Reviews

My dad and I had the pleasure of spending the week at Crystal Creek Lodge, and it’s been difficult to come back down to reality. Neither of us is much of an angler (even though we try), and at a typical fishing lodge, it’s intimidating to show up with hardly any experience. From the minute we arrived, we realized that wouldn’t be the case at all. Everyone welcomed us and made us feel at home, even on the first day when we had to get re-acquainted with how a fly rod works. (We still came back home with 80 pounds of salmon, if that helps give an idea of how fabulous the fishing is.) Many of the other guests were much more skilled than we were, and the guides easily adapted to anglers of all levels. Crystal Creek is truly for anyone who loves the outdoors. When we weren’t fishing or rafting down the most beautiful rivers and creeks, we visited Katmai National Park to watch the bears, ate some of the best food we’ve had in a long time, and got to know the world-class team of wonderful people that makes Crystal Creek so special. Not one detail is overlooked (fitness center, hot tub, MASSAGES), and the entire experience is nothing short of spectacular. We’ll be using this trip as the pinnacle of all trips from here on out, which is bittersweet because nothing else will compare. We cannot recommend Crystal Creek highly enough—thank you to the whole team for giving us the trip of a lifetime!

We have been fortunate to go to the Crystal Creek Lodge several times. The first time was wonderful and, if possible, each subsequent visit has been even better. Within twenty minutes of arriving, everyone at the lodge knows your name, and I do mean everyone; the guides, the house staff, the chef, the pilots, everyone. The lodge itself is stunning and furnished like a museum of Alaska Natural History. The food would make a gourmet restaurant proud, and the rooms are large, comfortable, and welcoming. Crystal Creek is an Orvis-endorsed lodge. The equipment, from the Orvis waders, rods, and reels to the jet boats and planes is top-of-the line and maintained in excellent condition. The fishing is superb, with opportunities to catch sockeye, silver, and king salmon, dolly varden, arctic char, grayling,and rainbows. Crystal Creek is known throughout Alaska as a terrific place to work. It attracts top guides and staff who are outstanding at their jobs and quickly become your friends. Dan, Lynette, Alex and Heather have been running this operation for a long time and it functions like a fine watch. Alaska offers fishing experiences beyond anything you can experience in the lower 48. Crystal Creek is the best of the best.

Fantastic experience at Crystal Creek. The staff, guides and facilities are all first class.

A magical experience! Everything worked as clockwork. The efficient and wonderful people that work there are what makes Crystal Creek a unique place! I enjoyed every minute of my week. Thank you for making everything seem so easy so the guests can relax and not worry about anything but fishing, exploring and having the best of times.

Crystal Creek Lodge is one-of-a-kind. Breathtaking scenery, top notch guides, friendly and engaging hospitality staff, and amazing meals prepared by a 5 star chef make Crystal Creek a truly magical experience! Dan, Lynette, Alex and Heather have created a special place!

The entire experience provided by everyone at Crystal Creek Lodge was exceptional, in fact work class! From arrival to departure and everything in between I find it hard to find anything I would suggest be done differently. The owners, guides and lodge staff are professional, personable, and knowledgeable and the positive energy and chemistry is evident in every aspect of the guest experience. The fishing was spectacular and the varied trips provided an incomparable combination of high volume and technical fishing. The scenery is worth the trip alone, but what the folks at Crystal Creel Lodge have going on is something I can recommend without hesitation or reservation!

Wow what a trip, on a scale of 1-10 this was an11! I felt comfortable the moment I arrived, every need was anticipated and the staff was out of this world - simply brilliant! I will definitely be back!

What an amazing experience I had at Crystal Creek Lodge. The staff is so warm and accommodating that you will feel like family in no time. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. The food is absolutely amazing. The guides are very patient, and extremely helpful. Over all the place is magical.

If I could give 6 stars, I would! I’ve been fortunate to travel the world fishing and hunting over the years to some incredible places and adventures, and Crystal Creek Lodge is absolutely one of the finest places I’ve been. The lodge is beautiful, impeccably kept, the staff is over-the-top, facilities and equipment were all top end and the fishing was the finest of anywhere I’ve been. If there is ever a detail that has been dreamt up over 30+yrs of running a top rate lodge, they’ve implemented it. It is really special to be hosted by the owners and their families themselves (although the entire staff treats each other like family) and then share what they’ve put their life’s passion and work into - it shows! And the fishing….just wow. I’m not sure I through a fly more than 12xs my last day without a world class Dolly Varden peeling me to my backing! The remote places they take you, the knowledge they have of the land and its history, and willingness to take you on adventures off the beaten path made this trip one I’ll remember forever. This was a guys trip with close friends but we are already planning on filling the lodge in 2026 with our wives and kids! Alex/Heather/Dan - if you read this, we can’t thank you enough for your hospitality and sharing such a special place with us! Clayton Thomas

