This Sleepy, Charming Alaskan Town Is the Gateway to a Stunning National Park
Sockeye abounds, but there’s nothing fishy about locals’ enthusiasm for the remote town of King Salmon, Alaska.
The Lodge at 58* North. Photo by Jeremy Koreski.
Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts. Follow along as we learn where to eat, drink, stay, and shop.
Kate Crump.
Photo by Jeremy Koreski.
Meet the Insider: Kate Crump, co–founder of The Lodge at 58* North
Location: King Salmon, Alaska
World-class angler and seasoned guide Kate Crump opened The Lodge at 58* North on Alaska’s Naknek River with the aim of giving travelers rare access to untouched wilderness and the chance to experience the breathtakingly beautiful Bristol Bay. “King Salmon is the gateway to Katmai National Park. Don’t blink or you’ll miss this sleepy little town,” she says. “People here don’t just consider themselves outdoors folk—they believe it is a way of life and are passionate about public lands, clean water, and community.” Here’s what she recommends doing while in this remote area of the Last Frontier.
DO
Mark Kostich/Getty Images
Fly to Katmai National Park and Preserve on a floatplane with Katmai Air and experience the wonder of Brooks Falls, where the bears draw thousands of visitors every year. Thanks to the largest run of sockeye salmon left in the world, the brown bears feed intently right before your eyes, creating what should be the eighth wonder of the world. You can also visit the remote Lake Clark National Park and Preserve or Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, the latter of which is one of the wildest and least-visited places in the National Park System. Or, fly over the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes to see epic views of [the aftermath of what is perhaps] the largest volcanic eruption in modern North American history, as well as scenic glaciers and craters.
EAT
Jeremy Koreski
Everyone loves a good food truck, and our small town is blessed to have small business owner Krysta Watters at Watters Edge to share her creations with our community. Try the birria—cleverly nicknamed burria—tacos on fresh corn tortillas for her playful take on Alaska-Mex. While fishing for salmon on the wild rivers of Bristol Bay with The Lodge at 58* North, pause for one of Alaska’s most timeless traditions: a shore lunch cooked over an open fire, with the aroma of wild fish and woodsmoke filling the air as you and your friends share stories along the riverbank.
DRINK
If you want ambience and a fun vibe, sneak into the Sockeye Saloon, where the bartenders know you by name and give hugs with a cocktail. Order Romney’s blueberry lemon-drop for a touch of sweet summer in this vibey dive bar. Hike to the top of Dumpling Mountain in Katmai National Park and sip on Anchorage Distillery whiskey with 360-degree views of the large lakes and mountains that make the park breathtaking.
