Camp Denali

I Left My Job to Work at an Alaskan Wilderness Lodge | Eater

"A family-owned, off-grid wilderness lodge in Denali National Park, Alaska, reached primarily by small Cessna after a landslide made the road through the park impassable, this remote operation runs a full-time bakery sustained by a greenhouse and foraged tundra ingredients. Long summer daylight—up to about 14 hours—creates a short but prolific growing season that yields rhubarb for galettes (finished with fresh whipped cream and marigold petals), wild blueberries stewed into jam for a signature PB&J, and scones sweetened with lavender-infused sugar the staff grow and dry themselves. Daily life emphasizes resource frugality and self-reliance: propane fuels the ovens, solar provides electricity, scarce supplies must be flown in, and noncompostable waste is flown out. The atmosphere is quiet and intensely wild—only a few dozen people on millions of acres—where backcountry hiking follows no trails, coworkers teach naturalist skills, and residents learn to identify edible plants like fireweed, tart red currants, and Labrador tea. The lodge operates seasonally and closes for the long, dark winter in September; staff typically work seasonal stints, and the writer who described it began as a summer baker and later returned to take on the executive-chef role." - Zoe Denenberg

10 Best Hotels in Alaska to Book Right Now - AFAR

"Located deep inside Denali National Park in the old Kantishna mining district, this rustic cabin camp emphasizes a close-to-the-land experience: cabins use propane lamps and wood stoves, drinking water from an outdoor spigot, and simple paths to outhouses, while picture windows frame views of Denali. Guided hikes through alpine meadows and along streams offer plentiful wildlife viewing—grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves are commonly spotted—and the camp provides rare access to the park’s remotest reaches; due to a prolonged road closure, visitors typically reach the area by air, enabling excursions to places like Wonder Lake when conditions permit." - Bailey Berg

"Owned and operated by the same family and situated about a mile apart from eachother, Camp Denali and North Face Lodge are more than deserving of bragging rights: They’re part of less than a handful of accommodations inside Denali National Park andPreserve with prime views of America’s highest peak. But the properties—and amenities—differ. Each of Camp Denali’s 18 cabins offers an authentic, close-to-the-land experience: Propane lamps provide light, a wooden stove gives off heat, drinking water comes from an outdoor spigot, and a short path leads to an outhouse. For guests who prefer more creature comforts after a day taking in the rugged outdoors, North Face Lodge’s guest rooms all have electricity and private bathrooms. Locally sourced meals are served in a cozy wood-clad dining room, and a common sitting room oozes charm and conviviality with leather sofas surrounding a stone hearth fireplace, where you can choose a book from the stacks of shelves or share tales of your into-the-wild adventures with fellow guests."