I own a lodge and do this for a living. I travel and fish and guide extensively. In short, this is one of the best lodges I have ever been to or seen, hands down. When you look for a lodge a seasoned angler looks at it all. You would be short sighted not to. And Crystal Creek provides it all. The whole package. Fishing. Lodging. Food. And arguably the most important service. We were the last guests of the year in 2023. My wife and I after just closing our lodge made the long journey from Boston to Alaska. And boy are we glad we did. Everyone is treated like family. Let's start there. Everyone knows your name. And I do mean the entire staff. Show me a lodge or hotel where that happens...you can't. The lodging was excellent. Our room beautiful, spacious and inviting. With wi-fi, and plush bedding, a shower you could park a Buick in. But we never spent too much time in our room. There was too much to do. The facility is first class. Actually stunning. Food very good. Setting incredible. Each day your guide takes you on an epic journey. One day you could float the river the lodge overlooks. But most days you jump on your own private plane and head out to the bush. Wild Alaska pictures just can't convey. We landed on tundra with not a sole within 150 miles. Hiked streams frothing with fish. One stream we hiked was fully of dolly vardens. And you could catch one on every cast. That is not an exaggeration. I bet I personally caught 80-100 that day, easily. All beautiful, strong fish. I had to stop on several occasions as my arms ached. On several days we went out to the Katmai. If you have never seen 500 lb bears 10 feet away from you gorging on salmon this is not to be missed. Aside from catching rainbows and reds we were so overwhelmed by the beauty of the setting, with hundreds of bears (including cubs) within casting distance that we often times just stared in wonder. There is more to life than fishing, and this drove that point home. To be surrounded by such majestic beauty is incredible. After each day we would come home to happy hour with fresh hors d'oeuvres (from sushi to oysters, pate to cheeses) and a fine glass of wine. Dinners were great, you will not go to bed hungry. Tired yes. The staff was superb (and again I train my fishing staff and know incredible people when I see them). The lodge owners superb. I cannot wait to go back. Its really that simple.

From start to finish my trip to Crystal Creek was awesome! The staff treats you like royalty, the accommodations are as good as they get, the food is outstanding, the planes and boats are in perfect condition and clean, the rest of the equipment is top notch. Top all of this off with an amazing location in Alaska combined with fantastic fishing, what could be better. Thanks so much to Dan, Lynette, Alex and Heather for making this an unforgettable trip of a lifetime for my Dad and I!

Outstanding staff, owners, housekeeping, guides, equipment, lodging

Wonderful place, fantastic people, extraordinary experience!

Have fished at Crystal Creek Lodge for 17 years. There is a reason why they continually get 5 Star Reviews. Another great year with my brother and son. This is an adult camp for anglers. Eat-Fish-Sleep-Repeat. The fishing is always great. The dining and staff are exceptional. Can't imagine a better experience. Already booked for #18.

We just came back from another awesome week at the Crystal Creek Lodge. Their entire team works so hard to make sure we have the best possible experience. The guides are knowledgeable and accommodating. The pilots are the best and get us into remarkable places and the kitchen and hospitality staff do everything possible to make us feel at home. They treat you like family which is why we keep coming back.

Spectacular as usual!…. Awesome folks, beautiful accommodations , crazy fishing !…. Nothing more to say than…THANK YOU real CCL!!!

Fishing, food, staff and accommodations are the best I’ve experienced in Alaska. They truly know the definition of service. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for the trip of a lifetime to Alaska.

I'm not a great fly fisherwoman so I was a bit nervous to.....flyfish in AK! My husband goes for a week and I did the short trip with a friend to join up with our husbands. It was so cool to fly out everyday to isolated fishing spots with pilots who had our utmost safety in mind. The guides did EVERTHING to make our experience amazing. And we caught a ton of fish! The food was incredible...super fresh and beautifully prepared. The staff was top notch...they didn't miss a thing. The rooms were spacious and the beds were super comfy. We both had massages that were wonderful after a hard day of fishing. This lodge is so worthy of its 5 stars and I would recommend it with no hesitation.

The staff at CCL are like family to me. From your arrival in King Salmon until your departure your every need is addressed by their family oriented team. The total Alaskan experience is achieved by the full range of activities for your custom week as a guest. Outstanding place to relax and experience the GOD filled wonder and beauty of Alaska.

Frisky silvers, gorgeous rainbows, bears grabbing salmon close enough to keep our heads swiveling from our rods to their eyes, flights across the stunning tundra, bear cubs frolicking on the beach, belugas, seals, eagles, and a team of guides and pilots clearly the best in the business. Chef Brian's cuisine -- double desserts included -- filled as many pages in my journal as the days' fishing. Above all, Alaska continues to amaze us and our time at Crystal Creek is always filled with laughter and delight.

I recently took my wife and another couple to Crystal Creek Lodge. I had been a couple of times previously, focused on trout fishing. On this trip we fished 2 days and spent 2 days on excursions for bear and walrus viewing. Each day was absolutely outstanding. The food is creative and delicious! The facilities, planes and team are all first rate. The fishing guides are very skilled and able to adjust to beginners as well as experienced fly fisher people. The staff is just incredible. For people fortunate enough to have experienced different lodges and outfitters, you know that people make the difference. And the people at CCL are the best!

One week stay fishing every day, very upscale accomodations, excellent food

This is my 3rd year going to Crystal Creek Lodge. Every year gets better and better. Coming back to the lodge, food, fishing, guides, music, sunsets, rivers, bears, beavers, friends and family makes CCL the best place to be.

An unbelievable treat to enjoy Crystal Creek Lodge. The scenery, staff and fishing have no equals. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!