I've been considering a trip to both parks and I'm looking for advice. Cruise lines are out. Staying at a lodge in the parks sounds appealing.

Enter the lotto for Brooks Lodge at Katmai. It's a top 3 experience in my life.

We stayed at Denali Backcountry Lodge and I would definitely stay there again.

speckledtrout said:

---

I've been considering a trip to both parks and I'm looking for advice. Cruise lines are out. Staying at a lodge in the parks sounds appealing.

---

There aren't traditional Lodges at either. The places are both private spots. Katmai and Brooks Lodge is amazing. If you want to stay in a cabin it's also something you need to plan for 2028. The lottery to will open in December for '28 and all the '27 slots were handed out 10 months ago. You can still day trip in from Anchorage or King Salmon and there are people that stay several days or more in King Salmon and take the water taxi daily. It's not cheap but it's doable. You may also be able to pick up a camp site. Google Brooks Lodge lottery and it comes up with the katmailand web site. There are also several fishing lodges in Katmai you can day trip in from. Those are small and VERY expensive.

There are a couple of private places in Denali NP at the end of the road and the road is now open again. Like BDS I've stayed at the Backcountry Lodge. Neat place. That is doable for 2027.

We stayed at Denali Backcountry Lodge a few years ago. Took the modified school bus the 5 hr ride into/out of the park. The lodge is rustic but nice. All inclusive. Food was good. There isn't a whole lot to do out there - we mostly went hiking, trying to get glimpses of Denali (thankfully for us it was extremely clear and we got beautiful multiple views). Mosquitos were horrible, and we didn't end up seeing all that much wildlife other than a moose and maybe a few goats.

Google AI says there are water activities on Wonder Lake, but I don't recall that being offered to us. We went early in the season, though, so maybe that's why...?

I actually enjoyed our stay at Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge more than DBL.

Plan way ahead - the Brooks Lodge lottery submittal is in January for the FOLLOWING year.....so you would submit in Jan 2027 for a stay in 2028

You can also tent camp, which is much easier to get a permit for.

We've done both - hands down the coolest place I've ever been in my life.

Sorry, I didn't read all the responses before responding myself....Mathguy already covered it!

For anyone planning, the lottery is open Dec 1 to Dec 30 2026 for the 2028 season. They contact you in January if you win and 50% payment is due within 7 days.

Everyone in the traveling party can submit one entry.

You should use a separate email address for every entry. If everyone uses the same they can get confused and consider those the same entry.

Don't ask me how I know.

Also, I'm not sleeping outside in a tent with only an electric wire between me and this. Nope. Ain't happening.

Although we did have one sleep on our cabin porch one night this summer.

I must admit, the electric fence I had in my head was significantly more sturdy and rugged than the electric fence I saw around the campground.

But I'd do it again if someone else would schlep all my gear to Alaska for me - that was the worst part!

3 tiny wires is all that separated you from a 700lb carnivore that wanted a change in its diet from sushi to long pig. Nope.

Not to mention the daily showers. I'm way too old for that.

Thanks to everyone that replied. That's very helpful. In regards to Katmai, what month is the best time to go ? I'm guessing you want to be there during the peak salmon run. Also, have any of you ever fished while you're at the lodge ?

speckledtrout said:

---

Thanks to everyone that replied. That's very helpful. In regards to Katmai, what month is the best time to go ? I'm guessing you want to be there during the peak salmon run. Also, have any of you ever fished while you're at the lodge ?

---

Mid July to 1st week in August is the historical peak of the run.

I fished the river this year. The guide was fantastic and I've never fly fished in my life. Being in the river with the bears around is the coolest thing I have ever done. They have all the gear you need but you can bring your own. Just remember there is a weight limit and it's strict. You pay for anything over the limit.

You do not have to fish. They have started a "photography" river walk. Basically a fishing guide with you walking the river like you would fish but not fishing.

Me in the river.