The minuscule settlement of Paxson is located at the junction of the Richardson and Denali Highways (AK Rtes 4 & 8). We have driveways on both roads; each approximately 250 yards from the junction. From the north along the Richardson, Paxson is approximately 185 miles from Fairbanks and 80 miles from Delta Junction. From the south (Glenn and Richardson Highways), Paxson is approximately 300 miles from Anchorage, 80 miles from Glennallen, and 185 miles from Valdez. From the west, we are 165 miles from the Denali Park entrance via the Parks and Denali Highways. We suggest you allot between 5-6 hours from the Park whether you choose to drive the Denali Highway or the longer route through Fairbanks.

The Denali Highway, closed during the winter, re-opens for vehicular traffic around the beginning of May, and closes sometime in mid-October. Please contact us or visit the Alaska Department of Transportation's website to determine current status. The highway is paved for the first 21 miles, starting in Paxson. For those who choose to heed the wishes of certain rental agencies about not driving any of Alaska's unpaved roads, this means it is still possible by traveling the paved portion to enjoy some of the most magnificent vistas Alaska has to offer. Beyond mile 21 the Denali Highway is gravel surfaced. This does not mean a dirt road so in most years navigating it in any automobile presents no problem whatsoever, as long as you drive conscientiously and maintain the posted speed limits. Traffic is light; you will encounter no trucks and there are services at regular intervals.

Denali "Highway" is a misnomer. This wilderness access is legendary for its lack of traffic - a few dozen vehicles at its summer peak. Furthermore, the cabins are located well away from the road - the wonderful sound of the Gulkana River is all you will be hearing. Our large cabin, however, is situated away from the river on the other side of the Richardson Highway, but "Highway" also is an inappropriate name for this sleepy route: more apt would be Richardson Country Road Number Four.

Main reason: This is in response to prior years' one-night stay guests who lamented they didn't devote more time to our beautiful location. Many felt they spent too much time in the crowded Denali Park area, in the cities, or sitting in their car! We want visitors to Alaska to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and its beautiful nature, instead of staring at a yellow line on a seemingly interminable road. Also, guests have told us that far from being a "pit-stop", the Paxson area rivals better known destinations in the state, and certainly surpasses them in its lack of crowds. In addition, we put a lot of effort to make your stay here memorable, and as true hosts welcome you into our lives. We are in this business to meet people and share the beauty of this part of Alaska, and that takes time!

Our Evening Wildlife Float Trips usually begin the second week of June and continue until sometime mid-September. Why? Our start date is dependent upon when the last ice leaves Paxson Lake, where we end our tour. Because that final ice doesn't melt until usually the first week of June (truly!), we cannot offer our trips before then. In June and July, our float trips usually leave around 7 pm. Starting mid-August we try to leave earlier, before 6 pm. Although this is a non-whitewater trip and we welcome all ages, those with physical limitations should make direct inquiries. More information is available on the tours page.

Dr. Bakewell's Birding Tours have been a highlight for birding enthusiasts along the Denali Highway since the 1990s. He has devoted considerable effort in learning and assisting both recreational and professional ornithologists in learning about the alpine tundra, boreal forest, and riparian breeders. He has shared some of his extensive knowledge of these wonderful creatures in, among other publications, both editions of the American Birding Association's A Birder's Guide to Alaska. Tours begin in late May and end in the first week of July. By that time, tundra nesters no longer are courting or breeding but concentrating on raising their young in the few remaining weeks of summer, and should not be disturbed. Those birders who choose not to participate in organized tours are welcome to inquire from us of new sightings, local rarities and so on, but for more specific questions should consult the Birder's Guide, newly revised in 2008.

The cabins are fully electrified, however, at a $2.25 per kWh as of April 2008, our electricity costs are between 1000% and 1600% higher than not just other parts of the USA or Europe, but also than Alaskan accommodations closer to towns. We have striven to keep our cabin fares as low as possible, but this is why you will not find microwaves in the cabins and why we urge you to be extremely conscientious about turning off lights, not using hair dryers, and so forth.

At Denali Highway Cabins & Tours, ALL of our cabins DO have fully plumbed, fully functional bathrooms - the kind you're used to.

It's different in Alaska. With our tough weather and equally tough soils, many features that you take for granted are either luxuries here or non-existent. For example, in this part of Alaska most permanent homes and virtually all guest accommodations do not have flush toilets or any indoor plumbing. In fact, if a lodging does NOT prominently state that it has such facilities, we guarantee you they do not. It's a fact of life.

We provide access to propane or charcoal grills, which are provided to our guests free of charge. The Guest House is the only accommodation with a full kitchen. For the majority of guests' food items, refrigerators are not necessary. Our nighttime temps are always quite cool, even in mid-summer, so leaving food in your car is more than sufficient. We have styrofoam coolers available for any who desire. For those who absolutely need refrigeration for some items, such as medicine, we are more than happy to provide space in the office refrigerator.

