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Bettles Lodge

326 Reviews - TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating

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Approximate Cost:

6 - 7 Days: $4,500 to $5,000 Per Person

4 - 5 Days: $3,500 to $4,000 Per Person

2 - 3 Days: $2,500 to $3,000 Per Person
Type: Lodges
Fishing: Fly Fishing Freshwater Fishing Guided Fishing

What we fish for: Arctic Char, Northern Pike, Arctic Grayling, Chum Salmon, Lake Trout, Sheefish

Featured On: Top 10 Fishing & Adventure Trips

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Bettles Lodge is located 35 miles inside of the arctic circle and in the village of Bettles. The lodge sits south east of both the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Kobuk Valley National Park and on the banks of the Koyukuk River. This is a place of pristine beauty where the wilderness is set against the huge sky, the Brooks Range, and Koyukuk River. This is the Kobuk Valley, and it is home to some amazing fisheries.

There are two Lodges, the Bettles Lodge and the Aurora Lodge. Bettles lodge is a National Historic site This is a place of rustic charm with a down-home kind of feel. Enjoy a game of pool in the billiard room or enjoy the quiet comfort of the screened porch. The lobby holds a full service dining room and for those who partake a full bar. Upstairs you will find six cozy rooms with basic amenities. The Aurora Lodge is more of a luxury lodge with Jacuzzi bathtubs and private bathrooms. Other comforts include a wood sauna and on-site massage room. The Aurora Lodge is a slower pace that runs on your schedule.

Experienced, Guided Fishing trips in the Arctic Circle

Since the 1950's Bettles Lodge has been offering guided and unguided fishing adventures. The fly-out fly fishing expeditions are good for novice fisherman and veteran fishermen too. The services are highly customizable and the attention is personal. They offer fly-out guided or unguided fishing trips, float trips, and base camp trips throughout the Northern part of Alaska. It should be noted that local rivers such as the Kobuk River is home to some of the biggest fighting fish in all of Alaska. If you are planning a fishing trip to Alaska you owe it to yourself to talk with these guys.

Fishing in the North: Tarpon of the North - Strong enough to rip the rod from your hands

The Kobuk River is home to some of the largest Sheefish in the world. These are white fish that are related to salmon and they get up to 60 pounds. The normal range for these fish is 20-50 pounds. While that might be impressive, what will hook you is the fight which starts off with a strike that is so powerful it will startle you. The Kobuk River is home to many species of fish and many of them are trophy sized. The smaller, slower fish become food for the monsters that live in the clear, gravel-bottomed river. Other rivers in the area are also outstanding places to fish especially for Northern Pike, Chum Salmon, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling and lake trout. This is a fly fishing haven.

Bettles Lodge: Explore the Wilderness and Quiet of the Far North

Besides fishing, Bettles Lodge offers outstanding opportunities for wilderness exploration, such as photographic expeditions that tour the arctic circle or any of the specific parks located here. Back-country excursions offer hiking, remote camping and fishing. In winter, the sky comes alive with the Northern Lights or you can enjoy the sights by dog sledding across the tundra, view wildlife such as the caribou, bears and listen to the wolves sing to the moon. The Lodge is easy to work with and willing to help you achieve your wilderness goals.

Photos of Bettles Lodge

Bettles Lodge Alaska Wilderness

Bettles Lodge Alaska Wilderness

Alaska Lake Trout Fishing

Alaska Arctic Grayling Fishing

Kobuk River Sheefish Fishing

Kobuk River Sheefish Fishing

Alaska Northern Pike Fishing

Bettles Lodge Alaska Fishing

Lake Trout Fishing

Artic Grayling Fishing

Bettles Lodge Alaska Wilderness

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TripAdvisor® Traveler Rating

326 Reviews
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TripAdvisor® Traveler Reviews

Bettles Lodge is terrific!

Reviewed By mab4me on July 16, 2026

Bettles Lodge is just a terrific place to stay for national Park collectors like us. The rooms were nice and cozy. Service was excellent. Food was great. For being in Remote Alaska they really did a...
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Lodge owner fails in customer service

Reviewed By Sarah N on July 13, 2026

We stayed here because we wanted to see Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk valley national parks. The owner, manager, and mayor of this area, Eric was rude and abrupt! He treats his season workers with...
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Amazingly Wonderful Aurora Borealis trip at Bettles Lodge -Perfect!

Reviewed By DonaldN390 on July 11, 2026

The location of Bettles Lodge is beyond amazing in regards to quiet, remote, and Beautiful scenery during the day. We flew 185 miles in a bush plane from Fairbanks to get there and everything has to...
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