Northern Sky Lodge

The sky was incredible: we could see every star and had clear skies with aurora on at least three nights, even in December. The view outside is beautiful, and the rooms are lovely. It's around 40 minutes from Fairbanks, so arrange an Uber ahead of time if you'll need one; because it's secluded, you might not find a ride otherwise. There isn't much nearby, but that didn't bother me. The managers were very kind and quick to respond whenever we reached out, and they were understanding. The only thing that concerned me was the water. It had a strong metallic smell, which I assumed was from high iron, as soon as we turned on the sink. In our room, the sink, toilet, and shower had yellow staining where the water sat. Boiling it also seemed to bring a yellowish foam to the top. Iron in water isn't harmful, and I wasn't too bothered, but the smell was unpleasant. I don't know if the managers can do anything about it, and I don't blame them. My main concern was whether it was unsafe, and it didn't seem to be. Overall, a very nice place and definitely worth it. Thanks for your hospitality, and keep up the good work!

Our group of seven just got home yesterday after a third stay at Northern Sky Lodge in seven years. The Northern Lights were beautiful, and the lodge's location meant we weren't bothered by any other lights, making it ideal for viewing. The lodge was clean, the service consistently friendly, and we were very comfortable. Looking forward to coming back next year!

From mid to late October 2025, during our two weeks in Alaska, we stayed at Northern Sky Lodge. The main floor was stunning, with a beautifully furnished mix of rustic and modern style. At the entrance was a solid half-log bench, then a living area with round structural logs, plank paneling, wooden floors, two couches, a matching loveseat, and coffee tables. The walls featured a bear skin on a native-style wood frame, a world map, and an unusual piece of tree displayed as wooden art. There were activity brochures on a welcoming table. The main floor also had a large professional chef's kitchen with everything for large-scale cooking, and the dining room was just as impressive as the living room. We used the kitchenette upstairs and appreciated the coffee and food items provided. Our bear room felt like home: nice beds, clean sheets and pillows, plenty of blankets, and a heater that kept it warm. The big logs probably helped insulate the building. The high-speed Wi-Fi was reliable too. We stayed busy, dog sledding with renowned musher Bill Cotter and his family, photographing the incredible Aurora Borealis, driving the scenic George Parks highway and seeing Mount McKinley, visiting Chena Hot Springs and the Santa Claus House, and going to the Museum of the North and Fountainhead Auto Museum. We had a fabulous dinner at The Pump House Restaurant, enjoyed The Crepery in Fairbanks and The North Pole Crepery twice, and ate at The Chowder House twice as well. We also saw several shooting stars and the aurora from this beautiful-sky location. Our rented 4-wheel drive Toyota 4Runner made getting around in any weather easy. This was more than a stay, it was an experience we'll always remember. Many thanks to our hosts. JJ

Rex and Jes live at the lodge, so they were easy to reach and accommodating if anything came up. They were super nice, and had games in the living room for days or nights when we didn't feel like going out. They also had gear we could borrow for trekking in the snow. The rooms were cozy, and with the no-shoes rule the floors and carpet stayed very clean. It felt like home. The lodge is about 30 miles outside Fairbanks, away from city lights and in a great spot for seeing the Northern Lights. It's basically a bed and breakfast with free continental breakfast each morning, but there's no restaurant on site. I'd strongly recommend grocery shopping so you can make your own meals for the whole stay. You could go into Fairbanks to eat, but a one-way taxi costs $100.