Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)

FAQs 
Frequently Asked Questions about Bettles Lodge, Birchwood Aircraft Services, add-on “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” excursion, Aurora Viewing, lodging packages and more!

NOTE: all pricing and terms are subject to change.  Flight arrangements up from and back to Fairbanks are also subject to change, due to passenger load, weather, and more.  Please, call the Wright Air Service if instructed, or the Lodge, the day before your scheduled arrival, to double check flight check-in time, for your flight up to Bettles.  Main: 907-692-5111 or VOIP Cell: 779-775-2990

Earliest check-in time could be as early as… 06:30 (am) for a 08:00 (am) departure, latest available check-in time for your flight up to Bettles could be 11:45 (am) for a 13:15 departure.  You will need to get yourself to the small Airline that services Bettles from Fairbanks, on time, to check-in for your flight northbound.  The air transportation in our part of the world is very limited, and depending on the day, may only have one Cessna 208 Grand Caravan (look these up on the Google) flight per day.  Flights will be arranged by Bettles Lodge and times will vary.  R/T Air Transportation, from Fairbanks to Bettles and back, is included in your package.

You will need to make your own way in Fairbanks, to meet the aircraft that is scheduled to fly you northbound on the day of your arrival to our Lodge in Bettles.  Our Lodge business is located 180 miles northwest of Fairbanks.  We do not have any employees or facilities in Fairbanks.

What time is it in Alaska anyway?? 

Starting March 10th “Spring forward” we are on AKDT aka daylight savings time or (-9 GMT/Zulu) or 4 hrs behind/earlier than PST or East Coast time. +1 hr for AKST starting in October when we “Fall back”.

Please leave a VM with your number repeated slowly, twice, if we can’t get to the phone, as we only have satellite comms here in the Arctic, no caller ID transmitted or received, and sometimes a very poor connection.

Can I find photos/videos of Bettles Lodge & property?

Yep, Type “Bettles Lodge” in the search box on TripAdvisor.com, Instagram.com, Facebook.com & YouTube.com for awesome photos of our property and activities available, depending on what time of year you visit us here in the Arctic 🙂

I’m having trouble getting through/receiving a response, what is the best way to contact Bettles Lodge?

Were a very small venue, literally a “Mom & Pop run shop” more like a big B&B situation, where the Owner/s meets all Guests at the airplane to welcome you to the Arctic in Bettles and helps handle luggage and incoming mail, freight, etc.  The Owners (Eric & Heather Fox) are also the reservations staff, Guest greeters, luggage handlers, Chefs (if needed), tour guide, boat Captain (in summer)/snow machine Guide in winter, and many other things here in our tiny community of only 14 full time residents in Bettles.  We can’t always get right back to your inquiry, so if you don’t hear from us in a few days, please email directly and we’ll get an email string going, and get you up here to our Arctic Paradise! 🙂 info@BettlesLodge.com is our one and only email.  the phone numbers work too, but only during business hours (AKST/-8 GMT or AKDT/ -9 GMT), and we’ll eventually have an email string to track your Arctic Adventure here in Bettles.

How much does it cost to stay at Bettles Lodge?

Well…. that all depends on several things, as we sell an inclusive lodging package.  So how many nights will you be visiting?, single/double/triple occupancy? (our small hotel rooms don’t accommodate a “hide-a-bed” and no quad occupancy allowed), what type of room? (Standard vs Jacuzzi), and what time of year will you be visiting?  (June-September “National Park Collecting” season vs (late August-April “Aurora Chasing” season)?

Shoot us an email at info@BettlesLodge.com with the above questions answered, and we’ll give you current availability and cost.

We do accept Visa, Master Card & Discover (No AmEx please). Of course for any small business, Cash is King! ;-).  

Airplanes come in the daytime to drop-off/pick-up our Guests, and everything else we need to move up from and back to Fairbanks, so if you’d list the Nights you’d like to visit Bettles.

What is included in the lodging package, aka summer “Arctic Circle Tour Package”/summer “Aurora Season, Arctic Circle Tour Package” & winter “Arctic Circle/Northern Lights Tour Package”?

