 The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge / Photo courtesy Princess Lodges To get a better idea of what activities are popular from the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge we spoke with General Manager, Tracy Smith.
The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is situated on 200 acres at the junction of the Klutina and Copper Rivers, right by Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the United States. Fittingly, Smith said one of the area’s most popular attractions is the park’s visitor center.
“There are presentations through out the day and Ranger-lead walks and talks,” Smith said.
Another nearby attraction is the George Ashby Memorial Museum. The museum is housed in two rustic log cabins and offers a glimpse into Alaska’s past with photographs and artifacts
“They learn about the gold rush history of the area. It’s really neat,” Smith said.
Visitors looking to learn more about Alaska and its indigenous populations also enjoy the Ahtna Heritage Foundation Cultural Center.
The center has displays of traditional Native crafts, including moosehide and birchbark items and beaded objects. There is also a large fish wheel that was a collaborative project with Princess Lodges.
For more ideas about activities at the Copper River Princess Lodge, check out this blog post about lodge excursions and also read about nearby Kennecott Mine.
Posted in Alaska Activities, Copper River Princess, Guest Experiences on September 9th, 2011
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 Guided drift boats and rafts fish the Kenai River near Cooper Landing, Alaska. Fishing for chinook, sockeye and coho salmon brings travelers from around the world to the area. Photo courtesy: State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage Located in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge is near the juncture of the Russian and Kenai Rivers, the site of the most fantastic salmon fishing in Alaska. There’s plenty to do, whether you want to enjoy some river sportfishing, float the Kenai River, go horseback riding or explore Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. Here are a few activities offered at the Kenai Princess Lodge:
Kenai Upper River Sportfishing
Enjoy a full or half day of fishing on the upper Kenai River for sockeye and coho salmon, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. The 17-mile stretch of the Kenai River through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge features sections for beginners and experienced fisherman. Fishing licenses are also available at the Kenai Princess Lodge.
Cooper Landing Trail Ride
Take an explorative horseback trail ride through the breathtaking landscape of the historic gold mining area of Cooper Landing and meander through the Kenai Peninsula’s forests, meadows, rock ridges, river shores and along the base of Langille Mountain in the Chugach National Forest. Lunch is provided at one of the many scenic lookout points.
Kenai Alaska Husky Spirit
Meet dog musher Lorraine Temple and her sled dogs and find out what it takes for canine athletes to make it onto a team for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Learn hands-on how to harness and hook the dogs on the gangline. Also, watch a video that brings the mystique of Alaska dog mushing to life with colorful images of wildlife dogsledding and adorable puppies.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Take a drive to Seward and explore the pristine wonders of the Kenai Fjords National Park. From Resurrection Bay, cruise out on the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska around the Aialik Peninsula to the face of the Aialik Glacier. The sound of glaciers calving giant blocks of ancient ice can be heard across the harbor. Remember to look for marine animals such as orcas, humpback whales, seabirds, sea lions and otters.
For more information on these activities, visit the Kenai excursions page or call 1-800-426-0500.
Posted in Alaska Travel Tips, Guest Experiences, Kenai Princess on September 8th, 2011
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If you’re looking for day excursions from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, there are plenty of great options between Cooper Landing and Homer. Below we have highlighted a few of our favorite stops:
Headed south on the Sterling Highway, Soldotna is located about an hour from Cooper Landing. With the Kenai River at its back door, Soldotna is a great getaway for avid fishermen and women. The world record sport fishing king salmon was even caught there. If fishing isn’t what you’re looking for, outdoor adventure options include raft trips, flight seeing and canoeing. A day on the water can leave visitors with a healthy appetite and there are plenty of local dining options.
Kenai, a 20-minute drive from Soldotna along the Kenai Spur Highway, offers stunning views of Cook Inlet. Visitors can fish for four different species of salmon, rainbow trout and grayling from the world famous Kenai River or head out to the Inlet for halibut fishing. Kenai’s history dates back to 1791, when Russian fur traders settled the area. Head out for a stroll and check out Old Town and the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center or try some local cuisine.
Nestled on the shore of Kachemak Bay at the end of the Sterling Highway, about two hours and 15 minutes from Cooper Landing, is the charming town of Homer. Known for a thriving art community, Homer boasts several local art galleries that celebrate first friday as well as an historic museum and theaters. Travelers can drive out on the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land that juts four and-a-half miles into Kachemak Bay, and enjoy a day of guided fishing or sea kayaking adventure. When its time to eat, there are plenty of local restaurants, many of which specialize in fresh Alaska seafood.
