Ruby, AK

Ruby is a small, remote community of about 140 people set along the south bank of the Yukon River in central Alaska. Because the village is completely off the road grid, travel looks different here. Getting in and out requires a small bush plane, a boat during the summer, or a snowmachine over frozen trails in the winter. Having the Yukon and the nearby Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge right outside town makes it a great home base for fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness.

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The town got its start during a 1906 gold rush along Ruby Creek, quickly growing into a bustling riverboat hub with hotels, sawmills, and supply shops. Over the decades, it settled into a much quieter, close-knit pace. Today, Ruby maintains the essentials, including a local general store, a post office, and the Merreline A. Kangas School for local students. Life here moves with the river and the seasons, creating a peaceful, self-reliant community.