These are dependent on the date of your visit, summer vs winter, as we are a year-round Lodge & FBO (Fixed Base Operator, for Pilot/Aircraft support) on Bettles Airport,  but all packages include #1. R/T Air Transportation from Fairbanks to Bettles and back to Fairbanks, that we’ll set up for you. 🙂 

To be able to book your included R/T Air Transportation from Fairbanks to Bettles and back, we’ll need all names (what you go by is fine, as there’s no ID required for this part of your Alaskan adventure) of travelers.

Also included: Lodging  of course, meals, snacks, soft drinks & drive around village tour, then, depending on time of year and your needs, in winter: parkas, snow pants, heavy “bunny boots” or Sorel brand boots, gloves, mitts, ski goggles, etc.  You can borrow our X-Country Skis and snow shoes too!  Summer season: rubber boots to get on and back off our float plane (if the add-on “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” add-on excursion, is booked) or just for exploring around Bettles/Evansville in the warmer months, as everything is either gravel, or squishy wet, peat moss bog in this part of Alaska.  All taxes/fees are also included with any pricing, or “out the door” with nothing hidden, and all per person, dependent on type of room, what time of year you’re visiting, and how many nights desired in Bettles.

Can I book more than one Motorboat/Float trip on the Koyukuk River during summer?

One motorboat/float trip is included in your package during the summer months, and only for a stay of 3 nights or more, and also all dependent on river level. Again, Mother Nature is the Boss!  Time constraints, weather, Guest load and more, typically does not let the boat Captain (Eric) allow for more than one jaunt down & back up river per day.  Note: our boat is an uncovered, motorboat with an outboard engine & 5 seats, nothing fancy.  😉  Most of the time it’ll be cold, windy, and if raining… wet! but I love any chance I can take to get out on the Koyukuk! 🙂

How much is the add-on “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” excursion?

The NP Adventure, is in addition to the Lodging package, and an add-on excursion.

$1,645 per person and includes; a fly over of the Greater and Lesser sand dunes in Kobuk Valley (weather dependent) landing (Kobuk River in Kobuk National Park, Walker Lake in Gates of the Arctic National Park), time on the ground to hike around a bit, have your included sack lunch, borrow our rubber boots to climb on and off the floats of our De Havilland Beaver floatplane, sack lunch to enjoy while on the ground, headset for each passenger to protect your hearing and make communication easy while in our noisy aircraft and even a two sided National Park sign for photos while on the ground.  One side has Gates of the Arctic National Park, and the other Kobuk Valley National Park.  You’re welcome to bring your own sign as well of course. (All Mother Nature dependent)

If you’d like to attempt to get out to our only two Arctic National Parks, on our “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” excursion, we’ll need to know #1. how many nights you’d like to visit? (2 night minimum) #2 how many travelers? (up to 6 max per day, weighing up to 1,100 lbs) #3 how much does each Guest weigh? #4. Jacuzzi room? (we have 4 of these total, in our Aurora Lodge) or Standard room? (we have 4 of these in our Aurora Lodge) #5 preferred dates of visit? N.P.C.W.A. “season” runs from June 5th through September 25th, all dependent on Mother Nature…

I want to actually walk around in both Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley, is this possible?

Yep, this is what we specialize in during the summer months, starting around June 5th and ending around the last week in September.  Our “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” excursion is designed to get up to 5 adults traveling separately/couples, or a group of 6 traveling together, weighing up to 1,100 lbs per day.  This Adventure covers over 400  miles (by air), and includes a landing in both Kobuk Valley (Kobuk River) and Gates of the Arctic National Parks (Walker Lake) in our De Havilland (DHC-2) floatplane, time on the ground, sack lunch, headset for each passenger, use of our rubber boots to climb on to and off of the floats of our aircraft.  Our NP Adventure costs $1,645 per person, and we’ll need your weight/s up front if you’d like to join our NP Adventure.

Are there a lot of mosquitos in the Arctic??

