Kenai Peninsula Alaska

Staying at the remote Kenai Backcountry Lodge offers a real taste of the wilderness, on a five-acre private in-holding within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The lodge began as a hunting cabin back in 1935, accessed by river from Seward; years later, the remodeled and expanded property is still road-free. Most guests raft in with Alaska Wildland Adventures, starting their vacation at the Kenai Riverside Lodge.

You'll float down the Kenai and navigate the Kenai River Canyon. After a gourmet picnic lunch featuring smoked salmon and halibut, you'll continue by motorboat across Skilak Lake, to the lodge.

With just 4 log cabins (2 with private bathrooms) and 5 Yukon cabin-tents, the Kenai Backcountry Lodge maintains an intimate feel. The Yukon cabin tents are raised on platforms and feature a front porch and big sliding glass door. Inside all nine cabins, you'll find two double beds; these were made by hand on site using peeled spruce logs and tongue-and-groove paneling. The canvas walls of the Yukon cabin tent allow you to hear the sounds of the forest, as if you're sleeping outside-while nestled between flannel sheets and down comforters.

This true eco-lodge runs off hydroelectric power, with propane lights and heat. You won't hear the sound of generators in the background, just the quiet of the forest. Raised boardwalks let you walk through the forest with less impact.

If you've booked AWA's Kenai Wilderness Sampler, your adventure begins and end with a stay at Riverside Lodge. After your first night at the Kenai Backcountry, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a guided hike through the wildlife refuge-choose from challenging or casual. The challenging hike takes guests to the top of the Cottonwood Creek trail for amazing views-sometimes even including McKinley. The casual hike will allow you to stop and smell the roses, with a focus on native plants. Non-hikers will enjoy a guided lake tour by motorboat. In the evening, you may opt for a guided sunset paddle in a touring kayak, when the lake is calm.

On the last day of your Backcountry stay, you'll motor across Skilak, then shuttle back to Riverside. You'll enjoy a half-day hike after lunch, and spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying dinner. Most guests continue down to Seward the next day, for the grand finale-a small-ship cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. Or you may add a day of fishing at Riverside, before heading to Seward. Either way, you'll return north with a scenic train ride back to Anchorage, arriving around 10:00pm.