Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, air charters adhere very close to weight restrictions of 50 pounds of luggage per person. Often, a bag can be left behind at the air service. Soft sided bags are much better then hard suitcase to load in the plane. We do offer laundry service.

It is best to come in layered clothing. The temperature ranges from 40 to 70 degrees with varied and sudden weather changes. It is important to bring warm gear to include a hat, gloves, and waterproof outer layers, both top and bottom. We provide waterproof boots. Slippers for inside the main lodge, sunglasses, medications, camera gear and chargers.

Although I-phones can capture some great memories, a telephoto of at least 300mm allows for great photo opportunities. The ideal lens is a zoom 100-400 as often we are in close proximity to the bears. It’s important to bring extra memory cards, batteries, and perhaps a backup camera. The area is very scenic, and a medium focal length and a wide angle would be great to have. We also highly recommend that you have rain gear for your equipment. You may want to opt for a monopod instead of a tripod, as they will prove easier to get in and out of the vehicle as well as faster to setup for the shot.

Your plane usually leaves town at 9 AM. You are taken to the lodge by ATV, shown your room, given a short safety orientation then taken into the field until a lunch. After lunch you are transported back into the field by your guide to view bears, then returned to the lodge for dinner. Depending on weather and your interests, we can continue with bear viewing until the 10 PM curfew per national park regulations. The next morning there is a short window for bear viewing following breakfast at 8 AM, until your departure at approximately 9:30-10 AM.

We have chartered flights coming from Anchorage or Soldotna on a regular basis. Anchorage flights are based on availability of planes and will be determined at the time of the reservation.

We have mosquitoes, no-see-ums, white sox, gnats and horse flies. We encourage guests that are sensitive to bring head nets. We will have insect repellant on hand for guests to use.

Cell phone service is intermittent. AT&T and Verizon services seems to work best at the lodge.

Yes, but we have very limited bandwidth. While visiting the lodge, we kindly ask visitors to avoid using social media, downloading, streaming videos, music, online radio and file sharing.

Due to the remoteness of our Lodge, preparing separate meals and getting specialized food in is difficult and costly. Please know that we try to be accommodating and make well-balanced meals. Please notify us a month prior of any allergies or dietary concerns.

Yes, we have stairs going up to the front porch and stairs in the main lodge, going up to the kitchen and dining area, ladder style stairs to the Eagle’s Nest room, and outdoor stairs to the Seaside Suite and Mountain View Suite

Activities do require walking on uneven terrain while carrying your backpack, camera or fishing gear. Terrain includes mud, tall grass, water, or a combination of each. If you are joining a group, it must be understood that the group will move as one, and will be limited by the least ambulatory person. Any given excursion will require 100 yards to ½ mile of walking. We try to accommodate the best we can to get everyone into the field safely.

When weather moves in and the conditions are not flyable on your scheduled departure date and time, we would appreciate guests paying an additional $150.00 per person, per day to cover food costs.

Yes, we request our guests to be with a guide since you are in bear country, and they know where to go and what to do for bear viewing and our other activities. They are knowledgeable with the wildlife and the history of the area. They are there for your guidance, protection and to make your trip a fun and memorable experience.

Our package prices are inclusive to include lodging (for overnight guests), chartered flight, guided services, activities and delicious meals. Note: Park fee, taxes and gratuities are not included. We may arrange a Coastal boat tour to see puffins and Halibut Charters from Silver Salmon Creek Lodge for an additional cost.

Yes, we have a small selection of memorabilia available for purchase at the lodge like clothing and outdoor wears.

We have limited complimentary wine and beer served during dinner only. We encourage our guests to bring whatever alcoholic beverages they would like in excess of that.

Alaska Homestead Lodge sits in a coastal section of Alaska, where there is dense brush and undergrowth making long hiking treks difficult. We do have short hikes available around the premises and longer ones available along the beach and inland along riverbanks.