Yes! Avens is an authentic, remote, off-grid, historic lodge with fully plumbed en suite units where we generate our own electricity, heat, and water. The plumbing in the guest units runs mid-May to mid-September. During winter months, all our guests experience the Alaskan wilderness much as the first explorers did - but with much more comfort and convenience: Each cabin has its own sink/wash basin, soap, fresh linens, and pure Alaskan water from our underground spring in dispensers, along with clean, well-maintained outhouses nearby. There are also two clean, private washrooms with sink, toilet, and hot shower in our Wash Cabin which is open Memorial Day (late May) through Labor Day (early September) AND private washrooms with sink, toilet, and hot shower in the lodge year-round. Both the Wash Cabin and lodge are just steps away from the guest units and are regularly sanitized.

Because of our remote location (over 100 miles from the nearest small town) and to guarantee availability, we ask 14 days’ prepaid reservations if you would like to enjoy our dining experience. You can either call 907-259-7326 or email to make a reservation. We will do our best to accommodate short notice and dietary restriction requests. Don’t hesitate to give us a call! More details here: https://resnexus.com/resnexus/reservations/book/F2B4C2FB-0936-409D-BEC0-D69F11866B06/giftshop?tabID=3

Check in is from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.; check out is at 11:00 a.m. We are a very busy working family and need time each day to thoroughly clean the units and attend other chores that keep the place looking nice for you. We may be able to accommodate early check-ins or late check-outs with advance notice if our reservation schedule permits. Please inquire ahead of time.

During our high season (May to September) there are a few holidays with a two-night minimum: Memorial Day (late May), Independence Day (4th of July), and Labor Day (early September) weekends. During the low season, October to April: We are one of the only lodges in the park open year-round. Though we do not require minimum stays, we highly recommend staying at least two nights because of the sheer vastness of mountain country to explore and the travel time it takes to get here.

Most of our first-time guests say they wished they’d planned more than one-night’s stay, and many of our returning guests stay three or more nights so they have enough time to relax and soak in all that this remarkable place has to offer.

Our off-grid, national park location has satellite internet and most cell phones work with Voice-over-WIFI. There are no cell towers, telephone lines, or power poles to interrupt your view of the majestic mountains and valleys and no buried cable trenches to disturb the unique taiga-forest ground cover. We encourage our guests to come prepared to “unplug and reconnect” during their stay. At Avens, you can pause the nonstop notifications and endless emails demanding distraction and tune in to your own thoughts and experience this special place. Recharge your soul and return home refreshed.

Most units have a flat-screen TV with DVD player so you may enjoy a film from our large lending library, or stream from your device via satellite internet. We do have satellite internet available for guests who must stay connected and bring their own device (tablet, smartphone, etc.).

Cell service throughout Alaska is spotty and here, in North America’s largest national park, Verizon and affiliated cell carriers have the best voice and data service along the AK-1/Tok Cutoff Highway and Nabesna Road up to the wayside near mile 18, with limited voice and SMS reception at “Telephone Hill” near mile 24, above Long Lake. AT&T and affiliated customers report poor service along most of the highways as well as beyond mile 5 of the Nabesna Road.

Alaska weather is highly variable—it is not uncommon to experience all three seasons in one day. The lodge and cabins are at ~3,000 ft elevation and are surrounded by the Mentasta and Wrangell mountains. The climate here is typical of interior Alaska, though not as extreme (hot or cold) as the Fairbanks area, with bright sunny, moderately dry spring and summer (late February-early May & mid-May to early August); short, cool rainy autumn/hunting season (mid-August to late October); and snowy, dark, sub-subzero winters (November-February).

Our spring guests take advantage of the lengthening daylight and warming temps mid-February through early May—daytime highs typically 50s Fahrenheit, nighttime lows at or below freezing. It can snow a lot in the spring, which is great for snowmachining (what Alaskans call snowmobiling), cross-country skiing, fat-tire biking, and ice fishing. It has snowed here in June but is rare and usually melts the same day.

June through mid-August are mellow months with plenty of sunshine (approaches 20 hours at Solstice), warmer temperatures, and occasional rain. Daytime highs range from high 50sF to 70sF, nighttime lows 40sF to 50sF. Late August through October sees cooler, shorter days and longer nights for increased chance of sighting the Northern Lights and migrating caribou.

That depends on what you like to do. The tranquil area surrounding the lodge offers incredible scenery and outdoor opportunities year-round. For migratory bird watching, the spring and fall months are best (February-May and September-October) to catch sightings of swans, eagles, hawks, owls, ducks, and other life-listers. For hiking and exploring the area’s trails (Skookum Volcano, Rambler Mine, Caribou Creek), the best months are June through early September when creek levels tend to be lower. Fishermen are advised to bring light tackle for the Arctic grayling and lake trout commonly found in the area’s lakes and streams. The autumn colors begin making their appearance late August into September. For some of the earliest ice climbing of the year, guests come late October through early December. For backcountry/cross-country skiing, fat-tire biking, snowmachining, and ice fishing, February through April conditions are best, with many gorgeous bluebird days. The Northern Lights are typically sighted October through April, with the warmest night temperatures (for more comfortable viewing) in March and April. This is a spectacular and rewarding place, any time you choose to visit.

Our guest cabins and yurts have all the essentials for sleeping and bathing comfortably and preparing / cleaning up after your meals (fresh sheets, towels, soap, etc.). You’ll need to bring gear for your days afield: Comfortable, functional clothing appropriate to the season and activity. Layers and a good waterproof shell (rain jacket and pants) are good year-round for blocking the wind and water. Sturdy footwear (light hiking boots or trail shoes), good socks, a daypack, water bottle, camera, and bug repellent are a must if you plan to hit the summer trails. A head net can be helpful too, and is a lightweight, inexpensive defense against Alaska’s winged mascot (the mosquito). A hat, gloves, sunglasses, and binoculars also come in handy and are recommended for all seasons.

We often have extra bug and bear spray available at the lodge, though we recommend picking up some if you are in the bigger towns of Anchorage, Palmer - Wasilla, or Fairbanks.

Because of our remote off-grid location, we do not have guest laundry facilities available. There are laundry options in Chistochina—60 miles away toward Anchorage/Valdez, and Tok—110 miles away toward Fairbanks/Canadian border. We do not currently offer guest hair dryers due to their high energy use. Ice is available in the main lodge by request.

Copper Valley Air Service offers flightseeing tours as well as air taxi service for accessing the incredible backcountry glaciers, peaks, and rivers of the park: https://www.coppervalleyairservice.com/flights/flightseeing-tours

We work with an excellent hiking guide service; please let us know if you would like more information.

The nearest grocery and hardware stores are found in Tok (120 miles north) and Glennallen (120 miles west/SW), where the selection is smaller and the price often double than what can be found in Anchorage or Fairbanks. The nearest gasoline and diesel is at Posty’s Trading Post in Chistochina (60 miles away toward Anchorage/Denali Hwy/Valdez), or in Tok (120 miles away toward Fairbanks/Canada). We have a few various sundries on-site, but guests are advised to stock up on necessary supplies before heading out from the bigger cities.

We are a family operation with dogs on the property, and welcome children and well-behaved dogs (with pet fee). Parents and dog owners are expected to clean up after those in their care. We have portable Pack N Play cribs along with children’s books and DVDs to lend. We do not have a babysitting service.

The nearest post office is in Slana, 24 miles away near the AK-1 highway junction at Nabesna Road. The mail is delivered to the lodge Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Glennallen. You may leave mail with us and it will go out on the next mail day.