Where to Stay in Kodiak (Best Places, By an Area Local)

4 Best Areas to Stay in Kodiak

For first-time visitors to Kodiak, the downtown is the best place to stay. It is closest to the main attractions and has the widest variety of hotels. For those looking for a quiet retreat, northern Kodiak is a great choice.

Staying out of town on “the road system,” as we call it, is great for a more adventurous feel. For the truly adventurous, the village of Larsen Bay offers a genuine taste of rural Alaska.

Downtown Kodiak

👉 Best Area for Tourists | ✨ Best Downtown Kodiak Hotels: Best Western Kodiak Inn • Kodiak Compass Suites • Shelikof Lodge

Kodiak’s downtown area is tiny compared to what most people are used to, but that’s part of its charm. Local landmarks, museums, restaurants, and Kodiak Island Brewing Company (the town’s “living room”) are all within walking distance. 

Downtown is also an ideal base for exploring further afield. Near Island has some of the most pleasant and accessible hiking trails, and is just across the bridge from town.

I recommend staying at the Best Western Kodiak Inn. The hotel features a rustic Alaskan aesthetic, comfortable rooms, and an on-site bar and restaurant with great views of the harbor.

Pros of Staying in Downtown Kodiak:

• Major attractions are within walking distance
• Best variety of hotels
• Best variety of restaurants 

Cons of Staying in Downtown Kodiak:

• No grocery stores nearby
• Noisier (for Kodiak) than other areas
• Not as unique as stays in other areas on the island

Northern Kodiak Island

👉 Best Area for a Family Vacation | ✨ Best Northern Kodiak Apartments: Oceanfront Apartment • Cozy Island Lake Cabin • Goldilocks Bed & Breakfast

For a more authentic taste of Kodiak, consider staying at the Goldilocks Bed & Breakfast or booking a vacation rental on the northern end of town. Here, you will find neighborhoods surrounded by forests and beautiful ocean views. This region has the added convenience of being closer to Kodiak’s grocery stores.

One of the best things to see here is Fort Abercrombie State Park. The hushed forests hide old World War II bunkers and look-out spots, as well as a seasonal museum about Kodiak’s role in the war. In the summer months, this is a great place to go berry picking, too.

White Sands Beach at the end of the road is a great place to spend a sunny day. It’s also the trailhead for the long, but beautiful Termination Point hike. The river here is a good fishing spot, as is Mission Beach (which is closer to town, but usually more crowded).

Pros of Staying in Northern Kodiak Island:

• Quiet neighborhoods
• Forested surroundings and ocean views
• Cozy bed and breakfasts and apartments
• Close to local fishing holes (check with Dept. of Fish & Game about licenses and seasons)

Cons of Staying in Northern Kodiak Island:

• More expensive
• Bears sometimes wander here at night
• Further from attractions and restaurants

The Kodiak Island Road System

👉 Best Area for Outdoor Recreation |✨ Best Road System Hotels: Olds River Inn • Quality Inn Kodiak • Ocean View Cottage

The road system on Kodiak Island leads to a few outlying areas that also have accommodations and attractions. Instead of taking a right from the Kodiak Island airport, turn left for a more adventurous experience.

Chiniak sits across three bays from Kodiak and is a perfect place for a quiet retreat. Pasagshak, on the other side of this peninsula, is a favorite getaway for locals on warm summer days.

While the lodging here is limited, it is, in my opinion, the best location for camping on the island. There are no services, but roughing it here is more than repaid by the tranquility and epic views.

Before heading out, hit up Java Flats for great coffee, snacks, and sandwiches. The Olds River Inn is the only hotel and restaurant once you get “out” of the road system and is open seasonally (end of April to end of October). It’s better to stay in town if you’re visiting outside this time, anyway, as the fish aren’t running and the roads may not be regularly maintained.

