August 21, 2026

Wilderness Fine Dining at the AWA Lodges

One of the best parts of visiting Alaska and traveling with Alaska Wildland Adventures is a chance to explore wild spaces that very few visitors ever see. Our lodges are intentionally crafted to host small groups of travelers, with a focus on sustainable practices, deep exploration and an emphasis on getting to know the landscapes, wildlife and history of the state. During the day, we focus on active exploration, including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, rafting and more; to perfectly complement this adventuring, the private guest cabins and main lodges are the perfect place to relax in the mornings and evenings, and delicious, nutritious and locally-sourced meals are an integral part of your vacation in Alaska. We call our style of meals “wilderness fine dining.”

Guests at Kenai Backcountry Lodge enjoy a wilderness fine dining dinner experience

Wilderness fine dining means that baked goods are made from scratch; proteins, vegetables and fruits are prepared daily; and high-quality ingredients are sourced locally and from within the state whenever possible. We’re lucky to have experienced chefs leading our dining teams, crafting creative and custom menus for each of our wilderness lodges.

Breakfast starts the day and is enjoyed in the dining room of each lodge. Both lighter options, including homemade granola, yogurt and fruits, and heartier options, which could include fresh egg dishes, pastries, muffins and breakfast meats, are available. Coffee and tea is brewed fresh throughout the morning and into the day.

The dining room at Kenai Backcountry Lodge

Lunch options depend on your activity choice for the day. If you’re heading out for a full-day adventure, such as an Aialik Bay kayak trip or a hike up the Cottonwood Trail, you’ll find a full spread of sandwich items to build your own packed lunch; this includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, greens, veggie toppings and condiments, as well as the classic nut butter and jelly option. Complete your brown bag lunch with fruit, chips, trail mix, granola bars and other snacks for your day in remote Alaska. If you’re scheduled for a half-day activity, such as a canoe paddle across Pedersen Lagoon or a hike in Chugach National Forest, you’ll return to the lodge for lunch. At the lodge, a warm lunch option, such as a hearty soup and rolls, as well as fresh-made sandwiches and salads are available.

Dinner at each lodge is a special time of day: guests have returned from a day of adventuring and are excited to relax and enjoy a good meal. Each of our wilderness lodges has a bar area with a variety of beers and wines available; many folks choose to spend the early evening in the lodge with a glass of their choice and enjoy good conversations with the other guests at the lodge. Dinner is served family-style: lodge servers deliver plates to each table with the main course, while salads, warm vegetables, rolls and other items are available at the table. Finally, a delicious scratch-made dessert finishes the meal. We hear from guests that evenings in the lodge provides space to unwind and build special memories with their traveling companions.

The dining room at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge to support our wilderness fine dining

We are able and happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Please get in touch if you have any questions about this. Once your booking is secured, we’ll be in touch via a guest information form, where you’ll be able to share any specific dietary needs or restrictions.