Weather is a great variable here in Alaska. We could get six inches of snow on June 23 (as we did in 2006), or it could be sunny and inching towards 80 degrees. Rain is always a possibility. Be mentally prepared for whatever the weather may bring. We suggest you pack a warm sweater, a rain jacket (rain pants too, if you plan on lots of hiking), but also bring shorts and a sun hat. Alaska is always beautiful: whether the sun is warming the wildflowers and berries, or the mountains are shrouded in a cloudy mist.

There is a restaurant next door to us, as well as a number of other restaurants to recommend depending on what direction you will be driving to reach us. Please inquire when you are making your reservation. For those guests who plan to join us on our Evening Wildlife Float Trip, we recommend that you eat your dinner before the tour. There are supermarkets in the Anchorage area and Fairbanks; there are grocery stores in Glennallen and Delta Junction. Very important: there no longer is a store or any other facility at Meier's Lake, mile 170 Richardson Highway, contrary to 2008 Milepost or other references. We have our Paxson General Store with sundry food items, like our homemade chocolate treats and baked goods, organic sodas, milk, juices, fresh eggs from our chickens, and other delectables.

Cancellations must be made two weeks prior to scheduled arrival date. For individuals (two cabins or fewer), we will refund your deposit minus a $25 per cabin charge. For groups (three cabins or more), one cabin's fare will be deducted from the refund. We strongly recommend travelers consider trip insurance when making travel plans.

There is a gas station in Paxson. Gas is also available in Delta Junction, Glennallen, and Cantwell. Inquire about availability along the Denali Highway.

You may check in anytime after 3 pm. Please call and let us know if you will be arriving after 10 pm. We need our sleep to be ready for breakfast in the morning, and will leave you a note on the office door as to where to find your cabin. For guests who have not sent in their required confirmation deposit, we will hold your cabin until 5 pm that day, UNLESS you telephone to inform us of a later arrival. Cell phone service is widely available in Alaska. Check-out is before 10 am, please.

The short answer: Card processing is a significant cost for the merchant; not accepting them is one way to avoid increasing our cabin fares. The long answer, with a philosophical and sociological bent: Please feel free to inquire when you are here!

Solar outgassing, which throw off the particles that cause the ionization of the upper atmosphere bringing upon the aurora, can occur at any time of the year. In order for us to see this display, however, our skies must be reasonably dark. We have seen northern lights displays as early as the second week of August and as late as the last week of April. In the intervening months you should plan to enjoy our wonderful long days - interminable in the weeks surrounding summer solstice, June 20-21.

We do not have RV dump sites or electrical hook-ups, but cabin guests may have accompanying RVs camp for a $20 fee. There is a dump station 11 miles to our south.

We try not to badmouth the mosquitoes too much. Without the abundant mosquito population, we wouldn't have our fantastic migratory birds visiting us in the summer months. The tundra and boreal forest would be a much quieter place without all the birdsong. Migratory birds nest here in Alaska primarily because of this insect smorgasbord. Also, we have very few bees in Alaska; virtually all our wildflowers are pollinated by mosquitoes. They are a fact of life here, and you must be prepared for them. Bring some DEET repellant. Some mosquito repellant clothing (such as Buzz-Off), and a head net, can be useful if you rank as Extra-Tasty to them and plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. The mosquito hatch times vary, and it is impossible to time your visit to not coincide with it. You may see not a single mosquito on your trip, or you may see many. Just be prepared.

We cannot act as a visitor's bureau and recommend one lodging over another. Please refer to any of the current guidebooks to Alaska, for example this year's Milepost, Lonely Planet, or Rough Guide. Do note, however, contrary to even 2008 editions, Meier's Lake Roadhouse/Atwater's Chateau Hotel at mile 170 Richardson Hwy is permanently closed.

It is considered ill-mannered to ask to use a roadhouse's restroom here in Alaska if you are not a paying customer. There are a number of public facilities located along the Richardson Highway, and the Denali Highway. Please see The Milepost for exact locations.

Super-expensive electricity in rural Alaska means we always have been sensitive to the consumption of resources. But we're not just REactive, we're PROactive. Although living in this part of the world does necessitate a greater use of natural resources than other more temperate locales, we believe we can continue to decrease our "footprint." We have been doing this for years - we're no Johnny-Come-Lately. Many guests ask if we can make use of solar power with Alaska's extended summer daylight? Yes, and we do, but solar electricity at this latitude and environment cannot provide the total energy needs of a full-service lodge. Small hunting cabins may benefit from their use, but not sophisticated operations. For years we have incorporated passive solar energy in many facets of our operation. Although solar panels are an increasingly attractive option, until they are truly "environmentally friendly" and their manufacturing process is less toxic, we are utilizing other methods to harness the sun's energy, and would be happy to share these procedures with you when you visit us.

Our tour business also emphasizes self-powered explorations of the surrounding area: kayaking, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling.

We are especially proud of our locally produced food in this extremely difficult environment. Food transportation to Alaska, and from Paxson to Fairbanks or Anchorage to purchase this food, has a very high monetary and carbon cost. We also have instituted a recycling program, although the nearest municipality with recycling facilities is almost 100 miles away.

For those who are quite interested in this subject, we would be happy to give a full tour of our compound and the ways we are utilizing alternative energy and preserving this beautiful land we live in.