Unalakleet, AK

Sitting right where the Unalakleet River meets Norton Sound, Unalakleet is a scenic coastal town of about 750 people in western Alaska. Located roughly 150 miles southeast of Nome, the community is surrounded by rolling hills, open tundra, and the waters of the Bering Sea. It has served as a regional gathering place for generations, pairing a deep Inupiaq cultural foundation with a friendly, close-knit atmosphere where neighbors readily lend a hand.

ATTRBureau of Land Management Alaska / CC BY 2.0

Daily life here moves with the rhythm of the seasons. Summers mean long days out on the water catching silver salmon, hauling in king crab, and gathering berries across the hillsides. Winter brings snowmachine trips across frozen trails and plenty of local excitement, especially when the town turns out to welcome mushers during the Iditarod. Thanks to an active airport with regular flights to Anchorage and nearby villages, Unalakleet provides dependable travel, reliable freight access, and essential services that make settling into rural Alaska much smoother.