Avens Alaska (formerly Wrangell Mountains Wilderness Lodge

Stayed here on a family roadtrip in August 2024 and I still rave about it to anyone who will listen. Down the road less traveled into Wrangell-St Elias, this hidden gem is a place of true discovery. The cabin we stayed in was clean and warm, but the real star of the stay was the home-cooked meals from the family who owns and operates the place (and lives on property year-round); the dessert was especially delicious. I highly recommend going off the beaten path to stay a few nights here; the park surrounding it is stunning and uncrowded as well.

From the moment I arrived at the cabins at AVENS Alaska (Mile 28), I was transported into a world where true peace reigns—and it was one of the most restorative stays I’ve ever had. Here’s my take: What made it unforgettable Cabin & amenities: I stayed in one of the fully-furnished cabins, outfitted with everything you need—hot water, a shower, well-equipped kitchen—all the comforts without detracting from the wilderness feeling. Scenery & atmosphere: The surroundings are jaw-dropping: the forest, mountains, sky… at times it felt like I was inside a painting. And the silence… such a powerful contrast with the bustle of regular life. I could feel the stillness. Hospitality: The caretaker family were warm, genuine hosts. Their kindness felt personal, not just professional. Meals they cooked were incredible, rich in flavor and heart. The love they pour into the place shines through every interaction. Sustainability: It’s rare to find a place where the infrastructure supports letting nature speak for itself—this camp is solar and battery powered, with diesel only as backup. Zero wasted energy, maximum respect for the land. Vacationing done right. Why I give it 5/5 Because everything aligned: the setting, the service, the simplicity, and the sincerity. It wasn’t just a getaway—it was a reset, a chance to reconnect with nature and humanity in equal measure.

We stayed in the Raven cabin which was cozy, comfortable and had everything we needed. We had no issues preparing our meals with the kitchenette. Bed was extremely comfortable, shower great, and heater kept us toasty. It was a perfect base camp for hikes off of Nabesna road. Mid September has amazing fall colors that we enjoyed both on our drives and daily hikes. Mike and Victoria were great at communication leading up to and during the visit.

To make your Alaskan backcountry experience the best ever, we recommend staying at Avens Alaska, enjoying their fantastic Alaskan cuisine and enjoying beautiful scenery by going on nearby hikes. Aven Alaska's hosts, Michael and his family were very gracious and provided excellent service.||Avens Alaska allowed us a pristine backcountry Alaskan experience with the comfort of a small two story cabin with a plumbed bathroom and kitchen(The Alaskan Cabin), with the enjoyment of prepared gourmet dinners in the dining room, with a fully equipment kitchen in our cabin to prepare our breakfasts and lunches and with the access to great hikes in the backcountry of the Wrangle Mountains. ||We selected the meal plan with dinners only. We were very pleased with the delicious dinners and desserts, the service and the backcountry Alaskan dining room that showed off the furs of many animals including Black Bear, Brown Bear, Lynx and more. ||We thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in every morning and going on hikes and even canoeing in a pristine lake near our cabin with views of the mountains and wildlife. We saw white swans, ducks and (we think) an otter. We went on a few easy to moderate level hikes including to Jack Lake, Caribou Creek Trail, and Gold Mine Trail. On the Caribou Creek trail, we picked blueberries that were delicious.

Avens Alaska is a gem of a family-owned lodge in a remote area of Wrangell St. Elias NP. It is an off-grid location with a lodge for dining complete with a bar, and various types of lodging accommodations from Yurts to cabins with different levels of amenities. Ours (The Alaskan) included an indoor private bathroom. The wash house is a nice building with two separate bathrooms with showers for accommodations without indoor plumbing. There are lakes close to the cabins within easy walking distance. The beautiful property is conveniently located on Nabesna Road with lots of hiking options. The views of the mountains are amazing. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights were not active while we were there. The cabin we rented was clean and beautiful. The owner personally showed us through the cabin and explained how the pellet heater and appliances worked. There were two queen beds (one in the loft). The bed was comfortable and the plentiful blankets were warm. There is also a kitchen for preparing food. We did not use a hair dryer or curling iron as the wattage usage is very high when power is provided off-grid. The food was amazing! We bought the food package since there are no nearby convenience stores, restaurants, or grocery stores. The owners grow much of the food onsite and source locally. The culinary creations were fabulous with chef level presentation. The homemade desserts were marvelous. Even the boxed lunches were sensational. Their son was our waiter and he did a splendid job. Michael and Victoria were wonderful hosts! We would stay there again

A fantastic 3 day stay at the start of a 2 week Alaska trip. The cabins were sparkling clean, comfortable with especially comfortable beds.|What distinguishes them is the quality of the food--all 3 meals. Simple but elegantly prepared food featuring Alaskan cuisine. Even the box lunches we took on our hikes were superb--don't miss the salmon salad.|The staff, the owner and his family were attentive, and more importantly, fun. |The lodge is sited perfectly for access to tralils of all degrees of difficulty. The owner provides sound advice on the trails and sights.

We stayed two nights in mid-August in the Ursa Major yurt. It’s only a year or two old and is more spacious than most other lodging. Very clean. Plenty warm with the wood pellet heater. The yurt has a small kitchen with everything that you’d need, but we purchased the meal service and we highly recommend it. The food was excellent restaurant quality — fresh, well-prepared and varied. Beer and wine available too. Michael was a very friendly host and knowledgeable about the area. Overall, a great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy wild Alaska.|Although I thought that the road in was passable to the lodge at mile 28 without four wheel drive, you really should have high clearance and four wheel drive to go further south into the park and to access the primary day hikes. The road deteriorates quite a bit after the lodge.

Avens Alaska is a beautiful lodge in one of the most peaceful areas in Alaska. Mike and Victoria make you feel right at home when you arrive and go out of their way to help you enjoy the area! Whatever your reason for being in Nabesna, make sure you take time out of your trip to stay at the Avens Alaska Lodge and enjoy true Alaskan cabins with an amazing family to host you!