Pros of Staying on the Kodiak Island Road System:

• More adventurous feeling
• Better chances of seeing wildlife
• Very peaceful

Cons of Staying on the Kodiak Island Road System:

• Fewer options for lodgings and restaurants
• Some options have a much higher average nightly price
• Far from Kodiak’s main attractions and restaurants

Larsen Bay

👉 Best Area for Adventure Travelers | ✨ Best Larsen Bay Accommodations: Driftwood Wilderness Lodge • Charming 2-Bedroom Cabin

Located on the southwestern side of Kodiak Island, Larsen Bay is your gateway to rural Alaskan adventures. It’s the best base to explore the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. 

The village and surrounding area have a few accommodations, such as Driftwood Wilderness Lodge. It offers cozy rooms and basic amenities, plus guided fishing trips and transportation to remote hunting grounds. 

Getting to Larsen Bay requires booking a flight on Kodiak’s local air charter companies. It’s a great location for outdoor activities. A trip here will be on the spendier side, but if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Alaskan experience, this is the best place on the island for it!

Pros of Staying in Larsen Bay:

• A truly unique experience!
• The best base for exploring the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
• Friendly hosts make for a more personal experience.

Cons of Staying in Larsen Bay:

• You need to book a charter flight to get here
• A trip here can be expensive or, depending on the weather, tricky
• Very few conveniences or amenities in town

Tips for Staying in Kodiak

Bring A Rain Jacket

Be sure to prepare for rain when out exploring Kodiak’s attractions. Locals forgo the use of umbrellas because, while the region’s rain is light, the wind here usually makes it fall at an angle. A Kodiak man once said, “There’s no bad weather; only bad clothing choices.”

🥾 Read Next: Best Hiking Trails in Kodiak

Bring Layers

Kodiak has a cooler year-round climate than many places in America. Even in the summer, the nights tend to dip into the 40s and 50s! It never hurts to include an extra layer or two on your Alaska packing list.

Be Flexible

Adverse weather can sometimes make it tricky to get in and out of Kodiak (believe me, I’ve had my share). In general, the summer sees better weather, while the fall and winter often prove to be the trickiest times for travel in Alaska. Winter has the worst weather, and it may be best to forgo a ferry ride then due to the high seas and frequent storms.

Bear Awareness

Kodiak’s human citizens share the island with the largest land predator in North America. Fortunately, these bears are much more docile than their mainland cousins. However, they are not tame. Attacks are rare, but given the brute strength of the bears, they are no light matter. 

For an in-depth look at best practices, check out this page by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.

Reserve a Seat on the Right Side When Arriving

If you’re blessed with good weather when flying into Kodiak, the views from the plane are amazing! Book your seats on the right side of the airplane to get the best views — the left side views will mostly be of the ocean. Conversely, book the left side upon departure for one last glance at Kodiak (if the weather is good) on your way out.

Salmonberries and Other Wild Berries

Kodiak is home to salmonberries, a more tart cousin of raspberries. They ripen towards the end of summer and the darker they are, the sweeter. Don’t eat them if they are yellow or orange; they’re still too bitter for most palates. 

Sometimes the best berries are hidden underneath the leaves. Follow this link for a handy guide to which Alaskan berries are good and which are poisonous.

👉 Read Next: Best Areas to Stay in Alaska

FAQs

What is the best time of year to visit Kodiak, Alaska?

Summer is the best time to visit Kodiak. The weather is warmer and the days are long. With that said, I wrote a whole piece about why I think Kodiak is a four-season destination.

For example, if you want to save money and don’t mind colder, wetter weather, many Kodiak hotel deals are available in the “pre-season.” The average nightly price tends to be higher in summer.

How do you get around on Kodiak Island?

You can get around Kodiak by car or on foot; most attractions are within walking distance of Kodiak hotels. To get to other places on the island, you will need to charter a boat or a plane.

Are Kodiak and Kodiak Island the Same?

The city of Kodiak is the largest settlement on Kodiak Island. There are six smaller villages scattered across the Kodiak Island Archipelago. The Kodiak Island Archipelago includes Kodiak Island, Afognak, Spruce Island, and many other smaller islands.

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Now, you know where to stay in Kodiak! If my hometown is just one stop in your Alaska adventure, check out my guide to the best places to visit in Alaska next.