I created Alaskan Glamping because I saw how powerful Alaska can be when people are allowed to experience it properly. Not rushed. Not overdeveloped. Not treated like a tourist stop. But experienced. When people arrive at Eklutna Lake, something changes. The air is different. The mountains feel bigger. The pace slows. For many guests, it is the first time in years they have sat quietly without a schedule. That moment matters. And I believe experiences like that should be designed intentionally.

Alaskan Glamping was created by Katie Connor, an Alaska-based entrepreneur who believes the most meaningful travel experiences happen when people slow down long enough to truly feel a place. After years of working in tourism and outdoor recreation, Katie saw something missing in the way people experience Alaska. Many visitors come searching for wilderness, quiet, and connection to nature—but often encounter busy schedules, crowded tours, or accommodations that keep them disconnected from the landscape around them. She set out to create something different. Through Alaskan Glamping, Katie designs small, intentional lodging experiences that allow guests to experience Alaska at a slower, more meaningful pace. Each stay is thoughtfully curated to balance comfort with immersion in the natural environment. Located near Eklutna Lake, the experience centers around quiet mornings, expansive views, and simple moments that often become the most memorable parts of a trip. Katie approaches her work with a deep respect for the land and the public spaces that make Alaska so special. By operating within protected park environments, she is committed to creating experiences that allow guests to connect with the outdoors while preserving the character and integrity of the landscape. For guests who join a hosted experience, Katie acts as both host and curator—creating space for conversation, reflection, and discovery while allowing the setting itself to remain the main attraction. Her philosophy is simple: Travel should not just be about seeing a place. It should be about feeling it.

Guests are often surprised by how quickly the pace of life slows down once they arrive near Eklutna Lake. Just a short drive from Anchorage, the area feels completely removed from the city, offering expansive mountain views, glacier-fed waters, and some of the most accessible wilderness in Southcentral Alaska. The lake sits within Chugach State Park, one of the largest state parks in the United States. Guests love waking up surrounded by quiet forest and alpine scenery, with easy access to outdoor activities like kayaking, biking the lakeside trail, wildlife viewing, and simply enjoying the stillness of the landscape. Many visitors also explore nearby cultural and historic sites. Just down the road is Eklutna Historical Park, home to the colorful spirit houses of the Eklutna Dena’ina Athabascan Village, where guests can learn about the region’s Indigenous heritage and traditions. For those wanting to experience more of Alaska’s culture and food scene, the restaurants, breweries, and museums of Anchorage are within easy driving distance. Guests often visit the Anchorage Museum or the Alaska Native Heritage Center before returning to the lake for a quiet evening under the long northern daylight or star-filled skies. What guests consistently say they love most, however, is the contrast: the ability to enjoy Alaska’s wild beauty and still be close enough to Anchorage to explore local culture, dining, and history. It’s the kind of place where a day can include a museum visit, a great meal in the city, and a peaceful sunset beside a glacial lake—all in the same trip.