Maclaren River Lodge
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About
#2 of 5 campgrounds in Paxson
Location
4.3
Rooms
3.6
Value
4.4
Cleanliness
4.2
Service
4.4
Sleep Quality
4.4
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Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Canoeing
Hiking
Highchairs available
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Gift shop
Restaurant
Canoeing offsite
Shared lounge / TV area
Room features
Blackout curtains
Room types
Mountain view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Location
Mile 42 Denali Highway, Paxson, AK 99586
Getting there
Fairbanks Intl Airport
124 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
1 Restaurant
within 5 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
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Detailed Reviews
MaClaren River Lodge is a destination all of itself. Located at about mile 41 on the Denali Hwy (Paxson end) it offers several options for lodging at very reasonable prices as well as a full bar and a restaurant with a reasonable but small menu. The staff is very friendly and helpful and this is a VETERAN owned business. Additionally they offer drop off canoeing and fishing trips and a remote camp for those who want to enjoy a truly wild experience. The highway is closed during the winter but the lodge is still accessible by snowmobile, dog sled or aircraft. Viewing the Aurora from this remote location is hard to beat.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â Be sure to top off your gas tank before heading out on the Denali Hwy. Even though it is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were traveling from Denali to Chitinia to catch a small plane to McCarthy via the Denali Highway and needed a place to stay in between to position us for a flight the next day. We enjoyed the Denali Highway until we found the road closed to replace a culvert. We had to just sit and wait for a few hours. By the time we got to Maclaren River Lodge we were tired and hungry. The staff was friendly and informed us the kitchen would close in half an hour. We ordered and got settled in our cabin. It was cute but rustic. Our cabin did not have water and there was a shared bathhouse for our use. I knew this when I booked, but was all that was available and was fine. They do have other cabins with plumbing. The cabins face a small lake and the river is just on the other side of the parking lot with mountain views all around. Dinner was good and breakfast the next morning was really good. We enjoyed our stay.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Welcoming stopover while traveling the Denali highway. Clean rooms and the evening entertainment was watching, from our room, as a beaver munched on willows in the evening sun. Slow travels reveal many wonders.
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I snowmachined the Denali Highway from Paxson and spent the night of March 7th at the lodge.
Our stay was nothing short of excellent. The lodge is very well run. The food was all terrific, particularly the homemade bread. The cabin rooms are really nice and comfortable. And, the owners and staff are very friendly and accommodating. As the only operating lodge along the western portion of the highway, it is welcoming, warm, and delightful.
If you make the trip, just be aware that Maclaren River Lodge is the first place along the highway (from the Paxson side) that has any services. The Tangle River Inn and the Tangle Lakes Lodge are both currently closed. On our trip in, we passed 1 group with 5 snowmachines, and on our trip out, we didn't pass anyone else. Solitude and privacy are great until your machine breaks down, so be prepared; however, also be prepared for a wonderful and unforgettable trip into the Alaska backcountry.
For a longer description of the trip, see my blog post at alaskanoutdoors.site
Our stay was nothing short of excellent. The lodge is very well run. The food was all terrific, particularly the homemade bread. The cabin rooms are really nice and comfortable. And, the owners and staff are very friendly and accommodating. As the only operating lodge along the western portion of the highway, it is welcoming, warm, and delightful.
If you make the trip, just be aware that Maclaren River Lodge is the first place along the highway (from the Paxson side) that has any services. The Tangle River Inn and the Tangle Lakes Lodge are both currently closed. On our trip in, we passed 1 group with 5 snowmachines, and on our trip out, we didn't pass anyone else. Solitude and privacy are great until your machine breaks down, so be prepared; however, also be prepared for a wonderful and unforgettable trip into the Alaska backcountry.
For a longer description of the trip, see my blog post at alaskanoutdoors.site
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Date of stay: March 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â We stayed in Cabin one which overlooked the lake and had mountain views as well as a sunset view.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love love this place! I stayed here 5 years ago and couldn’t wait to bring my husband here. We stayed in one of the new cabins facing the lake. Beautiful view from our deck. Saw some trumpeter swans and my husband tried to catch some grayling. The food was great and Caleb took excellent care of us making sure we had everything we needed. I love the atmosphere in the lodge…. everyone was friendly and shared Alaska experiences. Even though it rained for 3 days while we were there, we still managed to walk on some of the trails and fish in some of the lakes and rivers. Be sure to get gas at Macleran before heading out on the Denali highway if your fuel is low. No gas stations for miles.
Can’t wait to return.
Can’t wait to return.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â No amenities in cabins so be sure you have shampoo, soap and ice for your perishables in your...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This lodge is situated in a great location. The rooms are nicely constructed and comfortable. But some of the finish work is incomplete. For example, our patio door had no door-knob was covered with masking tape. The views of the river and small cove were very nice and peaceful. Unfortunately, the food was horrible. The supper that we had at McLaren was the worst food that we had during 17 days in Alaska, and that included tailgate sandwiches, and galley food on day cruises. Suggest ordering from the lunch menu for dinner, it has to be better than the dinner fare. Please note that the service rating is a combination of the lodge and the restaurant.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were on a family drive vacation with a six-year old, and this lodge was a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors on the gorgeous Maclaren River. Yes, it is a hunting lodge with a few rough edges, but our cabin was clean and very comfortable, albeit with no ceiling fan, microwave or fridge. It needs that, since the lodge and adjacent bar were filled with people who still refuse to wear face masks. Thrilled when Zack took us on a ultra-scenic boat trip up the river to the Maclaren Glacier and his very cool camp. Can't wait to return for a canoe float trip in this spectacular tundra, high-peak setting.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â New cabins on the river.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Maclaren River Lodge, Owner at Maclaren River Lodge
Responded Aug 6, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We hope to see you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a fun time at the Maclaren River Lodge. Our group spent an extra night here due to weather but enjoyed ourselves. The food was good especially the breakfast. The rooms were comfortable and were right above a small lake with a patio above. The best part of the trip was a ride in an airboat with Captain Zach! 14 miles up to see the glacier and go for a hike. The boys and I sat outside on the ride back where we got a little rain but got to see a double rainbow above the mountains. Pretty cool! Thank you!
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good location to stay while touring Denley Road.
The cabin is clean and decorated with a lake view balcony. The staff at the hotel and restaurant are efficient and courteous. There is parking right next to the door of the room.
The cabin is clean and decorated with a lake view balcony. The staff at the hotel and restaurant are efficient and courteous. There is parking right next to the door of the room.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A rustic lodge with a great view (weather permitting) of Maclaren Glacier, and friendly staff. The room was very comfortable and a good size. I only ate from the breakfast and lunch menu's but it was good. Zach took us on a boat trip upriver which was great fun too.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"Go up river with the airboat and captain Zach. Stay in wall tents for a night or two for some hiking to the moraine and paddle back lodge."Read full review
"We stayed in Cabin one which overlooked the lake and had mountain views as well as a sunset view."Read full review
"Be sure to top off your gas tank before heading out on the Denali Hwy. Even though it is available, it’s very expensive."Read full review
"No amenities in cabins so be sure you have shampoo, soap and ice for your perishables in your cooler. Get gas there"Read full review
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
McClaren River Lodge
LOCATION
United StatesAlaskaPaxson
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Maclaren River Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Maclaren River Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Maclaren River Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Are pets allowed at Maclaren River Lodge?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.