Hostels

Talkeetna Hostel International (907/733-4678, www.talkeetnahostel.com, mid-Apr.–Sept.) is a fine option for budget travelers. The bunks are comfortable enough, the location—a few blocks east of downtown on I Street—is quiet, and the rate is just $22 per person in a dorm room and $50 s or $55 d for a private room. There are three baths, a full kitchen and laundry, free mountain bikes, a guest computer, Wi-Fi, a TV, and no curfew.

Located right in the center of town on Main Street, House of 7 Trees (907/733-7733, late Apr.–early Sept.) is a cozy little place with hostel bunks ($25 pp) and four private rooms ($75–90 d) upstairs. Guests have access to the common room with a commercial kitchen, a grand piano, and Wi-Fi. Talkeetna Roadhouse also has bunks.

Hotels

Talkeetna Roadhouse (907/733-1351, www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com, $55–75 s, $65–85 d) has simple but clean guest rooms with period antiques, two cozy cabins ($95 and $110), and a four-bed coed hostel ($20 pp). All rooms have baths down the hall in this classic Alaskan lodge, constructed in 1917 and in business since 1944.

Latitude 62 Motel (907/733-2262, www.latitude62.com, $65 s, $75 d) is a two-story log building on the south end of town with 10 budget rooms. The furnishings are older, and there are no phones or TVs, but Latitude does have Wi-Fi.

Downtown above Wildflower Café, Main St. Suites (907/733-2694, www.talkeetnasuites.com, summer only) consists of a one-bedroom studio ($140 d) and a two-bedroom suite ($160 d), both with private baths and kitchenettes.

Head across the railroad tracks to Swiss-Alaska Inn (907/733-2424, www.swissalaska.com, $89 s, $119 d), with 20 motel rooms, homemade quilts, private baths, and bathtubs. There is no TV reception, but videos are available along with Wi-Fi in the adjacent restaurant. German is spoken.

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge (907/733-9500 or 888/959-9590, www.talkeetnalodge.com, mid-May–Sept.) sits atop a hill a mile south of Talkeetna, with spacious, modern rooms for $309 d ($409 d for those that face Mt. McKinley). Luxury suites—most with gas fireplaces and jetted tubs—are $479–569 d. The grand lobby includes a stone fireplace and towering windows framing The Mountain, and a fine-dining restaurant is on the premises. There’s a free shuttle to town and the train depot. This 200-room Native Alaskan–owned lodge serves up million-dollar views for an upscale clientele, pretty much the opposite of most Talkeetna lodging places.

Cabins

Paradise Lodge & Cabins (907/733-1471 or 888/205-3553, www.paradiselodge.net, year-round, $115 d) is aptly named, with a delightful location along Fish Lake five miles south of Talkeetna. Four rustic cabins share a bathhouse, or you can stay in the main lodge where two rooms share a bath. Also available is a spacious three-bedroom home ($500 for up to 8 guests).

Right in town, Talkeetna Cabins (907/733-2227 or 888/733-9933, www.talkeetnacabins.org) consists of duplex log cabins ($175 d) and a large three-bedroom cabin ($350 for 4 people), all with full kitchens, private baths, and Wi-Fi.

Susitna River Lodging (907/733-1505 or 866/733-1505, www.susitna-river-lodging.com) has four modern cedar cabins ($229 d) and lodge rooms ($159–179 d) a half-mile south of Talkeetna. All guest rooms and cabins have private baths, kitchenettes, and Wi-Fi.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

When it comes to Talkeetna B&Bs the old “location, location, location” saying applies, with several places providing Denali vistas to die for.

Five miles east of town, Traleika B&B (907/733-2711, www.traleika.com) has a mountaintop location facing Denali. The guesthouse rents for $205 d, and two smaller cabins are $165–185 d; add $20 for each extra guest. All three places include full baths and kitchens with breakfast supplies.

Not far away—with an equally fine vista—is the reasonably priced Freedom Hills B&B (907/733-2455 or 888/703-2455, www.gbfreedomhillsbb.com, $120 d shared bath, $140 d private bath) where five guest rooms are in two adjacent homes. Co-owner and chef Bill Germain creates a delicious breakfast each morning, and there is free Wi-Fi too.

Built in 1946 and beautifully maintained, Fireweed Station (907/733-1457 or 888/647-1457, www.fireweedstation.com) is a gorgeous log home off Mile 2 of the Talkeetna Spur Road. A spacious suite ($205 d) occupies the entire upstairs, and downstairs are two guest rooms ($175–185 d) with private baths. All rates include a full breakfast, Wi-Fi, and access to the big deck. Dinners are available on request.

© Don Pitcher from Moon Alaska, 10th Edition