Wiseman is a bit off the Dalton Highway and the best place to rest if traveling it. Berni and Uta are kind, intelligent, interesting hosts. Having lived in the "wild" since he was 16 years old, Berni has many fascinating stories. Uta is a soft-spoken lady who cooks a mean breakfast. Both are kind and accommodating. The cabins, built by Berni over several years, are combinations of rustic and modern, small with fairly poor lighting (they generate their own power) but also homey with instant hot water and fascinating reading materials. Quiet and restful. We wished we could have spent longer than our 3 nights (2 going up the highway, 1 on the way back) here.
Suggestion: The evening talks at the ranger station in Coldfoot are worth the 13-mile drive back there, but make sure there is a program before making the trek. With the current construction there can be long waits.)

We toured Alaska for 14 days, and Wiseman and staying at the Arctic Getaway was by far the best two days in Alaska. We already miss it and want to go back there whenever we can. Our hosts were very friendly and helpful in suggesting what we should do while there and we are so happy we listened to them. They really know their area well. Just a little hint about driving on the Dalton: if you follow "the rules" you should be fine taking your own car. The two companies in Fairbanks are making a killing off those people who are scared to drive on the Dalton. Drive slowly and move over when a truck is coming (there aren't a lot), take a spare tire and you should be fine. We didn't have a single stone hitting the car while driving there and back. It is a very bumpy ride though. Concerning food: for those who don't bring their own dinner from Fairbanks, 13 miles south of Wiseman is Coldfoot and their diner is awesome. We brought our own dinner, but decided to eat at the diner.

Had the privilege of staying at the Arctic Getaway with Owner's Berni and Uta and their beautiful children for one night during a drive down from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks. The population of Wiseman is currently at 12 persons. The Hickman family makes up 1/3 of the population! Wonderful accomodations, clean, quiet comfortable. What a great treasure if you are willing to make the trip up/or down the Dalton Highway.

When you stay here, you know you are in the real Alaska! Many people will not be able to get to this place since it involved driving over 200 miles on the mostly unpaved and very rough Dalton Highway. There are only a few other options for lodging in this area, but this one appeared to be the best choice by far. The B&B is located in the very small and historic town of Wiseman. The accommodations consist of a rustic cabin that holds two rooms with a shared bathroom. The rooms are very clean (the bathroom is modern) and the one we stayed in had two beds, a table with benches, a stove and oven, a small sink, and bookshelves stocked with some interesting reading material. The kitchen area is important since there is only one restaurant around and it is 20 miles back down the Dalton in Coldfoot. It really helps to plan ahead and bring your own food to cook. The cabin is stocked with pots, plates, utensils and even dish soap, so you have everything you need. The hosts, the Hickers have lived in this community for many years and their home is the old Wiseman recreation hall from the early days of the town. They serve you a yummy sourdough pancake breakfast, at a long table in the room where the dances used to be held. They were very friendly and helpful, suggesting various hiking options for us in the area. It seems that many of the other guests were just passing through on the way to or from Prudhoe Bay, but there is a lot of spectacular wilderness to see in this area, so spend some time here if you can. Also, take an evening walk around the town since it’s a very unique place. When you are here you know you have arrived in the true wilderness of Alaska!