Yep!  Mosquitos, horse flies, deer flies, “no-see-ums”, white sox… we’re all part of the eco system up here.  You’ll be alright…  you got lots of blood and they don’t eat that much… 😉

Bug shirts work, regular “Off!” works, AND our mosquitos don’t carry disease like back in “America” aka the lower 48.  We also, now with the climate changing, have ticks in our great state!  Sheesh…. someone turn the heat back down, please…

Is there a National Park sign where we can take our photo in each Arctic National Park?

Nope, no infrastructure what so ever.  No permanent NP sign, no Ranger Station, no trails (except for maybe a game trail), no pavilions, not even a port-o-let!  BUT… included with our excursion, is a two sided sign with each National Park for photos, AND we also fly with a small shovel and TP if you have to “use the bathroom” and need toilet paper while out in the back country, on our NP Adventure. 🙂

 Is R/T air transportation included in the package price?
Yep, (Fairbanks-Bettles-Fairbanks) and it’s actually listed as the first inclusion, on the package inclusions list ;-).

To be able to book your included R/T Air Transportation from Fairbanks to Bettles and back, we’ll need all names (what you go by is fine, as there’s no ID required for this part of your Alaskan adventure) of travelers.

Can’t I just drive to Bettles from Fairbanks? It looks like there’s a road/dotted line on the map!?!

There is no “road” to access Bettles from the Dalton “highway”, and…. pst… the word “highway” is a funny joke many places in Alaska, no mater how Arduous the roads are in your state 😉 

Can I take the Alaska Railroad to Bettles?

Nope, the furthest north the train goes is Fairbanks, and then Bettles is still 180 miles (by air) farther northwest of Fairbanks.

How long have the current owners, owned Bettles Lodge?

Heather & Eric Fox purchased the Lodge business from Lynda Klaes, July 1st 2014, moved to Bettles where we live year round, and have been LOVING life ever since! 🙂

Will someone meet us in Fairbanks to “pick us up” for our flight to Bettles?

Nope, we’re located 180 miles (by air)  northwest of Fairbanks, so you’ll need to make your own way over to the “East Ramp” of the Fairbanks Airport, with your hotel shuttle, Taxi/Lyft/Uber to check in for your flight to Bettles.  We’ll make your R/T Air arrangements up from Fairbanks to Bettles (and back), and will let you know what those are, about 2-4 weeks from your arrival date in Bettles.  We use several different “tools” to move everything we need up from and back to Fairbanks.

NOTE: no food, lodging, transportation in Fairbanks, is included in your package price, as we’re located in Bettles.  All Guests should plan to check-in as early as 06:30 (am) for their flight northbound, and also prepare for ETA back in Fairbanks as late as 6 pm on the day of your departure from Bettles.  NOTE: if you do decide to try and make tight connections, you may not be able to catch your flight out of Fairbanks as there are typically no other options  and only an ETA back in Fairbanks from Bettles, because there may be other stops (or not) on the way up from/back to Fairbanks, on any particular day.

Just like any other airport on the planet, Mother Nature can and occasionally does delay/cancel flights.  We strongly advise that you do your own research, and purchase both travel & medevac insurance, whenever traveling to remote locations like the Arctic Bush of Alaska where we’re located. 

To be able to book your included R/T Air Transportation from Fairbanks to Bettles and back, we’ll need all names (what you go by is fine, as there’s no ID required for this part of your Alaskan adventure) of travelers.

Do more nights booked during the warmer months when I have a “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” booked give me a better chance to get in to the two Arctic National Parks?
Not necessarily… Our small venue can do one of these excursions per day, that covers over 400 miles by air, for up to 6 passengers and it wouldn’t be fair to “bump” the folks scheduled for the next day’s excursion.

That being said, if weather stops us from flying one day, if you do book an extra night or two, the other air service that operates in Bettles during the summer may… have an opening as they typically hire several Pilots and operate a larger Air Taxi Service.  They will be most likely fully booked as well, and probably also delayed by weather, just like any other airport in the world. 😉

Are there signs where I can take my/our picture in the Arctic National Parks? (Summer N.P.C.W.A. season)
Nope,  this is unadulterated Mother Nature. We know EVERYONE wants to “have proof” that they’ve actually stepped foot in both Arctic National Parks so we do have a double-sided sign, one side “Gates of the Arctic” and the other “Kobuk Valley” National Park/s that we send with you. You are of course invited to make your own version/s of this if you like to take along on the NP tour too!

