Outdoor Enthusiasts Will Love Alaska's Breathtaking Adventure Lodge With Scenic Recreation

Ever dreamed of a remote stay on an Alaskan fjord seascape? How about one so secluded you can only reach it by small aircraft or ferry? The Orca Adventure Lodge in Cordova offers a scenic, remote escape for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. A historic 40-room hotel, the lodge was built on the former grounds of the Orca Cannery. The "Orca" name was simply for branding; the cannery actually processed salmon. Still, the name stuck, and the inlet where the lodge lies became known as Orca Inlet. Although orcas could wander into Orca Bay and the narrower inlet from Prince William Sound, you probably won't spot them from your room window.

You can, however, paddle a kayak or join an Orca Inlet boat tour and spot other types of wildlife. The lodge estimates that more than 12,000 sea otters live within 25 miles of the property, and it's common to see seals and eagles while gliding past waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. For a higher chance of seeing orcas, guests can book additional excursions from Cordova that explore the open waters of Prince William Sound. More whale-watching tours depart from Valdez, which requires a few different ferries to reach from Cordova. Known as the snowiest town in America, Valdez is worth the journey. 

Fishing is another highlight at Orca Adventure Lodge, with several types of trips depending on the season, fish species, and budget. During summer, skiff fishing offers an affordable way to catch salmon and halibut, while high-speed boat tours to nearby streams provide access to a wider variety. Saltwater trips take anglers farther into Prince William Sound's deep waters for the ultimate adventure. The lodge also offers glacier tours to the nearby Sheridan Glacier. Guests take a short hike before hopping in kayaks and paddling across Sheridan Glacier Lake, often surrounded by awe-inspiring ice walls on both sides — a breathtaking end to an Alaskan day.

The Orca Adventure Lodge recommends visiting in the warmer months, when you can really make the most of the outdoor activities around Cordova and Orca Inlet. Getting there takes a little planning — two flights come and go from Cordova each day in summer, or you can take the scenic ferry from Whittier, about an hour south of Anchorage. The lodge provides most of the equipment you'll need for activities like fishing and kayaking, but you'll definitely want to bring good rain gear and sturdy hiking boots. Being underprepared for the weather is one of the things tourists should never do when visiting Alaska.

Some guests enjoy the peace and natural surroundings so much that they never actually make it into Cordova, just 3 miles away. The Orca Adventure Lodge's on-site restaurant, open only to guests, serves a daily breakfast along with hearty lunches and dinners of soups and pastas — perfect after a long day outdoors. If you're heading out early for an activity, you can even ask for a packed lunch. Coffee lovers are in luck, too: From May through October, the lodge runs its own gourmet coffee shop serving blends from local Alaskan roasters.

Visiting Cordova during one of its local festivals makes a stay at the Orca Adventure Lodge even more memorable. Every May, the Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival draws visitors eager to witness one of Alaska's most stunning natural events: Nearly 5 million shorebirds pause on the delta's tidal flats mid-migration before continuing north to breed. The festival celebrates this breathtaking spectacle with guided birding tours, talks from conservationists, and hands-on workshops. (Copper River canvas painting night, anyone?) Even for those who aren't birdwatchers, seeing the community unite to protect the wildlife that depends on Alaska's natural environment is deeply moving.

Summer in Cordova brings even more local charm. The Old-Time Fourth of July celebration features a community picnic, square dancing, and lawn games, while July's Salmon Jam combines live music, local food, beer gardens, and family activities. For those feeling ambitious, the festival's "Salmon Runs" — ranging from a 5K to a full marathon — offer the perfect excuse to balance out the festivities.

Perhaps the most beloved of all, February's Iceworm Festival began in the 1960s as a way to lift spirits during the long, dark winter. Ice worms have become an unlikely mascot for this town, and the celebration has since grown into an eight-day affair. Today it includes a cake competition, parade, fireworks display, and the unforgettable Survival Suit Race, where teams of four leap into the icy harbor in bulky immersion suits and race to a nearby raft — earning points for both speed and style. Besides the Iceworm Festival, visiting Alaska in the winter also brings the chance to witness stunning views of the northern lights.