Save Historic Gakona Lodge: Urgent Repairs Needed

Built in 1929 by Arne Sundt, the charming and historic Gakona lodge is Alaska's oldest continuously operating roadhouse. It has been certified on the National Register of Historic Places since December 7th, 1977. The large lodge made of wood logs has 1 bedroom downstairs with its own private bath and 9 rooms upstairs that share 2 bathrooms. The original owners used the downstairs bath, bedroom, and kitchen as their living quarters, but would open up the kitchen to serve guests. Over time, the restaurant, known as The Carriage House Restaurant, opened as the lodge outgrew the quaint little kitchen inside the original building. Today, the restaurant is equipped with a pizza oven, stove, dishwasher, and grill to serve a wide variety of delicious food to guests of the lodge, locals, and travelers looking for a good hearty Alaskan meal. Also on the property is the Trappers Den Tavern which serves a variety of Alaskan draft beers, liquor, wine, and specialty drinks. There's outdoor picnic tables, indoor seating, and fun games including a full-size pool table, a retro pacman machine, and a handful of dart boards along with many dart tournament trophies. The Tavern was home to many local dart tournaments back in the day and still houses many of the tall trophies awarded on display. 

Hundreds of people from all over the world come to the Gakona Lodge for the real Alaskan experience. With a warm and comfortable place to stay, delicious food, great drinks, rafting excursions, fishing availability, and more from the local and friendly staff. Guests come from all over the lower 48 states, China, Korea, Germany, the Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland, Russia, Italy, and England to name a few. Many have commemorated their trip by signing a bill and stapling it to the interior of the Tavern on display. With very easy driving access located at Mile 2 Tok Cutoff in Gakona, AK 99586, it's a quick drive from Glenallen and catches the attention of many travelers going to and from Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Tok. 

Gakona Lodge employs around 3-4 full time employees and 4-5 part time employees. These employees mostly come from the surrounding area of Glenallen, Fairbanks, and Tok. The lodge is open 7 days a week during the summer season from June 1st through Labor Day (Sept 1 or 2nd). Guests must be checked in by 10pm and checked out by around 10am on the day they check out. Continental breakfast is served from 7am to 9am each morning for lodge guests inside The Restaurant. Dinner is open inside The Restaurant from 6pm to 9pm, 7 days a week. The Tavern hours are 5:30pm to close (bartenders discretion) 7 days a week. 

The lodge serves as a historic relic from Alaskan Gold Rush history that still operates to this day. Allowing for travelers, guests, and locals to experience a truly special Alaskan experience with the Gakona River rushing right behind with frequent animal sightings on the hilltops above, to the charming and friendly Alaskan staff behind the desk. This Lodge is a true gem and piece of history that deserves to be experienced and cherished for many years to come. 

While the property is home to amazing amenities, it is in desperate need of repair. The needs for a new heating and water system have become urgent. If they cannot replace this very expensive system, they will not be able to open the doors next season.

The owners will be forced to sell or leave the property vacant if they cannot raise the funds necessary to repair these systems.

Any and all donations will be used to completely replace these systems and increase the longevity of this beautiful piece of history!

More information can be found on the website The Gakona Lodge Website