On the vast Gulf of Alaska, sits a tiny fishing town you’ve probably never heard of. What it lacks in residents (pop. 2, 528) it makes up for in outdoor recreation, wildlife spotting, and the glorious opportunity to drop off the grid.
City Editor Ben here. Every day I spent in Cordova was steeped in the potential for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from waking up to the calls of bald eagles to paddling a canoe beside a colossal wall of ice. Here are some suggestions to help you write your own story in The Last Frontier.
To tell dunlins apart from western sandpipers, look for the signature black chest.
Photo by @benmcbeephoto
Why go?
- Want to get away from it all? It rarely gets more remote than Cordova, which isn’t connected to the road system. There are only two ways to get in or out — by boat or by plane. With the rugged Chugach Mountains for scenery, why would you ever want to leave?
- In May, binocular-toting birders flock to the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival to witness the annual migration of approx. 5 million avian travelers. Photograph species like western sandpipers and dunlins as they forage and flutter among the tidal flats.
- There are world-famous salmon in those waters, just waiting for you to reel them in.
Hop on for some grub.
Photo by @benmcbeephoto
Act like a local
- Shop: If you want to look the part, head straight to Copper River Fleece. The lined jackets are trimmed with nature- and Indigenous-themed designs from local artists and will keep you warm whether you’re hiking, kayaking, or skiing.
- Food: When hunger strikes, look for the red school bus by the harbor. At Baja Taco, you’ll find Mexican Alaskan fare and an espresso bar. Pro tip: Add reindeer sausage or salmon to any breakfast entree for $4.
- Outdoors: Put on your XTRATUF boots and pack your bear spray for a 1.5-mile hike to Sheridan Glacier.
- Learn: Visit the Ilanka Cultural Center to browse exhibits about the Native Village of Eyak’s 10,000-year history in the region.
- Explore: Enlist an outfitter to take you to the literal end of the road to gaze upon Childs and Miles glaciers and the Million Dollar Bridge.
A historic cannery still sits on the same property as Orca Adventure Lodge.
Photo by @benmcbeephoto
Where to stay
- Vrbo: Seaview condo close to dining options (~$175/night)*
- Airbnb: Remodeled apartment near picturesque Nirvana Park and Eyak Lake (~$205/night)
- Base camp for outdoor excursions: Orca Adventure Lodge (Contact for rates)