If you’d like to read about more roadtrip possibilities from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, check out this previous blog post about stop between Cooper Landing and Anchorage.
Posted in Alaska Activities, Kenai Princess on September 7th, 2011
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 Sandhill crane / Photo courtesy International Crane Foundation Every year in August, thousands of Sandhill Cranes make their way through Alaska on their migratory trips.
Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the spectacular birds and you can stay in exceptional comfort at the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge while you join locals and visitors for the Annual Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival.
 Sandhill cranes / Photo courtesy International Crane Foundation Visitors and locals flock to the festival’s talks, nature walks, kids events and workshops. Of course, there are plenty of chances to observe Sandhill Cranes, with daily tallies regularly topping 1,000 birds.
Annual Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival
Where: Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Fairbanks, Alaska.
When: Aug. 26-28
More info: http://www.arcticaudubon.org/crane.html
Posted in Alaska Activities, Fairbanks Princess, wildlife on August 25th, 2011
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To get a better idea of what activities are popular from the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge we spoke with Hotel Services Manager Rick Peterson.
One of the McKinley lodge’s annual traditions is a Christmas in August celebration. The lodge is decorated and guests are treated to Christmas cookies, a live reindeer and an appearance from Santa Claus. The event was inspired by a snowstorm closure of Yellowstone National Park and was adopted by the McKinley lodge about seven years ago. This year’s festivities are Aug. 24 and 25. Read more about them here.
 Princess employee Ian Von Feldt is dressed as Santa and Mt. McKinley Hotel Services Manager Rick Peterson is an elf / Photo courtesy Princess Lodges The McKinley lodge is also welcoming painter Don Kolstad. While Kolstad paints nature scenes in the great room, guests can interact with him and ask him questions. He will be painting from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 25 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 26.
Peterson said guests have been enjoying a recent Fireweed Mocha special at the espresso bar. The drink features espresso mixed with chocolate, French vanilla, cherry, cinnamon and milk and is especially popular because the lodge property has several large areas featuring beautiful fireweed plants. Peterson said guests are sometimes surprised to learn that the plant earned its name because it is often the first plant that starts to grow in areas that have experienced forest fires.
Posted in Alaska Activities, Guest Experiences, McKinley Princess on August 25th, 2011
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 Ghost the snowy owl / Photo courtesy Bird Treatment Learning Center The Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge recently hosted three free presentations about rescued birds by the Bird Treatment and Learning Center. The center brought a bald eagle named Hal who was rescued during the Exxon Valdez oil spill clean up efforts and a peregrine falcon named Maverick. Nearly 500 lodge guests were able to see the birds, take pictures with them and learn about the work that the center does for injured birds.
Staff from the center have plans to return with another round of interactive presentations about Alaska’s birds and a snowy owl named Ghost.
Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge guests have already donated $461 to the Bird Treatment and Learning Center, just from the weekend presentation. Lodge staff hope to continue to help raise funds for the donation-based center.
Posted in Community Involvement, Guest Experiences, McKinley Princess on August 16th, 2011
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 Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Frank Flavin The tallest peak in North America, Mt. McKinley stands a towering 20,320 feet tall. It’s located inside Denali National Park and Preserve, an area of more than 6 million acres – slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts – often ranked as one of Alaska’s top attractions.
It’s more than just McKinley that make the park a special place. It’s home to 37 species of mammals, everything from moose, caribou, wolves and brown bears.
The roads inside the park are closed to most vehicles, but buses still give guests one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Alaska. Additionally, day hikers can get off the bus anywhere along the Park Road and then just flag down a bus for a ride back to the park’s entrance when they’re done.
 Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage Denali National Park and Preserve might be rugged, but that doesn’t mean visitors have to rough it. There are two Princess wilderness lodges located near the park to help travelers unwind in luxury and comfort after a day of exploring.
Located just one mile from the park’s entrance, the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge has comfortably appointed rooms and an expansive deck with outdoor hot tubs overlooking the park and the Nenana River.
The Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is located south of the national park on the banks of the Chulitna River. The great room at this lodge features enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range.
Posted in Alaska National Parks, Denali Princess, McKinley Princess, Where to Stay on August 12th, 2011
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 Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Frank Flavin Since it’s the biggest state in the union, Alaska can get away with having more than one state fair. Here is a roundup of three of the bigger fairs around the state.
