Discover Alaska with McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café

Your Denali Adventure Basecamp

Spot Alaska’s mighty moose on your Denali adventure

 Discover Alaska with McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café. Alaska, known as 'The Last Frontier,' is a land of extremes, beauty, and adventure. From glaciers and wildlife to fascinating culture and history, there are endless reasons to visit. When exploring Denali National Park, make McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café your basecamp — a locally-owned boutique lodge offering cozy cabins, an award-winning café, and authentic Alaskan hospitality.

State Symbols

Discover Alaska's State Symbols

• Alaska State Flower: Forget-me-not

• Alaska State Bird: Willow Ptarmigan

• Alaska State Tree: Sitka Spruce

• Alaska State Mineral: Gold

• Alaska State Gem: Jade

• Alaska State Mammal: Moose

• Alaska State Fish: King Salmon

• Alaska State Sport: Dog Mushing

• State Nickname: The Last Frontier

• State Motto: North To The Future

• State Song: Alaska's Flag

• Alaska State Holidays: Alaska Day (Oct.18) and Seward's Day (March 27)

Reel in adventure with Alaska’s state fish, the King Salmon.

The Alaska state flag proudly displays the Big Dipper and North Star, symbols of The Last Frontier

The Willow Ptarmigan, Alaska’s hardy state bird, thrives in the tundra near Denali National Park

History & Culture

Discover Alaska's History & Culture

• The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, about 2 cents an acre.

• Mesa Site: The oldest documented site of human habitation in North America lies 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

• The name Alaska probably comes from Unalaska, an Aleut word derived from agunalaksh, meaning 'the shores where the sea breaks its back.'

• The 90,000 Native people of Alaska make up roughly 15% of the state’s population.

Geography & Nature

Discover Alaska's Geography & Nature

• There are more than 3,000 rivers in Alaska and over 3 million lakes.

• Almost half of Alaska (175 million acres) is classified as wetlands.

• Highest Point: Mount McKinley (Denali), 20,320 ft.

• Of the 365 million acres of land in Alaska, less than 1/20 of 1% is settled.

• Alaska has numerous natural hot springs. Near Port Moller Hot Springs, a village site has been occupied intermittently over 3,000 years.

• It is estimated that there are 100,000 glaciers in Alaska covering 29,000 square miles (5% of the state).

• The estimated tidal shoreline of Alaska is 47,300 miles.

• Alaska is the largest state in the union, one-fifth the size of the Lower 48.

• The Arctic Circle is the latitude where the sun does not set for one day at summer solstice and does not rise for one day at winter solstice.

Alaska, the largest state in the U.S. — one-fifth the size of the Lower 48 - truly earns its nickname, The Last Frontier.

Wildlife

Discover Alaska's Wildlife

• 15 species of whales are found in Alaska waters.

• Three species of bear live in Alaska: black, brown/grizzly, and polar bears. Brown bears are the largest living omnivorous land mammals in the world.

• 430 bird species have been cited in Alaska.

• Over 50 species of wild fruit are found in Alaska including cranberries and blueberries.

One of Alaska’s three bear species, the black bear roams forests and meadows

Polar bears, icons of Alaska’s Arctic, thrive on the sea ice along the northern coast

The mighty brown bear, or grizzly, is a symbol of Alaska’s wilderness and strength

Climate & Extremes

Discover Alaska's Climate & Extremes

• Alaska has more than 80 potentially active volcanoes.

• Longest Day: In Barrow the sun rises on May 10th and doesn’t set for nearly 3 months.

• Shortest Day: In Barrow the sun sets on November 18th and residents do not see the sun again for nearly two months.

• Most snowfall in 24 hours: 62 inches, Thompson Pass near Valdez, Dec. 1955.

• Most monthly snowfall: 297.9 inches, Thompson Pass near Valdez, Feb. 1953.

• Most snowfall in a season: 974.5 inches (over 81 feet), Thompson Pass, 1952-53.

• Most precipitation in 24 hours: 15.2 inches, Angoon, Oct. 12, 1982.

• Most monthly precipitation: 70.99 inches, MacLeod Harbor (Montague Island), Nov. 1976.

• Most annual precipitation: 332.29 inches, MacLeod Harbor (Montague Island), 1976.

• Highest recorded temperature: 100°F at Ft. Yukon, June 27, 1915.

• Lowest recorded temperature: -80°F at Prospect Creek Camp, Jan. 23, 1971.

Geological Records

Discover Alaska's Geological Records

• On average, 1,000 earthquakes registering 3.5+ occur in Alaska each year.

• Great Earthquake: 9.2 on the Richter Scale, March 27, 1964 — strongest ever recorded in North America.

• The largest gold nugget found in Alaska was discovered in Ruby in 1998 and weighed 20.16 pounds.

Alaska’s state mineral, gold, has shaped the state’s history — including discoveries like this massive nugget found in Ruby in 1998

Conclusion

Alaska’s wonders stretch from its immense landscapes and unique wildlife to its rich culture and extreme climate records. Visitors come to experience glaciers, Denali, dog mushing, and the midnight sun, leaving with memories that last a lifetime. For your Denali adventure, choose McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café. Nestled along Carlo Creek just minutes from Denali National Park, our signature Creekside cabins, family cabins, and three house rentals make the perfect basecamp. With our award-winning café and bakery, Alaska-sized pastries, and genuine Alaskan hospitality, McKinley Creekside Cabins offers the comfort, authenticity, and location that make your Alaska vacation truly unforgettable. Book direct with us to plan your 2026 adventure today.

The Aurora Borealis dances across Alaska’s night sky — a bucket-list highlight for Denali visitors and guests at McKinley Creekside Cabins.