know what it takes to have a good time.
EXPLORE our adventure portfolios…
Situated at the north end of a lake five miles long and a mile wide, Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is overlooked by 4,000 foot (1200m) peaks which mark the onset of the southern Brooks Range and provide a stunning backdrop to our secluded location. The beautiful sand and gravel beaches along Iniakuk Lake are perfect for an early morning stroll or shore lunch later in the day. We have a small fleet of canoes for exploring the local coves and inlets, or pick out a scenic ridge and spend the day hiking.