 Are there out houses/bathrooms to use in the National Parks?
Nope, we send a hand spade and TP with you on the tour. If you need to go to “the bathroom” you should dig a “cat hole” go in the cat hole, TP in the cat hole and cover it up. We try to leave these pristine National Parks as least as good, or better than we found them. You won’t be the first visitors there, and definitely won’t be the last!

 How long can we spend in each National Park?
Realistically… Most folks spend 15 min to an hour in each NP, as there are no trails, bathrooms, Visitor’s Center, pavilions, etc… and the only shelter will be your raingear that you should have with you and the aircraft that brought you, and the mosquitos will be there to welcome you in each park…

 Is there a fee to get in to these Arctic National Parks?
Nope, “free of charge” BUT you will need an airplane to be able to land in Kobuk Valley and/or Gates of the Arctic.

 Can I hike in the Arctic National Parks?
Yes, BUT… Where we land on the Kobuk River, there is some exposed sand dune and some river shore to hike a bit, but there are ponds and ponds and ponds all over the place and HEAVY brush so the hiking is very minimal. Gates of the Arctic landing spot is Walker Lake, which is a beautiful deep water mountain lake, so there’s mountains and the lake. There is a small “spit” of land where we taxi our float plane up to, where you can find animal tracks, blueberries (late July & August), and hike a bit.

 I have a National Park Passport, where can I get my stamp for these two Arctic National Parks?
The Bettles Gates of the Arctic & Kanuti Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center is literally a “stone’s throw” away, (but please don’t throw rocks… ;-)) from the front steps of the Aurora Lodge. In the past years, (except 2023 it was closed all year…) they’ve been open 7 days a week, 8 am – 5 pm to welcome folks, talk about this awesome area of our huge state, have your stamps for Gates of the Arctic, Kobuk Valley, Kanuti Wildlife Refuge (you can “collect” or physically contact this one for free… I’ll show you on the Village Van Tour when you arrive) and also Noatak Preserve stamp.

 Can I buy National Park nick-nacks at the Visitor’s Center?
Yep, (if/when they’re open) they have pamphlets, the NP rubber stamps to stamp your NP passport, and other things for sale in their small “gift shop” (if/when they are open, and only during summer months, mid-June through mid-September).  The NPS Visitor’s Center currently does have at least the rubber stamps available for any visitors to Bettles, Gates of the Arctic & Kobuk Valley National Parks, Noatak Preserve and Kanuti Wildlife Refuge.

Please contact “the powers that be” in Fairbanks to see what the National Park Service Visitor’s Center plans are for this year.  Check out; https://www.nps.gov/gaar/contacts.htm  

Can I hike to the Greater Sand Dunes in Kobuk Valley National Park on the Adventure?

Nope, not with our NP Adventure.  We land on Kobuk River, as we operate two float planes.  One being our DHC-2 (De Havilland Beaver), and a smaller Cessna 180J both on floats for water take offs & landings.  while it is only a few miles away from the Greater Dunes, it’d take a whole day of swimming, sloshing through very wet squishy peat moss bog, and then don’t forget impenetrable Alder brush to bushwhack through, in between all this too!

Can I combine the 10% military discount, with a group of 5 or more 10% discount, with a stay of 6 nights or more 10% discount?

Nope, one discount offer per booking.  Returning Guests, if they book with us directly, will receive a 10% discount, for their 2nd visit, 20% 3rd visit, up to 30% max total, if/when eligible. This discount applies to the lodging package portion of your reservation.  No discount offered for our “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” portion of your reservation.

Can I order off a “menu” once I arrive in the Arctic Bush of Alaska in Bettles?

We’re planning on having a limited menu this summer, but remember! we are 180 Air Miles from the nearest Walmart, Costco, Fred Meyers, Safeway, or any other food supplier, who do exist in Fairbanks, but not here.  We have what we have on site, at the moment, and do run out of things routinely, due to shopping/delivery/flight delays (our Awesome “expediter” that lives in Fairbanks), shipping delays (Wright Air Service brings us everything we need up from, and back to Fairbanks, including groceries, spark plugs for my snow machines, sled dog food, and everything else we use here in Bettles).  Everything is limited in remote places, and what we have, is what we have… 😉

Are there microwaves/cooking facilities for Guests?

