Rainy Pass Lodge

Visiting Alaska’s oldest recreation lodge — founded in 1937 and set 125 air miles northwest of Anchorage — is like stepping back in time. Rustic log cabins pepper the landscape, the staff gets around by horse, and everywhere you turn you’ll find shimmering water and towering peaks. It’s truly a place to unplug.

Rainy Pass lodge makes for an unforgettable trip year-round. In summer, guides will be on standby, ready to take you out on a spectacular hike, float, or horseback ride. Or enjoy activities on your own like water sports (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, motorboats, and more), yard games (like volleyball and ax throwing), and roasting marshmallows by the campfire.

In the colder weather, it becomes a winter wonderland. The famed Iditarod sled dog race runs right past the lodge, giving you an up-close view of this iconic event. You’ll also enjoy activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and sledding.

Cabins & Rooms

It’s hard to get more authentically Alaskan than Rainy Pass’s 12 log cabins. One of them is an original from the 1930s, while others reflect additions made over the ensuing decades.

Cabins not only vary in design, but also in features. The main lodge cabins, for example, can sleep 3 with a double and a twin, so they’re ideal for couples. Hunter’s lodge has 9 beds, making it great for larger groups. Other cabins come with a king bed with a couple fold-out sofa beds; families will feel right at home. There’s also a bunkhouse for very large groups. Main lodge rooms have their own full bathroom; other cabins have shared or private bathrooms. And in winter, you’ll find running water in only some of the cabins.

Hearty, Backcountry Fare

The hearty, high-end cuisine at the lodge is served the down-to-earth way: family-style. Breakfast may include bacon and eggs, as well as cereals and more. Lunch could be specialty sandwiches or burgers; those out on a horseback ride or helicopter tour will dig into fantastic picnic lunches. The wide variety of dishes at dinner may include steaks, salmon, halibut, pork loin, or lasagna. And expect a lot of homemade baked goods, including a never-ending supply of homemade cookies.

Summer Stays

5-Day Trip

Rainy Pass will customize an itinerary of amazing activities that’s perfect for your crew. All trips depart Anchorage around 10 a.m. for a scenic flight to the lodge, then you might saddle up the horses for a terrific trail ride. You’ll then spend the next few days eating delicious meals and engaging in outings like hiking to one of the best views of the Alaska Range, soaring in a helicopter to the highest point on the Iditarod Trail, staying overnight in one of their remote wilderness camps, and much more.

3-Day Trip

Enjoy the Rainy Lodge experience even if you have less time. The trip includes flights to and from the lodge, as well as meals and guided activities. After your scenic flight here from Anchorage, you’ll spend the next couple days choosing from the same fun activities as on the 5-day trip!

9-Day Horse Trip

Saddle up and ride out into the Alaskan wilderness on 9 unforgettable days of guided riding and camping in the Alaskan wilderness. Travel more than 50 miles, on and off trails, up and down mountains, and across rivers. Groups of 4-6 guarantee an intimate experience.

Winter Escapes

The magical winter landscape brings endless opportunities for fun and excitement, especially during the world-famous Iditarod dog sled race, since the course runs right by the lodge.

All-Inclusive Iditarod Package

Experience the race’s ceremonial start in Anchorage and a hotel stay in Anchorage. Then fly to the lodge in time to watch the racers come through, and ride up the Iditarod trail to get your picture taken at its highest spot. For the remaining nights, you can enjoy any of the lodge’s other winter activities you wish!

Winter A La Carte

You can travel by snowmobile or fly to lodge on your own, and check into a rustic cabin. Then head outdoors whenever you wish and enjoy groomed cross-country ski trails, marked snowshoe trails, ice skating, epic sledding down a huge ridge, fireworks every Saturday, and looking for the northern lights. You can also add on exciting outings like horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowmachine rentals, ice fishing, and ptarmigan hunting.

Iditarod A La Carte stays are also available to guests who wish to arrange their own transportation to and from the lodge during the Iditarod, and take advantage of the lodge’s unguided activities.