Upper Kalskag, AK

Upper Kalskag sits on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River in western Alaska, about two miles upriver from Lower Kalskag. Most locals simply call the village "Upper." The community has deep Yup'ik roots, originally established when families relocated from older settlements along nearby sloughs in the early 1900s. Today, it is a small, welcoming town where residents share local services, school events, and everyday routines with their neighbors down the road.

Daily logistics here change with the seasons. A maintained gravel road links Upper and Lower Kalskag, while a shared airstrip offers regular flights to regional hubs like Bethel and Aniak. In the summer, people use skiffs on the Kuskokwim for fishing trips and hauling supplies. Once the river freezes over in the winter, it turns into a main travel route for snowmachines and four-wheelers. Life in Upper Kalskag revolves around traditional subsistence hunting, gathering, and strong family ties, creating a quiet and self-reliant lifestyle.