Nope, no “house” telephone or TV in any Guest rooms either.

Can I switch rooms once I arrive in Bettles to increase the number of nights I can stay?

Nope, it creates a housekeeping nightmare, and sometimes our very small venue is 100% booked so no where to move anyway and/or no seats available with a last minute flight change on the very limited Air Transportation available, all based out of Fairbanks.

Are there hairdryers in the rooms or should I bring one?
Yes, we have hairdryers in our 4 Jacuzzi rooms and in the 4 common bathrooms in the Aurora Lodge.

Are there showers in all the hotel rooms in Bettles?

Nope, none of our 4 Jacuzzi rooms, or 4 Standard rooms in our Aurora Lodge have showers.  The Jacuzzi rooms do have a W/C (aka Water Closet aka toilet in a closet in your room, but open sink and open jetted Jacuzzi brand bathtub, all in your Jacuzzi room.

Standard rooms have no plumbing, but use the 4 common/shared bathrooms right in the same hallway as the 8 hotel rooms, each shared bathroom has a lockable door, toilet, sink & shower.

 Are the “common” bathrooms like high school where everyone showers together?!?
Nope, Shared/Common bathrooms have a lockable door, sink, toilet and shower, BUT… what happens in Bettles mostly stays in Bettles ;-). Jacuzzi rooms have an in-room toilet (W/C toilet in closet), sink & jetted Jacuzzi brand bathtub, no shower in our Jacuzzi rooms, showers are in the common bathrooms, just a step down the hall.

How much luggage can I bring on the aircraft (usually a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan) or (Piper Navajo Chieftain) up to Bettles?

These aircraft (look em up on the Google) are configured to hold up to 9 passengers + Pilot and like all aircraft, are limited on how much weight they can lift.  40 lbs /19 kg (per person) luggage, is included in your R/T Air Transportation, and if you have to bring more than that, you will be paying $1.80/lb over 40 lbs per person.  We always advise you check with your hotel in Fairbanks for luggage storage service, and repack only what you’ll need for your short visit to Bettles in a backpack or other soft sided luggage for ease of packing in the smaller aircraft.

What time will my flight leave Fairbanks to fly up to Bettles?

Check-in time is the important time to pay attention to, for your flight up to Bettles.  You’ll check-in and drop your luggage about an hour and a half before scheduled departure time, and check-in may be as early as 06:30 (am) or as late as 11:45 (am).  departure from Bettles back to Fairbanks, may be scheduled for a pick-up in Bettles as early as 09:30 (am) or as late as 13:15 (1:15 pm), and ETA back in Fairbanks as late as 18:00 (6 pm).

These flights not only bring our Guests and everything we use here in the Arctic Bush of Alaska, but also to over 20 other communities all over the state that are Fly-in-Only (aka no road in/out), daily flight routing depends on particular flight routing, passenger and freight load on that particular day, also with weather in mind! 😉

 What time will the airplane pick me up in Bettles to fly me back to Fairbanks?
Flight arrival/departure times in Bettles are variable due to other village stops on the way here (or after departure from Bettles) and weather, possibly as late ETA back in Fairbanks as 6 pm.

 What time does my flight get back to Fairbanks?
Arrival times back in Fairbanks are variable due to other village stops after you get picked up in Bettles, but usually by/before 6 pm.

 Does the Lodge sell fishing licenses?
Nope, but you can print a non-resident fishing license from home, or now even have an electronic copy on your mobile! check-out https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main

 How many hotel rooms does Bettles Lodge have?

Our Aurora Lodge has 8 hotel rooms total, 4 Jacuzzi rooms w/toilet (W/C aka “water closet” aka toilet in a small closet in your room), sink & jetted Jacuzzi brand bathtub, 4 Standard rooms with no plumbing in them, use the 4 common bathrooms all in the same building, a step or three down/across the hall.  All “common/shared” bathrooms each have a hair dryer, lockable door, toilet & sink and these are also the only showers (no shower in the Jacuzzi rooms, just a jetted Jacuzzi brand bathtub).

