Ultima Thule Lodge, AK

The Ultima Thule Lodge is a private guest lodge with one of the most remote and dramatic private airstrips in Alaska. Do not land here without prior permission.

The lodge sits deep in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, accessible only by small aircraft — there are no roads whatsoever. The airstrip is the sole lifeline to the outside world.

The Airstrip Itself
A private gravel/dirt strip carved out of the wilderness along the Chitina River valley
Surrounded by massive glaciers, peaks, and braided river channels
Known for being a challenging, bush-pilot-grade landing due to terrain, unpredictable mountain weather, and the short, rough surface
Sits at roughly 1,900 ft elevation

Operations
The lodge operates its own fleet of small bush planes (Super Cubs, Cessnas, and similar aircraft)
Pilots are highly experienced Alaskan bush fliers — the Claus family, who own the lodge, are legendary aviators in the region
Guests are flown in from McCarthy or Chitina, typically in small 2–4 seat planes

Weather holds enormous power over flight schedules here — fog, wind, and storms can ground flights for days
The Experience Landing here is considered an adventure in itself — banking between glacier walls and river bars before touching down in one of the most isolated spots in North America.