The Alaska State Fair
The 12-day festival is the biggest of the state’s fairs and was officially designated the Alaska State Fair in 1956. The fairgrounds are in Palmer, about a two-hour drive from the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. It features large livestock and agriculture exhibits and contests for everything from karaoke to text messaging. Some of the performers at this year’s event include Chevelle, a Rat Pack tribute group, country musician Craig Morgan, comedian Gabriel Iglesias and radio personality Garrison Keillor (full list here).
Dates: Aug. 25 – Sept. 5
Location: 2075 Glenn Highway, Palmer
Tickets: $5-11, with additional fees for some performances.
On the Web: alaskastatefair.org
Kenai Peninsula State Fair
The “Biggest Little Fair in Alaska” is hosted in Ninilchik, a small town on the Kenai Peninsula between Homer and Soldotna. It’s only about an hour and half drive from the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge in Cooper Landing. The fair features performers and a full range of livestock and agriculture displays as well as sewing exhibits. It is also home to a two-day rodeo with events ranging from calf riding to roping and milking.
Dates: Aug. 19 – 21.
Location: Ninilchik
Tickets: Free – $8.
On the Web: kenaipeninsulafair.com
Tanana Valley State Fair
Founded in 1924, the Tanana Valley State Fair is the oldest fair in the state of Alaska. The event celebrates Interior Alaska and is hosted in Fairbanks, so the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is a natural fit for an overnight stay. The fair features livestock, games, rides, art and crafts, competitive exhibits, quilt shows, and two outdoor stages with free entertainment. Some of the more popular events include a Lego contest, antique tractor pull demonstration and baby show.
Dates: Aug. 5 – Aug. 13
Location: Aurora Drive and College Road, Fairbanks
Tickets: $10 – $35
On the Web: tananavalleystatefair.com
Posted in Alaska Activities on August 11th, 2011
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 The ruins of the 1900-era Kennecott copper mine in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage. Located in Eastern Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the United States. Its 13.2 million acres form an area larger than Rhode Island and Vermont combined.
Amongst the mountains and wilderness are the historic towns of McCarthy and Kennicott and the Kennecott Mine (a clerical worker misspelled Kennicott). The town is being preserved by the National Park Service, with rangers leading tours past the huge mill, bunkhouses, a train depot, worker’s cottages and a power plant. Kennecott was designated a National Historic Landmark since 1986 and is considered the best remaining example of early 20th Century copper mining. From 1911 to 1938, nearly $200 million worth of copper was processed in the area.
 The Kennecott mine produced 591,000 tons of pure copper before closing in 1938. Photo courtesy State of Alaska Tourism / Matt Hage. The Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is perfectly positioned to be part of your trip to see the Kennecott Mine. Located near milepost 102 on the Richardson Highway, the lodge is situated on 200 acres at the junction of the Klutina and Copper Rivers. From the Copper River Lodge, it’s about 50 miles to Chitna. Travel to McCarthy and Kennicott from Chitna requires driving a 60-mile gravel McCarthy Road built on the Northwest-Copper River Railroad bed right of way. The road was known for being rough in the past, but was designated a scenic corridor and major upgrading began in 2006. Those uncomfortable driving can easily arrange to take a flight or shuttle into town.
Posted in Alaska National Parks, Alaska Travel Tips, Copper River Princess on August 8th, 2011
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 The cast of Putnam County Spelling Bee at Denali Dinner Theatre Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge’s Music of Denali Dinner Theatre cast were recently joined by actors from Denali Park Resort’s Alaska Cabin Nite Theater for a rousing rendition of the hilarious Tony-award winning Broadway musical “Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
An audience of 150 people turned out for the event, which was a fundraiser for the music department of Tri-Valley School in Healy. The performance raised $394, which will be presented to music department director Candace Mudge. She said she plans on buying instruments and said the money may also go toward her music programs in Anderson, Healy and Cantwell.
The cast from Music of Denali included Laura Campbell, Melody Pinion, Jessica Bradish, Lindsey Powell, Andrew Tebo, Patrick Burns and Geoff Karnish. Troupe member Zach Orts was the music director and also performed on the piano. Tim Joyce was the director and choreographer.
Participating from Alaska Cabin Nite were Cody Murphy and Michael Hudson Heath.
Posted in Community Involvement, Denali Princess on August 4th, 2011
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