Our Historic Bettles Lodge has 6 Standard rooms up 16 stairs, 5 of these rooms have two Twin beds and one has a Queen bed.  These rooms being Standard, share the two common/shared bathrooms upstairs, each has a hair dryer, lockable door, toilet sink & shower.

I have a CPAP Machine, are there plug ins, in the rooms?

Yep, plug ins, a lamp, overhead lights, washcloth, hand towel, full size towel, terrycloth bathrobe, slippers, extra blanket & pillow too!  We’ve got a lot of the same amenities as a regular hotel, but only 8 rooms so more like a large B&B where you can serve yourself coffee, tea & sodas so it feels more like you’re visiting family 🙂

How early in the year can you see Aurora?
We’ve seen the Aurora (very faintly because of ambient light from our star (aka the sun)) as early as August 8th but the closer you get to Winter Solstice (Dec 21/22) the better chance you have because of more “dark” night check out https://sunrisesunset.com/ 

How late in the season can you see the Aurora?
Usually, April 15th is about the latest to see weak Aurora as once again, the ambient light from our star (aka the sun) starts providing more light every day. 

 Do I need to “bullseye” the New Moon for the darkest nights?
Nope, a week preceding or after the actual New Moon are equally as good, and a little moon actually makes for more interesting photos. Our Star (aka the sun) is in charge of how intense the show is, when it displays or, can we see it even before “dark” night? how long it lasts etc. Now… all we need are clear enough skies to see stars & planets, and YOU have to be awake and outside looking up!

Does Spring Equinox make for much better Aurora?
Not necessarily… the sun may or may not be throwing CME material (sun stuff) or hot fast solar wind out of a Coronal Hole (hole in the sun’s magnetic shield that lets faster solar wind pile up like sand on a shovel blade), and we might have thick enough clouds to not be able to see the Aurora on any day/night of the year.

 Can I book dog sled rides or snow machine tours before I arrive, during the colder months?
Nope, we’ll advise you what is prudent and possible once you arrive in Bettles. Mother Nature dictates all we do here year-round.

 Will you wake us up if the Aurora comes out after we’ve retired for the night?
Yep, we have an employee dedicated to just this, our “Aurora Concierge” ;-),  until 2 am when their shift ends. We always advise to set your alarm for 2 am and if you haven’t had a knock on your door, get up and outside and check, if you’re serious about catching the Aurora. If you see Aurora, please wake up the other Guests! 🙂

 When is the best time for catching the Aurora?
I go with pure statistics… the two weeks surrounding the two or three, new moons closest to winter solstice. There are actually times during any day of the year, that if it were dark, at our latitude, that we could see Aurora all day/night.

  When do you have enough snow for dog sled rides and snowmachine tours?

Historically late October/early November. We typically are two weeks ahead of Fairbanks for snowfall then two weeks behind for “thaw” in the spring. It’s all up to Mother Nature, just like everything else is!

Can I book Winter Season “Flight-see” tours before I arrive in Bettles?

Nope, Winter flight-see is (like everything else) dependent on Mother Nature i.e. temperature, visibility, wind, etc… AND having a Commercial Pilot in Bettles to be able to do that. Winter flight-see, typically is available in February & March, when/if we have a Commercial Pilot on staff.  Conservative Charter rate of $1,200 per hour, with max 3 passengers ($400/hr per passenger, if 3 passengers are sharing a flight, 2 passengers would cost $600/hr and one would cost $1,200/hr)

 How/where do you get your electricity in Bettles?
AP&T (Alaska Power & Telephone) (APTL stock ticker), supplies commercial, locally generated, diesel fired electricity to Bettles/Evansville and many other remote Alaskan communities across our huge state.

 How/where do you get telephone service?
AP&T supplies “land line” service, via a telephone “switch” or computer that is attached to the big satellite up-link dish right next to our power plant next to the Bettles Field USPS Office (99726).

 How do you get your mail in Bettles/Evansville?
Wright Air Service (based in Fairbanks) delivers the mail and most everything else we need from Fairbanks daily. Not only USPS, but UPS/Amazon, DHL, FedEx, groceries from Fred Meyers, Costco, Safeway, supplies & parts from Napa, Home Depot, Cold Spot Feeds (sled dog food) and other stores back in Fairbanks.

How do you get groceries, spark plugs, plumbing repair pieces and everything else you need to maintain your property, from stores?

all our supplies/groceries/bottled water, etc… must be flown in, as there are no roads to Bettles, only a “Winter Access Only Trail” meaning the only time you can drive in, is during the winter, after we have constructed from scratch, our “Ice Road”.  Look up/Google search (Bettles Ice Road Truckers) to get some idea.  It’s a 500 mile round trip to the Walmart/Costco/Fred Meyers/Safeway/Hospital, etc… in Fairbanks, from Bettles.

 Where do the kids go to school in Bettles/Evansville?
Well, there is only one family currently in our community of Bettles/Evansville that has 4 younger kids, and now only 2 of them are school age. No school in Bettles/Evansville for over 20 years now, so Mom & Dad home school.

 Why is there no school in Bettles/Evansville?
Back in the 70s-80s there were many more people living in the community and it was basically all government workers for the FAA, Bureau of Land Management, etc… also a much larger NPS compliment than we have now, but over the years, funding was taken away… less funding, less gov’t jobs, less families can afford (or want to these days…) to live, in this quite challenging, remote and expensive place to live.

 Do we need to bring our own rubber boots to Bettles?
You sure can if you like, but we do have rubber boots to borrow so you can get on and off our float-planes, stepping though a little water, and keep your tootsies dry.  (if you have a size  15+, you should bring your own footwear), but we do have a size #13,#14, #15.

 Do your rubber boots go over our shoes? 
Nope, these are rubber boots/muck boots, not “galoshes”  or “over shoes” so in place of your hiking shoes.  You may bring your hiking footwear on our airplane to the Arctic NPs if you like.

 Can we spend one day in each Arctic National Park? 
Yes, of course, but we don’t offer that type of tour.  Our Tour is designed to get your boots on the ground in each Arctic National Park, and then transport you back to Bettles by supper time. (if you’d like something else than we offer, you can do a quick Google search and find other Air Taxis that operate during the summer).

 What will the weather be like on our tour in to the two Arctic National Parks? 
A Google search will give you the “historical” weather for any place on earth, to get you started, but plan for colder/warmer than “forecasted”.  Always, always, bring your own rain gear, whenever visiting our great state during the warmer months.  Have layers with you just in case, because it’s much better “to have it and not need it, than needing it and not having it!”

 Is Bettles Lodge handicap accessible?  

Nope, because…To get to Bettles, you’ll first have to be able to climb 4 stairs in to the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan (find on Google), be able to thread/squeeze your way through a VERY narrow “isle” between freight, boxes of groceries, dog kennels, who knows what, to get to your seat.  Once on the ground in Bettles, you’ll need to climb down the stairs to gravel, muddy conditions in Summer, or snow/ice everywhere in Winter.  We do not have wheel chair ramps, grab bars, etc… AND we are located 180 air-miles northwest of the nearest doctors and hospital, back in Fairbanks.

Is there a weight limit for either the aircraft that flies between Fairbanks and Bettles or the aircraft that takes us out to the two Arctic National Parks?

Please realize that all aircraft have weight limits, so Yes there is a weight limit.  Passengers on the scheduled service based in Fairbanks must be able to climb up 4 steep steps, squeeze down a very narrow isle between maybe boxes of groceries, sled dog kennel/s, maybe someone’s new snowmachine or 4 wheeler, who knows what.  You’ll need to be able to sit in a regular sized seat and fasten your seat belt per FAA regulations as well.  This is for the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan or Piper Navajo Chieftain that flies between Fairbanks and Bettles (look these up on the Google)

For our “National Park Collector Wilderness Adventure” excursion, our DHC-2 (aka De Havilland Beaver) floatplane can legally handle up to 1,100 lbs of passengers and gear (Pilot and fuel are separate from this figure). 

So say a couple weighs over 500 lbs, you’ll need to be prepared to purchase 3 seats for our N.P.C.W.A. excursion, at $1,645 per seat/ as theoretically we’d only have 2 more seats to sell, out of the 6 seats we insure, on our once a day excursion to the two Arctic National Parks.

Cases will be addressed individually on a case by case basis.

 Are Guest’s pets allowed?  

Nope, we do not allow pets/service animals in our Lodge.  We are a very small intimate setting, cater to visitors from all over the planet, and some folks are scared/offended by pets.  If you must bring a pet/service animal, you’ll need to stay somewhere else besides Bettles Lodge.

 What are the food choices at Bettles Lodge?

We offer a “Chef’s Choice” menu.  Breakfast is eggs your way, hashbrown potatoes, Jimmy Dean pork sausage, bacon, and/or Alaskan Sausage with Reindeer meat (don’t worry, it’s not Rudolf… ;-))  Pancakes, toast with butter, cold cereal, oatmeal, any or all of the above included for our Package Guests or $25/plate for walk-in customers.

Lunch is typically homemade soup of the day and bread $25 for Walk-ins

Supper, we now offer your choice of hand cut steak or prime rib, Sockeye Salmon, chicken, hand cut pork loin chop or pork loin roast, with Chef’s choice of starch, veg and dessert.  Walk-in Supper price; $45 pork/chicken, $55 Sockeye Salmon, $75 Beef

(no cooking facilities/microwave available for our Guests)

For our Arctic Circle Tour Package Guests, all meals, snacks, soft-drinks are included in your package price! 🙂

Please let us know if you have any food allergies or strong food aversions, and we’ll do our best to not let anyone go hungry! 🙂

 Is a deposit required?

Yep, we require a 50% deposit of your Adventure with us at the time of booking to secure your spot, then the remainder is due at the time of your check-out, on the day of your departure from Bettles.

Deposits can be made over the phone with your credit card info (no AmEx please).  We’re working on an online booking option, currently.

 How much tax & extra fees will I owe, over the stated per person pricing?

NONE! 🙂  All our pricing is per person, and includes all taxes, fees, etc… Nothing hidden 🙂

What if weather at Sea/Tac Airport (or any other airport in the world), cancels or delays our flight, and we can’t connect with the flight up to Bettles?  Or, if weather in Fairbanks and or Bettles won’t allow flight/s?

No refunds due to weather, or other airline’s mechanical/Pilot issues.  We urge our Guests to do your own research, and find both travel and medevac insurances that’ll work for you, whenever traveling to any remote locations, like the Arctic Bush of Alaska, where we are located.

If weather cancels your flight Adventure into the two Arctic National Parks (with us, summer season), we have a form letter you can submit to your travel insurance company. 🙂  If weather delays/cancels your Air Transportation up to Bettles from Fairbanks, we can also provide a letter stating that situation, you can give to your travel insurance provider too, just make sure to request a letter for your insurance, if desired BEFORE departing Bettles or asap from the event if you can’t arrive in Alaska/Bettles.

is there food available at the small Air Service when I check-in for my flight northbound from Fairbanks?

Nope, but if you’re lucky enough to get the later morning check-in time of 11:30 or 11:45, and it’s not a Sunday, you can check-in early (just before 11:00 am, and then just ask your driver (hotel shuttle, Taxi, Lyft, Uber) to wait a minute or two while you check-in and drop your luggage, (make sure you check-in for your flight northbound to Bettles first or you’ll loose your seats!) then get a ride back up just past the Air Traffic Control Tower to East Ramp Pizza and have an early lunch.  Then walk some of that off on your way back down to Wright Air Service.  It’s about a 1/2 mile walk, so make sure you’re prepared for local temperatures & weather conditions i.e. suitable footwear, rain gear, winter gear, etc… depending on time of year you’re visiting.

You’ll need to be back at Wright Air at least a half hour before your flight is scheduled to depart northbound, as sometimes they leave a bit early if possible.   Again, you must check-in first at the Air Service, before heading to the best pizza in Fairbanks! 😉  Make sure you say “Hi” to Wendy, the Owner for me 🙂